Watching anime has gotten much easier since streaming movies and shows became the new norm. Of course, if you are able to legally stream the series you enjoy, you are able to show support for the creators of the anime, giving back to the anime community at the same time! We’ve previously talked about a few of the best legal sites to stream anime on, but the Internet changes quickly. And with technology constantly updating so that you have a lot more options, we thought we would share a little more about some of our favorite streaming sites for anime! Some of these websites we’ve not talked about before, while some may have been updated in the time since we last brought them up. Either way, we hope you can find a great streaming site from our list!
5. Viz Media
Website: https://www.viz.com/watch
If you enjoy the content that Viz produces, their site is a great option for watching anime, as it is free with ads, and has an option for purchasing your own collection of shows you enjoy. They have a rather limited selection of about 30 anime, based on what they own, and it tends to all be either shounen and/or action-based series. However, if you enjoy their content and are looking to digitally own your anime collection for personal use anywhere, Viz is a great choice.
4. Amazon Prime Video
Website: https://www.amazon.com/gp/prime
Though Amazon came into anime streaming a bit late, it has quickly risen in prestige, grabbing the exclusive rights to coveted series like Made in Abyss and Dororo. Amazon Prime may be a much better deal for those of you that want to have other options with your subscription as well, like free shipping, a marketplace for food, and tons of other options for how you use media and shop online. The site also offers some newer films to rent or buy for a bit cheaper than the normal pricing, including the new Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel movie! Amazon Prime is still a bit slow on the anime series they have available for streaming, but with the choices they’ve been making, they could dominate the scene soon.
3. HIDIVE
Website: https://www.hidive.com
HIDIVE offers a subscription for about half of the cost that sites like Netflix or Hulu charge. With a decent number of newer and simulcast shows to watch, it is a great option for newer anime fans who want to watch more of the latest options. The site even allows viewers to watch a few select episodes for free, though most of HIDIVE is useable through subscription alone. As far as streaming options go, this site is on the lower end, as it is rather limited, though it does have a few select simulcast shows not common on any other sites.
2. Netflix
Website: https://www.netflix.com/
Netflix is one of the few sites left which does not offer simulcast anime. Though they have expanded their content a bit, even including shows they have sponsored themselves, the site still mostly focuses on other types of series, with anime as a background feature. While we enjoy some of the titles Netflix has made exclusive on their site, it can be quite frustrating to have them take up shows like Nanatsu no Taizai, only to force us to wait months after the show has finished airing to actually get to watch it. Netflix still has some improvements it could make if it wants to improve on anime streaming, but if you enjoy binge-watching shows straight through and don’t mind a bit of a wait, it might be a good choice for you!
1. Crunchyroll
Website: https://www.crunchyroll.com/
In terms of streaming simulcast anime, Crunchyroll is still one of the best options out there with episodes released almost at the same time as they are in Japan. You can watch for free with ads, though a paid subscription allows you to watch unhindered, with simulcast episodes released a week sooner by subscription than on the free account. While Crunchyroll does have some technical difficulties from time to time, especially with their Xbox and Playstation applications, it offers excellent translation, a large community of anime fans, and a wide variety of both new and older anime series to choose from.
Final Thoughts
Any of the streaming sites we’ve shared should be a good option if you’re interested in watching anime. After all, as long as we’re able to watch anime and give back to its creators in some way, we’re happy!
What do you think the future of streaming sites like these will move into? Which website is your favorite for watching anime on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/img-common/author-profile-image/083.jpg)
Author: Meghan May Dellinger
If you’re just starting out in the anime world, or just don’t know of any legal sites that will allow you to help the developers make even more of the genre of television we know and love, then this list is for you.
Here I’m going to be taking a look at who’s streaming legally; who costs more than who; who has ads and who has ad free streaming; and finally the quality of the videos themselves as well as the content range. Content ratings will be on a range of 1-5, with 5 meaning the most content is streamed while 1 would be the least.
I’ll also go through the translation quality so you can get a general idea of what to expect from the provider!
Crunchyroll
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Crunchyroll.png)
- Website:
http://www.crunchyroll.com/ - Simulcast:
Yes - Ads:
Only for Free Members - Fee:
Anime Simulcast - $6.95/Month OR
Free Membership with a week’s delay. - Quality:
Up to 1080p for Paid Subscribers, 420p for Free Members - Translation Quality:
Excellent (minimal mistakes) - Speed of Simulcast:
Minutes from TV broadcast - Coverage Rating:
5 (many)
This is my personal favorite as it updates regularly with the newest and hottest titles. It also has a steady stream rate with minimal lag (if there ever is any) thanks to dedicated servers. It is available on your mobile phones, computers, iPads and consoles with an easy to figure setup. The ability to search through genres also helps when you’re new so you can pick an anime for exactly the type of mood you’re in for! The only downside I have found is that content is edited, gore and violence and nudity aspect, all have different kinds of edits to them. This would be fine if it weren’t for the fact that shows like Terra Formars are heavily laden with gore, and black screens can get annoying after a while.
Daisuki
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Daisuki-300x300.gif)
- Website:
http://www.daisuki.net/ OR
https://www.youtube.com/user/DAISUKI - Simulcast:
Yes - Ads:
No - Fee:
Currently Free Membership - Quality:
Up to 1080p - Translation Quality:
Excellent (minimal mistakes) - Speed of Simulcast:
Up to a day after Japanese episode release - Coverage Rating:
1 (as of Dec 19 only 16 available titles)
I do enjoy this site, mainly because they’re not out to compete with anyone else they simply want more legal ways for those of us not in Japan to enjoy anime. They have previously stated they will eventually have fee based content, but for now it’s another great way to get legal anime streams (in great quality I might add).
FUNimation
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Funimation-500x61.png)
- Website:
http://www.funimation.com/ - Simulcast:
Yes - Ads:
Some, none with paid subscription - Fee:
$7.95 a month with a 12 month $54.95 option - Quality:
Up to 1080p for paid subscribers, 420p for Free Members - Translation Quality:
Excellent (minimal mistakes) - Speed of Simulcast:
Minutes after Japanese release - Coverage:
5 (many)
What I love about the FUNimation is that they don’t edit content to the extent of some other providers. The paid subscription and the age of 17+ allows for full viewing of content that is rated TV-MA, including the gore. Some viewers have expressed concerns over their lineup and whether or not they’re able to bring in a good one each season. Others have refuted this so the argument, like most on the internet, stretches back and forth. One of the things fans enjoy most about this site is the ability to switch through subs and dubs depending on the show, whereas sites like Crunchyroll are strictly subs.
Hulu
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Hulu-300x200.png)
- Website:
http://www.hulu.com/ - Simulcast:
Yes - Ads:
Yes - Fee:
Free OR $7.99 a month - Quality:
Up to 1080p for Paid Subscribers, SD for Free - Translation Quality:
Excellent (minimal mistakes) - Speed of Simulcast:
1 Day Delay from Japanese Air Date - Coverage:
5 (many)
I can’t deny Hulu carries more titles than any other streaming site for anime, but the way they do this is by showing ads in every anime show (avoiding licensing arguments). However, if you can find it in yourself to power through them, it’s an all-around great site to view your anime from. My only concern is the day delay, when the big titles are being featured elsewhere for less cost and no ads. On this list however, no one has as many titles currently available as Hulu does with a whopping 771.
NetFlix
![083 Five Legal Sites to Stream Your Anime Online [Updated]](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Netflix-300x150.png)
- Website:
https://www.netflix.com - Simulcast:
No - Ads:
No - Fee:
$7.99 - Quality:
Up to 1080p - Translation Quality:
Excellent (minimal mistakes) - Speed of Simulcast:
N/A - Coverage:
3 (more than a few)
I love Netflix, but their anime selection is miniscule compared to some others. On top of the fact that they’re not simulcast, this is where I would go to watch anime that has already come out. Plus who doesn’t love the fact that it’ll keep going through the episodes until you turn it off? Makes those binge sessions much easier! As I stated before, Netflix is not the place you want to go to see the newest anime titles, it’s where you go when you’re caught up on all the new shows and don’t mind trying something a already out.
Now remember, these sites are all the legal ways to enjoy anime, and therefor safer for you, the fortunate viewer. Plus, putting some money into it will benefit the developers who actually make the content, so they can make even more. I just wanted to reiterate this as a lot of people have asked me in the past whether paying to watch was worth it. Well, I believe it’s beneficial for everyone to support it. Let them know there’s a market for anime in the states and I guarantee there will be more releases and possibly even conjoined efforts between US developers and Japanese!