Looking for a safe alternative to HiAnime? Here are 10 legal anime streaming platforms — free and paid — that are safer, higher quality, and won't put your device at risk.
Why You Should Stop Using HiAnime
HiAnime continues to operate under various domains but faces increasing legal pressure. Its predecessors (Zoro.to, Aniwatch) were shut down, and HiAnime itself frequently changes domains. Using it exposes you to legal and security risks.
HiAnime (formerly known as Aniwatch and Zoro.to) is an unauthorized anime streaming site that rebranded multiple times to evade takedowns. It was popular for its clean interface and ad-light experience compared to other pirate sites.
HiAnime stood out from other pirate sites with its relatively clean UI, fewer intrusive ads, soft-sub support (multiple subtitle languages), and auto-next episode feature. It felt more polished than typical pirate sites.
The good news? You don't need HiAnime anymore. The legal streaming landscape has evolved dramatically, and there are now excellent free and affordable options that offer better quality, reliability, and safety.
All platforms below are legal, safe, and verified. Ranked by catalog size, free availability, and user experience.
Largest legal anime library (1,200+ titles)
Crunchyroll is the world's largest dedicated anime streaming platform with over 1,200 titles. It simulcasts new episodes within hours of Japan broadcast. While the free tier was removed in 2024, plans start at $7.99/month — and the catalog is unmatched. If you watch anime regularly, this is the gold standard.
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Paid ($7.99/mo)2,000+ free anime episodes
Tubi is the biggest free anime library in 2026. It offers thousands of anime episodes with ads and no sign-up required for most content. Major titles include Naruto, One Piece, Death Note, and Bleach. The catalog is constantly expanding with new additions every week.
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Free (Ad-supported)24/7 anime channels
Pluto TV features dedicated 24/7 anime channels that stream continuously — like cable TV but free. Channels include Anime All Day and more. Also has on-demand anime titles. No sign-up needed, making it one of the easiest free options available.
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Free (Ad-supported)High-budget anime originals & classics
Netflix has invested heavily in anime, producing originals like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Devilman Crybaby, and Castlevania. It also licenses popular titles like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and One Piece. The anime catalog varies significantly by region — use a VPN to access different libraries.
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Paid ($6.99/mo)Free simulcast anime on YouTube
Muse Asia is a YouTube channel that legally streams anime for free in Southeast Asia. They simulcast new seasonal anime and maintain a library of popular titles with high-quality subtitles. One of the best free anime sources for viewers in India and Southeast Asia.
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Free (YouTube)Best donghua (Chinese anime) library
Bilibili is the leading anime platform in China, and their global site offers free donghua and select Japanese anime worldwide. Great for exclusive titles like Scissor Seven, The King's Avatar, and Link Click. The free tier is generous with ads.
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FreemiumClassic anime from the 70s–2000s
RetroCrush specializes in classic and vintage anime from the 70s to 2000s. If you love retro aesthetics, this is your destination — titles include Lupin III, Galaxy Express 999, and Captain Harlock. Completely free with ads, no account required.
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Free (Ad-supported)Seasonal anime for Asian viewers
Ani-One Asia is another excellent YouTube channel for Asian viewers. They simulcast new seasonal anime and maintain a solid back-catalog. Complements Muse Asia with different licensing agreements, so between the two you get great coverage.
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Free (YouTube)Free anime on any device
The Roku Channel offers a rotating selection of free anime with ads. While the catalog is smaller than Tubi, it's accessible via web browser on any device — not just Roku hardware. A solid supplementary free anime source.
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Free (Ad-supported)Tencent anime & donghua
WeTV by Tencent offers a large library of Chinese anime and some Japanese anime for free with ads. Premium tier removes ads and unlocks early access. Particularly strong for cultivation and action donghua series.
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Freemium| Platform | Pricing | Account? | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Paid ($7.99/mo) | Yes | Global |
| Tubi | Free (Ad-supported) | No | US, CA, AU, MX |
| Pluto TV | Free (Ad-supported) | No | US, UK, CA, DE, BR |
| Netflix | Paid ($6.99/mo) | Yes | Global |
| Muse Asia | Free (YouTube) | No | IN, PH, ID, TH, MY, SG |
| Bilibili Global | Freemium | Optional | Global (varies) |
| RetroCrush | Free (Ad-supported) | No | US, CA, UK, AU |
| Ani-One Asia | Free (YouTube) | No | IN, PH, ID, TH, MY, SG |
| Roku Channel | Free (Ad-supported) | No | US, CA, UK |
| WeTV | Freemium | Optional | Global (varies) |
Many free anime platforms are region-restricted. A VPN lets you connect to servers in the US, Japan, or Southeast Asia to unlock their full libraries — legally and safely.
Some streaming platforms are geo-restricted. A VPN lets you access anime libraries from any country — unlock Crunchyroll US, Netflix Japan, and more.
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Read moreHiAnime carries significant risks despite its cleaner appearance. The site frequently changes domains (previously Zoro.to, then Aniwatch), which is a red flag. While it has fewer pop-up ads than other pirate sites, it still serves redirect ads that can lead to phishing or malware pages. Legal streaming alternatives are much safer.
Zoro.to rebranded to Aniwatch.to, which then rebranded to HiAnime. These rebrandings typically happen after legal pressure, domain seizures, or DMCA takedowns. Each rebrand often results in clone sites that are more dangerous than the original.
For HiAnime users who valued a clean interface and subtitle options, Crunchyroll ($7.99/mo) is the closest legal equivalent with its massive catalog and multi-language subtitle support. For free options, Tubi offers 2,000+ episodes with a clean, ad-light experience.
While no single free platform matches HiAnime's catalog, combining Tubi (US/CA/AU), Pluto TV, Muse Asia (Asia), and Bilibili gives you access to thousands of anime titles legally and for free. Crunchyroll at $7.99/mo covers nearly everything else.
A VPN is useful for accessing region-locked legal platforms, not for piracy. For example, Tubi's anime library is best in the US, while Muse Asia serves Southeast Asia. A VPN lets you connect to these regions and access their free, legal anime libraries.
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