13 Best Aniwave Alternatives to Watch Anime Online for Free in 2025

Aniwave (Aniwave.to) was once a go-to anime streaming site for free HD episodes with absolutely no or very minimal ads. Unfortunately, it’s currently down. The site’s creators abruptly shut it down in 2024, even posting a farewell message urging fans to support official services.

Anime lovers who relied on Aniwave are now left asking "is AniWave down for good?" and scrambling to find an AniWave alternative website.

In this article, we’ll answer this question, and help you find the best AniWave alternatives available. We’ll compare 13 top anime streaming platforms (mixing legal sites and popular unofficial ones) so you can keep watching your favorite anime.

Part 1: Why Is AniWave Down or Not Working?

While the exact reason wasn’t fully disclosed, it’s likely due to copyright crackdowns. In fact, AniWave’s team hinted in their goodbye note that legal issues were catching up and encouraged users to switch to paid legal platforms​ in their final message. This isn’t surprising, as mid-2024 saw a wave of major anime piracy sites being forcefully taken down.

Other possible causes speculated by the community include server overload or internal team conflict/decisions, but the consensus is that legal pressure was the main factor. AniWave (which was essentially a rebranded 9Anime) likely wanted to avoid lawsuits as copyright enforcement regulations tightened across the world.

Part 2: A Quick List of 13 Sites Like Aniwave

Below is a quick comparison of 13 of the best AniWave alternative sites in 2025.

Part 3: 13 Best AniWave Alternatives to Watch Animes Online Free

Below is a quick comparison of 13 of the best AniWave alternative sites in 2025. These include a mix of official streaming services and free fan-run sites.

1. Crunchyroll — The Anime Giant with Simulcasts

Website: https://crunchyroll.com

Crunchyroll is one of the largest legal anime streaming services in the world. It hosts a vast library of subtitled and dubbed anime, including seasonal simulcasts of new episodes just one hour after Japan airs them.

From classic series to the latest hits, Crunchyroll has ~1,300 titles spanning all genres. The platform is available on web, mobile apps, consoles, and even offers manga and drama content. As you’d expect from such a premium service, the interface is user-friendly, and you can create watchlists or engage with community reviews.

Key Features:

• New episodes available almost immediately.
• HD (1080p) streams, with 4K UHD available for some titles.
• Some anime are available for free (with ads).
• ad-free HD viewing.

Why it's a good AniWave alternative

While it’s not “free” like AniWave was, Crunchyroll’s reliability and massive library make it the best AniWave alternative for serious anime fans who value quality and want to support the industry. Plus, there’s a 14-day free trial and some free content to get you started.

2. 9Anime — Fan-Favorite Free Streaming (Aniwave’s Predecessor)

Website: https://9Anime.com

9Anime was one of the most popular free anime streaming sites and is essentially what AniWave evolved from (AniWave was branded as “9anime’s new domain”). On 9Anime, you’ll find a vast collection of subbed and dubbed anime, starting with mainstream series to obscure titles. All of these are available to watch without any sign-up​. The site’s interface is sleek and dark-themed, with advanced search and filters (by genre, year, etc.) to help you find shows easily. Video quality is usually HD and multiple streaming mirrors are available for each episode.

Key Features:

• Stands out for its player features, notably “Auto Skip Intro” and “Auto Next Episode” functions.
• Subtitles are hard-coded in English on subbed versions.
• Most content streams in 720p or 1080p.
• New episodes are added extremely fast.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative:

With 9Anime, you’ll regain access to virtually the same content AniWave had, such as free HD streams, quick updates, and a huge selection of anime titles.

3. Zoro.to (HiAnime) — No-Ads Anime Streaming with Watch2Gether

Website: https://zoro.to (redirects to HiAnime, its new domain)

Zoro.to recently gained massive popularity in the anime community for being a free streaming site with NO ads and an ultra-clean interface. It offered tens of thousands of episodes, all organized neatly with categories and even a schedule of upcoming episodes.

In mid-2023, Zoro.to underwent some changes (eventually rebranding as AniWatch and now HiAnime), but the core experience remains the same, offering high-quality anime streaming with community features. The current incarnation, HiAnime, carries on Zoro’s legacy of an ad-light experience, large library, and even social functions like chat rooms.

Key Features:

• No annoying pop-ups.
• Multiple servers for streaming in 1080p HD.
• You can quickly toggle between subbed and dubbed versions.
• “Watch2Gether” room lets you synchronize playback with friends.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

You get the same free content (the site was even called “Aniwatch” briefly) with a more enjoyable interface. Plus, the addition of social features like Watch2Gether is a bonus that AniWave didn’t have​.

4. AnimeFreak — Extensive Library of New and Classic Anime

Website: https://animefreak.biz/

AnimeFreak is a long-running free anime site that offers an impressive collection of series, including both the latest episodes and a deep catalog of older titles. The site’s design is a bit old-school, but it’s packed with great content.

AnimeFreak categorizes shows by genre (Action, Romance, Isekai, etc.) and updates daily with newly released episodes. It often has multiple sources for each episode (labeled as servers like “Vidstream” or “Filemoon”). While navigating the site can initially feel confusing, once you click into a series, you’ll usually find all episodes listed sequentially.

Key Features:

• Everything from currently-airing hits to obscure OVAs.
• Provides both subbed and some dubbed versions.
• 720p or 1080p quality streams.
• Free and does not require an account.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative:

AnimeFreak is a website like Aniwave in terms of content and many fans turn to it whenever 9Anime/AniWave has issues​. You’ll find ongoing series updated here (maybe not as fast as 9Anime, but usually within a day).

5. HIDIVE — Niche Simulcasts and Exclusive Anime (Legal)

Website: https://welcome.hidive.com/

HIDIVE is a legal anime streaming service notable for its vast selection of anime, including many niche and exclusive titles. It’s a smaller library compared to Crunchyroll, but HIDIVE often has shows you won’t find elsewhere (especially titles licensed by Sentai Filmworks). It offers both subbed and dubbed content, and is a really good place for having uncensored versions of shows and a deep catalog of classic anime. HIDIVE’s subscription is affordable (around $5 USD/month) and it provides HD streams and simulcasts for new episodes in its lineup.

Key Features:

• Simulticast and dubcasts.
• Supports multiple subtitle options.
• Customizable subtitles (font, color) and a live chat for certain premieres.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

HIDIVE serves as a great AniWave alternative website especially if you enjoy genres like retro anime, uncensored ecchi, or smaller seasonal shows that might not be on Crunchyroll.

6. Gogoanime — Reliable Free Site with Sub & Dub Versions

Website: https://gogoanime.org.vc/

Gogoanime is one of the most famous names in free anime streaming. It has been around for years and remains a go-to for fans after KissAnime and AniWave closures. Gogoanime offers a wide range of anime from old to new, and typically provides multiple streaming links and download options for each episode​. With regular updates, gogoanime hosts everything from ongoing simulcasts to completed series and anime movies. The homepage usually features the latest episode releases and a list of popular ongoing titles.

Key Features:

• Separate listings for subbed anime and their dubbed counterparts.
• Users can choose whichever version they prefer, a nice feature for dub watchers​.
• 1080p quality videos.
• Download episodes as MP4 files directly from the player interface.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

Gogoanime has long been a fan-favorite anime website like AniWave because it consistently works and has everything in one place. In terms of content, it matches AniWave almost one-to-one. The key difference is you’ll encounter more ads.

7. AnimeDao — High-Quality Streams with Low Bandwidth

Website: https://animedao.lv/

AnimeDao is a popular streaming site like Aniwave notable for its fast loading and efficient streaming. It became favored by users who have slower internet or who value a smoother playback experience. Though it got banned and blocked multiple times, somehow the developers keep finding new ways to return to the scene. At the moment, AnimeDao provides a decent selection of subbed and dubbed anime, focusing on quality over quantity.

Key Features:

• Lets you select video resolution, and its player tends to buffer less.
• Clean and minimalistic design.
• Multi-server choices and are available in 1080p HD.
• Section for the latest episodes and a schedule for upcoming releases.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

AnimeDao is a worthy alternative to AniWave particularly for those who want a no-fuss, click-and-play site. You’ll find most of the anime you search for, and likely enjoy a no-frills straightforward watching experience.

8. Netflix (Anime) — Mainstream Anime in Top-Notch Quality

Website: https://netflix.com

Over the years, Netflix has become a significant player in the anime world. Today it licenses a large number of popular anime and even produces originals (like Devilman Crybaby, Castlevania, Baki, etc.). On Netflix, you can watch many well-known series (from Naruto and Demon Slayer to One Piece and Attack on Titan, depending on region) in some of the best streaming quality available, often ad-free 1080p or 4K with surround sound.

Key Features:

• Netflix streams anime in up to 4K UHD.
• Multiple subtitle language options and audio dubs.
• Releases whole seasons at once.
• Offline downloads of episodes on its mobile app for subscribers​.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

Netflix’s anime selection is growing fast and often includes anime movies (Ghibli films in some regions, for example). So while you may still need other sites for certain series, Netflix can serve as a replacement for AniWave for a big chunk of your watchlist.

9. AniMixPlay — The Fan-Favorite Site (Revived as AniMixPlay.com.mx)

Website: https://animixplay.com.mx/

AniMixPlay was another beloved free anime site that offered ad-free, high-quality streaming by cleverly aggregating videos from other sources. It shut down in mid-2022, which was a huge blow to many users. However, fans have since revived it in the form of AniMixPlay.com.mx. This is essentially an exact replica of the original AniMixPlay​ as it maintains the same interface and functionality. The site hosts an enormous range of anime, pulling streams (from sources like Vidstream or MyCloud) and playing them in a seamless, no-popup player.

Key Features:

• Site interface is straightforward.
• You can browse anime by latest releases, popular, or search by title.
• Quality is typically 720p or 1080p.
• Multiple streaming servers available.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

With AniMixPlay, you get all the same content but with zero ads and an even sleeker experience. It’s basically like having AniWave but better in terms of usability and the community-driven resurrection shows how much fans trust this platform.

10. Muse Asia (YouTube) — Free Legal Anime Streaming on YouTube

Website: Muse Asia – YouTube Channel

Muse Asia is an official YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers that streams anime episodes legally and for free. It’s run by Muse Communication, a Taiwanese anime distributor, and has become immensely popular among fans in certain regions​. Muse Asia’s YouTube channel uploads full episodes (in some cases entire series) with subtitles, available to watch at no cost. The catch? it’s region-restricted to South and Southeast Asia audiences.

Key Features:

• Muse Asia provides anime with the permission of rights holders.
• Upload episodes often within the same day.
• All videos come with English subtitles.
• Video quality is usually 1080p HD on YouTube.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

Muse Asia offers something AniWave never could: a completely legitimate way to watch a lot of anime for free. While it might not have every niche title AniWave had, pairing Muse Asia with one of the other alternatives on this list could effectively replace AniWave for you.

11. Funimation (Merged with Crunchyroll) — Dubbed Anime Galore

Website: http://origin.funimationnow.com/

Funimation is a well-known anime streaming service (recently it has merged most of its content into Crunchyroll, but the site/app still exists for now). It specializes in English-dubbed anime. Funimation was the company that brought a ton of anime to Western audiences and is renowned for its dubbing production. On Funimation’s platform, you’ll find a mix of classic series, lots of popular shounen titles, and many newer shows especially from the 2010s, often in both sub and dub.

Key Features:

• One of the largest collections of English-dubbed anime.
• Also simulcasts new episodes (subtitled) and, uniquely, they do “SimulDubs” as well.
• Video quality is HD (1080p) on most titles.
• Easily toggle between the dubbed and subbed versions.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

Essentially, Funimation offers a different mode of anime watching that AniWave also offered (AniWave had dubs, but Funimation’s quality and selection of dubs is far superior). It’s a great AniWave replacement for fans who don’t mind paying a subscription to get a reliable service.

12. Tubi — Free and Legal Anime (Ad-Supported)

Website: https://tubitv.com/

Tubi is a completely free streaming service (owned by Fox) that offers movies and TV shows – and it has a surprisingly solid anime section. All content on Tubi is ad-supported but legal. You don’t need to sign up or pay; just prepare for a few ad breaks every once in a while. Tubi’s anime catalog includes a lot of classic series, some popular modern shows, and a variety of anime films. While it may not have the absolute latest simulcast episodes, it frequently adds recent series after a few days.

Key Features:

• Free Access, No Subscription necessary.
• Their “Anime” category has subcategories for action, classics, recently added, etc.
• 720p or 1080p quality streams for most content.
• Subtitles available.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative

Tubi serves as a safe alternative for those who don’t want to tangle with pirated sites. While it won’t satisfy the desire to watch the “hot airing episode from today,” it’s a fantastic way to legally catch up on series for free after some time.

13. Anime-Planet — Community-Powered Anime Streaming

Website: https://Anime-Planet.com

Anime-Planet is a bit different from other entries on this list. This is because it's primarily famous as an anime community and recommendation site (users create lists, reviews, etc.). At the same time, it also offers free legal streaming for a catalog of anime through partnerships. Anime-Planet has been around since 2001 and has a database of anime similar to MyAnimeList. In collaboration with platforms like Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, and Tubi, Anime-Planet embeds thousands of episodes that you can watch directly on their site​.

Key Features:

• Includes over 45,000 legal episodes​.
• You’ll find many Crunchyroll-hosted episodes playable (for free with ads) if you’re in the US.
• You can interact with other fans via comments and forums.
• No need to create an account.

Why it’s a good AniWave alternative:

Anime-Planet not only gives you free episodes (legally) but also enhances your anime journey with its community features.

Part 3: Watch HD Animes with Subtitles in Multiple Languages

One issue you might encounter with some AniWave alternatives (especially the unofficial sites) is that video quality isn’t always consistent. Sometimes an episode might only be available in 480p, or the subtitles might be missing or only in English when you’d prefer another language. If you’re particular about having high-definition video or need subtitles in a different language, a good strategy is to download the anime episode and enhance it yourself. This is where Wondershare UniConverter can definitely come in handy.

UniConverter is a powerful all-in-one video software that can improve video quality and generate/translate subtitles for your anime videos. Essentially, this software serves as a Swiss army knife for videos: it can convert formats, upscale resolution, reduce video noise, and has an AI-powered subtitle generator/translator.

All-in-One Multimedia Processing Tool

Easily generate or translate from the existing subtitles to subtitles with multiple languages, enhance video quality, convert video format, compress media files, and more.

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UniConverter’s key features for anime fans:

• Upscale resolution (e.g., 720p to 1080p, 1080p to 4K) and improve clarity using AI​.
• Automatically create accurate subtitles from Japanese audio using AI speech recognition​, then translate them if needed.
• If your video file isn’t playing on your device, UniConverter can convert it (it supports 1000+ formats).
• You can batch enhance or batch convert videos, and even batch download subtitles for multiple files.
• Has pretty much all the tools you need to professionally edit and improve your videos.

Enhancing Video Quality with UniConverter’s AI

Step 1

Download & Install UniConverter on your computer/laptop.

Step 2

Launch UniConverter and click on the AI Video Enhancer​ tool on the main page.

Step 3

In the enhancer window, hit the “+ Add File” button and import the anime episode you want to improve​.

Step 4

UniConverter will provide options for enhancement. Here, you can choose Denoiser, Video Enhancement, Upscaler, and Interpolation as seen in the screenshot below. Select the setting that fits.

Step 5

Click the blue Export button to start the enhancement.

Next, let’s ensure we have the right subtitles for it.

Generating & Translating Subtitles with UniConverter

Step 1

Launch UniConverter and go to Subtitle Editor

Step 2:

Import the video: Click the + (Add Files) button and load the anime video (use the enhanced video you just created, or any video file).

Step 3

To automatically get subtitles from the anime’s audio, select the Auto-Subtitle Generator option. UniConverter’s AI will use speech recognition to transcribe the dialogue into subtitles​.

Note: Here you can translate subtitles into other languages, edit and style or just burn them directly on the video file. You can also export them as a .srt file.

Step 4

If everything looks good, click on Export to save a new video with the subtitles embedded​.

Conclusion

AniWave’s shutdown was a disappointment, but as we’ve outlined here, there are plenty of sites like AniWave to keep you streaming anime in 2025.

As you explore these AniWave alternatives, remember the importance of choosing safe and legal platforms. Official streaming services not only provide a superior, consistent quality but also support the creators and the anime industry. This means more great shows for everyone in the long run​. If you do use unofficial sites, exercise caution and protect yourself (use the safety tips from our FAQ).

Happy streaming!

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