14 Ultimate AniWave Alternatives in 2025

Stop panicking about AniWave's shutdown! These mind-blowing aniwave alternatives will keep your anime obsession alive.

14 Ultimate AniWave Alternatives in 2025

AniWave was the go-to streaming platform for thousands of anime fans worldwide, offering a massive library of subbed & dubbed content completely free. 

However, the intrusive ads, constant pop-ups, & legality issues made the experience frustrating. Plus, the inevitable shutdown in 2025 due to copyright problems left everyone scrambling for alternatives.

That's exactly why anime lovers everywhere are on the lookout for reliable AniWave alternatives that deliver results. And trust me, there are some incredible options out there that'll blow your mind!

I’ve carefully selected every option, so let’s get straight to it.

AniWave Alternatives: Don’t Miss Out on the Best Anime Streaming Platforms!

Here's the ultimate list of platforms that'll keep your anime streaming sessions alive:

  1. Crunchyroll.com

  2. Anime-planet.com

  3. Gogoanime.by

  4. Viz.com

  5. Animepahe.ru

  6. Kissanime.com.ru

  7. Anilist.co

  8. Hidive.com

  9. Kickassanime.com.es

  10. Animeheaven.me

  11. Chia-anime.su

  12. AnimeFreak.biz

  13. Masteranime.tv

  14. Retrocrush.tv

The Best AniWave Alternatives 2025 to Stream Your Favorite Anime

Here are some awesome platforms you can use to keep your anime obsession alive:

  1. Crunchyroll.com

Crunchyroll is the undisputed king of legal anime streaming, which can help you access premium content.

What sets this AniWave alternative apart is its exclusive partnerships with major anime studios, giving you access to simulcasts within their Japanese broadcast. 

Crunchyroll

Screenshot Source: Crunchyroll.com

Beyond streaming, Crunchyroll has expanded into merchandise, gaming, & even producing original content. Their mobile app is exceptionally well-designed, offering offline downloads for premium users and seamless syncing across devices.

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

1,300+ anime titles with simulcasts

Legal & secure

Limited free content

7-day free trial

Manga library integration

Ad-free premium plans

Regional restrictions

Premium plan starts at $7.99

HD/4K streaming

Frequent updates

Multi-device support

Community features

Now, onto the next one.

  1. Anime-planet.com

Here's a platform that anime fans love for discovering new shows.

If you're tired of scrolling through lengthy lists without knowing what to watch next, then you've probably experienced the pain of choice paralysis.

Anime-planet

Screenshot Source: Anime-planet.com

To solve this, AnimePlanet created this amazing recommendation engine that uses your viewing history to suggest perfect matches! It tracks over thousands of anime & manga episodes. It's completely legal & makes finding your next obsession super easy.

For example:

  • Rate a few shows you love & get instant recommendations.

  • Join community discussions about your favorite series.

  • Track your progress across multiple platforms.

Using this platform, you can discover hidden gems & connect with fellow anime fans instantly. 

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Thousands of episodes

Free

Limited direct streaming

Free

Recommendation engine

Legal

Relies on partner sites

Community forums

User-friendly

Manga tracking

Great for discovering new titles

Okay, next up.

  1. Gogoanime.by

You've probably all heard of Gogoanime before. It’s a platform that helps you access massive anime libraries for free.

Now, depending on your comfort level with ads, you can stream directly, use ad blockers, & can utilize Gogoanime's extensive collection.

Gogoanime

Screenshot Source: Gogoanime.by

 

With fast episode updates, all you need to do is search for your favorite anime & click play. You've got access to subbed & dubbed content that's updated regularly. But remember, this comes with legal risks & intrusive ads.

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Extensive library

Free

Intrusive ads

Free

Subbed/dubbed options

Fast episode releases

Legality concerns

Mobile-friendly

Easy navigation

Inconsistent quality

Frequent updates

Okay, on to number 4.

  1. Viz.com

This platform, Viz Media, can give you access to some of the biggest anime franchises in the world. 

viz

Screenshot Source: Viz.com

Typically, you'd have to subscribe to multiple services to watch shows like Naruto & One Piece. But Viz offers curated, high-quality content from major publishers in one place. And it will even provide exclusive English dubs that you can't find anywhere else.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Curated anime

Legal

Smaller anime library

Free (limited)

Manga library

High-quality content

Limited free content

Premium: $1.99/month

High-quality dubs

Manga integration

Multi-platform support

 

  1. Animepahe.ru

Here's another platform that anime fans use regularly. AnimePahe is a minimalist streaming site that you can access through any browser. It's great for viewers who want clean interfaces & small file sizes.

Animepahe

Screenshot Source: Animepahe.ru

This platform will stream high-quality anime with minimal ads & offer download options for offline viewing.

But remember, it operates in legal grey areas, so use caution.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

High-quality streams

Ad-light

Questionable legality

Free

Minimal ads

Fast loading

Limited library

Download options

Small file sizes

User-friendly design

Next up.

  1. Kissanime.com.ru

If you've been around the anime community for a while, then you've probably heard about this one before. 

KissAnime is a veteran-free streaming platform that helps you access both mainstream hits & obscure titles. It shows you flexible resolution options & provides both subbed & dubbed content across genres.

Kissanime

Screenshot Source: Kissanime.com.ru

This is great if you want variety & don't mind dealing with ads & legal concerns! But remember to use VPNs & ad-blockers for safer browsing.

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Vast library

Free

Intrusive ads

Free

Subbed/dubbed options

Extensive catalog

legal concerns

Multiple resolutions

Flexible quality

Occasional downtime

Community features

Alright, here is the number 7.

  1. Anilist.co

AniList is another platform we love here in the anime community. It is a tracking & discovery service that helps you organize your anime & manga consumption.

Anilist

Screenshot Source: Anilist.co

 

It's amazing because you can track your progress in real time & get personalized recommendations. And it will even connect you with legal streaming sources automatically!

Another reason fans really love this platform is that it's completely free & community-driven.

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Anime/manga tracking

Free

No direct streaming

Free

Recommendations

Great for organization

Relies on external sites

Community forums

Active community

Legal source links

On to the next one.

  1. Hidive.com

HiDive is a legal streaming service that will take your anime experience to the next level with exclusive content. And like other premium services, you can access it through multiple devices, but it focuses specifically on niche & uncensored titles.

Hidive

Screenshot Source: HiDive.com

All you need to do is subscribe & explore their carefully curated library of unique shows.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Niche titles

Legal

Smaller library

$5.99/month

Uncensored content

Affordable

Limited availability in some regions

Simulcasts

Exclusive shows

Customizable subtitles

  1. Kickassanime.com.es

This is a free platform that will help you binge-watch with its auto-next episode feature!

KickAssAnime uses a simple interface to help you access thousands of anime titles with minimal interruptions.

Kickassanime

Screenshot Source: Kickassanime.com

Not only does it provide HD streaming, but it also offers both subbed & dubbed options across different genres.

Remember to use protection tools due to potential security risks.

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Thousands of titles

Free

Ads

Free

HD streams

Large library

Legality concerns

Auto-next episode

Binge-friendly

Potential malware

Subbed/dubbed options

Alright, let's keep going.

  1. Animeheaven.me

Remember, free platforms come with risks, but they shouldn't be ignored completely. AnimeHeaven is here to make your group viewing experience easier.

Animeheaven

Screenshot Source: Animeheaven.me

It provides high-quality streams & regular updates but requires caution due to ads & legal concerns. Keep your security tools active so you can enjoy anime safely while exploring new platforms.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Large library

Free

Ads

Not mentioned

HD streams

Group viewing

Legal concerns

Multiple streaming links

Frequent updates

Occasional missing titles

  1. Chia-anime.su

If you want comprehensive anime content, including soundtracks, here's a platform that delivers. Chia-Anime offers extensive filtering options & dubbed content alongside its massive library.

Chia-anime

Screenshot Source: Chia-anime.su

It's been around for years & maintains a loyal following despite the usual free platform drawbacks. I hope you found this option interesting. But remember to prioritize safety when using free platforms!

 

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Extensive library

Free

Ads

Free

Soundtracks

Diverse content

Legal concerns

Dubbed content

Easy navigation

Occasional playback issues

Advanced filters

  1. AnimeFreak.biz

This is another massive free platform that anime fans can't ignore. AnimeFreak boasts thousands of titles with a bright, Japanese-inspired interface that's updated regularly.

AnimeFreak

Screenshot Source: Animefreak.biz

 

It offers both subbed & dubbed content, but pop-up ads & redirects can disrupt the experience. Use ad-blockers & VPNs for optimal safety while browsing.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Thousands of titles

Free

Intrusive ads

Free

Subbed/dubbed

Large library

Redirects

User-friendly

Easy navigation

Legal concerns

Frequent updates

  1. Masteranime.tv

MasterAnime provides a modern, organized interface that makes content discovery enjoyable. With detailed descriptions & recommendation systems, it helps users find new shows easily.

Masteranime

Screenshot Source: Masteranime.tv

However, ads & occasional redirects make VPN usage essential for security. The platform offers both subbed & dubbed content across multiple genres.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Modern interface

Free

Ads

Free

Subbed/dubbed

Organized content

Redirects

Recommendations

User-friendly

Legal concerns

Ratings

  1. Retrocrush.tv

This is a legal platform that will help you discover classic anime gems from the golden age! RetroCrush uses nostalgia & quality curation to help you experience anime history from the 1970s to 1990s.

Retrocrush

Screenshot Source: Retrocrush.tv

The platform offers both free ad-supported viewing & affordable premium options.

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Classic anime

Legal

Small library

Free (with ads)

Ad-supported free tier

Nostalgic content

Regional restrictions

Premium: $4.99/month

HD streams

Affordable premium

Ads on free tier

Multi-device support

Complete AniWave Alternatives Comparison Chart 

Platform

Library Size

Legal

Ads

Sub/Dub

Pricing

Crunchyroll

Thousands of titles

Yes

Yes (free tier)

Both

Free/ $7.99

Anime-Planet

Thousands of episodes

Yes

No

Both

Free

Googanime.by

Large

No

Yes

Both 

Free

Viz.com

Curated

Yes

Yes (free tier)

Both

Free/$6.99

AnimePahe

Medium

No

Minimal

Both 

Free

KissAnime

Large

No

Yes

Both 

Free

AniList

N/A (tracking)

Yes

No

N/A

Free

HiDive

Medium

Yes

No

Both 

$4.99

KickAssAnime

Thousands of titles

No

Yes

Both 

Free

AnimeHeaven

Large

No

Yes

Both

Free

Chia-Anime

Large

No

Yes

Both

Free

AnimeFreak

Thousands of titles

No

Yes

Both

Free

MasterAnime

Large

No

Yes

Both

Free

RetroCrush

Several shows

Yes

Yes (free tier)

Both

Free/$4.99

Frequently Asked Questions About AniWave Alternatives

  1. What happened to AniWave & why did it shut down?

AniWave (formerly 9anime) faced copyright enforcement actions in 2025, leading to its permanent closure. The platform couldn't sustain operations under legal pressure from anime studios & distributors.

  1. Which AniWave alternative is closest to the original experience?

Anitaku.io (rebranded Gogoanime) offers the most similar experience with massive libraries, fast updates, & familiar interfaces. However, Crunchyroll provides the best legal alternative with premium features.

  1. Are free AniWave alternatives safe to use?

Free platforms like AnimePahe & KickAssAnime require caution due to ads, pop-ups, & potential malware. Always use VPNs, ad-blockers, & antivirus software when accessing these sites.

  1. What's the best legal alternative to AniWave?

Crunchyroll stands out as the premium legal option with the largest library, while Hidive offers affordable access to niche content. RetroCrush provides free legal access to classic anime.

  1. Can I watch the latest anime episodes on these alternatives?

Yes! Crunchyroll & Hidive offer simulcasts within hours of Japanese broadcasts. Free sites like Gogoanime.by also update quickly but come with legal risks.

  1. Do these platforms work on mobile devices?

Most AniWave alternatives support mobile viewing. Legal platforms like Crunchyroll offer dedicated apps, while free sites work through mobile browsers with varying degrees of optimization.

Wrapping It Up

That's all I got for you.

Remember, these AniWave alternatives are here to make your anime life easier, but they aren't perfect & should never be relied on 100% without proper security measures.

Always, always use your best judgment & protection tools before streaming from questionable sites.

If you want to dive deeper into anime culture & find more hidden gems, start exploring these alternatives & see which ones match your viewing style!

I hope you found this helpful. And until next time, happy streaming!

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