Anime streaming has seen massive growth in recent years. With more anime titles being produced than ever before, fans have an endless stream of content to enjoy. 9Anime rose to prominence as one of the top free streaming sites for anime lovers. However, 9Anime and other free streaming platforms have faced increased pressure due to piracy concerns.
For those looking for legal alternatives, several excellent anime streaming services have emerged to fill the gap. This article will introduce 9Anime and discuss factors that lead people to seek alternatives. We’ll then highlight the top 5 contenders that can satisfy your anime cravings without the headaches of questionable platforms.
Whether you’re willing to pay for premium access or want something completely free, we’ve got options to match your interests. Read on to uncover sites like 9Anime that every anime enthusiast should bookmark.
What is 9Anime?
9Anime is an online platform that specializes in providing users access to anime series without charge. Headquartered in Vietnam, 9Anime launched in 2014 and swiftly became a favorite destination for anime fans seeking free streaming content. The site predominantly targets teens and young adults who enjoy Japanese animation and manga. In just a few short years, 9Anime gained a reputation for its extensive library of over 25,000 anime shows and movies available in both subbed and dubbed formats. However, despite over 100 million monthly visits at its peak, 9Anime has attracted controversy for enabling access to unlicensed distributions of copyrighted material. Some highlights of 9Anime’s unique value proposition include:
- Massive content library spanning classic and current anime titles
- Options for subtitled and English dubbed versions
- Easy to navigate site layout and design
- Minimal ads compared to other free streaming platforms
- Quick updates when new anime episode releases
Why To Look For 9Anime Alternatives?
With a huge catalog of titles and easy accessibility as a free streaming site, 9Anime seems like a paradise for anime lovers at first glance. However, there are some valid reasons why anime fans may want to look elsewhere and explore viable alternatives to 9Anime.
- Questionable legality – 9Anime hosts pirated content, putting users at risk of legal action. Many turn to safer, legitimate platforms.
- Malware and intrusive ads – Exploitative ads containing malware are disturbingly common on 9Anime. The barrage of pop-ups also creates a poor user experience.
- Frequent takedowns – As an illegal piracy site, 9Anime suffers from frequent domain changes and takedowns which causes access issues.
- Limited device support – Functional limitations exist for streaming 9Anime on certain devices or platforms like iOS, game consoles, and smart TVs.
- Overall unreliable service – Technical issues, changing domains, shutdowns, and piracy problems collectively make 9Anime an unreliable option long-term.
TOP 5 Sites Exactly Like 9Anime
Looking for alternatives to experience your anime fix? Here are 5 of the top contenders that can fill the shoes of 9Anime:
- Crunchyroll: Premium service with over 1,000 titles. 2M+ paid subscribers. Official streaming partner for many studios. Dubbed and subbed versions available. Established 2006.
- Funimation: Leading anime distributor. Extensive dubbed content library. Over 600 shows. Partnerships with major Japanese studios. Premium and ad-supported tiers.
- AnimeLab: Popular in Australia and New Zealand. Stream hundreds of anime titles. Both free and premium subscriptions. Fast-tracked simulcasts direct from Japan.
- KissAnime: Once a top free anime platform. Notoriously known for pop-ups. Vast collection of titles, but faced multiple shutdowns.
- VRV: Bundle of geek-themed channels, including Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. One subscription for multiple platforms. High-quality streams. Over 20,000 hours of content.
Next, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each service in more detail.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is one of the biggest names in anime streaming. Since its launch in 2006, it has grown to boast over 5 million paid subscribers who can access more than 1,500 anime series and 15,000 hours of content.
Crunchyroll has secured licensing deals and direct partnerships with major Japanese studios including TOEI Animation, KADOKAWA, and more. The site simulcasts the latest anime series shortly after their broadcast in Japan, both subbed and dubbed. This gives Crunchyroll the upper hand in terms of content selection, especially for new and continuing shows.
Some key advantages Crunchyroll has over 9Anime:
- 100% legal streaming from licensed partnerships
- Early access to simulcast series direct from Japan
- Clean interface and viewing experience without distracting ads
- Apps on all major devices like iOS, Android, game consoles
However, the tradeoff is that Crunchyroll requires a paid subscription for complete access. Ad-supported streaming is offered for select content, but the library is limited. Video quality is also reduced.
The premium pricing makes Crunchyroll unsuitable for casual anime viewers. But for dedicated otaku who want convenient, legal streaming on any device, Crunchyroll’s premium ad-free experience is worth the investment.
Funimation
Funimation has cemented itself as a leading force in anime streaming, especially for English dubbed content. Based in the US, Funimation is now owned by Sony Pictures and has cultivated a catalog of over 700 anime series. The service has strong connections to the anime industry which enables them to license shows and produce high quality dubs.
Funimation now has around 2 million subscribers who can access ad-free HD streams. For more casual viewers, Funimation also offers an ad-supported free tier with select series available in sub and dub. The service is compatible across devices like iOS, Android, Roku, and gaming consoles.
Reasons Funimation succeeds as an alternative:
- Massive dubbed anime library ideal for English speaking audiences
- Parent company Sony provides stability and resources
- Intuitive apps and availability across many devices
- Balanced mix of free ad-supported and paid subscription tiers
Downsides are that the focus is heavily on dubs, so subbed content selection is smaller. And Free users have to deal with ads. But as a legal, premium anime streaming option, Funimation checks all the boxes.
Anime fans wanting mainstream dubs and willing to pay for a quality ad-free streaming experience would appreciate Funimation. The service carves a niche by specializing in dubs, so sub purists may still prefer Crunchyroll.
AnimeLab
AnimeLab is a popular anime streaming choice within Australia and New Zealand. The platform offers convenient access to hundreds of subbed and dubbed anime series. AnimeLab was originally launched in 2013 and its growth has been boosted by support from major industry players Aniplex, Funimation, and Madman Entertainment.
Viewers can access AnimeLab on web browsers, iOS, Android, and various TV platforms like Apple TV and Chromecast. Users have the option of a free ad-supported plan or a Premium Plus subscription priced around $7 USD monthly that unlocks benefits like HD streams and simulcast series.
Reasons AnimeLab succeeds compared to 9Anime:
- Caters anime releases to Australia/New Zealand audiences
- Swift simulcast of series straight from Japan
- Free viewing tier available with AnimeLab Lite
- Premium tier affordable compared to competitors
Downsides are moderate catalog size and limited Original productions. But AnimeLab’s partnerships give it an edge in its territories. AnimeLab works well for Aussie or Kiwi viewers that want quick access to the latest anime seasons legally. Casual and hardcore anime fans alike can find a home with AnimeLab.
KissAnime
KissAnime established itself as one of the most prominent free streaming anime platforms at its peak. Boasting an extensive content library, KissAnime offered a free alternative to piracy. However, the site walked a legal tightrope and this eventually caught up with it. Plagued by piracy claims, KissAnime suffered frequent domain changes and shutdowns, hurting its reliability.
KissAnime’s strengths that once made it competitive:
- Enormous catalog of anime series and films
- Easy accessibility as a free streaming site
- Functional web and mobile apps for convenient viewing
- Massive user base and community around the platform
Downsides arose from its legally dubious status:
- Domain changes led to broken links and access problems
- Increased presence of fake sites and malware risks
- Legal pressure caused shutdowns and content removal
- Advertising and pop-ups created a subpar user experience
Despite its potential, KissAnime’s checkered history makes the site hard to recommend. For a time, it offered fans a way to watch anime free of charge. But unstable operation and potential legal risks mean users are better off looking to legitimate alternatives. The ghost of KissAnime still looms large, but its era has seemingly passed.
VRV
VRV represents an interesting approach to anime streaming, bundling Crunchyroll along with niche services like HIDIVE into one subscription package. VRV comes from Ellation, an AT&T owned provider focused on video streaming channels.
A VRV subscription unlocks access to a wealth of anime content spanning over 20,000 hours from its network of integrated channels. The ability to move between signature platforms like Crunchyroll seamlessly makes VRV enticing for anime enthusiasts interested in exploring niche catalogs.
Benefits of VRV as a 9Anime alternative:
- Brings Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, and other services together conveniently
- Means only one subscription needed for multiple libraries
- Channels cover range of anime genres and interests
- Offers some exclusive original programming
Drawbacks are VRV’s reliance on premium subscriptions over free tiers. And content spread across many channels can make discovery harder despite the overall volume.
For anime fans wanting to consolidate their streaming, VRV makes that possible at an affordable price point. The bundling gives audiences more bang for their buck, provided the combined channels align with their tastes.
