9anime used to be one of the favorite destinations for anime lovers, featuring popular shows like Ninja Kamui, but it disappeared suddenly. Actually, the site didn’t shut down as many free sites do—it rebranded to AniWave.
However, if you are seeking more options, we have listed 13 top 9anime alternatives in this article. Explore this extensive list and get what your inner anime fan wants.
DISCLAIMER: Before proceeding further, it is important to acknowledge the legality and safety of free sites. As we know, most free streaming platforms host content without legal permission, so their legitimacy is shady. These websites often make revenue by selling user data or showing malicious ads. It is always best to play it safe by using a stealth VPN provider like NordVPN and getting a premium antivirus.
Top alternatives to 9anime – Quick list
- AniWave: It provides a vast collection of subbed and dubbed anime titles, although ads can be disruptive.
- Chia-Anime: This platform is popular for anime enthusiasts, although its interface feels cluttered.
- GogoAnime: It has a comprehensive catalog of anime and multiple language options, although frequent ads can affect your streaming experience.
- Anime Planet: This is a legal streaming platform with massive catalog of anime and manga content. It also supports a user community for reviews and recommendations.
- AniWatch: This site has a clean interface, high-quality streams, and minimal adverts.
- Crunchyroll: This is the only legal anime streaming platform on this list. It offers free and premium content and is known for its professional subtitles, simulcasts and huge anime selection.
- Anime Land: This platform offers a wide variety of dubbed anime series, appealing to anime fans who prefer English audio.
- AnimeFrenzy: It has a mobile-friendly interface and offers a broad range of anime titles.
- KickAssAnime: This site has a simple, sleek interface and provides high-definition streams. However, you might encounter occasional slowdowns, especially during peak hours.
- HiAnime: This is a user-friendly anime streaming platform with an extensive library.
- AnimeHeros: This site boasts HD streaming and a mobile-optimized design, though it has frequent ads and occasional downtimes.
- 123animes: This site offers an impressive streaming experience of subbed and dubbed anime content.
- U-Next: A legal streaming platform with latest and vintage anime in high-definition.
Why do you need a site like 9anime?
The rebranding changed only the name. We’ve checked the site, and everything has remained the same as 9anime.
Like other free streaming sites, AniWave might shut down if it gets hit with a copyright infringement. So, you need a 9anime alternative if:
- AniWave’s provider decides to close the website to avoid legal consequences.
- You want to explore more anime libraries, especially for titles unavailable on AniWave.
Thankfully, many AniWave alternatives serve the same purpose – allowing you to watch popular anime movies and shows.
Best 9anime alternatives – Detailed list
We’ve tested many free anime streaming sites to find the best 9anime alternatives. On our quest, we encountered various recommended alternatives that weren’t working. That is why we’ll review this list regularly to keep it up-to-date.
For now, here are the best websites, like 9anime, that are still working:
1. Aniwave
Free
The filters make it easy to find new content
Displays many adverts
We start with AniWave because it is just a 9anime rebrand, making it the closest 9anime alternative available.
9anime rebranded to AniWave in August 2023, so the interfaces look very similar. Nonetheless, it is user-friendly, highlighting the top 9 titles and a menu that includes genre, types, updated, added, popular, and upcoming. It hosts various content, from classics to the latest releases, such as Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia.
Unfortunately, while the titles are available in high definition, you’ll encounter many ads that redirect you to new windows. Some might be malicious, so it’s better to always protect your connections with a VPN.
2. Chia-Anime
Chia-Anime makes it to our list because of its massive content and useful filters, which enable users to find their favorite content quickly. Its straightforward interface makes navigating the website simple. The streams are also reliable and high-quality.
If you are not from Japan and don’t know Japanese, you can change the audio to English. However, it displays a lot of ads, which can be frustrating. We advise you to get an effective ad blocker to avoid this disruption and enjoy seamless streaming.
3. GoGoAnime
GoGoAnime hosts a massive selection of anime content, and the homepage takes you straight to the recent releases. You’ll find new shows from Japan here, and the website even highlights the most recent episodes.
One notable feature is the ‘anime list’ category, which lists the titles alphabetically. For instance, if you click on the letter ‘A,’ you’ll access all anime titles starting with that letter. You can also choose to watch dubbed content to avoid subtitles.
However, ensure you have a VPN before visiting GoGoAnime, as the site hosts content illegally and isn’t safe.
4. Anime Planet
Anime-Planet has a clean user interface with quick-access filters. The streaming site hosts several new and old content, with popular titles like Return of the Blossoming, Jujutsu, Dandadan, The Infinite Mage, and After Ten Millennia on Hell.
Finding new content is also straightforward, thanks to the various categories, including Anime, Manga, Characters, and Community.
The usual downside is annoying ads, including ones that open new browser tabs. We encountered these adverts when we clicked a video to play. However, a reliable adblocker helps you eliminate these ads.
5. AniWatch
AniWatch has one of the most impressive user interfaces on this list. It is crisp, uncluttered, and cheaper than other free sites.
The best part is that it allows you to chat with other anime fans, creating a sense of community that other streaming services lack. You can comment on your favorite shows or movies and debate with other users.
Although there aren’t many ads, they still interrupt your streaming, so it’s always better to do your homework.
6. Crunchyroll
An ideal platform if you want to stay on the right side of the track and access only legal anime content. Unlike other entries on this list, this one is fully licensed. This means that all the streams are licensed and won’t put you at copyright infringement risk.
Moreover, the interface is sleek and uncluttered, with clear categories, including popular, new, alphabetical, and genres. In addition to anime movies and TV shows, it offers anime games and the latest news.
However, there is a catch: the platform is only available in certain countries. You can bypass these geo-restrictions and stream Crunchyroll with a reliable VPN.
7. Anime Land
We featured Anime Land on this list due to its several unique features. It offers English-dubbed content, eliminating distracting subtitles. Also, this is one of the few free streaming platforms that allow you to download your favourite content to watch later.
Despite these appealing features, it has some drawbacks. First, it is riddled with too many annoying ads, making it even more challenging to start a stream. Also, the user interface feels outdated.
8. AnimeFrenzy
AnimeFrenzy offers a decent selection of anime movies and shows, especially the latest releases. With its unique features, you can enjoy seamless streaming anytime.
What’s more, you can request to add new content. So, if you can’t find your favorite title, the site’s operators might source the stream for you.
However, besides annoying ads, its interface also feels minimalistic.
9. KickAssAnime
KickAssAnime has the necessary features to watch anime, including English-dubbed streams and subtitles. While the site might not have the same spread of content as other options on this list, it has a lot of new releases. For example, Delicious in Dungeon is already available here.
The drawback is that the site has a ton of ads that might force you to install some software. If you do that, you’ll be installing malware on your device. So, you should always access it with a reliable VPN service like NordVPN.
10. HiAnime
HiAnime is another dependable 9anime substitute for anime enthusiasts. It has an extensive library of popular and hard-to-find titles. The ads are minimal, and you can even eliminate them with an ad blocker.
It has reliable streams that work seamlessly, even with an average internet speed. In addition to the website, HiAnime also has an Android app for enhanced accessibility.
However, due to the distribution of illegal content, the streaming service falls into the legal grey area. So, it’s better to opt for a legal streaming platform.
11. AnimeHeros
AnimeHeros is a free anime streaming site that allows you to stream and download anime movies and shows. It offers reliable speed to stream whichever content you want.
The site has a vast catalog of content available in high definition, ranging between 720p and 1080p. Thankfully, AnimeHeros is hassle-free, as it doesn’t display any ads on the site or while playing the video. Also, the interface is simple and intuitive.
However, the only issue with this platform is its legality, as AnimeHeros hosts content without the owner’s permission.
12. 123animes
Free
A wide selection of anime content
Occasional downtime and slow loading
123animes is a convenient alternative for the latest anime movies and shows. It looks like a social media site, as the live chat option lets you chat with other anime fans.
Additionally, it has videos dubbed and subbed in English. Also, the interface is easy to navigate using the tabs provided.
However, you will encounter a lot of ads and pop-ups that can interrupt your streaming service. We advise opting for a suitable ad blocker.
13. U-NEXT
U-NEXT is another top and legal streaming platform for unlimited anime. It has an easy-to-navigate interface and an extensive content library.
It has some of the best content filters among the 9anime alternatives we’ve tested. Once you visit the site, you can start watching the top trending anime in Japan. It also has valuable filters like genres, most viewed, latest episodes, etc.
However, the only issue with this website is that the entire platform is in Japanese, and you can’t even change it.
Quick comparison chart for the latest 9anime alternatives
| Site | Free/paid | Ads | Video quality | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AniWave | Free | A large variety of niche anime | HD | Subbed/dubbed content, frequent updates |
| Chia-Anime | Free | Yes (frequent) | Varies | Quick new episode uploads |
| GogoAnime | Free | Yes | HD | Subbed/dubbed, user-friendly interface |
| Anime planet | Free/Premium | Yes | HD | Legal, user reviews, community-driven |
| AniWatch | Free | Minimal | HD | High-quality streams, clean interface |
| Crunchyroll | Free/Premium | Yes (free version) | HD/4K | Legal, simulcasts, premium version for ad-free |
| Anime Land | Free | Yes | HD | Dubbed anime |
| Anime Frenzy | Free | Yes (pop-ups) | HD | Mobile-friendly apps |
| KickAssAnime | Free | Yes | HD | Sleek interface, HD streaming |
| HiAnime | Free | Yes | HD | User-friendly, frequent updates |
| AnimeHeros | Free | Yes | HD | Mobile optimized |
| 123animes | Free | Yes (frequent pop-ups) | Varies | Easy-to-navigate interface, quick updates |
| U-Next | Free | Yes | HD | Extensive content library |
How we selected the best 9anime alternatives
While 9anime is still available as AniWave, we explored to see other existing 9anime alternatives. Since free streaming sites are prone to shutdowns, you never know when you’ll need an alternative. Here are some of the things we considered before choosing these 9anime alternatives.
- An impressive collection of content: We’ve only included sites that offer anime movies and TV shows, from classics to the latest releases.
- HD streaming quality: No one wants to watch low-quality content, so we only chose anime sites with HD streaming.
- Security: Most free streaming sites display ads, and 9anime is no exception. Ads are fine if they aren’t malicious, so you should have an ad blocker. We have only selected secure sites that won’t attempt to infect your PC with malware; still, it’s always better to play it safe.
While these sites were ‘safe’ enough to stream during our testing, they aren’t official and could host malicious or copyrighted content.
To minimize the risk, you should always access them with a formidable VPN like NordVPN. It will conceal your traffic, preventing third parties from seeing your online activities. Moreover, it will stop annoying ads that might attempt to slip malware on your device. Right now, it offers crazy discounts, or you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are sites like 9anime illegal?
As you know, free streaming sites usually host pirated content, which is illegal in many regions. Usually, streaming illegal content is risky as you can infect your device with malware or expose your data to cyber threats. Also, if you live in a region with robust privacy laws, you might face legal consequences for accessing this content.
A VPN is the best way to protect yourself from cyber threats or legal issues. It masks your IP address and encrypts your connections, ensuring no one can trace your internet browsing activities.
9anime mirror sites
Most free streaming sites have ‘mirror’ sites (copies of the main site), so the rest can continue functioning if one fails. Here are some of the most common 9anime mirror sites.
| Sr. No | Mirror/Pxoxy | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | https://9animetv.to/ | Working |
| 2. | https://wvv.9anime.com.pl/ | Working |
| 3. | https://9animeapp.pro/ | Working |
| 4. | https://9animes.ph/ | Working |
| 5. | https://ww4.9animes.org/ | Working |
Best VPN for anime sites like 9anime – NordVPN
A trustworthy VPN network that provides seamless access to sites like 9anime and helps you stay safe on illegal streaming platforms.
More than 5,600 fast servers present in over 65 countries
Reliable threat protection (malware, tracking, and ad blocker)
Most secure encryption available: AES-256
A user-friendly kill switch feature
Split tunneling feature with high efficiency
Offers double VPN for enhanced security
Provides seamless Onion over VPN functionality
Does not log users’ data
Users can connect up to ten devices simultaneously with each account
A 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked
Pros
- Dedicated feature for streaming
- Does not limit the bandwidth data
- Has advanced security protocols
Cons
- The OpenVPN configuration has some issues
NordVPN is the most trusted VPN service with top-notch security and privacy features. Below are some important features.
- Robust encryption: The VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, a military-grade algorithm, to prevent potentially risky sites from stealing your data or spying on you.
- Blocking suspicious sites: If you accidentally visit a malicious site, NordVPN will block it even before it loads.
- Impressive ad blocking: Remember the malicious ads we talked about above? This VPN will block all of them.
- IP clocking: NordVPN will stop your ISP and other unauthorized third parties from seeing your online activities.
We tested many VPNs with these 9anime alternatives, and NordVPN stood out with its premium features and affordable subscription plans.
Read our complete NordVPN review
FAQs
That depends on your location. If you live in a region where streaming copyrighted content is illegal, you will face restrictions on accessing 9anime, or your ISP may block your access. In this case, we recommend you use a stealth VPN like NordVPN.
9anime was founded in 2016 and rebranded itself to AniWave in 2024. However, some fake mirrors have been reported using the same name after this.
In our opinion, Crunchyroll and U-NEXT are authorized and safe streaming sites that can easily replace 9anime.
Naming the best website for streaming anime is complicated because it depends on your taste and preferences. If you want to be on the safe side and stream legal content, Crunchyroll is your go-to platform.
