13 Best AniWave Alternatives in 2025

AniWave (formerly known as 9Anime) used to be the go-to source for anime enthusiasts. Whether it’s anime movie or TV series, the platform had an extensive list of new and old anime.

However, let’s be real—sites like AniWave can’t live here forever due to their illegal nature. Copyright enforcement bodies like the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) went after AniWave’s former company, 9Anime. After rebranding and staying available for a short time, AniWave announced its closure on August 27, 2024.

So, now what, we hear you ask. If you are looking for 9Anime alternatives or AniWave alternatives, we tested several sites and compiled a list of the best ones for you. However, you need to be more careful on such sites, as they possess malware and several other risks. Therefore, we recommend you ideally use a reliable service like NordVPN (a must-have tool today and not an option).

Top alternatives to AniWave – Quick list

How to access sites like AniWave safely

Free websites like AniWave possess several security hazards. Follow the steps below to remain safe:

• Use a VPN service: Most free streaming services have P2P technology that can detect your IP address. A VPN like NordVPN helps you hide your IP address, making you maximum anonymous online.
• Get an antivirus: You can face sketchy downloads and viruses while streaming on free-to-use platforms. Get yourself a reliable antivirus suite like TotalAV.
• Use the Tor browser: It works exactly the same as a VPN does—hides your IP address and online activities.
• Install an ad-blocker: Let’s be real; intrusive ads and pop-ups are the major issue with free websites, making your streaming experience awful. A tool like uBlock Origin can help you block these ads and pop-ups (99% of them).

Why do you need a site like AniWave?

Like other free anime sites, AniWave was shut down after getting hit with copyright infringement. So, you need an AniWave (9anime) replacement if:

• AniWave’s provider decided 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 AniWave (9anime) alternatives today – Detailed list 

We’ve tested the best free anime streaming sites to find the best alternatives to AniWave. 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.

Here are the best sites like AniWave that are still working:

1. KissAnime

KissAnime is a favorite among avid anime streamers due to its vast content catalogue. Being one of the pioneers and most convenient free anime streaming sites, it ensures unlimited anime streaming. While the platform faced several DMCA notices and shutdowns, it has somehow managed to be active and avoid further legal bans and blocks by minimizing mirror and proxy links.

The site has a wide range of anime movies and series. KissAnime has a unique quick filter on the right side of the homepage, helping you find your favorite title effortlessly.

Due to previous violations and frequent bans, you can’t be certain about its availability. Luckily, you can opt for its alternatives for non-stop streaming.

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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.

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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.

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4. Anime Planet

Anime-Planet has a clean user interface with quick-access filters. The streaming website 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.

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5. AniWatch

AniWatch has one of the most impressive user interfaces on this list. It is crisp, uncluttered, and cheaper than other free online sites.

The best part is that it allows you to chat with other anime fans, creating a sense of community that other streaming websites 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.

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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 TV shows and movies, it offers anime games and the latest news.

Moreover, the site offers a 7-day free trial for its users.

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.

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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 anime 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.

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8. AnimeLab

AnimeLab allows you to stream anime and other East-Asian content in high quality. It has 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, there are a lot of annoying ads that can disrupt your streaming experience. Use uBlock Origin for ad-free streaming.

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9. KickAssAnime

KickAssAnime is one of the best AniWay replacements with the necessary features to watch anime online, 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.

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10. HiAnime

HiAnime is another AniWave 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.

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11. AnimeHeros

AnimeHeros is a free site for anime that allows you to stream and download your favorite 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.

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12. 123animes

123animes is a solid alternative for the latest anime shows and movies. 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, ads will be a disturbing issue. During the testing time, we saw a ton of ads and pop-ups that can interrupt your streaming service. We advise opting for a suitable ad blocker.

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13. U-NEXT

U-NEXT is another top and legal alternative to AniWave 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 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.

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Quick comparison chart for the websites like AniWave

Site	Free/paid	Ads	Video quality	Special features	Security risk
KissAnime	Free	A large variety of niche anime	HD	Subbed/dubbed content, frequent updates	Low
Chia-Anime	Free	Yes (frequent)	Varies	Quick new episode uploads	Moderate
GogoAnime	Free	Yes	HD	Subbed/dubbed, user-friendly interface	Moderate
Anime planet	Free/Premium	Yes	HD	Legal, user reviews, community-driven	Low
AniWatch	Free	Minimal	HD	High-quality streams, clean interface	Moderate
Crunchyroll	Free/Premium	Yes (free version)	HD/4K	Legal, simulcasts, premium version for ad-free	100% safe
Anime Land	Free	Yes	HD	Dubbed anime	Low
AnimeLab	Free	Yes (pop-ups)	HD	Mobile-friendly apps	Moderate
KickAssAnime	Free	Yes	HD	Sleek interface, HD streaming	Moderate
HiAnime	Free	Yes	HD	User-friendly, frequent updates	High
AnimeHeros	Free	Yes	HD	Mobile optimized	Moderate
123animes	Free	Yes (frequent pop-ups)	Varies	Easy-to-navigate interface, quick updates	Moderate
U-Next	Free	Yes	HD	Extensive content library	Low

How we selected the best AniWave substitutes

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 AniWave 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 websites with HD streaming.
• Security: Most free streaming sites display ads. 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 free anime sites like AniWave 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.

Best VPN for anime sites like AniWave – NordVPN

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 AniWave alternatives, and NordVPN stood out with its premium features and affordable subscription plans.

Read our complete NordVPN review

VPN not working? Here are the fixes

While streaming with a VPN, you may face some issues. Below are some troubleshooting tips:

• VPN block: Some sites like Netflix often block you when it detects VPN usage. NordVPN has obfuscated servers, making it difficult to detect and block.
• Buffering: This may be because of your slow internet connection. Connect your VPN to the closest server or use the Wireguard protocol.

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