The good news is there are tons of anime sites that are free, legal, and ad-free if you know where to look. But you need a VPN to watch from anywhere in the world, and most VPNs can’t get past geo-blocks. I tried 45+ to find the VPNs that are best for watching free anime online. ExpressVPN was #1 when I tested its anime geo-block bypassing abilities, speeds, and privacy features. Plus, you can watch free online anime with ExpressVPN without risk. If you’re unsatisfied, you can get a no-hassle refund within 30 days via 24/7 live chat support. Get ExpressVPN to watch free anime
Quick Guide: How to Watch Free Online Anime
Watch dubbed anime with ExpressVPN
How a VPN Can Help You Watch Online Anime in 2023
There are lots of legitimate anime sites, but they’re geo-blocked outside certain regions. This protects licensing rules about where the shows can be aired. If your region isn’t covered, you won’t be permitted to watch the content. Anime sites detect your location by looking at your IP address. VPNs have servers around the world that reroute your traffic and give you a new one. For example, someone from Denmark can watch anime on a US site like Crunchyroll if they connect to a VPN server in the US, unblocking the country’s anime sites. This will hide their real location with a new IP address in the US, enabling access to US-based streaming services. Since a VPN also encrypts your traffic, it keeps you safe from hackers and makes your anime-watching activities anonymous. Malicious third parties can’t intercept your connection or attack your devices since you’ll be invisible to them.
Best Websites for Watching Anime (Free and Paid)
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is one of the best free services for dubbed anime series, movies, and manga. You can easily find classics like Naruto Shippuden, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Disgaea on the platform as well as lesser-known anime. Whether you’re a free or paid subscriber, you’ll get to watch shows in HD without ads. If you’re a new user, Crunchyroll’s 14-day free trial gives you complete access to all anime and manga on the site. After that, you’ll have to upgrade to a Fan, Mega Fan, or Ultimate Fan plan. These tiers give you different features like offline viewing and discounts on monthly payments. The site accepts all major credit cards. If you’re a student or a US citizen receiving government assistance, you’ll be eligible for a 50% discount. To watch the shows you just have to download the app to your iOS or Android phone, tablet, or Smart TV. All anime is subbed or dubbed in English.
Midnight Pulp
The service has some of the best thriller and horror anime like Fatal Fury, Samurai Troopers, and Zombie-Loan. The best way to find the show you want is to type its title in the search bar. It only has 2 plans — monthly and annual. Both allow ad-free streaming and you’ll see new titles added every week. If you want to test Midnight Pulp, the platform offers a free trial that requires a US-based credit card. The trial lets you watch dubbed anime for free for 14 days. Watch anime with ExpressVPN
Funimation
Funimation used to license some of the most popular anime like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Beyblade, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan in the US. Its content library is accessible in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Outside these locations, you’ll need a VPN to watch your favorite shows. You can choose from 3 paid plans and stream on up to 5 devices. Credit cards, Funimation gift cards, and PayPal are all accepted. You can also take advantage of the 14-day free trial to get rid of ads. If you scroll down the subscription page, there’s an option to create a fully free account. However — it offers limited content, has no dubbed versions, and you see some ads while you watch.
Tubi
Tubi is only officially available in the US, Canada, and other select countries. These include Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama, Australia, and New Zealand. However, I could access Tubi in my home country of Malaysia without a VPN and watch Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos, Luis and the Aliens, and Samson. I recommend checking it out in your own region, as you might not need a VPN unless you want to watch an anime that isn’t licensed where you live. While Tubi claims that you’ll see ads “4-6 minutes per hour of viewing, occurring every 12-15 minutes at 3-5 ads per pod,” I had different results. During tests, I watched Naruto for over 45 minutes without any commercials. I also love that Tubi is completely free and requires no sign-up.
HIDIVE
Hidive is based in the US but it’s available in the UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Latin America, and a few other European countries. It has hundreds of titles in its library and you can ask for a missing anime to be added. Unfortunately, you can’t access the shows outside of permitted regions without a good VPN. You can watch HIDIVE on Android and iOS, or cast the shows to select smart TVs in 1080p via Chromecast.You can also watch your favorite anime in your web browser. Some of this platform’s features include live chat, an option to create up to 3 profiles, parental controls, the ability to stream on 2 simultaneous devices, and more. To watch shows like Karakuri Circus and Blue Seed, you’ll need to sign up for a monthly or yearly plan. It accepts all major credit cards and PayPal. HIDIVE also offers a 7-day free trial if you’d like to watch anime for free.
AnimePlanet
AnimePlanet has partnerships with Crunchyroll and HIDIVE and legally pulls official content from Youtube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion to offer over 45,000 anime episodes. They’re free, but content libraries vary depending on your location and most of AnimePlanet’s dubbed content is only available in the US. That’s why I recommend a VPN to make full use of this platform. To watch an anime, you’ll have to sign up with a valid email address. Since the site includes manga, reviews, and other information, the easiest way to find the anime you want is by selecting ‘anime’ in the dropdown box in the top-right corner. I watched several episodes of The Ancient Magus’ Bride and Shining Star without ads, but some shows still contain commercials. What’s unique about AnimePlanet is its community including an active forum, online challenges, anime reviews, and a list of shows and movies recommended by others. You can keep track of your own favorite anime, write blog posts, and make new friends via Discord. The main downside is that episodes can only be watched on its website since AnimePlanet doesn’t have an app. Stream anime with ExpressVPN
Hulu
Hulu is a premium streaming service that holds licenses to some of the best anime titles from top studios in Japan like Chainsaw Man, Sailor Moon, and Megalobox. The only problem is that you can’t access Hulu outside the US without a VPN, even if you’re a paid subscriber. You can choose from one of the 3 plans to watch anime on Hulu. Unfortunately, you still see frequent commercials unless you’re subscribed to the more expensive ad-free plan. The good thing is that you can watch anime for free the first month and only start paying from the second month onwards if you opt for the basic Hulu plan with ads.
AsianCrush
AsianCrush is a streaming service with all things Asian, including Japanese anime like Ghost Messenger, Gakuen Heaven, and Tatsumi. I assumed it’d be available in my home country of Malaysia. Despite its name, it’s only accessible in the US and Canada or by using a VPN with servers there. It’s a great option for you to watch anime completely free. No sign-ups or subscriptions are required to watch, as long as you don’t mind ads. The premium plan removes ads and includes exclusive titles not found elsewhere. You can also try the premium subscription for free for 14 days. Some of the devices AsianCrush works with include iOS, Windows, Mac, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TVs, and more. To watch shows on AsianCrush in HD from anywhere requires a top VPN like ExpressVPN. This unblocks the site and prevents irritating lags.
What to Look for When Selecting a VPN for Watching Anime
I tested the best VPNs in 2023 using these criteria to find the top options for watching dubbed anime for free from anywhere in the world.
Fast speeds — All VPNs reduce your speeds, especially when you use a server far away. The best VPNs are fast enough to stream smooth anime, even on distant servers. Unblocking capabilities — In addition to servers in other countries, a VPN has to bypass geo-blocks on anime sites to access your favorite shows and movies. Large global network — The more countries a VPN has servers in, the more global free anime platforms will work. Apps for streaming devices — Every VPN on this list has apps for popular streaming devices, smart DNS, and browser extensions so you can watch anime on all your usual platforms. Strong security and privacy — Features like a kill switch and leak protection hide your location from streaming sites and preserve your privacy while watching anime classics. Fast technical support — If you have problems accessing an episode, all the VPNs on this list provide help via 24/7 live chat, email, and online tutorials.
Get ExpressVPN for watching anime
Best VPNs for Watching Free Online Anime in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN With the Fastest Speeds and Instant Unblocking Abilities for Bufferless Free Anime
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for watching free anime as it came out top with seamless unblocking abilities and ultra-fast performance on anime sites. It accessed every streaming platform seamlessly during testing and could consistently handle UHD, even on faraway servers that are usually much slower because of the distance your data has to travel. While watching free anime ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds and prevented lags from interrupting an epic fight scene. Even servers 10,000+ miles away could handle a buffer-free final showdown between Sailor Senshi and Death Phantom in Sailor Moon Crystal on Hulu. The VPN’s performance on servers across the world made me forget that I was using a VPN at all. One of the reasons it’s so fast is that ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol which has just 2,000 lines of code compared to OpenVPN’s 70,000. It also doesn’t compromise on security for performance, unlike other protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Plus, if you often watch a few episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho on the go, Lightway won’t drain your mobile device’s battery as quickly. I also like that all of ExpressVPN’s servers are optimized for streaming. For example, if you have a Crunchyroll account, just use any server in the US to continue rightfully watching your favorite anime from abroad. In addition to working flawlessly with every site during testing and unblocking Netflix US’s anime libraries, ExpressVPN can also access: The VPN lets you watch anime on up to 5 devices at once. Connections on my 2 smartphones, 1 tablet, and 2 laptops were just as fast when I watched UHD videos on all of them simultaneously. It works reliably on all major operating systems but if yours is incompatible, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer lets you watch anime even on platforms without native apps. I initially felt this VPN was slightly costly but after testing so many, I know it’s more than worth the price. ExpressVPN saved me a lot of time from switching servers to find one that works with anime sites on the first try. Plus, I never had to worry about buffering interruptions because of its speeds. If you want to watch dubbed anime lag-free with ExpressVPN, I recommend the 1-year plan for $6.67 per month. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee which I personally tested. I asked for a refund via the 24/7 live chat and it was approved instantly. It took ExpressVPN only 4 days to refund my money. Get ExpressVPN for dubbed anime
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Streaming Servers Are Built to Unblock Free Anime Sites 24/7
Key Features: CyberGhost has optimized servers for lag-free Crunchyroll, Hulu, and other anime sites for free. These servers are tested regularly to ensure 100% uptime to unblock all-time favorites like Naruto Shippuden. There are also optimized servers for other streaming services like: If you use the free WiFi at hotels and airports to catch a few episodes of anime while traveling, CyberGhost can help secure your data on these poorly-secured networks. They’re known for weak security and hackers using them for man-in-the-middle attacks. Turn on WiFi protection so that your connection is always encrypted. This prevents WiFi administrators and hackers from seeing your personal information while you watch. The VPN supports all the major operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and more. I detected no difference in speed when I maxed out CyberGhost’s 7 simultaneous device limit. You can also install extensions for Chrome and Firefox quite easily if you often watch anime on your browser. It took me less than 2 minutes to install the Chrome extension and connect to a server. During my speed tests, CyberGhost only came second to ExpressVPN. My results exceeded 80Mbps on its regular servers, which was plenty to watch my favorite Doraemon episode on a local TV channel without buffering. Distant CyberGhost servers can be a bit slower which is why it’s better to switch to an optimized server for watching anime. They increased my speed on average by 20% for lag-free animated action. For the best deal, try CyberGhost’s 2-year + 3 months plan for $2.11 per month. It comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee that gives you enough time to catch up on anime and then ask for a refund. I wrote to their support team via 24/7 live chat and got a response within a minute. It was processed immediately and I was reimbursed within a week. Get CyberGhost for dubbed anime
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Huge Server Network Prevents Overcrowding Causing Lags When Streaming Anime
Key Features: PIA has 35,000+ global servers for consistently smooth anime, with no server congestion causing lags during peak hours. Servers slow down when there are too many users, but PIA’s huge network means my choice never becomes too crowded. While PIA has dedicated servers for streaming, they’re not specific to a particular streaming service. PIA’s optimized servers are available in Japan, the US, and a few other countries, and instantly unblock anime and non-anime sites like: I connected 7 devices to PIA at once and streamed anime on all of them without problems, but the VPN lets you connect up to Unlimited. The apps are also user-friendly. I usually just type ‘Streaming’ into the search bar to bring up PIA’s list of optimized servers. This was faster than scrolling manually through the menu. The only potential problem I found with PIA is that it’s located in the US, which is the main member of the 5 Eyes Alliance. However, it didn’t bother me since PIA has a strict no-log policy. None of my browsing history or data is recorded on its servers, so I can’t be monitored while I’m connected. The VPN can also access almost any anime site, and its low-cost short-term plans make it one of the best monthly VPNs. I suggest PIA’s 2-year + 3 months plan to watch anime online for free since it’s only $2.11 per month, and you’ll have 30 days to test it with your anime service of choice. I sent an email requesting a refund to test PIA’s money-back guarantee. An agent replied in less than 12 hours and I got my money back in 8 business days. Get PIA for dubbed anime
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionkill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlybuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerfully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultdiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.39. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers Get CyberGhost for free to watch free anime I don’t condone piracy, or using a VPN to break the law. It’s much better to use one of the legal sites and at the same time, protect your privacy and security from other third parties with a good VPN. If you’re no longer in the country where you opened your anime streaming account, you could be blocked from watching your usual content. It’s against most streaming services’ terms of use to use a VPN to access content restricted to another region. Make sure you research the rules before connecting to a VPN to avoid getting banned from your streaming services.
Categorize its content for easy browsing and enable filters for easy search Send a notification when a new episode is available Support your native language Let you read reviews and share your own Allow requests for specific anime you want to watch Be compatible with the devices you use
Second, free VPNs keep costs down by limiting the number of servers. This means servers become crowded fast, which reduces your speed even more. Coupled with how far away the server is, it quickly becomes impossible to watch any online anime due to constant lag. Most free VPN providers can’t even bypass geo-blocks. Even if there’s a server in the US, it might not access sites like AsianCrush or Midnight Pulp. Worst of all is when free VPNs pose as legitimate services to collect your data and sell it on the black market. Before you know it, someone else is using your name to get loans. These troubles aren’t worth the risk, which is why it’s better to use a premium VPN for free by taking advantage of its money-back guarantee. Since CyberGhost’s long-term plans give you 45 days to try it, you’ll have plenty of time to watch your favorite anime for free. When you’re done, just ask for a refund.
Don’t Miss the Latest Online Anime
Streaming services often geo-block some of the best Japanese anime in most of the world. So it’s tempting to turn to illegitimate torrenting sites when you know a new episode of your favorite series is released. But you’ll be risking a lot, from malware infection to civil suits. Luckily, you don’t have to. If you’re traveling abroad, all you need is a good VPN to maintain your regular anime streaming diet. Not all VPNs are equal though. ExpressVPN is the ultimate VPN when it comes to blazing-fast speeds and instant unblocking abilities for free anime services. Since it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s absolutely no risk when you get get ExpressVPN to watch anime. If it doesn’t meet your needs, it’s easy to get a refund approved via 24/7 live chat.
