For free anime, start with a current ad-supported catalogue available in your country. A free subscription trial is a different offer, and an old article naming a platform doesn’t mean it still has the same show today.
Before settling on a service, check the anime’s exact title, season, dub or subtitle language, and whether the episodes are on demand or part of a live channel.
Current places to check
| Option | What to expect | Check before watching |
|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | A free service with anime listings and, depending on the market, live channels and on-demand shows. | Your country’s catalogue, the available seasons and the audio language. |
| Tubi | An ad-supported platform with an anime catalogue. | Whether the service and the specific title are available in your location. |
| Official publisher or broadcaster channels. | Some provide promotional clips or selected episodes. | Who operates the channel and whether the upload is a complete episode, a clip or region-restricted content. |
| Crunchyroll Premium trial | A temporary trial of a paid subscription, subject to the offer shown at signup. | Eligibility, payment details, renewal and cancellation conditions. It is not a permanent free-viewing promise. |
A platform’s English-language catalogue is not a guarantee of Spanish dubbing or subtitles. Inspect the actual show page and one episode before relying on the service for a full season.
How to find the anime you want
- Search the official platform for the title, using its alternative or Japanese name if necessary.
- Open the show’s page and check the listed seasons and episodes.
- Check the available audio tracks and subtitles.
- Confirm whether the episode plays without a paid subscription or whether the page is offering a trial.
- If it is a live channel, check the schedule. A scheduled broadcast is not the same as an on-demand episode.
What changed from the older list?
Funimation is no longer a separate viewing option. Crunchyroll’s service-closure notice says the Funimation app and website closed on April 2, 2024. Do not use an old Funimation signup link as if it were a current free service.
The earlier version also described other historical services and a broad free Crunchyroll catalogue. Don’t choose a service based on those old claims. Check each platform’s current offer and the show’s actual availability.
Free viewing, free trials and downloads
- Free ad-supported viewing: check the shows, ads and viewing terms; the shows available can differ by country.
- A subscription trial: check when it renews and how to cancel. Crunchyroll explains that cancelling during its trial ends Premium access immediately.
- Offline viewing: this is a separate feature. A video that streams free is not automatically available as a downloadable file.
If a site asks you to install an unexplained extension or a special executable before watching, check the request with the real service. A video title and a familiar logo don’t prove who runs the site.
For checks on third-party cartoon sites, see our LACartoons viewing guide.
Content review: October 12, 2026. Updated using platform catalogues and Crunchyroll support documentation. Catalogues, languages and offers vary by location.