Where to Watch Anime Online Legally

As any anime fan can tell you, a lot of anime watching nowadays happens through the internet. Many fans depend almost exclusively on streaming to watch their favorite series. Unfortunately, most of the sources of online anime are illegally uploaded without the consent or knowledge of the copyright holders of the anime series. Sadly, this rampant piracy problem doesn't bother most fans, and they continue to use these illegal sources.

The companies that release anime in America, however, are aware of this problem and have started to combat it. There are now several perfectly legal ways to watch high quality anime online, for both new and old series. Of course, not all of them are free. Frankly, given the time, money and effort that has been put into the production of these series, this doesn't bother me, especially since even that sites that require a subscription are cheaper than buying even a single series on DVD. Small fees and commercials are a small price to pay to help support the industry that produces such wonderful shows that so many people enjoy.

Netflix

My personal favorite site for anime streaming is Netflix. Their Instant Watch streaming provides literally hundreds of series, for no additional charge from their normal streaming subscription. Since Netflix requires a subscription, there are no commercials to interrupt the viewing. Their anime collection includes everything from classic series such as Trigun, Samurai Champloo, and Fullmetal Alchemist, to new series like Sekirei, Ga-Rei-Zero, and Black Butler.

The only negative part of Netflix is that it is often difficult to determine what language a series will be shown in until you start watching it. Most series are presented dubbed, although a few are subbed (subtitled). This could also be considered a problem, if you prefer to watch exclusively subbed anime. Netflix is a better choice for those who prefer dubs.

Crunchyroll

For those fans who prefer subtitled anime, Crunchyroll might be a better choice. Crunchyroll also provides a vast selection of anime titles, over 200. Plus, Crunchyroll gives access to series that have not yet had an English release, even some that are still airing in Japan, adding them to the website mere hours after their Japanese airing. So, for those who want to stay up-to-date on the latest Japanese releases, Crunchyroll may be the answer.

Crunchyroll is free to use, allowing access to their series without requiring a subscription. They do provide the option to buy a premium membership which gives you early access to some videos and other benefits. This is optional, though, and not required. Of course, the free access includes commercials, which helps pay the companies that allow Crunchyroll to stream their products.

Hulu

A less used website, but still a good source, is the old standby for TV watching, Hulu. As most internet users are aware, Hulu is free to use unless you want to purchase a Hulu Plus membership and gain access to additional videos without the commercials. But, even when you're watching for free, there are still loads of series available, including hot titles like Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Naruto. And a major advantage of Hulu is that they often have both subbed and dubbed episodes of an anime. The disadvantage is that some series don't include all the episodes. Ones that are currently airing often have only the latest episodes, not including ones from the beginning of the series. Still, most of the series are complete and it's worth a look for fans of both subs and dubs.

Youtube

Okay, this one obviously needs a bit of explanation. While it's true that there are plenty of illegal anime videos on Youtube, a few anime companies have their own accounts that feature legally uploaded videos that include commercials and ads. The videos available through these official Youtube accounts are very variable, changing from time to time as older videos are taken down and new ones are uploaded. Again, though, both sub and dub versions are often available from these accounts, so it's definitely worth a look. Just be sure to find the actual legal accounts. A search with the full name of the company (e.g. FUNimation Entertainment, Bandai Entertainment, etc) will usually turn up the proper channel.

Anime Company Websites

In addition to all these secondary sources, many of the American anime companies have started offering anime streams through their own websites. Companies like FUNimation and VIZ Entertainment have added the option to watch videos directly on their websites, usually providing the full series subbed and at least a few episodes in English, usually adding more dubbed episodes the longer a series has been out on DVD. These company run websites provide free viewing, although at least one company, FUNimation, has recently added a subscription option that gives early access to some newer videos. There isn't necessarily a need to subscribe, though, since their free services provide plenty of anime to watch, featuring nearly all of their new releases and many of their older shows as well.

Hopefully, all this has supported one main point: there ARE options for watching anime online legally. Whether you're looking for a brand new series or an old one, whether you want subbed or dubbed, and whether you want to pay a subscription fee or not, there are options. So, hopefully, the next time you head online to get your anime fix, you'll try to find it legally. Yes, you might spend a few dollars on a subscription, or spend a few extra minutes on commercials, but it's all to support the companies that make that anime and bring it over to the US. Surely, that's a small price to pay.