Scroll to the bottom for our list of official and unofficial sources.
LEGALITY & SAFETY
Streaming anime on unofficial sites and using proxies to visit official sites is (usually) not illegal*.
However, downloading them onto your computer, distributing them to other people, selling them, or uploading them to streaming sites, (usually*) will be.
Please make sure to use an Adblocker extension and keep your antivirus updated, no matter what you choose to use.
However, downloading them onto your computer, distributing them to other people, selling them, or uploading them to streaming sites, (usually*) will be.
Please make sure to use an Adblocker extension and keep your antivirus updated, no matter what you choose to use.
Official vs Unofficial
Watching via official sources means that the company that produced it get paid. That comes from things like ad revenue, so if you're watching officially, it's good to either leave your ad-block off, or use a paid subscription. Without people watching officially, and buying items officially, the company may not earn enough money to make another season. Unfortunately, they're often only available in certain parts of the world - usually the US and UK - and can be too expensive for many people.
With unofficial sources, there's no money going towards the creators. However, many series do not have any official sub or dub version, so unofficial services may be the only way for English speakers to watch it, thanks to multilingual fans providing fan-made subs and dubs. Plus,it's more accessible to international viewers.
With unofficial sources, there's no money going towards the creators. However, many series do not have any official sub or dub version, so unofficial services may be the only way for English speakers to watch it, thanks to multilingual fans providing fan-made subs and dubs. Plus,it's more accessible to international viewers.
Why Is It So Hard To Find X?
- It may not be licensed to be streamed/sold in your country, or even at all outside of Japan
- It might be too old, so the licenses expired
- There simply may not be any official dubs or subs at all; they may only have fan-made ones
- You might be searching the wrong thing. Many shows have Japanese (kanji, hiragana, katakana, and romaji) titles, along with a translated title, an English title, and a Dub title.
FINDING DUBSMost dubbing companies will have their own website where you can find it, or have distributed it on DVD and through streaming sites. These are often featured on the series' wikias and official pages. There are far fewer dubbed series than subbed, and many are partial or incomplete. They're usually pay-to-view or on subscription services. Fandubs are uncommon and often not well made. |
FINDING SUBSWith SUBS, there's a much larger selection, they're often widely available, with fewer series being regionally restricted, and are almost always completed or currently airing series. They can be harder to find, as there's often no official websites in English for them. But generally, subs are cheaper to produce and licence, so are usually free-to-view even on official sites. Fansubs are quite common and usually very well made. |
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Official Websites:
Chrunchyroll - Aimed at North America, so some series are region locked, and unavailable for outsiders. But there are plenty of series which are internationally available. There's both free and paid subscription options.
ANIMElab- AUS and NZ exclusive. A relatively small selection, but rapidly growing. Free access to subbed series, and some dubbed series. Must use a paid subscription for simultcasting, newest episodes, movies, and some dubs.
FUNimation - The North American counterpart of ANIMELAB, with a somewhat larger catalog.
Netflix - Some Netflix dubs and subs are good - but others are terrible. They're also region locked, so even if you have netflix, you may not have access. It's also paid subscription only.
YouTube - Some companies and series have official youtube channels, where you can watch for free or for a small price.
Local Sites - Many countries have localized websites for streaming, some which may include or even be exclusively for animated content.
ANIMElab- AUS and NZ exclusive. A relatively small selection, but rapidly growing. Free access to subbed series, and some dubbed series. Must use a paid subscription for simultcasting, newest episodes, movies, and some dubs.
FUNimation - The North American counterpart of ANIMELAB, with a somewhat larger catalog.
Netflix - Some Netflix dubs and subs are good - but others are terrible. They're also region locked, so even if you have netflix, you may not have access. It's also paid subscription only.
YouTube - Some companies and series have official youtube channels, where you can watch for free or for a small price.
Local Sites - Many countries have localized websites for streaming, some which may include or even be exclusively for animated content.
Other Official Methods:
DVDs - Many of the Japanese DVDs have English subs these days - but not all of them, so read carefully! Those with Dubs will usually use the English title, and won't have any Japanese language on them.
Direct Streams & Simulcasting - Some TV channels from Japan can be streamed online from overseas. They're not normally subtitled or dubbed though.
Direct Streams & Simulcasting - Some TV channels from Japan can be streamed online from overseas. They're not normally subtitled or dubbed though.
UNOFFICIAL SOURCES:
KissAnime.ru - RU is the one our team uses, but there are other variations out there. RU hosts a number of Fansubbed content, as well as some ripped official content.
Youtube - Many unofficial accounts - usually individuals with the DVDs - will upload their copies or translations to youtube. There are also many Fan Dubs on youtube. These can easily be found with a google search.
SailorMoonTV.com - An example of an 'unofficial' fan site that streams copies of official subs and subs.
Youtube - Many unofficial accounts - usually individuals with the DVDs - will upload their copies or translations to youtube. There are also many Fan Dubs on youtube. These can easily be found with a google search.
SailorMoonTV.com - An example of an 'unofficial' fan site that streams copies of official subs and subs.
* Legality does vary between countries. These points apply to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The rules in Europe, Africa, and South America do vary, so please check and stay safe!