Free Anime Streaming Platforms That Are Legal 2025

For years, anime fans relied on Crunchyroll as the default place to watch shows for free with ads. However, the landscape has changed dramatically in late 2025. With Crunchyroll officially shutting down its free ad-supported tier on December 31, 2025, millions of fans are looking for a new home.

The good news is that you do not need to turn to illegal pirate sites. There are several "FAST" (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) platforms that offer thousands of anime episodes legally and safely. These sites are supported by major companies, meaning the creators still get paid when you watch.

In this guide, we list the best free and legal anime streaming platforms that are taking over in 2025.

1. Tubi TV (The Best Overall Replacement)

Region: US, Canada, Mexico, Australia (VPN needed for others)

If you are looking for a direct replacement for Crunchyroll's free tier, Tubi is the best option. Owned by Fox Corporation, it has aggressively expanded its anime library.

It features a massive collection of hit titles like Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cowboy Bebop, and Attack on Titan. The interface is clean and works perfectly on mobile and Smart TVs.

Pros:

• No Account Required: You can start watching instantly without giving your email.
• Huge Library: It has thousands of hours of subbed and dubbed content.
• Low Ads: The commercial breaks are surprisingly short compared to TV.

2. Pluto TV (Best for "Live" Viewing)

Region: US, Europe, Latin America

Pluto TV offers a unique experience because it feels like traditional cable television. Instead of picking a specific episode, you tune into "Channels."

It has dedicated channels for specific anime. For example, there is a "Naruto Channel" that plays Naruto episodes 24 hours a day, non-stop. It also has an "Anime All Day" channel that rotates different popular series. It is perfect for those times when you just want to put something on in the background.

Pros:

• Channel Surfing: Great for discovering new shows randomly.
• Totally Free: No subscription options exist; everything is free.
• On-Demand: It also has a library where you can pick specific movies if you prefer.

3. YouTube (The Official Legal Channels)

Region: Worldwide (Best for Asia/Global)

Many fans assume anime on YouTube is illegal, but that is no longer true. Major Japanese studios have launched official channels to stream full episodes for free to combat piracy.

• Muse Asia: If you are in Asia (or use a VPN), this channel uploads simulcasts of the latest anime (like Demon Slayer or Spy x Family) directly to YouTube for free.
• Ani-One Asia: Similar to Muse, they offer a vast library of legal anime.
• GundamInfo: The official home for almost every Gundam series ever made.
• RetroCrush: They have a YouTube channel dedicated to classic 80s and 90s anime.

4. RetroCrush (Best for Classics)

Region: US & Canada

If you love the "Golden Age" of anime from the 1980s and 1990s, RetroCrush is a dedicated app just for you.

While other sites focus on the newest hits, RetroCrush focuses on hidden gems, cult classics, and old-school action anime like Street Fighter II, City Hunter, and Great Teacher Onizuka. It is free with ads, though they do have a premium tier for ad-free viewing.

Pros:

• Curated Content: Excellent for finding shows you missed from 20 years ago.
• Community: The comments and community feel very nostalgic.

5. Amazon Freevee (US Only)

Region: United States

Formerly known as IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon's free streaming service. You do not need an Amazon Prime subscription to use it.

It has a surprisingly good selection of anime movies and series. Because it is backed by Amazon, the streaming quality is often 1080p or 4K, which is better than most other free sites.

Pros:

• High Quality: Excellent video player with no buffering.
• X-Ray Feature: You can see actor and character info while you watch.

Conclusion

With Crunchyroll closing its free doors, it is time to switch apps.

• For the biggest library, download Tubi.
• For simulcasts (new episodes), check out Muse Asia on YouTube.
• For old-school cool, install RetroCrush.

Anime is still free in 2025; you just need to know where to look.

Source - tubitv.com , pluto.tv , retrocrush.tv , screenrant.com , cnet.com