The 7 Best 9Anime/AniWave Alternatives to Watch Anime for Free Online in 2025
AniWave, formerly known as 9Anime, was an online platform for streaming anime series. Initially established in 2016 as 9Anime, the site rebranded to AniWave in 2023. Before its shutdown, AniWave attracted approximately 170 million visits per month, highlighting its immense popularity among anime fans. On August 27, 2024, AniWave went offline due to copyright enforcement actions. The shutdown was part of a broader effort led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), in collaboration with Vietnamese authorities, targeting several major sites distributing unauthorized content. Following the shutdown, AniWave’s administrators posted a farewell message on the website, expressing gratitude to their users and encouraging them to transition to legal streaming services to support content creators. They emphasized the importance of supporting official platforms to ensure the continued production of quality anime. This closure served as a reminder of the growing global initiatives to protect creative industries. What Is The 9Anime? 9Anime is a popular anime streaming website that offers a wide variety of content, including currently airing shows and a large catalog of older anime with English subtitles or names. The site allows users to sort content by genre, release date, and quality, with many shows available in 1080p HD. Users can also adjust the streaming quality to prioritize either video resolution or data usage depending on their internet connection. While the site provides a convenient platform for streaming anime, it’s important to note that the content is hosted by third parties, not 9Anime itself. Despite its legal issues, 9Anime is safe to use for viewers. It’s not a scam, and there’s minimal risk of viruses or malware, though ads can be annoying. Since no files are downloaded to your device, legal risks are generally low for users. However, depending on your location, it’s still important to be aware of potential legal complications related to streaming copyrighted content. Is 9Anime Safe? Many anime fans watch their favorite shows at 9Anime or its mirror sites. However, a common concern is whether 9Anime is safe to use. While 9Anime itself may not directly distribute malware, it operates in a legal gray area and relies on third-party advertisements for revenue. These ads can sometimes be compromised, leading to malicious software distribution. Clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups can expose your system. which may steal personal information, damage your system, or turn your computer into part of a botnet. Additionally, 9Anime does not have the rights or licenses to distribute the anime content it hosts, meaning the content is pirated. Watching anime on such websites supports piracy and can harm the industry by reducing the revenue and profits of creators and distributors. To protect yourself while streaming anime online, consider the following precautions: Top 7 Best 9Anime/AniWave Alternatives for 2025 As of January 2025, several reputable platforms offer anime video & streaming services, providing great alternatives to the now-defunct AniWave (formerly 9Anime). These include both legal streaming platforms and free sites with a range of content options. 1. Miruro – Watch Your Favorite Anime on Schedule: Ads: YesLogin: OptionalVideo Qualities: NoSubs: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic Miruro is a fantastic alternative to AniWave, boasting an extensive anime library with multiple dubbed versions. Enjoy an immersive viewing experience with automatic skipping of intros and outros. The platform ensures smooth episode transitions and offers a wide range of subtitle options. A standout feature is the weekly anime schedule, so you’ll never miss a new episode and can keep up with the latest releases. Miruro also allows users to easily browse by genre, making it easier to find new favorites. The user interface is simple and clean, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Plus, with an ever-growing selection, there’s always something new to discover. However, it is ad-supported and prone to frequent redirects, which can disrupt the user experience. ⭕ Pros ❌ Cons A wide range of anime library. A wide range of anime libraries. Support multiple captions with customization. No video quality option is available. Automatically skip intros and outros. Automatically plays the next episode. Lists the show time of the entire week. 2. 9Anime – Auto Skip Intro and Auto Next: Ads: YesLogin: OptionalVideo Qualities: 360P-1080PSubs: English Although the original animated website was taken down, there are many new mirrors and domains. 9Anime is one of them. It is a free anime streaming website similar to AniWave, offering a variety of popular and classic anime titles across genres like action, kids, drama, fantasy, romance, school, and comedy. All anime is available in high-quality resolution, ranging from 360P to 1080P. This alternative to Watch Cartoon online.io also features auto-skip intro and auto-next episode functions, making your viewing experience smoother and more enjoyable. 9Anime’s interface is user-friendly, making it easy to search and discover new anime. The platform also regularly updates its library, ensuring you have access to the latest episodes. With a wide range of genres and subtitle options, it’s a great choice for any anime fan. However, it only offers an English dubbing version of the anime. And like other free anime sites, 9Anime contains ads and redirects. ⭕ Pros ❌ Cons Various video quality options. Easily be redirected to another website. Multiple sub and dub backup servers. Only English subtitle is provided. Add the anime to the watch list for later viewing. Auto skip intro and auto next. 3. Animension – Ad-Free Anime Streaming: Ads: DependsLogin: OptionalVideo Qualities: 360P-1080PSubs: English Animension is a user-friendly anime website offering multiple genres and schedules for the latest releases. The website itself is ad-free and works on its sources, providing features such as auto-next episode, and skipping of opening (op) and ending (ed) credits. You can also bookmark your favorite anime if you log in, and even download episodes for offline viewing. The platform’s clean and intuitive design makes it easy to navigate through the wide anime library. With regular updates, you’ll always have access to fresh content. Animension also supports multiple devices, ensuring seamless watching whether on your phone, tablet, or computer. It has official sources, which