Long before the arrival of the film, Japan has been producing entertainment in the forms of moving painted figures called utsushi-e. This tradition inspired Japanese animators, leading to the development of anime. Today, there are over 10,000 anime shows available for consumption and over 50 million anime fans around the world. With these figures, however, it can be cumbersome to find the right anime streaming apps since these contents aren’t usually streamed like a regular Western series.
Thankfully, there are several anime apps and sites that let you watch anime for free. Some of them even support offline viewing across devices. So, if you’re wondering where to watch anime and save them for offline viewing, you’re in the right place. Here are the 13 best anime streaming mobile apps for Android and iOS.
13 Best Anime Apps for Offline Viewing
- Kissanime
- Crunchyroll
- Netflix
- AnimeLab
- FunimationNow
- VRV
- Amazon Prime Video
- YouTube
- Mubi
- Hulu
- Tubi
- RetroCrush
- Bilibili
1. Kissanime
![10 BEST Anime Streaming Mobile Apps for Offline Viewing [Android & iOS]](https://cellularnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/anime-app.png)
Price: Free
One of the best anime streaming apps to watch for free is Kissanime. You can find almost all anime, encompassing multiple genres such as romance, horror, science fiction, comedy, and more. It also has a streamlined interface, giving users easy access to all of the website’s collections. Whether you prefer English-subbed or dubbed versions, they’re all here.
You won’t face problems in terms of video quality as most of its contents are uploaded in a consistent standard of 240p, HD 720p, 1080p, and 4K 2160p. KissAnime also boasts swift episode updates to all of its series.
As for mobile streaming, the Kissanime app is currently available on Android. However, it isn’t available on Google Play so you’ll have to manually install the app from the website. After installing, you can directly stream anime on your mobile device, save your favorite shows, and add them for mobile viewing.
The best part? Kissanime is a free anime app on the internet.
UpdateKissAnime seized up its operation in August 2020 because of copyright issues. While the original website doesn’t seem to be coming back to life, there are KissAnime mirror sites like kiss-anime.ws and kissanime.com.ru where you can enjoy its content prior to closure.
2. Crunchyroll
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: 14-day free trial; $7.99/month + taxes (Fan), $9.99/month + taxes (Mega Fan)
If you’re an avid anime lover, chances are you’ve heard about Crunchyroll a million times. As the front-runner for anime streaming in the US, Crunchyroll has the most extensive anime collection among all anime sites, and it has over 50 million registered users worldwide. You can also browse other content, including Asian dramas and manga titles.
If you’re a first-time user, you can download the Crunchyroll app with a 14-day free trial. This means you can experience its premium features for a limited time, such as unlimited access to all of its content and ad-free streaming in HD. Plus, you can also stream the latest episode of your favorite anime show after an hour of release in Japan.
Moreover, Crunchyroll features various news for upcoming anime shows, as well as anime voiceover artists and animators. Aside from anime streaming, Crunchyroll is also one of the best manga apps there is.
Crunchyroll is available on the following devices:
- Wii U
- Chromecast
- Xbox One and 360
- PlayStation 4, 3, and Vita
- Apple iOS
- Android
- Windows Phone
- Apple TV
- Roku Box
- Fire TV
3. Netflix
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: $9 for the Basic, $14 for the Standard, and $18 for the Premium Plan
Netflix might not be your primary choice when it comes to anime streaming. However, the platform also boasts a handful of anime catalog, including Pokemon, Naruto, Your Lie in April, Hunter x Hunter, and so much more. We can expect an anime library expansion in the coming years as Netflix partners up with animation studios in Japan such as Studio Ghibli.
To start watching, you have to avail of their premium offer or get Netflix for free. From there, you can search for any of your anime preferences and stream them online. You can also save them for offline viewing if you wish to watch them on the go.
Netflix is available on these devices:
- Smartphones and tablets
- Streaming Media Players
- Smart TVs
- Game Consoles
- Set-top Boxes
- Blu-ray Players
- PCs and Laptops
4. AnimeLab
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free: $7/month for Premium
AnimeLab is another anime app that lets you stream a multitude of anime titles for free. It has over 718 shows and movies across 32 genres, and you can also request your favorite anime if it’s not included in the catalog. Similar to Crunchyroll, AnimeLab delivers the most popular anime shows and movies, including simulcasts straight from Japan. However, the service is only available in Australia and New Zealand.
What separates the service from most of the anime apps on this list is its wide range of availability. Hence, you can link your account across devices for personal viewing:
- Xbox One
- Playstation
- Samsung TV
- Telstra TV
- Apple TV
- iOS devices
- Android devices
- Sony TV
- Chromecast
- PC on TV
- Apple AirPlay
- Foxtel Now Box
If you avail of the free version, you can only access a limited number of titles with English subtitles. However, if you choose to upgrade to the premium plan, you’ll get full access to its library, an option to switch to subbed or dubbed version, and HD streaming.
5. FunimationNow
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: 14-day free trial; $6/month for the Premium service; $8/month for the Premium Plus service
A list of the best anime streaming mobile apps isn’t complete without FunimationNow. Founded in 1994, the service has a long history of providing anime titles to consumers in the US. Back then, its first goal was to deliver the Dragon Ball series to the American audience. Later on, the company expanded to other anime shows and programs with the help of animation studios such as BLT Productions, Ocean Studios, Pioneer, and Saban Entertainment. Today, FunimationNow has over 950 anime titles on its shelf.
If you’re a fan of dubbed anime versions, FunimationNow is your cup of tea. Though it offers subbed anime versions as well, the company’s primary focus is to release anime shows in dubbed versions. Moreover, the service is compatible with various devices:
- Android devices
- iOS devices
- Windows
- Game consoles such as PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, and Xbox 360
- Smart TV devices including Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG Smart TV, Chromecast, Roku, and Samsung
- Amazon Kindle
You can find almost all kinds of anime on FunimationNow. However, it focuses mainly on nostalgic anime titles and a few exclusive options, such as the Dragon Ball.
As for the subscription, upgrading to the premium tier gives the ability to have two simultaneous streams across your linked devices, while the premium plus tier allows you to stream simultaneously on up to five devices at once. If you want apps to watch anime offline, the premium plus tier allows is the option for you. Because of their similarities in terms of features, FunimationNow vs. Crunchyroll is a common dilemma for anime fans looking for a good streaming app.
6. VRV
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free; $10/ month for Premium
The best way to stream anime online is to download the VRV Anime app. Unlike most of the apps on this list, VRV is a vast streaming platform of animated shows that integrates several anime streaming services into one catalog for easy access among users. You can find shows and movies from Crunchyroll, Boomerang, Cartoon Hangover, HIDIVE, MONDO, NickSplat, Rooster Teeth, and VRV Select. The service works similarly to HBO since you can bundle your subscription with other channels to broaden your access to a multitude of anime titles.
That said, you can relive your childhood, watching classic cartoons from Boomerang such as Code Name: Kids Next Door. NickSplat can also do you well through CatDog and Rocket Power, and a lot more.
VRV offers free ad-supported content in 1080p to basic users. You can also browse through 20,000 hours of free content, which updates regularly. Upgrading to the premium tier removes all the ads for seamless viewing. It also gives you access to exclusive content released by the channels on the platform.
VRV is compatible with the following devices:
- Android devices with OS v5.0 and later
- iOS devices
- Web
- Xbox One
- Playstation 4
- Chromecast
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Fire TV
- Roku devices
7. Amazon Prime Video
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: 30-day free trial; $9/month
Amazon Prime Video is another subscription-based video streaming platform that provides a whopping list of TV shows and movies to all of its subscribers. Like Netflix, the service also offers a handful of anime titles to cater to anime fans around the world.
Some of the best anime shows you can stream are Great Teacher Onizuka, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Flame of Recca, Toradora! and many more. You can download these shows over WiFi and save them for offline viewing so you can easily access them anytime and anywhere.
As for the quality, Amazon Prime Video uploads videos in HD, allowing you to view anime content in clear and crisp images. Plus, if you subscribe to the service, you’ll have unlimited access to all of its content, particularly for anime titles.
You can also enjoy the service on the following platforms:
- Fire TV or Fire TV Stick
- Set-top Box
- Smart TV, Blu-ray player
- Game console
- Fire Tablet
- Chromecast
8. YouTube
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free; $12 for YouTube Premium
If you prefer to watch anime without registering for other sites, you can always use YouTube. As the largest and most popular video-sharing platform on the internet, YouTube has tons of videos of all sorts. Here, you can stream the most popular and classic anime shows with complete episodes such as Hajime No Ippo, Beyblade, Death Note, Hellsing, Soul Eater, and many more.
If you don’t mind viewing random ads at the beginning, middle, or end of a particular video, you may use the service without paying any fee. However, if you opt to remove these interludes, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium for $12.
To save an anime video for offline viewing, simply look for the “Add to Offline” icon below the video. Next, select your preferred resolution of the video and hit OK. You can browse your saved videos on the Account tab.
9. Mubi
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: 7-day free trial; $10/month
Mubi started as a social network for film enthusiasts in 2007. It transformed into an online streaming service in 2010, showcasing limited hand-curated classic films and animations. Today, you can find a plethora of anime titles across various genres, including the top-rated movies from Studio Ghibli.
Mubi has a dynamic movie line-up. It changes every day, so if you want to be on a loop with the shows, you can check out Mubi’s Now Showing films here. Depending on your internet connection, you can watch videos on Mubi in high-definition quality.
Mubi also allows users to rate, follow, and review listed anime shows on the site for feedback and collaboration among users. If you opt to watch an anime show offline, don’t worry. Mubi supports offline viewing for Android and iOS.
The service is also available on the following devices:
- Streaming media players such as Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku
- Smart TVs such as Sony, Samsung, Android TV, LG Smart TV
- Mac/PC, including Safari 12 and later, Chrome 65 and later, Firefox 68 and later, Internet Explorer 11 or Edge
10. Hulu
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: 30-day free trial; $6 for the Basic tier; $12 for the Premium tier
Hulu is an excellent option if you’re looking for the best anime streaming app. Much like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Hulu has a diverse library of TV shows and movies from all parts of the world, including anime. Some of the best anime shows in the service include Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Hunter x Hunter, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, and more.
You can also save anime videos for offline viewing if you’re always on the go. To do that, just simply search for any anime show you want to save and click on the download icon next to the anime title. Wait for the download to be finished then you can watch the show anywhere you go.
However, the offline viewing feature is only available to paid subscribers of the No Ads plan.
11. Tubi
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free
The Tubi TV app is a free streaming service where you watch your favorite movies and TV shows. The app also comes with a selection of anime titles. While not as expansive as the others on this list, you can still enjoy many hidden gems. Tubi’s anime selection primarily includes many classic anime shows. These include shows like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Ronin Mecha. It will surely have you marathoning your childhood favorites, and basking in nostalgia.
With its simple UI, you can easily navigate through the app. There are minimal ads on the app interface, which helps you focus on the content. The app also works on various other platforms, like the following:
- Smart TVs such as Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Apple TV (4th Generation), Vizio Smart TV, Roku
- Streaming media players such as Chromecast, Comcast Xfinity X1
- Mobile devices such as Android (smartphone/tablet), iOS (iPhone/iPad), Kindle Fire Tablet
- Consoles such as PS3/4, Xbox One, Nvidia Shield
The Tubi app has yet to include offline viewing features. But the good news is, you can find many downloader sites that can do it for you. You can also refer to some of the alternatives to download videos on Tubi just by inputting the link.
12. RetroCrush: Classic Anime
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free, $6/month for ad-free Premium
As its title suggests, RetroCrush is one of the best anime apps for classic titles. You can find many of your old favorites by browsing through their catalog. The app has a myriad of categories, from action and adventure to your sweet shoujo anime. The app itself has a visually pleasing minimalist design. The best part is, you can access any anime title from their library for free. RetroCrush supports itself through ads, so you can use their service for free. The ads themselves are very minimal and won’t distract you from the content. If you don’t want ads to interrupt your stream, you can subscribe to RetroCrush for $6/monthly for ad-free and exclusive age-gated content access.
You can watch RetroCrush videos on the respective mobile apps. There is also a web version you can access through any desktop browser. You can stream on multiple devices at the same time. You can enjoy your classic ’90s anime anywhere and anytime.
13. Bilibili
Availability: Android & iOS
Price: Free
Bilibili is a Chinese-owned entertainment website dedicated to the ACG (anime, comic, and game) culture. It has been around since 2009 but grew massively in 2015 when it ventured to become a mainstream video entertainment website. Targeting the Gen Z audience, it has a collection of big-name anime series from the early 2000s such as Naruto and Fate/ Zero. It also has some of the freshest hits such as Boruto, Demon Slayer, One Punch Man, and My Hero Academia. Watching and downloading your favorite anime series from the app doesn’t cost anything. But if you want to get exclusive content, early access, and HD streaming, you can get their VIP service for around $14 monthly.
Aside from being one of the best free anime streaming apps, Bilibili also excels at cultivating a community of online creators. Similar to YouTube, it monetizes creators for uploading anime reviews, parodies, performances, skits, and event animal videos. Viewers may also leave comments, which encourages interactions between ACG fanatics.
Stream Away!
Watching anime is now easy with the help of anime apps scattered across the internet. From a free app to a premium with bells and whistles, the gift of the anime culture is within our grasp—anytime and anywhere.
What do you think of our list? If you liked the article, don’t forget to share it with your friends!
