Anime has established a vast international audience and boasts a remarkable collection of titles along with diverse copyright regulations that vary by region and time frame. Fans need not seek out specialized anime streaming platforms, as there is a wealth of anime content on YouTube accessible for free—indicating that the copyright holders have made these shows available at no cost.
A dynamic and dedicated fan community remains vigilant regarding these offerings, causing the selection of free anime on YouTube to continually evolve. It’s crucial to note that some titles may become unavailable without prior notice, and many have undergone multiple changes in their distribution rights. These fluctuations provide excellent incentives to fire up the YouTube app and explore some of the top anime series you can currently watch for free.
Updated as of October 22, 2024, by Mark Sammut: This piece has been refreshed with two additional top anime on YouTube, including image collections for each show.
For viewers interested in new releases, several Fall 2024 anime are debuting on YouTube.
Independent searches will yield a broader array of titles; however, most of these listings only feature a limited number of episodes, while others might just provide clips. These functionalities mainly serve as a preview, helping viewers determine if they want to fully commit to a series.
KenIchi – The Mightiest Disciple
MyAnimeList Rating: 8
A somewhat overlooked shonen series from the mid-2000s, KenIchi follows a bullied young man who, inspired by his skilled classmate Miu, sets out to become a martial artist. Initially, he struggles significantly, barely managing to keep up; however, through rigorous training and persistence, he evolves into a formidable fighter capable of holding his own against many adversaries.
It’s worth mentioning that the series concludes before wrapping up Kenichi’s full journey, and the ten subsequent OVAs are not found on YouTube.
KenIchi embodies the characteristic style of the mid-2000s, which may charm or dissuade various viewers. Nonetheless, the humor shines, as Kenichi straddles the line of the loveable fool archetype. The action sequences remain engaging in both animation quality and diversity, allowing characters such as Miu, Natsu, and Shigure to showcase distinctive fighting techniques.
Sailor Moon
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.7
As one of the most cherished and iconic shoujo anime of all time, Sailor Moon is sometimes not freely available. However, with the latest Blu-Ray release of the initial two seasons by current copyright owner VizMedia, a promotional viewing on YouTube Movies & TV has become possible.
The free content is presented in the original Japanese with subtitles, which may not cater to all audiences, but provides an uncut glimpse of this classic from the 1990s. The remastered quality in both audio and video makes it visually appealing, celebrating its nearly 30-year legacy.
Magic Knight Rayearth
MyAnimeList: 7.45 (Season 1)
Magic Knight Rayearth remains expansive even today. Based on Clamp’s manga, it deftly merges elements of isekai, mecha, and magical girl genres, creating a rich narrative that could either excel or falter depending on its execution. Both the manga and its anime adaptation are worthwhile experiences, though the manga is generally deemed superior.
As an older series, the animation may appear uneven, and the pacing could be slow, yet the plot revolves around three likable protagonists, with captivating action sequences and breathtaking visuals. The narrative grows increasingly darker and more captivating as it unfolds.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.2
A beloved classic, Revolutionary Girl Utena boasts a dedicated fanbase since its 1998 debut. Currently held by Nozomi Entertainment for North American distribution, the entire series can be found on their official YouTube channel.
Set against the backdrop of the burgeoning magical girl genre, Utena’s uniqueness lies in its portrayal of a young girl aspiring to be a prince, rather than the traditional princess. Fans treasure its surrealist aesthetics, rich in symbolism and allegory, intricately woven into the storyline—making it one of the finest free anime available on YouTube.
Yowamushi Pedal
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.9
Sports anime often serve as emotional relief, blending drama, comedy, action, and character development effectively. Though they can be formulaic, they remain appealing due to their well-established structure. Yowamushi Pedal adheres closely to this formula, chronicling Onoda’s journey as he joins his school’s cycling team and discovers a passion for the sport while forming friendships along the way. It’s straightforward yet powerful.
TMS’s YouTube channel provides access to the first season containing 38 episodes, along with more than half of the sequel, which unfortunately leaves out a significant portion of the overall story. Nevertheless, the content available remains engaging, with the two initial seasons often regarded as Yowamushi Pedal’s highlight.
InuYasha
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.8
A quintessential anime blending the isekai and romance genres, InuYasha narrates a tale of time travel, adventure, and fantasy set in feudal Japan. The story kicks off when Kagome Higurashi tumbles through a well at her family shrine, landing in a historical version of Japan.
The title character, InuYasha, is a half-demon, half-human tasked with aiding Kagome in her quest to recover the scattered shards of the Shikon Jewel. In classic fantasy fashion, their story evolves as they encounter various allies on their journey.
Sherlock Hound
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.3
This series offers a unique blend of aesthetics reminiscent of Goof Troop set against a Western backdrop in a steampunk narrative. Its intriguing history stems from a collaboration between the Italian broadcaster RAI and Japanese animation studio Tokyo Movie Shinsha.
Originally airing from 1984 to 1985, Sherlock Hound has not generated sequels but has undergone remastering. The distribution rights have transitioned multiple times recently, currently secured by TMS, which hosts the series on their official YouTube anime channel.
Chibi Maruko-chan
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.3
- Creator : Momoko Sakura (manga)
- Studio: Nippon Animation Co, Fuji Television Network
- First Aired: 1990
- Genre: Comedy
- Chibi Maruko-Chan – Full Playlist
A cherished series that has entertained Japanese audiences for decades, Chibi Maruko-chan draws inspiration from the creator’s childhood experiences in the 1960s. Almost the entire series, which began airing in the 1990s and continues to this day, is available through the official Nippon Animation YouTube channel.
The main character, Maruko Sakura, depicts an elementary school girl living with her family and navigating everyday adventures, creating wholesome stories comparable to American television classics like The Brady Bunch and Happy Days. It’s refreshing to have a family-friendly anime suitable for audiences of all ages available for free on YouTube!
Beyblade
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.7
A game, a manga, and naturally, an anime! The Beyblade franchise, which debuted in 1999, still thrives, ensuring nostalgia for audiences eager to revisit the original anime series produced from 2001 to 2003.
The Beyblade saga has continued with spinoffs like Beyblade Burst. The dedicated fan community continues to create and share content, while the BEYBLADE Official YouTube channel features full episodes from various series, available in English and Spanish.
Naruto
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.9
It’s remarkable that a portion of one of the longest-running and most beloved anime series is freely available on YouTube, so fans should savor this opportunity while it remains. Part 1 of the Naruto saga aired from 2002 to 2007, with distribution rights similarly held by Viz Media.
This initial arc delves into the lore surrounding the Ninja World and the Five Great Shinobi Nations, chronicling how Naruto Uzumaki became the vessel for the malevolent nine-tailed fox spirit, influencing his development as a ninja.
Emma, A Victorian Romance
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.6
From Nozomi Entertainment, the studio behind the celebrated Magical Girl Utena, Emma, A Victorian Romance shares similarities with its famed predecessor. It can be found under its original Japanese title, “Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma.”
Both series highlight female protagonists and utilize distinct time periods to shape their narratives. In this tale, Emma is a maid in Victorian London who falls for a gentleman of higher status, facing disapproval from his family amidst the painstakingly detailed social and historical backdrop.
Aria the Animation
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.6
Step into Neo Venezia, a stunning envisioned city where travel occurs via water, and experience the beauty for yourself. Aria the Animation offers a utopian perspective of humanity in the 24th century, on a terraformed Mars now known as Aqua, where gondoliers train and thrive in this unique setting.
This anime centers on Akari, who leaves behind the now-referred planet Manhome to become a gondolier on Aqua. The series showcases a captivating blend of traditional and futuristic design, enhancing its appeal significantly.
Death Note
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.6
A standout in the mainstream anime sphere, Death Note is a quintessential horror-thriller that remains highly regarded as one of the most popular animated series of the early 2000s. The complete first season, encompassing 37 episodes, is available for free, showcasing the chapters most cherished by viewers.
The premise may seem straightforward, akin to the notebook itself, but as the story unfolds, it grows increasingly intricate, entangling the main character in a web of deceit and demise that ultimately traps him. For anime lovers, this series is a must-watch, often recommended to newcomers to the genre.
Mr. Osomatsu
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.9
Join the Matsuno family, which consists of six indistinguishable brothers whose hilarious escapades and contrasting personalities lead to constant disruptions in their plans and ambitions. Though fundamentally lazy, their adventures often spring from a desire for work, friendship, love, or social standing.
Known as Osomatsu-san in Japan, Mr. Osomatsu revolves around its lead character, but is enriched by the contributions of his more responsible brother Choromatsu and exuberant sibling Juushimatsu. The series, nearly ten years old, continues to charm audiences with its delightful humor and endearing characters.
Hunter X Hunter
MyAnimeList Rating: 9.03
Acclaimed as one of the ultimate shonen manga and anime, Hunter x Hunter needs little introduction, despite being slightly less mainstream than works like Naruto or One Piece. While the 1999 series is quite well-done, it is frequently overshadowed by the 2011 adaptation, which faithfully covers much of the manga.
With over 140 episodes showcasing exquisite animation, HxH stands as a technical marvel, demonstrating an enduring visual style. The narrative combines action, humor, drama, and robust world-building creating a powerful narrative experience. The 2011 series is streamable in its entirety on YouTube for free (with ads).
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