Hi friend! Are you an anime lover searching for the best KissAnime alternatives after its shutdown in 2020? I‘ve got you covered.
As a long-time anime fan myself, I was disappointed when KissAnime was taken down. It was my go-to source for HD anime streaming for many years.
But there‘s good news – there are still great sites out there to enjoy anime safely and legally! In this detailed guide, I will share:
- The need for using a VPN when streaming anime
- 10 thoroughly-researched KissAnime alternatives
- Overview of what made KissAnime popular and why it shut down
- Tips to stream anime securely
- My final verdict on the best KissAnime replacement
So let‘s get started! Here‘s why you need a VPN first.
Contents
Use a VPN for Safe Anime Streaming
Accessing free anime streaming sites – whether legal or illegal – carries certain privacy and security risks. Your personal data and browsing activity can be monitored by your ISP, hackers, and even government agencies.
To stay protected, it‘s essential to use a trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and masks your IP address. This prevents snooping or throttling by ISPs while bolstering online privacy.
A VPN also helps bypass geo-restrictions imposed by streaming sites. This allows you to access more anime content libraries from around the world. Pretty neat, right?
I recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for anime streaming for the following reasons:
- Ultra-fast speeds – Enables smooth HD streaming without buffering
- 5400+ servers in 60 countries – Unblocks anime sites and geo-restricted content
- Strict no-logs policy – Does not monitor or store user data
- military-grade encryption – Renders internet activity virtually impossible to intercept
- Intuitive apps – Available for all devices like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux etc.
- 24/7 live chat support – Helpful if you face any issues
NordVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee. So you can try it out risk-free. Other expert-recommended VPN services are ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
Staying secure online should be your top priority. Now let‘s look at the best KissAnime alternatives.
Top 10 KissAnime Alternatives in 2024
I have compiled this list of the top anime sites like KissAnime based on factors like:
- Library size and content variety
- Streaming quality and speed
- User experience and interface
- Cost/subscription options
- Safety, privacy and legality
My top recommendations are:
1. Crunchyroll
Without a doubt, Crunchyroll is the best KissAnime alternative out there. It‘s a premium licensed anime streaming service with the hugest collection – over 1200 series and 15,000 hours of content!
Crunchyroll has a strong focus on subbed anime but also offers select dubbed titles. Video quality goes up to 1080p.
You can watch some of the latest anime for free with ads. Crunchyroll‘s real value lies in its Premium plan which gives you unlimited ad-free access to the entire catalog in HD, including simulcasts straight from Japan. Pricing starts at $7.99/month. Definitely worthwhile in my opinion.
Some amazing features of Crunchyroll:
- Largest library of licensed anime with new additions every season
- HD quality streams with minimal buffering
- Curated anime content spanning action, adventure, sci-fi, romance, comedy, horror etc.
- Apps for all devices – iOS, Android, Windows, Gaming consoles
- Community forums to engage with fellow anime fans
Crunchyroll is available in over 200 countries. So no geo-restrictions to worry about either.
Tip: Use the 14-day free trial to experience Crunchyroll‘s premium features.
2. Funimation
A close second to Crunchyroll is Funimation. It‘s another premium anime streaming service with a huge catalog of subbed & dubbed anime.
Funimation has over 1500 anime series and adds new shows every season. Video quality goes up to 1080p for uninterrupted HD streaming.
You can watch some titles for free with ads. To access the full anime catalog ad-free, Funimation‘s Premium Plus plan starts at just $5.99/month. Really a steal deal.
Some noteworthy aspects of Funimation:
- Massive library with iconic classic anime and latest seasonal shows
- Simulcast provides subbed episodes shortly after Japan airing
- Apps for smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs and other devices
- Curated anime collections and recommendations for easy discovery
Funimation is only available in US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. You‘ll need a VPN to access it from other countries.
Overall, Funimation is a terrific anime streaming option. The low price and massive collection makes it appealing to anime enthusiasts.
3. Anime-Planet
Anime-Planet is a long-running free anime streaming site with an expansive content library. It has over 45,000 legal anime episodes, making it a great KissAnime alternative.
The site navigation and UI is very tidy and intuitive. You can stream anime in high quality without even creating an account.
But there are some pesky ads on Anime-Planet. Thankfully, using an adblocker improves the viewing experience and cuts down on annoying pop-ups.
Some things that make Anime-Planet worth trying:
- Huge collection of free anime – old classics to latest releases
- Stream anime in HD instantly without registration
- Handy watchlists by creating a profile
- Content filters and recommendations
- Minimal interface without clutter
Overall, Anime-Planet is an excellent free alternative for anime streaming after KissAnime‘s shutdown. The massive content collection is a big plus.
4. AnimeLab
AnimeLab is a popular anime streaming site based in Australia and New Zealand. With a trusty VPN, you can access AnimeLab from anywhere.
It has a neat collection of subbed and dubbed anime. Video quality is fantastic in up to 1080p resolution.
The interface is well-organized with handy categories and filters to find anime. Best of all, registration is not mandatory to start watching anime.
Some notable features of AnimeLab:
- Excellent HD streaming quality
- Good collection of licensed anime series and movies
- Intuitive UI and navigation tools
- Apps available for Android and iOS mobile devices
- Watch anime free without creating an account
AnimeLab‘s legality and smart interface makes it one of the better KissAnime alternatives out there.
5. GoGoAnime
GoGoAnime is a popular anime streaming site praised for its vast content library and streaming quality.
It has a modern intuitive interface that makes discovering new anime convenient. The homepage has intelligent categorization along with alphabetical listing of anime titles.
GoGoAnime streams anime in high definition. You can even download episodes for offline viewing. My advice is to use an adblocker as the site does have some pop-up ads.
Notable features of GoGoAnime:
- Modern and slick interface
- New anime episodes shortly after Japan release
- Huge library of subbed/dubbed anime
- Download available for offline viewing
- Few annoying ads present
The massive collection and ability to download episodes makes GoGoAnime a favorite KissAnime alternative for many anime buffs.
6. Chia-Anime
Chia-Anime is a long-running anime streaming site with a vast content library much like KissAnime.
The site streams subbed and dubbed anime in high quality without mandatory registration. You also have the option to download episodes for offline viewing pleasure.
The minimal interface makes browsing and streaming anime a smooth experience. But pop-up ads can be irritating. Using a good adblocker helps overcome this annoyance.
Some prominent aspects of Chia-Anime:
- Straightforward and minimal interface
- Huge collection of anime series and movies
- HD quality subbed/dubbed anime
- Download option for offline viewing
- Watch anime without creating an account
Overall, Chia-Anime is a great free alternative to access anime after KissAnime‘s closure. The vast catalog itself makes it appealing.
7. RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a dedicated classic anime streaming service bringing back nostalgic retro anime from 1960s to 1990s.
It‘s completely free with ads and provides legal HD streaming. Video quality is excellent allowing you to relish timeless anime hits from the past.
RetroCrush has a neat curated catalog of influential old-school anime titles – both subbed and dubbed. You can make a watchlist by signing up. Apps available too.
Some key aspects of RetroCrush:
- Nostalgic catalog of influential retro anime series
- Legal HD streaming supported by ads
- Slick interface with curated collections
- Create watchlist by registering for free
- Apps for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku
For a healthy dose of anime nostalgia from your childhood and teenage years, RetroCrush is a terrific free option.
8. Tubi TV
Tubi TV is another excellent free streaming service with a decent catalog of classic anime movies and series.
It provides legal HD streaming supported by ads. You don‘t need to register to start watching anime on Tubi TV. The interface is neat and intuitive as well.
Tubi TV has apps for various devices like Android, iOS, Roku, gaming consoles etc. You can easily resume watching anime from where you left off. Signing up lets you build a watchlist.
Notable aspects of Tubi TV:
- Legal anime streaming service
- Good collection of retro anime titles
- Resume watching across devices with account
- Easy navigation with hubs for movies and shows
- Apps available for wide device compatibility
For free legal anime streaming, Tubi TV is a quality option to turn to after KissAnime‘s demise.
9. Yahoo View
Part of the Yahoo entertainment suite, Yahoo View is a legal anime streaming option to consider.
It has a small but decent collection of anime series and movies available for free streaming. Yahoo View provides high-quality ad-supported streams in 720p and 1080p.
The service adds new anime titles periodically. You can easily find content through categories like genre, show type, ratings etc. Signing up lets you manage a watchlist.
Here are the key features of Yahoo View:
- Legal ad-supported HD anime streaming
- Relatively small but good anime catalog
- Neat navigation and curation of titles
- Apps for iOS and Android mobile devices
- Build watchlist by registering
Yahoo View is best for sampling some popular anime titles legally and safely.
10. AnimeDao
AnimeDao is a decent KissAnime alternative with a solid anime content library spanning various genres.
It offers free streaming without mandatory sign up. Streaming quality is overall good but maxes out at 720p HD.
The homepage is well organized with separate sections for seasons, popular shows, latest additions etc. Navigation and discovery is quite smooth.
However, AnimeDao does have annoying third-party ads and redirection issues. Proceed with caution and avoid sharing any sensitive information on the site. Using an adblocker helps enhance your viewing experience.
Notable aspects of AnimeDao:
- Good collection of anime series and films
- Free streaming without registration
- Easy navigation with intelligent categories
- Video quality decent but not full HD
- Intrusive ads and redirects require caution
AnimeDao is a good option if you want to stream anime for free but not in premium HD quality. Personally, I prefer the sites ranked higher that offer full HD streaming.
Why Did KissAnime Shut Down? A Look Back
Before picking the best KissAnime replacement, let‘s briefly recap what made KissAnime so popular and why it eventually shut down.
What Was KissAnime?
KissAnime was a free online streaming platform exclusively for anime content. It was launched in 2012 and quickly gained popularity among global anime fans until its shutdown in 2020.
At its peak, KissAnime was one of the biggest illegal anime streaming sites with a mammoth content library and high streaming quality. It offered unlimited access to thousands of anime titles without registration or fees.
Some features that made KissAnime a hit among anime buffs:
- Massive catalog – Latest hits as well classic and obscure anime
- HD quality – Streams up to 1080p resolution
- Subs/dubs – Subtitled original Japanese audio and English dubs
- Offline viewing – Downloadable episodes
- Multi-platform access – Web browser compatibility across devices
- Free streaming – No signup needed
Why Did KissAnime Shut Down?
While immensely popular among anime viewers, KissAnime operated on the wrong side of the law.
As a site offering illegal access to licensed anime content, KissAnime constantly faced copyright infringement claims.
In 2020, after multiple takedown requests, KissAnime was permanently shuttered. The main reasons behind its closure were:
- Copyright violations – Hosted licensed anime without permission
- Japan‘s piracy laws – Stricter anti-piracy regulations in 2019
This resulted in domain seizure and permanent loss of access to all anime content. Several KissAnime mirror sites popped up but eventually went offline too.
KissAnime‘s shutdown left fans disappointed but also seeking stable and legal alternatives. This brings us to the next important section.
How to Stream Anime Safely Online
The permanent KissAnime closure is a reminder about the risks of piracy and importance of staying safe online.
Here are my tips for all anime fans to stream anime legally and securely:
- Use legal platforms like Crunchyroll that license anime properly
- Beware of fake sites that may infect devices with malware
- Enable adblockers to prevent intrusive/offensive ads and pop-ups
- Check reviews before using any new anime site to identify red flags
- Exercise caution with free sites and avoid sharing personal/payment information
- Leverage a VPN to encrypt connection and maintain online privacy
I know the temptation to access free anime easily is real. But your cyber safety should be the top priority.
Using trustworthy paid services like Crunchyroll and Funimation gives you ultimate peace of mind and access to vast anime collections.
For free options, utilizing a good VPN service and proceeding cautiously is key. This will allow you to enjoy anime securely.
The Verdict: Crunchyroll Is the Best KissAnime Replacement
So which anime site is the best alternative to KissAnime after its shutdown? In my opinion, Crunchyroll clearly emerges as #1.
Here‘s a quick recap of why Crunchyroll is my top recommendation:
- Largest catalog – 1200+ anime series and 15,000+ hours of content
- New simulcasts – Latest episodes 1 hour after Japan telecast
- HD streaming – Up to 1080p resolution, minimal buffering
- Licensed anime – 100% legal and copyright cleared
- Intuitive UI – Smooth browsing and streaming
- Apps & device support – Android, iOS, consoles, Smart TVs
- Reasonable pricing – Worthwhile premium plans starting $7.99/month
While the free plan has certain limitations, Crunchyroll Premium offers unlimited, ad-free access to all anime titles. For serious anime buffs, it‘s a steal deal and totally worth it.
Crunchyroll provides the closest overall experience to KissAnime with its massive collection, simulcasts, and HD streaming. Of course, the big advantage is that it‘s 100% legal.
For free ad-supported options, Anime-Planet and RetroCrush excel in their respective niches. But in terms of sheer content variety and quality, Crunchyroll emerges as the #1 KissAnime alternative.
So grab some snacks, fire up that VPN, and start your anime streaming journey today. Just take care to avoid any shady sites.
Here‘s to discovering your next favorite anime series or movie! Enjoy 🙂
