For anime fans, having access to a reliable streaming site is a must. One such site that is quite popular is AnimeFreak. However, with so many domains floating around, it’s natural to wonder if the site is safe to use. In this article, we’ll be diving into the safety and legality of AnimeFreak, as well as providing you with some legal streaming alternatives to explore. As you may already know, AnimeFreak operates illegally, which makes it vulnerable to being taken down or blocked by internet service providers.
What is AnimeFreak?
AnimeFreak was a popular anime streaming website that was first launched in 2007. At the time, it quickly gained a reputation as a reliable platform for anime lovers to watch their favorite shows and movies. However, in 2021, the original AnimeFreak.tv website was banned due to copyright infringement issues. As a result, the original website is no longer available.
Despite this setback, several clones of the website have emerged, with AnimeFreak.site being the most well-known. While the domain names and interfaces of these sites may differ, they all share the same content and purpose as the original AnimeFreak website. However, it’s worth noting that these clone websites operate illegally, which means they can be taken down at any time.
How Does AnimeFreak Make Money?
AnimeFreak operates as a free-to-use streaming site, which means that it doesn’t charge users any fees to access its content. However, the site still needs to generate revenue to cover its operational costs, which include server maintenancew and other expenses.
AnimeFreak generates revenue through various means. One way is through advertisements. The website displays ads throughout its pages.
Another way that AnimeFreak generates revenue is through donations from users. When a user clicks on the “Donate” button on the website, they are redirected to a page where they can make a small donation to help support the site. These donations can add up and contribute to the website’s overall revenue.
It’s worth noting that AnimeFreak operates illegally, which means that it may also generate revenue by selling user data to third-party advertisers. This means that using AnimeFreak to watch anime may put your personal information at risk.
Is AnimeFreak Safe to Use?
When it comes to the safety of using AnimeFreak, the answer is straightforward – it’s not safe.
AnimeFreak operates illegally, which means that using the site to stream anime content is a violation of copyright law.
AnimeFreak generates revenue by displaying ads, and some of these ads may contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer or compromise your personal information. Clicking on ads or pop-ups can also lead you to malicious websites that can infect your device with malware.
That being said, it is possible to use AnimeFreak with caution. If you choose to use the site, it is recommended that you use a reliable antivirus program and avoid clicking on any ads or pop-ups. However, even with these precautions, using AnimeFreak is still illegal, and it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. In some countries, copyright infringement can result in hefty fines and legal consequences.
Should I Pirate Anime?
When it comes to the question of whether you should pirate anime, the answer is not black and white. On the one hand, piracy of any kind is illegal and harms the creators and the anime industry as a whole. Anime creators work tirelessly to bring us some of the best shows and movies, and piracy takes away from the fruits of their labor.
On the other hand, there are situations where piracy can be seen as a last resort. For example, in some regions, anime may not be readily accessible due to licensing restrictions or unavailability of streaming platforms. In such cases, piracy might be the only way to gain access to content that would otherwise not be available. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t make piracy any less illegal.
Legal Alternatives to AnimeFreak
Free:
Crunchyroll
You may have heard of Crunchyroll, a legal streaming platform that caters to anime, manga, and Asian drama fans all around the world. From the latest shows to classic hits, Crunchyroll boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes, making it one of the most comprehensive anime streaming services available today. With both free and premium subscription options, there’s something for everyone on Crunchyroll.
Price:
Free with ads. The cheapest Crunchyroll subscription costs 7.99 USD while the most expensive one costs 14.99 USD per month.
How to To Watch Crunchyroll Anywhere in the World
This method works on both desktop PCs and mobile phones or tablets.
- Purchase (or start a free trial) of a VPN. I can confirm that NordVPN works for this purpose.
- In the settings, choose the appropriate location. Crunchyroll for example can be accessed in The US or Canada.
- Fire up the VPN and wait for it to do its magic.
- Once you’re connected, navigate to your streaming service of choice. Enjoy!
Please note that if your library doesn’t update to reflect the country you selected in your VPN, you may have to clear the cache first and try again.
I’ve had no trouble using this method, and I still use NordVPN to watch anime from various countries’ libraries daily.
Funimation
Anime lovers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland may already be familiar with Funimation, a leading legal streaming service that specializes in bringing anime content to viewers in these regions. With an extensive collection of titles that includes both classic series and latest releases, Funimation offers both dubbed and subbed options to cater to the viewing preferences of its audience. Interestingly, Sony, the parent company of both Funimation and Crunchyroll, has recently announced that it will be merging both services under the name Crunchyroll.
Price:
Some shows available for free. Subscription costs 7.99 to 9.99 USD per month.
RetroCrush
If you have a passion for classic and vintage content, RetroCrush may be just the streaming service you’re looking for. This legal streaming platform boasts a vast library of over 100 classic anime titles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with both dubbed and subbed options to suit your viewing preferences. But that’s not all – RetroCrush also features a range of other classic Japanese entertainment, including live-action films and TV shows. Available in the United States and Canada, you can access RetroCrush on various devices. Although ads are included in the free version of the service, a premium ad-free subscription option is also available if you’re looking for a more uninterrupted viewing experience.
Price:
Free with ads. Subscription costs 5 USD per month of 50 USD per year.
Paid:
Netflix
Netflix is an internationally recognized streaming service that presents viewers with a diverse selection of TV shows, movies, and anime content. With an ever-growing library of licensed anime titles and original anime productions, Netflix is quickly becoming a leading contender in the anime streaming market. The platform has expanded its anime offerings in recent years, providing audiences with a range of genres and themes to choose from.
Price:
You can enjoy Netflix with ads for 6.99 USD per month. The basic, standard and premium plans cost 9.99 USD, 15.49 USD and 19.99 USD respectively.
Hulu
Hulu is a legitimate streaming service catering to viewers in the United States, providing a vast array of TV shows, movies, and anime content. With a broad selection of classic and new anime series, it offers both dubbed and subtitled options to suit the preference of its audience. Alongside anime, the platform boasts a library of other popular TV shows and movies for viewers to explore.
Price:
You can enjoy Hulu with ads for 7.99 USD per month. Alternatively, you can pay 14.99 per month to get rid of ads.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video is a legal streaming platform that provides a diverse collection of TV shows, movies, and anime content to its global viewers. The service features a broad range of popular anime titles, including both dubbed and subbed options. Thanks to its extensive anime selection and user-friendly interface, Amazon Prime Video has quickly become a popular choice for anime enthusiasts seeking to stream their preferred series legally.
Price:
14.99 USD per month. You may also need to purchase some shows individually.
Wondering where you can watch your favorite anime? Check our our guides on Where to Watch Monster Anime and Where to Watch Naruto Shippuden Online.
