AnimeHeaven was a popular platform for watching anime online, offering users free access to a vast collection of anime series and movies.
However, due to frequent downtimes and concerns about its legality, many anime fans are searching for safe, reliable, and legal alternatives.
This article will explore the best AnimeHeaven alternatives for streaming anime in 2024, ensuring you can continue enjoying your favorite shows without compromising your safety or risking legal issues.
1. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is one of the top legal alternatives to AnimeHeaven, offering one of the largest collections of anime series and movies.
It’s renowned for its fast simulcast releases, with new episodes available just an hour after airing in Japan.
Crunchyroll provides both free (ad-supported) and premium (ad-free) subscriptions, allowing users to choose based on their preferences.
Key Features:
- Vast library of anime, including simulcasts
- Free (with ads) and premium (ad-free) options
- Available on multiple devices (smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile apps)
- High-quality streaming with both subbed and dubbed content
2. Funimation
Funimation is an excellent choice for anime fans who prefer English-dubbed content. As one of the largest legal streaming platforms for dubbed anime, Funimation offers a broad range of popular and exclusive anime titles.
Funimation also provides both free (ad-supported) and premium subscription options, making it a versatile platform for anime lovers.
Key Features:
- Focuses on English-dubbed anime
- Large collection of popular and exclusive anime series
- Free (ad-supported) and premium (ad-free) plans
- Available on all major devices
3. Netflix
Netflix has rapidly expanded its anime library over recent years, featuring a mix of anime classics and original productions.
With titles like One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Netflix Originals such as Castlevania and Yasuke, it’s an excellent alternative to AnimeHeaven.
Netflix is a paid service, but it offers high-quality streaming and a wide range of both subbed and dubbed anime content.
Key Features:
- Extensive anime library with Netflix Originals
- Subbed and dubbed options available
- Ad-free experience with high-quality streaming (HD and 4K available)
- Available globally with a wide range of anime genres
4. Hulu
Hulu offers a solid selection of anime alongside its extensive library of movies and TV shows.
With popular anime like My Hero Academia, Naruto, and Dragon Ball Z, Hulu is a great option for users who want to access both anime and mainstream entertainment in one place.
Hulu offers ad-supported and ad-free subscription plans to suit different viewing preferences.
Key Features:
- Large collection of anime alongside mainstream TV shows and movies
- Offers both subbed and dubbed content
- Ad-supported and ad-free subscription plans
- Available on all major streaming devices
5. HiDive
HiDive is a niche streaming platform known for its collection of classic and obscure anime titles. It offers both subbed and dubbed anime and is a great alternative for anime fans looking for hidden gems or older series that are not easily found on mainstream platforms.
HiDive’s affordable subscription plan also makes it accessible for anime lovers on a budget.
Key Features:
- Focus on niche, classic, and lesser-known anime
- Affordable subscription with ad-free viewing
- Subbed and dubbed anime available
- Compatible with major devices like mobile apps, smart TVs, and streaming sticks
6. VRV
VRV is a streaming service that bundles multiple channels, including Crunchyroll and HiDive, into one platform.
This makes it a comprehensive solution for anime lovers who also enjoy geek culture content like cartoons, gaming videos, and more.
With VRV, users can access a wide variety of anime shows, including simulcasts, all in one place.
Key Features:
- Combines Crunchyroll, HiDive, and other geek-related channels
- Offers ad-free streaming for premium subscribers
- Huge selection of anime and other genres
- Available on multiple devices
7. Tubi
Tubi is a completely free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a decent selection of anime. While it doesn’t have the depth of content found on platforms like Crunchyroll or Funimation,
Tubi is a great legal alternative for budget-conscious anime fans who want to stream without paying for a subscription. It also features a growing collection of anime titles across various genres.
Key Features:
- 100% free with ads
- Offers a variety of anime series and movies
- Legal and safe to use
- Available on most devices, including mobile apps, smart TVs, and game consoles
8. AnimeLab
AnimeLab is another excellent AnimeHeaven alternative, especially for users in Australia and New Zealand.
It offers thousands of anime episodes and movies across various genres, with both subbed and dubbed options available.
AnimeLab provides both free (ad-supported) and premium (ad-free) plans, making it a flexible option for all types of anime viewers.
Key Features:
- Available in Australia and New Zealand
- Free and premium subscription options
- Offers both subbed and dubbed anime
- Simulcasts available for the latest anime episodes
9. YouTube
YouTube is a surprisingly great platform for finding free, legal anime content. Various official channels, including those from Crunchyroll and Funimation, regularly upload full episodes of anime series.
While not a dedicated anime streaming service, YouTube is a reliable alternative for those looking to access some anime series without a subscription.
Key Features:
- Free, legal anime episodes available on official channels
- Available on all devices
- No subscription required for free content
- Both subbed and dubbed anime available
10. RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a free, ad-supported platform dedicated to classic anime from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. It’s perfect for anime fans who are nostalgic for vintage shows or want to explore the roots of modern anime.
RetroCrush is entirely free and provides access to a variety of classic series and movies.
Key Features:
- Focus on classic and retro anime
- 100% free with ads
- Available on mobile devices, smart TVs, and streaming platforms
- Legal and safe to use
Conclusion
While AnimeHeaven provided a large collection of anime content, there are now many legal and reliable alternatives that offer a better and safer viewing experience.
Whether you’re looking for free options like Tubi and RetroCrush, or premium services like Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Netflix, these platforms provide extensive anime libraries and high-quality streaming.
Choose one of these alternatives to enjoy your favorite anime series and movies without worrying about legal issues or security risks.
FAQs About AnimeHeaven
1. What is AnimeHeaven?
AnimeHeaven was a popular online streaming platform that allowed users to watch anime for free. It offered a vast collection of anime series and movies, including both subbed (subtitled) and dubbed versions. Despite its popularity, it operated without proper licensing, making it illegal in many countries.
2. Is AnimeHeaven legal?
No, AnimeHeaven was not a legal streaming platform. It distributed copyrighted anime content without obtaining the necessary licenses from creators or distributors. Using such sites can lead to legal consequences depending on your location and local copyright laws.
3. Why is AnimeHeaven down?
AnimeHeaven faced multiple shutdowns due to copyright infringement issues. Many illegal streaming sites like AnimeHeaven are often taken down by authorities for hosting and distributing copyrighted content without permission. Even if the site resurfaces, it may face further legal actions in the future.
4. Are there any legal alternatives to AnimeHeaven?
Yes, several legal alternatives offer a similar, if not better, anime streaming experience. Some of the best legal options include:
- Crunchyroll: A vast library of anime, including simulcasts.
- Funimation: Specializes in English-dubbed anime.
- Netflix: Offers a mix of original and licensed anime.
- Tubi: Free, ad-supported service with a growing anime catalog.
- HiDive: Focuses on niche and classic anime titles.
5. Is it safe to use AnimeHeaven or its mirror sites?
No, using AnimeHeaven or its mirror sites is not safe. These sites often come with security risks such as malware, intrusive ads, and phishing attempts. Additionally, since these platforms are illegal, they do not provide any protections for users, making them risky to use.
6. Do I need to create an account to use AnimeHeaven?
When AnimeHeaven was active, it did not require users to create an account to stream anime. However, the lack of security measures and the site’s illegal nature often exposed users to malware or malicious ads, making it risky to use even without registration.
7. Can I download anime from AnimeHeaven?
No, AnimeHeaven was primarily designed for streaming anime, not for downloading. Attempting to download content from such sites can lead to legal issues and increase the risk of malware infections.
8. What type of content was available on AnimeHeaven?
AnimeHeaven offered a wide range of anime, including popular series, ongoing shows, and classic titles. It featured anime from various genres such as action, adventure, romance, fantasy, horror, and slice of life, in both subbed and dubbed formats.
9. How can I safely stream anime online?
To stream anime safely, it’s recommended to use legal streaming platforms that provide licensed content. Some popular legal platforms include Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix, Hulu, and Tubi. These services offer secure and legal access to high-quality anime while supporting content creators.
10. What are the risks of using illegal anime streaming sites like AnimeHeaven?
Using illegal anime streaming sites poses several risks, including:
- Legal consequences: Streaming copyrighted content without permission is illegal in many countries.
- Malware and viruses: Many illegal sites are rife with malware, putting your device at risk of infection.
- Poor user experience: Illegal sites often have low-quality streams, frequent pop-ups, and unreliable access.
- Security vulnerabilities: Illegal streaming sites are not secure, potentially exposing your personal data to hackers.
11. What should I do if I used AnimeHeaven?
If you used AnimeHeaven in the past, it’s best to stop using illegal streaming sites and switch to legal alternatives. You should also run a virus or malware scan on your device to ensure it hasn’t been exposed to harmful content. Consider using legal streaming platforms to avoid future risks and support the anime industry.