The Ultimate Guide: Discover the Unmissable Free Anime Gems Streaming on YouTube!

Highlights

Anime fans can find a variety of free anime on YouTube, with titles like Sailor Moon and Fairy Tail available to watch without a subscription.

The availability of anime on YouTube may be affected by copyright laws and distribution rights, resulting in potential changes in the selection of free content over time. Certain anime recommendations on YouTube may only offer limited episodes or excerpts, allowing viewers to sample the show before making a complete commitment to it.

Anime has a strong global fanbase and an extensive selection of titles, with copyright laws that vary depending on the time and location. Additionally, viewers don't need to be members of or know about specific anime streaming sites. There is a wide range of anime available for free on YouTube, courtesy of the copyright owners.

Due to an enthusiastic and vigilant fan community, the availability of free anime on YouTube is constantly changing. Some of the titles mentioned below may also undergo changes with little or no notice, as distribution rights often shift hands. These are compelling reasons to open the YouTube app and explore some of the top anime available for free while it's still accessible.

Content last updated on October 4th, 2023 by Kristy Ambrose: Changes in copyright law, promotional incentives, and popular trends pose challenges for anime fans seeking new or beloved shows. Specific licenses can affect the availability of a series, such as having a dubbed or subtitled version. The following titles are currently owned by certain channels or distributors who have the legal right to distribute them.

On YouTube, only a few episodes are typically available, and some selections may only offer excerpts of shows. As a result, these recommendations primarily serve as a preview, allowing users to determine whether they want to fully commit to a series.

Sailor Moon

YouTube Movies & TV now offers Seasons 1 and 2 of this iconic shoujo anime, which has gained immense popularity worldwide. Previously available only with a cost, the recent Blu-Ray release by VizMedia, the current copyright holders, has led to a special promotion on YouTube.

The free version is exclusively offered in the original Japanese with subtitles, catering to a specific audience seeking the genuine, unaltered version from the 1990s. However, the audio and video quality have been enhanced, ensuring that despite being a three-decade-old classic, it remains visually impressive.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Nozomi Entertainment - Full Playlist

Revolutionary Girl Utena has become a beloved anime among fans for various reasons, maintaining a dedicated following since its initial release in 1998. Nozomi Entertainment is the current holder of the North American rights, and the entire series is currently accessible on their official YouTube channel.

During a time when the magical girl genre was gaining popularity, this show stood out by presenting a unique twist: a young woman aspiring to be a prince rather than seeking one. What distinguishes this series is its employment of surrealistic design, utilizing allegory, symbolism, and open interpretation within the narrative. As a result, it has garnered appreciation from fans, and it remains one of the finest anime options available for free on YouTube.

InuYasha

Viz Media - Full Playlist

InuYasha, a beloved series in the isekei and romance genres, is a timeless tale of time travel, adventure, and fantasy set in medieval Japan. The story unfolds as Kagome Higurashi, our courageous protagonist, unexpectedly tumbles into a mystical well located near an ancient shrine, which magically transports her to a parallel past.

Sherlock Hound

Inuyasha, the protagonist of the story, is a unique being—a half-dog demon and half-human. His mission? To assist Kagome in her arduous journey of reclaiming the scattered fragments of the legendary Shikon Jewel. Set in the immersive world of anime, this fantastical tale brings together Inuyasha and Kagome, embarking on their adventure while being joined by an ever-expanding group of allies, all united by the pursuit of the precious jewel.

Anime! on TMS Official Channel – Full Playlist

The show bears a strong resemblance to Goof Troop but takes place in a Wild West setting with a steampunk vibe. Its intriguing backstory involves a collaboration between the Italian broadcasting company RAI and Tokyo Movie Shinsha, a Japanese animation company.

Originally broadcasted in 1984 and 1985, Sherlock Hound stands out from other shows of its time by not having any sequels or further development. However, it has undergone remastering. Over the years, the DVD rights have changed hands multiple times and are currently held by TMS. The series can be accessed on TMS's official anime channel on YouTube.

Chibi Maruko

Chibi Maruko-Chan English - Complete Playlist

Chibi Maruko, a much-loved show that has been airing on Japanese TV for numerous decades, draws inspiration from the producer's nostalgic recollections of their upbringing in the 1960s. The official Nippon Animation YouTube channel offers a vast collection of nearly all episodes of this show, which began in the 1990s and is still ongoing today.

Beyblade

Maruko Sakura, the protagonist of this story, is a young girl attending elementary school. Her household consists of her parents, grandparents, and older sister. Together, they embark on various amusing adventures and lighthearted mischiefs, reminiscent of beloved American sitcoms such as The Brady Bunch or Happy Days. It is truly delightful to indulge in this wholesome anime series on YouTube, knowing that it is suitable for all ages and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Beyblade Official – Episode 1

Being a game and manga, it is only natural that there is also an anime series. The Beyblade franchise has been around since 1999 and is still ongoing, which explains the revived interest in the earlier Beyblade animated shows that are now twenty years old.

From 2001 to 2003, three original seasons were produced, and the current shows, like Beyblade Burst, are derived from the original series. The show has a thriving community, with numerous fan-posted materials. Additionally, the BEYBLADE Official YouTube channel offers complete episodes from all eras of the Beyblade series in both English and Spanish language versions.

Naruto

Viz Media, Full Playlist, Part 1

Fans should take advantage of the fact that a portion of one of the longest and most beloved anime series of all time is currently accessible for free on YouTube. The Naruto series, which ran from 2002 to 2007, held the distribution rights by Viz Media at that time. Enjoy this opportunity while it lasts.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Episode 1)

This is where the tale unfolds, unveiling the rich tapestry of the Ninja World and the renowned Five Great Shinobi Countries. Here, we delve into the extraordinary circumstances that led to the intertwining of destiny between a young child bearing the name Naruto Uzumaki and the formidable presence of a malevolent nine-tailed fox spirit. It is within this extraordinary connection that Naruto's journey as a ninja unfolds, profoundly shaping his growth and development.

Crunchyroll Dubs – Episode 1

Also known as TenSura or Slime Isekai, this peculiar comedy takes inspiration from popular RPG game themes. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime not only satirizes the fantasy genre but also playfully mocks RPG players with its premise of a mundane main character undergoing a peculiar and unexpected transformation when they are reborn in a less-than-ideal form in a fantasy world.

This series is relatively new compared to others on the list, experiencing cancellations and rescheduling of production times and air dates due to COVID. Fortunately, fans can currently enjoy the first episode of the show as part of the Crunchyroll Collection of anime on YouTube, allowing them to safely watch it from the comfort of their homes.

Emma, A Victorian Romance

Nozomi Entertainment presents the Full Playlist

Featuring works from the renowned studio that captivated anime enthusiasts with the timeless cult favorite Magical Girl Utena, Emma, A Victorian Romance shares certain elements with its predecessor.

Aria the Animation

Both Emma and Utena boast a female protagonist and employ a specific era to establish the atmosphere and ambiance of their respective narratives. In Emma, the primary character assumes the role of a maid in Victorian London and becomes enamored with a man of higher social standing. Naturally, his family disapproves, serving as just one of the numerous social and historical intricacies meticulously crafted by the animators and writers.

Nozomi Entertainment - Full Playlist

Step into Neo Venezia, a visionary city where waterways serve as pathways and unparalleled beauty fills the air. Aria the Animation paints a utopian portrait of humanity's future on Mars, transformed into the awe-inspiring Aqua by the 24th century. Ambitious gondoliers journey to this new world, honing their craft as apprentices and aspiring to flourish as seasoned professionals.

Within this captivating anime, we delve into the enthralling tale of Akari, our protagonist. Venturing beyond the confines of Manhome, now known as Aqua, she embarks on a life-changing journey as a gondolier. The intricate tapestry of both traditional and cutting-edge elements within the planet's design, as well as its beloved public transit system, captivate our senses and stand as defining features of this remarkable series.

Death Note

Viz Media - Season 1

Death Note is a beloved horror-thriller classic and one of the most popular animated titles of the early 21st century. It has successfully made its way into the entertainment mainstream, becoming one of the few anime series to achieve such recognition. The first season, comprising 37 videos, is available for free and has garnered the most widespread acclaim.

Fairy Tail

This initially uncomplicated concept, resembling the notebook it revolves around, steadily evolves into a convoluted narrative brimming with deception and mortality that ultimately engulfs the protagonist. For aficionados of anime, this work stands as an exemplary masterpiece, often suggested to acquaintances as an introductory gateway into the genre.

Crunchyroll Dubs – Episode 1

Fairy Tail, a popular anime available for free on YouTube and in a dubbed version on Crunchyroll, has been captivating audiences since 2009. The series follows the adventures of Natsu Dragneel, a wizard on a unique quest to find his adoptive father, a dragon named Igneel. Along his journey, Natsu encounters fascinating companions and engages in thrilling battles, setting Fairy Tail apart from the current trend of fantasy-horror-comedy mixes.