Anime is more widely accessible than ever before. Platforms like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE have established a monopoly over the market, while Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Disney+ are doing their utmost to keep up. Maintaining paid subscriptions to more than one streaming giant can be a hassle, not to mention expensive.
Fortunately, there are alternatives. Free, ad-supported platforms like Pluto TV, RetroCrush, Tubi, and Roku offer surprisingly diverse anime libraries without requiring paid subscriptions. It might be tempting to disregard these somewhat overlooked options, but you will be surprised to discover titles like My Deer Friend Nokotan, Tenjho Tenge, and Ranma ยฝ tucked somewhere between genre staples such as Pokรฉmon and Death Note. To that end, here are 11 anime worth checking out that you can stream for free.
11
The Rose of Versailles
Where to watch: Pluto TV, RetroCrush
Riyoko Ikedaโs The Rose of Versailles is a groundbreaking manga that dissects gender nonconformity and political revolution. Its 1979 anime adaptation follows Oscar Franรงois de Jarjayes, a young female commander of the Royal Guards at the Palace of Versailles. Similar to Sapphire in Princess Knight, Oscar is raised like a man for succession reasons, and her exceptional swordsmanship helps Oscar become a bodyguard to none other than Marie…