Earlier today, it was reported that HiAnime, one of the world's largest and most infamous anime streaming piracy sites, had been shut down.
It is currently unknown whether this shutdown will be permanent or what the cause was, with anime fans and former HiAnime viewers speculating on technical site issues (as site moderators have claimed), or a legal takedown or hack (as implied by the website's own current message, which simply reads, “It's time to say goodbye. And thank you for a wonderful journey with great moments.”
Regardless, HiAnime users have now been left with no site access as of writing, many of whom are now searching for streaming alternatives, legal or otherwise. While legal streaming options include the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max and Pluto TV, services dedicated primarily to anime and other Asian content may seem harder to come by.
Below is a list of some of the best places to watch for anime enthusiasts based outside Japan, many of which cater specifically to audiences in North America and elsewhere internationally.
Crunchyroll
What began as an anime piracy streaming site itself has long since become the world's largest anime library accessible to fans outside of Japan and other select regions of Asia.
Crunchyroll first appeared in 2006 as a service…