How to Watch Japanese Anime from Anywhere in the World

Japanese anime has captivated audiences worldwide due to its unique storytelling and artistry. If you’re wondering where to catch the latest episodes or classics, we have compiled a list of the best anime streaming sites. However, you might encounter some sites that aren’t accessible from your region due to geo-blocking by service providers. But there’s no need to fret! With the help of a VPN, you can bypass these restrictions and enjoy your favorite anime. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do that.

Watch Japanese Anime: 4 Streaming Sites

Here are four streaming sites for watching Japanese anime:

Streaming Sites	Price	Note
Crunchyroll (FAN)	$7.99/month	Certain anime titles are available for free.
Funimation (Premium)	$7.99/month	Certain anime titles are available for free.
Netflix (Basic)	$9.99/month	–
Amazon Prime Video (monthly plan)	$8.99/month	30-day free trial
TVer	Free	Content is mainly in Japanese.

Crunchyroll

Price	FAN: $7.99/month Premium: S9.99/month Ultimate: $14.99/month
Free Trail Period	14-day

Crunchyroll, which started in the United States and affiliated with Crunchyroll, offers a large number of Japanese anime titles in over 200 countries and territories. You can watch Crunchyroll for free without registration. But, for free memberships, there are ads and restrictions on available content and Subtitles and dubbing language. Premium members who pay a fee can watch all content without ads or restrictions.

It is said that Crunchyroll mainly offers animation with English subtitles. So, Crunchyroll is ideal for those who want to enjoy Japanese anime with English subtitles, while Funimation is ideal for those who want anime that is dubbed.

Crunchyroll displays content differently country by country because of copyright holdings and licensing contracts. So, some anime titles may not be available in your country. Using a VPN in the way, you will also be able to watch Japanese anime on Crunchyroll in your country.

How to Watch Crunchyroll from Anywhere in the World

Funimation

Price	Premium: $7.99/month Premium Plus: S9.99/month
Free Trail Period	14-day

Funimation, which also started in the United States and is affiliated with Crunchyroll, provides a large number of Japanese anime titles, similar to Crunchyroll. You can also watch Funimation for free without registration. But, for free memberships, there are ads and restrictions on available content and Subtitles and dubbing language. Premium members who pay a fee can watch all content without ads or restrictions as like Crunchyroll.

Compared to Crunchyroll, it is said that Funimation mainly offers Japanese anime dubbed into English. Funimation is only available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. So, you may notice that Funimation is not available in your country. Using a VPN in the way we described earlier, you will also be able to watch Japanese anime on Funimation in your country. Below is a price comparison. Funimation has the same price as Crunchyroll.

How to Watch Funimation from Anywhere in the World

Netflix

Price	Basic: $9.99/month Standard: S15.49/month Standard: S19.99/month
Free Trail Period	nothing

Netflix provides not only anime, but also movies, dramas and magazines. So, the price for Netflix is a little higher than the price for other streaming services. The number of anime titles offered on Netflix, both dubbed into English and with English subtitles, is lower than the number offered on other streaming services . If you are looking for a wide variety of movies and programs in addition to anime, Netflix would be a good choice for you.

By using a VPN, you can subscribe to Netflix for a lower price.

The Best Way to Get Netflix Cheaper

Amazon Prime Video

Price	$8.99/month
Free Trail Period	30-day

Amazon Prime Video provides not only anime, but also movies, dramas, music and magazines. So, the price for Amazon Prime Video is a little higher than the price for other streaming services.

You can also change the language on Amazon Prime by using Subtitles for Language Learning (Prime Video) on Google Chrome. The number of anime titles offered on Amazon Prime Video is lower than the number offered on Crunchyroll and Funimation. Amazon Prime Video is a great choice for those who are trying to learn another language, thanks to the Language Learning feature.

Tver

Price	Free (Note: Broadcasting is in Japanese only.)
Availability period	From broadcast until about 7 days after the program ends (depending on the program)

TVer is a Japanese streaming platform and simultaneous online streaming service collaboratively managed by 10 commercial broadcasters, including NHK and TBS. While the content is primarily in Japanese, viewers can watch the latest Japanese anime in real-time or up to about seven days after the initial broadcast. Besides anime, TVer also offers a range of content, such as comedies, newscasts, sports, and other past shows. TVer is particularly suitable for those eager to keep up with the latest anime releases.

However, TVer is exclusively available in Japan. To access its content from elsewhere, you’ll need to connect through a VPN server located in Japan. Before you begin streaming on TVer, you might be prompted to answer a questionnaire providing details like your birth date, gender, and postal code. When faced with this, ensure you input a Japanese postal code. Once you’ve submitted this information by clicking the “回答する (Respond)” button, you’ll gain access to TVer’s programs.
Example Japanese postal code: [130-0001]

How to Watch Japanese Anime with a VPN

For example, if you try to access Crunchyroll and select unavailable content in your country, you will see a screen that displays the message “Unfortunately, this show’s videos aren’t available.”

By using a VPN, you can access Japanese anime from anywhere in the world. Here’s how to do it.

STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN

To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the US

After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “United States” in the search box. Now, you can connect to a server in the US.

STEP3. Access Crunchyroll via the US server

Access Crunchyroll while connected to a server in the US, you will be able to see the content. >>Explore more detailed

The Best VPN Services for Watching Japanese Anime from Anywhere

Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.

ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds

Prices	1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	105
Servers	3,000+
Maximum devices supported	8

ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. ExpressVPN is consistently found by review sites to be one of the fastest VPNs. Therefore, ExpressVPN receives great reviews and popularity. With a network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, users have a wide range of options for changing their IP address to different locations. ExpressVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy and offers additional features such as a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.

After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance or Price and Internet Speed

Prices (standard plan)	1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	60
Servers	5,800+
Maximum devices supported	6

NordVPN has established itself as a leading VPN service, offering an excellent balance of price, internet speed, server coverage, and global reach. As a result, NordVPN has gained the largest market share worldwide. It consistently receives positive reviews from top experts in the industry. With a vast network of over 5,800 servers across 60 countries, NordVPN provides a wide range of options for changing your IP address to various locations. NordVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy, along with additional features such as a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.

After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

Sufshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price

Prices (standard plan)	1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month
Money-back Guarantee	30 days
Countries	100
Servers	3,200+
Maximum devices supported	Unlimited

Surfshark, established in 2018, has quickly gained a strong reputation and popularity worldwide despite being a relatively new service. While it may have some occasional delays in connecting and slightly weaker region-blocking capabilities compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it offers significant advantages. By opting for the 24-month plan, you can obtain Surfshark at a much lower price than ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Additionally, Surfshark provides unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you and your family to connect and use all your devices simultaneously. With over 3,200 servers in 99 countries, Surfshark offers a wide range of options. It also boasts a private and secure no-logs policy, a kill switch, and 24/7 customer support.

After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.

▼Official Site▼

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

FAQ

Conclusion

▼▼ Japanese Anime Streaming Sites ▼▼

Streaming Sites	Monthly Price	Note
Crunchyroll (FAN)	$7.99/month	Some animations are available for free.
Funimation (Premium)	$7.99/month	Some animations are available for free.
Netflix (Basic)	$9.99/month	–
Amazon Prime Video (monthly plan)	$8.99/month	30-day free trial
Tver	Free	Content is mainly in Japanese.

By using a VPN, you can access Japanese anime from anywhere in the world.