You can watch Japanese anime on popular streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Tver. While some of these services are available worldwide, many use geo-blocking to limit content to specific countries due to licensing agreements.
Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions easily with a VPN. A VPN allows you to connect to a server in another country, making it appear as if you are Browse from that location. This lets you access anime that would normally be unavailable in your region.
This guide will explain exactly how to do it.
- Crunchyroll
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Tver
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where the anime is available to stream.
- Log in to your streaming service and start watching.
Where to Watch Japanese Anime
Here are some of the most popular platforms where you can stream Japanese anime.
| Service | Price (USD) | Key Features & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | From $7.99/month | A large, dedicated anime library. A limited selection is available for free with ads. |
| Netflix | From $6.99/month | A growing collection of popular and original anime within a vast library of movies and shows. |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99/month | Includes a variety of anime titles. Offers a 30-day free trial for new users. |
| TVer | Free | A Japanese VOD service. Content is intended for a domestic audience and is almost exclusively in Japanese. |
Crunchyroll
| Price | Fan: $7.99/month Mega Fan: $9.99/month Ultimate Fan: $14.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trail Period | 14-day |
As a leading global platform for Japanese anime, Crunchyroll offers a massive library of titles to over 200 countries and territories.
You can watch a limited selection of its content for free with ads. However, a premium membership is required to access the entire library without ads and with more options for subtitles and dubbing. Known for its extensive catalog with English subtitles, Crunchyroll is an ideal choice for many anime fans.
Due to international licensing agreements, the content available on Crunchyroll changes depending on your location. You may find that certain anime titles are not available in your country.
If you try to access a show that is restricted in your region, you will likely see an error message that says, “Unfortunately, this show’s videos aren’t available.“
By using a VPN, you can bypass these geo-restrictions and unlock anime titles from other countries’ libraries. The instructions below will show you how.
Netflix
| Price | Standard with ads: $6.99/month Standard: $15.49/month Premium: $22.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trail Period | Netflix does not currently offer a free trial period |
Netflix is a global streaming giant offering a massive catalog of movies, TV series, documentaries, and original productions. While it is not a specialized anime platform, its library includes a growing selection of popular and exclusive anime titles, available with both English dubs and subtitles.
Compared to dedicated anime services, Netflix’s anime collection is smaller. However, it is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a wide variety of entertainment genres in one subscription.
A VPN can be used with Netflix in two main ways. The first is to access different content libraries. For example, by connecting to a server in Japan, you can watch anime that is exclusively available on Japanese Netflix.
Secondly, a VPN can help you take advantage of regional pricing differences. Subscription costs vary significantly by country, and by using a VPN, it may be possible to subscribe from a region with lower fees.
For more detailed information, please refer to our articles on this topic.
Amazon Prime Video
| Price | $8.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trail Period | 30 days |
Amazon Prime Video offers a diverse library of movies, TV shows, and original content, including a solid selection of Japanese anime. The service is available as a standalone monthly subscription or as part of a full Amazon Prime membership.
While its anime collection is not as extensive as a specialized service like Crunchyroll, it features many popular titles and exclusive series.
Tver
| Price | Free (with advertisements) |
|---|---|
| Availability | For approximately one week after broadcast |
TVer is an official, free video-on-demand (VOD) service operated by Japan’s major commercial broadcasters. It allows you to watch a wide variety of Japanese TV shows, including the latest episodes of many currently airing anime series.
TVer is strictly geo-blocked and only accessible from within Japan. To watch it from any other country, you must use a VPN and connect to a server located in Japan.
When you first use TVer, you will likely be prompted to answer a brief questionnaire. This may ask for the following details:
- Birth Year (誕生年)
- Gender (性別)
- Postal Code (郵便番号)
You must enter a valid Japanese postal code to proceed. You can use an example code, such as 130-0001. After filling in the details, click the 回答する (Respond) button to start watching.
How to Watch Japanese Anime from Anywhere with a VPN
We will show you to stream Japanese anime out of your region on websites with a VPN. Here’s one of examples about how to do it.
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where the anime is available to stream.
- Log in to your streaming service and start watching.
Step 1: Sign up for ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Claim Exclusive Deal” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.
STEP2. Download the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where the anime is available to stream
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. Log in to your streaming service and start watching
Access Crunchyroll while connected to a server in the US, you will be able to see the content.
For those interested in subscribing to Crunchyroll’s premium service for additional benefits, explore our guide for a more detailed walkthrough >>Explore more detailed steps now
The Best VPN Services for Watching Japanese Anime from Anywhere
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 118 | 100 |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 7,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Servers | 3,000+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Excellent speed and stability
- Fast and user-friendly app
- Strict no-logs policy
- Wide range of server countries
- Accepts Bitcoin payments
- Slightly more expensive than competitors
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of 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 | 118 |
| Servers | 7,000+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- World's most popular VPN by new user subscriptions
- Large number of available servers
- Competitive pricing
- Strict no-logs policy
- User-friendly dedicated apps
- Accepts cryptocurrency payments
- Short-term plans can be relatively costly
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: 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 offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Affordable price (cheaper than NordVPN & ExpressVPN)
- Unlimited simultaneous connections (ideal for families)
- Large number of available servers
- Speeds comparable to top-tier providers
- Strict no-logs policy
- Accepts cryptocurrency payments
- Less effective at bypassing geo-restrictions
- Limited service history / Less established
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
FAQs
Is it legal to watch Japanese anime with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch Japanese anime is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.
Is it OK to use a free VPN?
We recommend opting for paid VPN services for better privacy and security.
What else can I do with a VPN?
Besides safeguarding your online activities, a VPN can also be used to save money on certain online purchases and to access region-restricted games.
Conclusion
As this guide has shown, a VPN is the perfect tool for bypassing geo-restrictions, allowing you to watch Japanese anime on platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and TVer from anywhere in the world.
The process is straightforward:
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where the anime is available to stream.
- Log in to your streaming service and start watching.
To help you get started, here are our top recommendations.