Anime has become a global phenomenon that captivates audiences with its diverse genres. That includes storytelling and stunning visuals. For many years, one of the most popular places for anime enthusiasts was KissAnime. This site provided a vast library of anime series and movies. Avid anime fans can watch their favorite shows for free with this anime site. Despite its widespread appeal, Kissanime operated in a legal gray area that led to its eventual shutdown. We will also describe in great detail what KissAnime was, its real impact, and legal KissAnime alternatives. Further, this review will recommend the best anime recording tool for offline viewing, plus some of the recommended alternatives to KissAnime. In this post, any anime lover or starter will find value in raising the experience levels of watching anime.
Part 1: What Is KissAnime?
KissAnime was a popular online streaming site that provided a vast library of anime movies and series for free. Launched in 2012, it quickly became a go-to destination for anime addicts worldwide. It offered high-quality downloads and streams, often available in multiple resolutions. Users could watch their favorite shows with subs or dubs in different languages, making them accessible to a broad range of audiences.
Its massive titles, from the most famous ones to the most underground, were what quickly lifted this website off the ground. Moreover, a community forum was open for interaction between users and discussions of their favorite shows, recommendations, and all that goes along with anime-related matters. On top of that, KissAnime offered streaming without the need to make an account, making it more appealing to new members. Still, KissAnime was a website that operated in the gray area of the law. That is, the site distributed and hosted content that was copyrighted without the right licensing. This predicament has forced the website to undergo numerous closures and court battles in history.
Despite this, KissAnime continued to show up, much to the delight of its fans. It’s just that it was permanently shut down in August 2020 following increased crackdowns on illegal streaming sites. Now, let’s have a detailed review of the KissAnime website and what fans love about this anime site.
Part 2: Detailed Review of KissAnime
Content Library
KissAnime was equipped with one of the largest collections of anime available online. From classic series like One Piece and Naruto to newer hits like Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia, KissAnime had everything for everyone. The availability of different resolutions, ranging from 240p to 1080p, centered on users with varying internet speeds and preferences. Aside from that, the option to download episodes for offline viewing was a significant plus for those who wanted to watch on the fly. On top of that, the site hosted Original Video Animations known as OVAs, movies, and anime-inspired content.
User Interface and Experience
User experience and interface is a hot topic to talk about as well. KissAnime’s user interface was straightforward. Its homepage featured the latest anime releases and famous series. It comes with a search bar for easy navigation. Viewers could browse anime according to release year, genre, or alphabetical order. Each anime page included a short synopsis, episode list, and user ratings. This helps viewers quickly decide what to watch and not spend time browsing.
Additionally, the site was mobile-friendly. This advantage allows users to watch anime on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The problem is that the frequent pop-up ads and redirects were a significant dealbreaker. These drawbacks put users in a rather frustrating situation, potentially exposing them to malware.
Community and Forum
Let’s go over its community and forum. These were the features of KissAnime TV that stood out. Users of the site could create accounts to participate in discussions, share recommendations, and connect with fellow anime enthusiasts. The forum was a vibrant and friendly space for fan theories, debates, and anime news. The community just fosters a sense of belongingness of community among users.
However, the forum also had its downsides. Due to the lack of moderation, spam and inappropriate content became rampant, detracting users from the overall user experience. Nonetheless, the community aspect was a valuable part of the KissAnime experience for many.
Legal Issues and Shutdowns
On the part of KissAnime, however, its success was debt-riddled. It operated without the right license agreements. This slowly became the root of most of the legal problems. Some of the mentions on KissAnime by copyright holders and concerned authorities have led to temporary takedowns. Despite all these issues, the site managed to survive and went back up a couple of times until it was taken down permanently in 2020. With the permanent closing of KissAnime came the end of an era for many anime fans. Others just expressed that it has been a loss, while others again acknowledged the necessity to support such services legally.
Part 3: 7 KissAnime Alternatives to Watch and Download Animes Legally
KissAnime was a beloved platform for anime fans. However, its legal issues highlighted the challenges of operating in the online streaming space. Then, there is the rise of legal streaming alternatives that offer a more sustainable way to enjoy anime. You can take a look at them one by one below.
1. Animedao
Animedao is a popular anime site that is similar to KissAnime. This site lets you browse and watch both ongoing and completed anime series. Users may also read manga series and light novels on the site so their imaginations will be activated. You may also view the list of upcoming anime series from its homepage. Animedao caters to anime movie fanatics as it offers full-length movies from its extensive library.
2. Chia-Anime
Another anime destination that offers a fantastic alternative to KissAnime for anime enthusiasts is Chia-Anime. Users will appreciate how straightforward the navigation is while browsing the site. Moreover, the site boasts an expansive library of anime movies and series dubbed and subbed to secure a wide range of audiences. As for the website’s performance, it is reliable and comprehensive compared to other streaming platforms. Likewise, Chia-Anime provides a section dedicated to manga reading, which adds to the appeal of the site.
3. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video boasts a growing library of anime, including titles exclusive to Amazon and not available on other platforms. If you are a Prime member, you can enjoy streaming high-quality anime. You also have options for subtitles and dubbing. Convenience-wise, you will appreciate the fact that you can download episodes if you wish to watch them offline.
4. Hulu
Hulu offers a diverse selection of anime, from popular series to hidden gems. It also offers a combination of live TV, movies, and TV shows, making it a well-rounded entertainment package for anime fans. Likewise, users may enjoy both dubbed and subbed content. Hulu premium users will be granted the option to watch the series offline through its download feature.
5. Funimation
Funimation is a dedicated destination for anime series, offering dubbed anime. It is perfect for beginners in the world of anime because almost all anime are in English. The platform offers various anime movies and series in dubbed and subbed form. Regarding its premium service, it provides ad-free streaming, offline viewing options, and early access to episodes. That enhances the overall user experience. What makes it a top choice for anime fans is because of its exclusive content and multi-device accessibility. That means users can watch from their laptops and smartphones, offering flexibility. If you are into a community to share insights, this site fosters a strong community, further enriching your anime binge-watching experience.
6. Netflix
If you are a loyal Netflix user, you can find some recommended anime series and movies here. Netflix has continuously expanded its anime catalog over the years, from classic titles to original productions. Since Netflix is renowned for streaming high-quality videos, you may watch your favorite anime in a crisp and smooth way. What is more, it is equipped with a user-friendly interface for easy navigation without any confusion. Subscribers may download episodes offline and enjoy anime with dubs or subtitles in various languages. If you are still deciding whether to sign up for a premium account or not, you are given 30 days to watch Netflix videos.
7. Crunchyroll
If you know about Crunchyroll, it is one of the biggest and most popular legal streaming platforms. One reason is that this site provides English subbed and dubbed content. This feature makes it easy for non-native speakers of the language to understand the story they are watching. In fact, the quality of the video released on this website is 720p, which is ideal for a comfortable viewing experience. You must register for an account using your active email to take advantage of its premium services and access advanced features. No matter if you want to access it on Wii U, Xbox 360, Chromecast, Playstation, or Apple Devices, it is possible. You may convert it into these languages: Espanol, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), and English (US and UK). On top of all these, Crunchyroll simulcasts the latest episodes from Japan. In this way, every fan will stay posted on their favorite anime series.
Bonus: The Best Way to Record Animes for Offline Watching
AVAide Screen Recorder is a versatile screen recording tool that allows users to capture high-quality audio and video from their computer screens. The app supports recording in various resolutions to fit your specific requirements. Additionally, it allows you to schedule recordings in advance, so you never miss an episode, even if you are not around. Here is how to capture episodes in KissAnime alternative using AVAide Screen Recorder.
Step 1Use the Free Download buttons below to download Screen Recorder and install it on your computer device. Then, launch the software.
TRY IT FREE For Windows 7 or later
TRY IT FREE For Mac OS X 10.12 or later
Step 2Customize the recording settings, including frame rate, resolutions, and audio sources. Then, click the REC button to begin capturing your anime episode.
Step 3Once the episode is complete, stop the recording by ticking the Stop button and saving the file. You may refine your recording using the built-in editing tools. After following these steps, you may enjoy watching your anime offline.
While KissAnime may no longer be available for viewing, there are plenty of legal KissAnime alternatives for streaming anime. Moreover, tools like AVAide Screen Capture provide a reliable way to capture anime for offline viewing. That ensures you never miss out on your favorite anime shows.
Record screen, audio, webcam, gameplay, online meetings, as well as iPhone/Android screen on your computer.