The main places to download anime legally
Most anime downloads come from the streaming services that already have the shows — Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Each one lets you download episodes to your phone or tablet through their app, then watch without an internet connection. The catch is that you can only download while you have an active subscription, and the downloads expire after a set time (usually 30 days, but it varies by service).
A smaller number of anime titles are sold as digital purchases through iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Video. When you buy an episode or season this way, you own it permanently and can download it to watch offline. This costs more per episode than a subscription, but the file stays on your device as long as you keep it there.
Some anime is also available through less common legal channels — specialty retailers like Right Stuf Anime sell physical DVDs and Blu-rays that you can watch on any device with a disc drive, and a few titles appear on YouTube through official channels run by the studios or distributors.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ all let you download episodes through their apps while you have a subscription.
- Downloaded episodes usually expire after 30 days and stop working if your subscription ends, so they are not permanent.
- Buying episodes through iTunes or Amazon Video costs more but gives you a file you can keep and watch offline indefinitely.
- Physical DVDs and Blu-rays from retailers like Right Stuf Anime are another legal option if you have a device that plays discs.
How to download from Netflix, Crunchyroll, and similar apps
The process is nearly identical across all the major streaming services. Open the app on your phone or tablet, find the episode or season you want, and look for a download button — it usually looks like a downward arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap it, and the app will save the video to your device's storage. The download happens in the background, and you can watch it as soon as it finishes.
One important detail: you can only download on certain devices. Netflix, for example, lets you download on phones and tablets but not on computers. Crunchyroll has similar limits. Check your service's app to see which devices support downloads before you start.
Downloaded episodes take up storage space — a single episode is usually 300 MB to 1 GB depending on video quality. If your phone is running low on space, you may need to delete other files or lower the download quality in your app settings. Most services let you choose between standard and high-definition downloads.
What happens to your downloads when your subscription ends
If you stop paying for a subscription, your downloaded episodes stop working. The app will no longer let you play them, even though the files are still on your device. This is because the streaming services use digital rights management — a system that checks with their servers to confirm you still have permission to watch. When your subscription ends, that permission is revoked.
The same thing happens if you don't open the app for a long time. Most services require you to sign in and refresh your downloads periodically, usually every 30 days. If you don't, the files expire and become unplayable. This is by design — the services want to make sure you are still a paying customer.
If you think you might cancel a subscription soon, download what you want to watch before you do. Once your account is closed, you cannot download anything new, and your old downloads will stop working within days.
Buying anime episodes and seasons to own permanently
iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon Video all sell individual episodes and full seasons of anime. When you buy through any of these, you get a file that stays on your device — it does not expire, and it does not depend on a subscription. You can watch it as many times as you want, as long as you keep the file.
The price is higher than a subscription. A single episode typically costs $2 to $4, and a full season can run $20 to $40. For comparison, Crunchyroll costs about $12 per month and includes thousands of titles. Buying makes sense if you want to own a specific show you love and watch it repeatedly, or if you want to watch offline without paying for a subscription.
When you buy, the file is tied to your account with that service. If you buy on iTunes, you can only watch it through the iTunes app or on an Apple device. If you buy on Amazon Video, you watch through the Amazon app. You cannot transfer the file to a different service or device type.
Physical media as a permanent download alternative
DVDs and Blu-rays are still sold by retailers like Right Stuf Anime, Amazon, and specialty shops. When you buy a physical disc, you own it outright — no subscription, no expiration, no digital rights management. You can watch it on any device with a disc drive: a computer, a DVD player, or a Blu-ray player.
The downside is that physical media takes up space and requires hardware to play. Most modern phones and tablets do not have disc drives. If you want to watch a DVD on a phone, you would need to convert it to a digital file first, which involves extra steps and may violate the terms of service for some discs.
Physical media also tends to be more expensive than digital purchases — a single season on Blu-ray can cost $40 to $60. But if you want something you can keep forever without worrying about subscriptions or expiration dates, and you have a device that plays discs, it is a straightforward option.
What to avoid when downloading anime
Illegal download sites and torrent trackers exist, but they come with real risks. Files from these sources may contain malware, viruses, or spyware that can damage your device or steal personal information. Your internet service provider can also see torrent activity and may send you a warning or throttle your connection.
Beyond the technical risks, downloading from unauthorized sources means the creators and studios behind the anime do not get paid. Anime production is expensive, and studios rely on subscription revenue and sales to fund new shows. When you download illegally, you are taking that money away from the people who made the show.
The legal options listed above are designed to be affordable and convenient. If cost is the issue, most streaming services offer free tiers with ads, or you can watch one service at a time and rotate between them. This is cheaper and safer than the alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download anime on my computer?
Most streaming apps do not support downloads on computers — Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video all restrict downloads to phones and tablets. Your best option on a computer is to buy episodes through iTunes or Amazon Video, or to use the streaming service's website to watch online if you have an internet connection.
How long do downloads stay on my device?
Downloaded episodes from subscription services usually expire after 30 days, though some services are shorter or longer. You can re-download them as many times as you want while your subscription is active. Episodes you buy permanently do not expire — they stay on your device until you delete them.
Can I transfer a download from one device to another?
No. Downloads from streaming apps are locked to the device they were downloaded on. If you want to watch on a different phone or tablet, you need to download it again through the app on that device. Purchased episodes have the same limitation — they are tied to your account with that service.
What if I download anime and then cancel my subscription?
The downloaded files will stop working within a few days. The app will no longer let you play them because your subscription has ended. If you want to keep watching, you need to maintain your subscription or buy the episodes instead.
Is there a way to download anime without a subscription?
Yes — you can buy individual episodes or seasons through iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Video. You can also buy physical DVDs or Blu-rays. Some anime also appears on YouTube through official channels run by the studios, which you can watch for free with ads, though downloading from YouTube is against its terms of service.