24 Best Anime Apps on Google TV (Free, Subbed & Dubbed) [2026]

I’ve had a Chromecast with Google TV plugged in for the better part of two years — and the Google Play Store has not made it easy to figure out which anime apps are actually worth your time. You’ve got dedicated platforms, general streaming services with anime sections, retro-only apps, live-channel apps, and a dozen others that exist mostly to show you ads and very little anime.

I went through all of them. The good ones are genuinely excellent — free, legal, and streaming subbed and dubbed content without a fight on a 4K screen. The bad ones waste your evening. Here’s what’s actually worth installing in 2026.

What I Tested For

Before the list — here’s what actually mattered when I evaluated these on my Chromecast with Google TV:

• TV-native interface — does it have a real TV layout or is it a phone app stretched to fill a 65-inch screen?
• D-pad navigation — can you operate it from the couch without wanting to throw the remote?
• Sub vs. dub availability — both options, or only one?
• Free tier honesty — what you actually get without paying, and how aggressive the ads are
• Simulcast access — for currently-airing shows, how quickly do new episodes arrive?
• Library depth — not just the headline titles, but what happens after you finish the obvious stuff

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Quick Comparison

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The 24 Best Anime Apps for Google TV

1. Crunchyroll — Best Overall

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the one every anime fan knows, and I’ve been using it as my primary app on Google TV. The library is simply the biggest — simulcasts for shows currently airing in Japan, classic series going back decades, movies, and a back catalog deep enough that you’ll never actually run out.

The free tier streams with ads. For older series and classic titles, the ad breaks hit roughly every 20 minutes and last around 90 seconds — not great, but manageable. The catch is new simulcast episodes: free accounts wait one week after premium release. If you’re keeping up with a currently-airing show in real time, the ~$7.99/month plan earns its keep fast.

The Google TV app is properly built for a TV screen — big thumbnails, genre browsing that actually works, and D-pad navigation that doesn’t make you curse at your remote. Progress syncs across devices, so you can pick up where you left off between the TV and your phone.

Start Watching on Crunchyroll — Free Tier Available

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2. Tubi — Best Completely Free Option

TubiFree

Tubi is the app I point people to when they want anime right now and don’t want to deal with subscriptions, free trials, or creating another account. You open it, you press play, you’re watching. No sign-up required.

Fox owns Tubi — it’s entirely legal, entirely ad-supported, and the anime section covers the major bases. Naruto and Bleach are there, classic films load reliably, and the library has been growing through 2026 with new additions. I watched several Naruto episodes and the ad breaks hit at natural pauses rather than mid-sentence, which is better behavior than a lot of free platforms manage.

The library skews older and toward established titles — don’t come here looking for current-season simulcasts. But for classic anime and films without spending a dollar or giving anyone your email address, Tubi is the easiest option on Google TV.

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3. Pluto TV — Best for Live Anime Channels

Pluto TVFree

Pluto TV does something the other apps on this list don’t — it runs dedicated live anime channels. Think of it like cable TV: flip to the anime channel and something’s already playing. I had One Piece running on a Saturday afternoon and genuinely just left it running for three hours without touching anything.

Beyond the live channels, Pluto has an on-demand library with classics organized by series. The live channel format is especially good for anime you want in the background without the mental overhead of choosing an episode.

Paramount owns Pluto TV. It’s free, fully legal, and ad-supported — but the ads are woven into the live channel format so they feel more like commercial breaks than interruptions.

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4. RetroCrush — Best for Classic Anime

RetroCrush is built entirely for retro anime — the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s titles that the bigger platforms mostly ignore. Astro Boy, City Hunter, Speed Racer, and a catalog of titles that are genuinely hard to find elsewhere in a legal, streaming format.

The free tier streams with ads, and there’s a 24/7 live channel running classic titles continuously. If you want to explore where anime came from, or you’re introducing someone to the genre through its roots, RetroCrush is the dedicated app for that.

Honest limitation: if you’re into shows currently airing in Japan, this isn’t your app. RetroCrush stops at the early 2000s by design. The retro selection is excellent — the new anime selection is zero.

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5. Billy Billy — Best Rising Free Platform

Billy Billy has earned recognition in 2026 guides as one of the top-rated free legal anime apps available on Android-based smart TVs and Google TV. It covers a broad library of legal titles on a fully ad-supported free model with no subscription required.

It’s gained traction specifically for viewers who want a dedicated anime experience outside the larger general streaming platforms. If Crunchyroll feels like overkill and Tubi doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Billy Billy is worth checking.

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6. HIDIVE — Best for Niche Simulcasts

HIDIVE is the dedicated anime platform that anime fans go to when Crunchyroll doesn’t have the specific show they’re looking for. It focuses on simulcasts and niche titles that fly under the radar — series with passionate smaller followings that the bigger platforms skip.

Free tier available with ads; paid subscription unlocks ad-free viewing and seasonal simulcasts. The anime community genuinely respects HIDIVE for its catalog decisions. Available on Google TV via the Google Play Store.

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7. YouTube — Official Channels and Free Full Episodes

YouTube

YouTube’s anime presence is bigger than most people assume. Official channels from Crunchyroll, Japanese studios, and distributors post legal dubbed and subbed episodes — including full series for older titles and preview episodes for current ones.

It’s not a replacement for a dedicated anime app. But as a supplement — especially for official trailers, series you’re on the fence about, and older catalog titles posted for free — YouTube is already on your Google TV and costs nothing to use.

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8. Netflix — Best for Anime Originals

Netflix

Netflix has put real money into anime — Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Castlevania, and a growing library of licensed series and films alongside their originals. The anime section isn’t the main reason to subscribe to Netflix, but if you’re already a subscriber, it’s worth browsing.

Native Google TV app. Paid subscription required.

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9. Hulu — Strong Licensed Anime Library

Hulu

Hulu carries a solid licensed anime catalog — Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and others — making it one of the better general platforms if you want anime alongside live TV and other content. If you’re bundling Hulu with another service, the anime library is a legitimate bonus. Native Google TV app; paid subscription required.

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10. Max — Studio Ghibli and Select Series

Max

Max carries select anime titles alongside a broader content library. It’s a paid subscription with a smaller anime catalog than dedicated platforms, but the quality picks — including some Studio Ghibli films depending on your region — make it worth knowing about if you’re already subscribed. Native Google TV app.

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11. Disney+ — Studio Ghibli Catalog

Disney+

Disney+ holds the Studio Ghibli streaming rights in most regions — Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and the full catalog. If Ghibli films are your entry point into anime or you want them in one place in high quality, this is the definitive option. Paid subscription; native Google TV app.

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12. Peacock — Growing Free Anime Tier

Peacock

Peacock has been building its anime catalog with both free and paid tiers. Some classic titles are available free with ads on the free tier. Worth checking if you’re already a subscriber for other content rather than installing specifically for anime. Native Google TV support.

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13. Amazon Prime Video — Included With Prime

Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video includes anime as part of its standard library — some titles available at no extra cost with a Prime membership. The selection isn’t as curated as a dedicated anime app, but the catalog has grown and some well-regarded series have been available through Prime. Native on Google TV.

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14. Plex — Free Tier and Personal Library

Plex

Plex has two use cases for anime on Google TV. The free ad-supported tier includes some anime titles with no account required. The more powerful use case: if you maintain a personal media server with an anime collection, Plex streams it beautifully to your Google TV with metadata, artwork, and proper TV navigation. Native app available.

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15. Crackle — Sony’s Free Streaming Option

Crackle

Crackle is Sony-owned and completely free with ads. The anime section is small but legitimate — worth checking after you’ve exhausted the bigger free options. If Tubi and Pluto TV don’t have what you’re looking for, Crackle is the next free stop. Native Google TV app.

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16. Xumo — Free Live Anime Channels

Xumo

Xumo, owned by Comcast, runs free ad-supported streaming channels including anime-focused streams. It’s a similar format to Pluto TV — live channels you can flip to without choosing specific episodes. Good for background viewing; native Google TV support.

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17. Vudu — Anime for Rent or Purchase

Vudu

Vudu is a digital storefront rather than a subscription service. You can rent or buy individual anime films — Your Name, A Silent Voice, and others — in high quality without a monthly commitment. Some titles are also available free with ads in Vudu’s ad-supported section. Native Google TV app.

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18. iQIYI — Asian Content Including Anime

Iqiyi

iQIYI is one of the largest streaming platforms in Asia and carries anime alongside Chinese and Korean content. Available on Google TV through the Google Play Store. Good for content from the Asian market — especially titles that don’t appear on Western platforms.

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19. Viki — Anime With Community Subtitles

Viki

Viki specializes in Asian content with strong community subtitle support. Primarily known for K-dramas, but the platform includes anime titles with high-quality subtitles — both official and community-created. Free tier available; native Google TV support.

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20. Kanopy — Library-Funded Anime Films

Kanopy

Kanopy is free if your local library has a partnership — and many do. The anime selection skews toward critically acclaimed films and older classics. If you have a library card and your library supports Kanopy, this is the best deal on the list: no ads, no subscription, no cost. Native Google TV support.

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21–24. More Options Worth Knowing

Freevee — Amazon’s free ad-supported service occasionally carries anime titles. Worth checking, especially if you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem.

Funimation — Now fully merged into Crunchyroll. If you had a Funimation account, that library lives in Crunchyroll now. No need to maintain separate subscriptions.

Official Studio Apps — Some anime studios and distributors have their own apps on Google Play. Search for the specific studio or distributor if you’re chasing a title that isn’t on the major platforms.

Google TV’s Built-In Search — Before installing anything new, use the Google TV home screen search. It aggregates content across all your installed apps and shows you which service has the title you’re looking for — sometimes you already have access through something you’re subscribed to.

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How to Install Anime Apps on Google TV

All the major apps above are available through the Google Play Store. No sideloading, no APK downloads — just the standard install process.

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Free vs. Paid: The Real Breakdown

For anime specifically, here’s the honest version:

Free tier covers: Older series and classic titles with ads. Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball, classic films — if you’re watching established shows, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crunchyroll’s free tier cover a lot of ground without spending anything.

Paid tier gets you: Currently-airing simulcasts without a one-week delay, ad-free viewing, and in Crunchyroll’s case, the full library without restrictions. If you’re actively following a seasonal anime — shows currently airing in Japan — Crunchyroll premium is the option that makes sense.

Most casual viewers do fine with Tubi and Pluto TV free. If you’re tracking what’s airing this season in Japan, Crunchyroll premium is the right call.

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Practical Tips for Anime on Google TV

• Set subtitle preferences inside the app — most anime apps override Google TV’s system subtitle settings with their own. Go into the app’s account or playback settings to lock in your preferred subtitle style.
• Build a watchlist on Crunchyroll — progress syncs across your phone and Google TV. Start an episode on your commute, finish it on the TV.
• Pluto TV and Xumo for low-decision evenings — when you want anime without choosing what to watch, flip to their live channels. No menus, no decisions, just anime running.
• Search Google TV before installing new apps — the built-in search pulls results from all your installed services. You may already have the title you’re looking for.

For a broader look at how Google TV compares to other streaming devices — and whether you made the right call — the Firestick vs. Roku vs. Chromecast comparison covers all three in detail.

If you run into geo-restrictions or want to keep your streaming activity private from your ISP, our VPN guide covers the best options for streaming devices — most work just as well on Google TV as they do on Fire TV.

And if anime isn’t the only thing you’re watching, the best free streaming channels guide covers free options across every genre.

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Want Live TV Beyond Anime? Try Unify IPTV

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Last updated: May 2026