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

I spent a few weeks installing and testing every anime app I could find on my Chromecast with Google TV — free tiers, subscription services, sideloaded APKs, the works. Thirty-plus apps went in. Half of them were a waste of time. Sluggish navigation, SD-only free tiers buried behind fake “free” labels, catalogs that looked deep until you realized it was the same 12 shows listed 40 different ways.

These 24 actually held up — tested on a 4K Chromecast with Google TV running the latest Google TV OS, on a 500 Mbps fiber connection. Everything from dedicated simulcast platforms to surprisingly solid free options you’ve probably never tried.

What I Tested For

Google TV is a remote-first experience. An app that works great on a phone can be genuinely painful on a D-pad — tap targets too small, menus buried three levels deep, search that requires a keyboard you can’t type on easily. Here’s what I evaluated:

• Catalog depth — Total titles, recency of catalog, simulcast support
• Subbed vs. dubbed availability — A lot of free apps are sub-only; I noted every exception
• Remote navigation — D-pad usability, episode queuing, back-button behavior
• Free tier quality — SD vs. HD, ad frequency, what’s actually behind the paywall
• Google TV integration — Watchlist syncing, home screen search results, “For You” recommendations
• Load speed — Cold start time, episode start latency, quality switching

Quick comparison before we dive in:

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Tier 1: Dedicated Anime Platforms

These apps were built for anime fans — not streaming services that happen to have a Naruto buried in their catalog.

1. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll was my daily driver for the duration of this test, and the gap between it and everything else is larger than I expected. The Google TV app installs from the Play Store in under two minutes, and it actually integrates with Google TV’s search — say “Hey Google, play Classroom of the Elite” and it opens directly in Crunchyroll without you touching the remote.

The free tier is functional. I watched several complete episodes without issues, but the trade-offs are real: SD quality looks rough on a 4K TV, and the ad breaks are long — think four-minute breaks in a 24-minute episode. You’ll notice it immediately.

The April 2026 simulcast lineup is the real argument for going premium: Classroom of the Elite S4 (April 1), That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime S4 (April 3), Re:ZERO S4 (April 8), Witch Hat Atelier — if you’re watching current-season anime, you’re paying ~$7.99/month anyway. The free tier is a tasting menu.

Dubs are paywalled. The free tier is sub-only outside of occasional legacy titles. If dubbed anime is non-negotiable for you, Crunchyroll Premium or HIDIVE is the move.

D-pad navigation is solid. Episode queues, history, and Watchlist are all reachable without hunting. The Google TV home screen also surfaces Crunchyroll in “Continue Watching” — a legitimately useful integration that most apps don’t pull off.

Try Crunchyroll Free

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2. HIDIVE

HIDIVE is the app that Crunchyroll users don’t always know about — and it’s worth installing alongside it, not instead of it. The catalog skews toward titles Crunchyroll doesn’t carry, with a heavy emphasis on dubbed content. If you prefer dubs as your default, HIDIVE’s library is one of the best on any platform.

The Google Play Store install works cleanly on Google TV. Remote navigation is good — server lists, episode queues, and history all accessible from the D-pad. The two services have minimal catalog overlap, so subscribing to both isn’t redundant in the way that, say, subscribing to two mainstream services often is. Check their website for current pricing in your region.

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3. Funimation

Funimation has been in a transitional period — Sony merged it into Crunchyroll, and availability varies significantly by region. In some markets, the standalone Funimation app still runs and carries a large dub-focused catalog. In others, it redirects to Crunchyroll.

Search for it in the Google Play Store on your device. If it’s available in your region, it’s worth checking — particularly for its back-catalog of dubbed titles. If you already subscribe to Crunchyroll, access is often included.

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4. RetroCrush

RetroCrush is purpose-built for fans of 80s and 90s anime — Fist of the North Star, Sailor Moon, Galaxy Express 999, Space Battleship Yamato. If you grew up watching these, it’s the best thing on Google TV. If you’re younger and want to understand where modern anime came from, same answer.

The free ad-supported tier works well on Google TV as an Android TV app. The premium ad-free tier runs around $4.99/month — one of the cheapest premium options on this list. The catalog is smaller than Crunchyroll, but there’s nothing else quite like it.

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5. Bilibili

Bilibili started as a Chinese streaming platform and has become one of the more interesting sources for licensed anime from Japanese studios — particularly for titles that don’t land on Western platforms. The free tier streams in HD with ads, which actually puts it ahead of Crunchyroll’s free SD-only offering on paper.

On Google TV, Bilibili is available directly from the Google Play Store. Some older Android TV devices may require sideloading. Regional content restrictions apply — catalog availability varies depending on your location. Check the official Bilibili site for the current APK if you need to sideload.

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Tier 2: Free Streaming Apps with Strong Anime Catalogs

You don’t need to spend a dollar to watch hours of anime on Google TV. These apps are ad-supported, install directly from Google Play Store, and are genuinely worth your time.

6. Tubi

TubiFree

Tubi is the most frictionless free streaming experience on Google TV. No account, no credit card, nothing — open the app and start watching. The remote navigation feels designed for TV use rather than ported from mobile, which sounds like a low bar but matters more than you’d think when you’re navigating a 55-inch screen with a D-pad.

The anime catalog has grown noticeably in 2026. Naruto, a solid rotation of anime movies, and a lineup of classic series are all here. It’s not going to replace Crunchyroll for simulcasts — the catalog skews toward established titles rather than current-season releases. But for catching up on a series or discovering something new without spending anything? Tubi is the correct answer.

Ad breaks run 2-3 per episode in my experience, shorter than Pluto TV’s live-channel format. Bearable.

Watch Tubi Free

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7. Pluto TV

Pluto TVFree

Pluto TV takes a different approach from every other app on this list: instead of an on-demand library, it runs live channels around the clock. There are dedicated anime channels — One Piece marathons, shonen channels, classic anime blocks — running continuously. Think cable TV, but free, and you pick the channel.

For background viewing while you’re doing something else, Pluto TV’s anime channels are genuinely great. The Google TV app installs from Play Store. One significant catch: Pluto TV is geo-restricted and works best in the US. If you’re traveling or outside the US, you’ll need a VPN.

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8. YouTube

YouTube

YouTube is a more useful anime source than most people realize. Official channels from studios and distributors — Muse Asia, Ani-One Asia, Crunchyroll’s own YouTube channel — run full licensed episodes legally for free. First episodes, full series (particularly for Southeast Asian audiences), and a massive archive of clips, openings, and official content.

The Google TV YouTube app is fast, polished, and integrates perfectly with Google Assistant. Say “Hey Google, find Muse Asia anime” and you’re there in two seconds.

The limitation: series are usually incomplete. YouTube is better as a discovery tool — find something you like, then track down where to watch the full run — than a replacement for a dedicated streaming service.

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9. Plex

Plex

Plex’s free tier includes a growing library of licensed anime through Plex TV — no subscription, no credit card. The catalog isn’t as large as Tubi, but the streaming quality is solid and the Google TV app is one of the better-built interfaces on this list.

The bonus: Plex also works as a personal media server. If you have anime downloaded locally on a computer on your network, Plex streams it to your Google TV with full metadata, artwork, and episode tracking. That dual function — free streaming plus personal library management — makes it worth installing regardless of how you use it.

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10. Crackle

Crackle

Crackle is Sony’s free streaming platform. The anime selection is smaller than Tubi or Pluto TV, but there are legitimate titles here that don’t always appear on the bigger free platforms. The Google TV app works well, it’s completely free with ads, and no subscription is required. Check it for specific titles you can’t find elsewhere before paying for another subscription.

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Tier 3: Premium Services with Significant Anime Libraries

These aren’t dedicated anime apps, but if you’re already subscribing, the anime sections are deeper than most people know — and they carry exclusive content you can’t get anywhere else.

11. Netflix

NetflixPaid

Netflix’s anime originals are legitimately excellent and worth the subscription on their own. Dorohedoro S2 dropped April 1, 2026. The library includes anime Netflix produces outright — Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Castlevania, Blue Eye Samurai (anime-adjacent) — alongside licensed titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.

The Google TV Netflix app is fast, polished, and handles D-pad navigation better than almost any other streaming app. If you already subscribe, you’re sitting on a larger anime catalog than you might realize.

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12. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video has a growing anime catalog alongside exclusive simulcast rights for select titles. The Google TV app is pre-installed on Chromecast with Google TV devices and the interface is solid. Check the Anime category in Prime Video — it’s often the last place people look, but the library has expanded considerably in 2026.

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13. Hulu

Hulu

Hulu carries one of the larger mainstream anime libraries — Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and ongoing simulcasts alongside its regular TV catalog. The Google TV app works well with a remote. If you’re subscribing to Hulu for live TV or regular shows, the anime section is a meaningful bonus.

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14. Max (HBO Max)

Max

Max carries a curated anime selection, particularly Adult Swim co-productions and licensed titles from Cartoon Network’s anime partnerships. Not the deepest catalog, but the quality is consistent and the Google TV app is excellent.

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15. Disney+

Disney+

Disney+ availability for anime varies significantly by region — in some markets, particularly in Asia, it carries a substantial anime catalog. In others, it’s limited. The Google TV app is one of the best-built streaming apps available regardless. Worth checking what’s available in your region, particularly if you’re outside the US.

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16. Peacock

Peacock

Peacock has been quietly building out its anime catalog on both free and premium tiers. The Google TV app installs from Play Store and integrates with Google TV search. Check the Anime section — the selection has grown in 2026, with some simulcast additions alongside the back-catalog.

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Tier 4: International and Specialty Platforms

17. Viki

Viki

Viki is primarily known for Korean dramas, but it carries a solid selection of Asian animation and anime-adjacent content. Free tier available with ads. Worth installing if you want to broaden beyond Japanese anime into broader East Asian animation — or if you’re already a Viki subscriber for dramas and want to see what else is there.

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18. iQIYI

Iqiyi

iQIYI is one of China’s largest streaming platforms and carries a significant anime catalog alongside its Chinese drama content. Available on Google TV from the Play Store. Particularly strong for donghua (Chinese animation) alongside licensed Japanese anime — if you’re interested in Chinese animation as a genre, iQIYI is the best place to start.

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19. ABEMA

ABEMA is a Japanese streaming service that’s been expanding internationally. It carries licensed anime — including simulcasts — and is available as an Android TV app on Google TV’s Play Store. Particularly strong for anime airing currently in Japan. Regional content restrictions apply; some content requires a subscription for non-Japanese viewers.

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20. Vudu

Vudu

Vudu’s free Movies & TV section (ad-supported) includes a rotating selection of anime titles at no cost. Not a dedicated anime destination, but if you’re already on Vudu for other content, the anime section is worth browsing. Some titles appear here that aren’t available on Tubi or Pluto TV.

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21. Kanopy

Kanopy

Kanopy is free with a public library card — and it carries anime as part of its extensive catalog. If your library participates, Kanopy gives you access to a curated selection of anime films and series at genuinely zero cost. The Google TV app is clean and D-pad navigation is solid.

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Tier 5: Live TV and Bundle Options With Anime

22. Sling TV

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers anime channel add-ons including dedicated anime programming. Not for everyone, but if you already subscribe to Sling for live sports and TV, the anime add-on brings live channels alongside your existing package. Check Sling’s current add-on options for the latest anime channel availability.

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23. YouTube TV

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service natively available on Google TV. The relevant detail for anime fans: YouTube TV offers Crunchyroll as an add-on subscription, meaning you can manage Crunchyroll billing through YouTube TV’s interface. If you’re already a YouTube TV subscriber, this lets you consolidate billing rather than managing a separate Crunchyroll account.

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24. NHK World Japan

NHK World Japan is Japan’s international public broadcaster — and it has a free app on Google TV’s Play Store. Programming includes documentaries, cultural content, and some anime and anime-adjacent shows from NHK’s catalog. Completely free, no account required. It’s a niche pick, but the perspective on Japanese animation and culture you get here is legitimately unique.

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How to Install Anime Apps on Google TV

The majority of apps on this list install directly from Google Play Store. For a couple of them — Bilibili on some devices, any future sideloads — here’s the process for both methods.

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Subbed vs. Dubbed: Which Apps Actually Have Both?

App	Subbed	Dubbed	Notes
Crunchyroll Free	✓	—	Dubs require premium (~$7.99/mo)
Crunchyroll Premium	✓	✓	Full dub library
HIDIVE	✓	✓	One of the best dub libraries available
Tubi	✓	Limited	Some dubbed titles, mostly subbed
Netflix	✓	✓	Both on originals and licensed titles
Hulu	✓	✓	Both for many titles
RetroCrush	✓	Limited	Mostly subbed classics
Bilibili	✓	✓	Varies by region
Pluto TV	✓	Limited	Live channels vary
Amazon Prime Video	✓	✓	Both for many licensed titles

The short version: if dubs are non-negotiable, Crunchyroll Premium, HIDIVE, or Netflix is your path. The free-tier landscape is heavily sub-first. Every free app on this list defaults to subbed content with limited or no dub options.

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Do You Need a VPN for Anime on Google TV?

For the major apps — Crunchyroll, Tubi, Netflix — no. They work fine without one.

Two situations where a VPN genuinely changes things:

1. Geo-restricted free apps. Pluto TV is US-only. Bilibili’s catalog varies by region. Some Tubi content is US-restricted. If you’re traveling or living outside the US, a VPN keeps your free anime channels working.

2. ISP throttling. Heavy video traffic gets throttled by some ISPs during peak hours. A VPN encrypts the connection so your ISP can’t see it’s video traffic — buffering often drops significantly after connecting.

Surfshark has a native Android TV app that installs from Google Play Store — no sideloading needed. It’s what I keep running on my Google TV. Fast enough for 4K, affordable, and works with Google TV’s app ecosystem without friction.

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Skip These: Unofficial Anime Sites

The brief is worth mentioning: sites like Gogoanime, 9Anime, AniWatch, and 4Anime exist, but the sideloaded APKs are frequently bundled with malware, crash unpredictably on TV hardware, and are increasingly blocked by ISPs. The legal free options on this list — Tubi, Pluto TV, Crunchyroll’s free tier, Bilibili — cover the overwhelming majority of what the unofficial sites offer, without the risk.

If you’re sideloading anything, make sure it’s a legitimate app with an official APK source.

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Final Recommendations

Install immediately: Crunchyroll (free tier), Tubi, Pluto TV. Three apps, twenty minutes, zero dollars — you’ll have a solid anime library before anything else.

Add if you’re a regular viewer: Crunchyroll Premium (~$7.99/month) for simulcasts and the full dub library. HIDIVE if you prefer dubs as your default. RetroCrush if you have any nostalgia for 80s and 90s anime.

Already subscribed to Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video? Check their anime sections before adding another subscription. Browse Genres → Anime in each app — the catalogs are larger than the home screens suggest.

Zero-cost sleeper pick: Kanopy. If your library participates, some of the best anime films in the world are sitting there free with your library card.

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More Streaming Guides

• Best Firestick Apps in 2026 — the complete app roundup across every category
• Best VPNs for Firestick — tested VPN comparisons for streaming devices (works for Google TV too)
• Firestick vs Roku vs Chromecast — if you’re deciding whether Google TV is the right platform for you

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Real-Debrid pairs with apps like Stremio and Kodi for premium-quality streaming links — worth exploring if you want to go beyond the standard streaming apps.

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Last updated: April 2026