As an anime fan, I’ve always been on the lookout for new and exciting ways to watch my favorite shows. However, with so many streaming platforms available, it can be challenging to keep up with which ones are legal and which ones are not. One site that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years among anime fans is KissAnime.

This site offers a vast selection of anime content, from classic titles to the latest releases. However, what many fans may not realize is that KissAnime is an illegal streaming site that operates outside the bounds of copyright law. In this article, we’ll explore what makes KissAnime illegal and the potential consequences of using it to watch anime.

What is KissAnime?

KissAnime is an illegal streaming site that offers a vast collection of anime content, ranging from classic shows to the latest releases. The site gained popularity among anime fans due to its extensive library and user-friendly interface.

In 2016, the original KissAnime website was banned due to copyright infringement, leaving many fans scrambling to find alternative ways to watch their favorite shows. However, the site resurfaced with a new domain, KissAnime.ru, which continued to provide unauthorized access to anime content.

Despite the domain change, KissAnime remained on the radar of copyright holders, and in 2022, KissAnime.ru was also banned, resulting in the site’s current domain name, KissAnime.com.ru. It’s worth noting that the use of the “.ru” domain is a common tactic used by illegal sites to evade copyright laws by hosting their sites on servers located in countries with less strict copyright laws.

How Does KissAnime Make Money?

If KissAnime is an illegal streaming site, then how does it make money? Well, the answer is not entirely clear, but there are a few possible ways that the site may generate revenue.

The most straight-forward way that KissAnime could make money is through advertising. The site has been known to display ads that can be intrusive and potentially harmful to users’ devices. These ads may generate revenue for the site through pay-per-click or pay-per-impression models, where advertisers pay KissAnime based on the number of clicks or views their ads receive.

Another possible way that KissAnime could make money is through user data collection. The site may collect data on users’ browsing behavior, preferences, and other information, which could be sold to third-party companies for marketing or other purposes.

It’s also possible that KissAnime operates as part of a larger network of illegal streaming sites.

Is KissAnime safe?

One of the most significant concerns about using illegal streaming sites like KissAnime is whether they are safe. The short answer is no. However, you don’t have much to worry about if you are careful.

First and foremost, KissAnime operates outside the bounds of copyright law, which means that it does not have the legal right to distribute or stream anime content. By using KissAnime, you are breaking the law and could face legal consequences in some countries. In the US, if you are caught using illegal streaming websites, you could be fined around 750 USD. However, you won’t really get into any kind of trouble for occasionally watching a few pirated shows.

Additionally, KissAnime is known to display intrusive and potentially harmful ads that can expose users to malware, viruses, and other security threats. These ads may also be designed to collect users’ personal information, which could be used for nefarious purposes such as identity theft or fraud.

Overall, if you use some kind of ad-blocker or avoid clicking on ads and don’t use this streaming site too extensively, then you should be relatively safe.

Is Pirating Better Than Watching Anime Legally?

You may be wondering if pirating anime is better than watching it legally. The short answer is no, pirating is not a good choice.

When you pirate anime, you are not supporting the original creators of the content. Anime studios and creators rely on revenue from legal sources such as streaming services, merchandise sales, and licensing agreements to continue creating high-quality content. By pirating, you are essentially stealing from the industry and hindering its ability to grow and thrive.

However, it’s also important to acknowledge that not all anime content is easily accessible in certain regions. In such cases, pirating may seem like the only option. In those cases, I am not entirely against watching anime illegally, but you shouldn’t make a habit out of it.

Watching anime legally is usually the better choice. It supports the industry, ensures high-quality content, and protects your online security.

Legal Alternatives for KissAnime

Free:

CRUNCHYROLL

Crunchyroll is a legal streaming service that offers a vast library of anime, manga, and Asian dramas to viewers worldwide. With over 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes, it’s one of the largest anime streaming services available. In addition to anime, Crunchyroll also features a variety of manga and Asian dramas for viewers to enjoy. The service is available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, and offers both free and premium subscriptions.

Price:

Free with ads. The cheapest Crunchyroll subscription costs 7.99 USD while the most expensive one costs 14.99 USD per month.

How to To Watch Crunchyroll Anywhere in the World

This method works on both desktop PCs and mobile phones or tablets.

Purchase (or start a free trial) of a VPN. I can confirm that NordVPN works for this purpose.

In the settings, choose the appropriate location. Crunchyroll for example can be accessed in The US or Canada.

Fire up the VPN and wait for it to do its magic.

Once you’re connected, navigate to your streaming service of choice. Enjoy!

NordVPN banner (Nord VPN)

Please note that if your library doesn’t update to reflect the country you selected in your VPN, you may have to clear the cache first and try again.

I’ve had no trouble using this method, and I still use NordVPN to watch anime from various countries’ libraries daily.

FUNIMATION

Funimation is a legal streaming service that specializes in providing anime content to viewers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It offers a vast library of anime titles, ranging from classic series to new releases, with both dubbed and subbed options available. The parent company of Funimation and Crunchyroll, Sony has actually decided to unify the services of both platforms under the name Crunchyroll.

Price:

Some shows available for free. Subscription costs 7.99 to 9.99 USD per month.

RETROCRUSH

RetroCrush is a legal streaming service that caters to anime fans who enjoy classic and vintage anime content. The service features a library of over 100 classic anime titles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with both dubbed and subbed options available. The service also offers a range of other classic Japanese entertainment, including live-action films and TV shows. RetroCrush is available in the United States and Canada and is accessible on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. The service is free to use, with ads included, but a premium ad-free subscription is also available.

Price:

Free with ads. Subscription costs 5 USD per month of 50 USD per year.

Paid:

NETFLIX

Netflix is a popular streaming service that offers a variety of TV shows, movies, and anime content to viewers worldwide. The platform has recently expanded its anime library with both original anime productions and licensed titles from popular studios.

Price:

You can enjoy Netflix with ads for 6.99 USD per month. The basic, standard and premium plans cost 9.99 USD, 15.49 USD and 19.99 USD respectively.

HULU

Hulu is a legal streaming service that offers a variety of TV shows, movies, and anime content to viewers in the United States. The platform features a range of popular anime titles, from classic series to new releases, with both dubbed and subbed options available. In addition to anime, Hulu also offers a variety of other content, including popular TV shows, and movies.

Price:

You can enjoy Hulu with ads for 7.99 USD per month. Alternatively, you can pay 14.99 per month to get rid of ads.

AMAZON PRIME

Amazon Prime is a legal streaming service that offers a variety of TV shows, movies, and anime content to viewers worldwide. The platform features a range of popular anime titles, with both dubbed and subbed options available. With its extensive selection of anime titles and convenient access through Amazon’s shopping platform, Amazon Prime has become a popular choice for anime fans looking to stream their favorite shows legally.

Price:

14.99 USD per month. You may also need to purchase some shows individually.