This tutorial explores the top alternatives of Anime Planet – a central platform for Anime enthusiasts to connect, explore titles, rate episodes, and engage in discussions:
The realm of Anime online has never been as vibrant or vast as it is today. So much so that it can be very difficult to find a platform that lets you discover, explore, and watch some Anime. Now you may be familiar with some popular places on the Internet like Funimation, Crunchyroll, and even Netflix.
Amidst them, however, is another platform that is often visited by Anime fans from all over the world. Anime Planet is a different beast altogether for streaming services that let you watch Anime online. Some might even say that it is a platform more suited for anime discussions and recommendations rather than watching movies or TV episodes.
Table of Contents:
Anime Planet Review With Top Alternatives
On my journey navigating through the online sphere of Anime, I visited the Anime Planet. This review will entail me chronicling my experience on the platform. I will share what I liked about Anime Planet, and what I didn’t, and ultimately give you my thoughts on where it stands in the ever-growing landscape of anime streaming platforms online.
So. without much further ado, let’s dive in.
Anime Planet – An Overview
As a website dedicated to anime fans, the platform has been quietly thriving on the internet for the better part of a decade. It was only after its partnership with Crunchyroll recently that Anime Planet started being mentioned in the same breath as some of the more popular streaming options in the space.
It claims to harbor a library of over 45000 episodes. Besides Anime, the platform also harbors a sizeable catalog of digital manga. However, most folks who frequent the platform do so for its rich anime community. You can visit the website to rate anime and even engage in discussions with like-minded fans online.
Now that you know what Anime-Planet is all about, let’s delve deeper by taking a look at its UI.
User Interface
My first impression of Anime Planet was quite positive. What I saw with my own eyes was an interface that was focused on simplicity. The catalog for both Anime and Manga was neatly organized. There is a drop-down menu at the very top that lets you easily navigate between various mediums.
If you want Anime Planet to only showcase Anime-related content, select Anime from the drop-down menu. If manga is what you seek, then select that option from the drop-down menu. Each title on the website comes with detailed information that is presented immaculately and comprehensively.
Clicking on the title will redirect you to a page that presents the show’s synopsis, characters, staff that worked on it, and the overall user rating it has earned. You can even mark a title as “watched”, “unwatched”, or “watching” to keep track of your viewing habits.
You can also switch the interface to dark mode with a toggle. This is a great feature for those who are conscious about their vision.
I found Anime Planet robust in both the search and filtering department. It was a breeze browsing through its massive catalog and finding titles based on genre, rating, and release year.
Anime and Manga Catalog
If you are searching for a platform to watch anime online, what Anime Planet has to offer will disappoint you. While you will find information on almost all anime to have ever been released, Anime-Planet does not feature an extensive catalog of episodes to watch. There are 45000 or so anime episodes on the platform that you can watch for free.
However, they are niche titles no one has probably ever heard of. If you have a Crunchyroll subscription, however, you can watch some titles that are live on Crunchyroll directly on this platform. You can also find 2-3 minute highlight reels for certain episodes on the platform as well.
The same applies to the platform’s manga catalog. You’ll find almost all released manga listed on the platform. However, very few titles are available for reading. Most of them aren’t from reputable publications and don’t have rave reviews.
If you have a Crunchyroll subscription, then Anime Planet can be the platform for you, especially if you seek a website that allows you to engage with an active anime community as you cruise through a season of television.
You also have a massive database of webtoons and light novels to browse through. Again, you only get information about these webtoons and light novels.
However, if you are looking for a fully-realized library to watch newly released anime in high-definition, then it is best if you simply opt for a Crunchyroll or Netflix subscription.
Recommended Read => Best Anime Websites to Watch Anime Online for free
Personalized Recommendation Settings
While Anime Planet leaves a lot to desire in the catalog department, this is where it shines. I would say it sets itself apart from its contemporaries because of its personalized recommendation setting. You can use the platform to create your list of anime (both watched and unwatched).
Depending on your watch list, the ratings you’ve given, and the reviews you’ve written on the platform, Anime Planet acquaints you with a personalized recommendation. The platform’s algorithms intelligently assess your activity on the platform and then offer you a tailored suggestion. As such, the platform can help you find anime shows and movies that you are bound to like.
Community and Social Features
More than an anime streaming platform, I think Anime Planet is a website that should be used for its community and social features. This is a platform where you can get detailed information about new releases. Not only can you rate anime episodes, but you can also participate in character rankings.
There is an entire section on the platform dedicated to ranking the best and most hated anime characters. Sharing the anime list you create on the platform online through social media platforms is possible. As such, you can let your friends know about your taste in anime and recommend them a few titles.
You can find curated watch lists on the website that are created by fans like you. You can engage in lengthy discussions about the plot of your favorite anime with several like-minded fans. The platform fosters a sense of camaraderie and community among anime fans online. That to me is Anime Planet’s biggest appeal.
Pricing
It is completely free to use. You also won’t find any ads to hinder or interrupt you. You can browse through its massive anime, manga, and webtoon catalog, rate titles, engage in discussions, and curate watch lists for free.
You can catch a few highlight-reels for anime episodes without paying a dime as well. You can watch a few anime titles that are live on Crunchyroll. However, you’ll need a Crunchyroll subscription to watch these episodes directly on Anime Planet.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good UI | Limited anime and manga content |
| Free to use | Need a Crunchyroll subscription to watch some shows on the platform |
| Personalized recommendation | |
| Community fostering | |
| Curate watch lists |
Alternatives to Anime Planet
#1) Crunchyroll
Many anime fans, myself included, consider Crunchyroll to be one of the best streaming options for anime, period. Its catalog is second to none, featuring both old classics and current releases. The platform offers subbed and dubbed versions of popular titles. The platform also simulcasts new episodes so you can watch the episodes at the same time they air in Japan.
Check our Crunchyroll Review Here
#2) Tubi TV
Tubi features the biggest library of free entertainment across the entire internet. Naturally, you are going to find some critically acclaimed anime titles on the platform as well. While the catalog isn’t as extensive as the one Netflix or Crunchyroll offers, there are some award-winning titles here that you can watch for free.
#3) Netflix
If there is a platform online that can go toe-to-toe with Crunchyroll in the anime streaming department, it is Netflix. Netflix has a well-curated list of some of the most critically acclaimed anime shows and movies. It is also the only platform that I know of where you can watch anime in 4K resolution. Lately, the company has also started producing original anime content.
#4) Prime Video
Prime Video has struggled to compete with its contemporaries for its streaming library. However, it has managed to still acquire some interesting titles. You can find dubbed and subbed versions of popular anime shows and movies on the website. There are a few newly released titles that you can watch in 4K as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Anime Planet free to use?
Yes. It is free to use. You can rate anime, curate your watch list, browse through its massive database, and engage in discussion without paying a fee. To watch some Anime, however, you’ll need a Crunchyroll subscription.
2. Is Anime Planet safe and legitimate?
It is a legitimate and completely safe-to-use platform. There are no harmful ads on the platform. You are not required to download anything from the website. There are no viruses or malware on the platform.
3. How does the recommendation system work on Anime Planet?
The recommendation system on Anime-Planet assesses the reviews, ratings, and your personal viewing history to offer you tailored suggestions. The more time you spend on the platform, the better the recommendations become.
4. Do you need to create an account on Anime Planet?
You can browse the catalog without registering or opening an account. However, if you want to curate watch lists, rate Anime episodes, review shows, and get personalized recommendations, then I suggest you create an account.
5. What does Anime Planet’s catalog entail?
You’ll find the following content on Anime-Planet:
Anime
Digital Manga
Webtoon Database
Light Novel Database
Anime Character Database.
The Final Verdict – Is Anime Planet Worth It?
Anime Planet is unlike any other streaming platform online. It would be unfair to compare it with giants in the industry. While it does leave a sour taste in your mouth with its tiny anime and digital manga library, Anime-Planet excels with its community and social features. I would argue the platform works better as an anime recommendation platform than it does as a streaming service.
It serves as a great hub for Anime fans to come together online to discover Anime, unearth information on titles, rate new episodes, and engage in discussion with their fellow fans. As a listing website, you’ll find information related to almost every anime and manga ever released.
You can use this catalog to create your watch list and share it on your social channels. The platform can also help you track the anime you’ve watched over the years.
So if you are looking for a traditional streaming service, I’d suggest you look somewhere else. However, if you are looking for an anime recommendation site that nurtures a rich community of anime fans online, Anime Planet might be your cup of tea.