If you watch anime and manga content on the internet for free, you might be aware of Aniwave—one of the most popular websites for streaming such shows and movies. Aniwave, along with other sites like HiAnime, Fmovies, Animesuga, 123Anime, etc used to offer a wide array of anime content for its fans for no cost, which is what endeared them to viewers. Have Animewave, Aniwave, 9anime, Zorox, AnimeSuge and Other Free Anime and Manga Streaming Websites Shut Down Over Piracy Concerns? Here’s What We Know!

However, a couple of weeks back, most of these sites have seemingly shut down their operations, even dropping a goodbye message for their millions of users across the globe. This was a result of a crackdown by The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), an anti-piracy coalition group which includes some of the biggest media corporations like BBC, Disney, Comcast, Netflix etc. The biggest heartbreak for these users was Aniwave shutting down their streaming services, considering it was the go-to website for free anime content.

The message on their website read, "Creating better products that provide an improved user experience and fostering competition to drive the market to enhance products is something we are very happy about. Now that everything has improved, it is also time for us to say goodbye. If possible, please use legal paid services. It’s something we should do to show respect for our creators and content producers. Good bye!"

On Reddit and X, fans of Aniwave went into heartbreak mode as they posted emotional posts about the website. Shutdown of Free Anime Piracy Sites Like Animewave, 9anime, Zoroxtv and Others Sparks Wave of Hilarious Memes and Jokes on X.

Anime Fans' Condoling The Shutdown of Aniwave

'Hard Getting Back to Anime Lately'

Post on Reddit

'Thank You Aniwave'

Post on Reddit

'Aniwave NOOOOOO'

'I Think I Miss Aniwave'

'So I Just Found Out...'

Has Aniwave Really Shut Down?

Incidentally, the closure message on the Aniwave website also had an embedded video of Wiz Khalifa's "See You Again." Does this mean Aniwave will be back soon, despite its message of asking users to watch content legally?

However, if you actually try to access Aniwave on a browser, you would still be able to access the website and its anime content even now. How so? Well, earlier, Aniwave used to be on the .to domain, but now the same website name is on the .se domain. Do the administrators of the same website run it, or is this a copycat website that rose from the ashes of the 'OG' Aniwave? We will never know. The new website also leaves us confused as it mentions both the .to and .se domains on their homepage.

The homepage of Aniwave.se

Since Aniwave users, who are still lamenting the website's shutdown, aren't discussing much about the resurgent 'Aniwave', it seems mostly a doppelganger website trying to reclaim the old fans.

How to Watch Anime Legally

If you want to watch anime content through legal sources and do not advocate piracy, there are some good alternatives, albeit they come with subscription plans. Websites like Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, RetroCrush, AnimeLab, and Hulu are some really good choices.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2024 11:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).