Anime fans love free streaming sites. One big name was 9anime. It offered tons of shows in high quality with subs and dubs. But things changed a lot over time. The 9anime rebrand to Aniwave is a key part of its story. This happened because of legal problems. Many users felt sad when sites shut down. In this article, we look at the full history of the 9anime rebrand. We explain why it happened and what fans can do now.
The Rise of 9anime: A Favorite for Free Anime Streaming
9anime started in 2016. It quickly became popular. Fans liked its easy design and huge library. You could watch new episodes fast. It had good filters for genres, years, and more. No need to sign up. Just click and watch.
At its peak, 9anime got billions of visits each year. It was one of the top piracy sites for anime. Users loved the clean look and few ads compared to others. Comments sections were fun too. People shared jokes and thoughts on episodes.
But running a free site with copyrighted shows brings risks. Copyright groups watch these sites closely.
Why the 9anime Rebrand to Aniwave Happened
In 2023, big changes came. The site owners saw problems. They got many DMCA notices. These are takedown requests from copyright holders. Some internet providers blocked the domain too.
To fix this, they did the 9anime rebrand. They changed the name to Aniwave. All old domains pointed to the new one: aniwave.to. The message was clear: “Because of DMCA issues and multiple ISPs blocking our domain, we decided to rebrand 9anime as Aniwave.”
A new name can help for a while. It bypasses blocks and downranking on search engines. But it confused some users. Many fake clones popped up using the old name.
The rebrand gave a fresh start. The site kept its great features. HD streaming, sub and dub options, and fast updates stayed the same.
Key Reasons for the 9anime Rebrand
Here are the main causes in a simple list:
- Legal pressure: Lots of DMCA takedowns from groups like the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE).
- Domain blocks: ISPs in many countries stopped access to old domains.
- Too many fakes: Clone sites stole traffic and had bad ads or viruses.
- Better search ranking: A full name change avoids some penalties.
This move worked for a bit. Aniwave grew even more popular.
The Shutdown of Aniwave: End of an Era
The good times did not last. In August 2024, Aniwave shut down. This was part of a big anti-piracy action. ACE worked with police in Vietnam. They took down Aniwave and linked sites like FMovies.
The farewell message thanked users. It said better legal options exist now. It encouraged switching to paid services. Fans felt the loss deeply. Many missed the community most.
One Reddit post talked about this. Users said the comments on old 9anime/Aniwave were smart and fun. New sites feel empty or full of bad comments.
Statistics show the impact:
- Aniwave had about 170 million visits per month at its end.
- Over 2.5 billion visits in one year before the rebrand.
- Shutdown affected millions of fans worldwide.
Current Status: Clones and the Real Deal
After the shutdown, many sites claim to be the new 9anime. One is 9animetv.to. It says it is the official successor. It offers similar features: HD streams, no buffering, mobile support, and a big library.
But be careful. Many clones have risks like viruses or too many ads. The original team behind Aniwave is gone. Current sites are run by others.
As of late 2025, no official comeback for Aniwave. Fans use mirrors or new names.
9anime Rebrand and User Confusion
The 9anime rebrand led to mix-ups. Old users search for 9anime and find clones. Some think 9animetv.to is the rebranded version. But it is separate. It warns about fakes and promotes itself as better.
Best Alternatives After the 9anime Rebrand and Shutdown
Fans need new places to watch. Here are top options in 2025. Some are free piracy sites. Others are legal paid ones.
Free Alternatives (Use with Caution)
- HiAnime: Clean design, fast updates, good quality. Many say it feels like old Aniwave.
- AnimeKai: Huge library, active comments on new shows. Less ads for some users.
- 9animetv.to: Claims to be the real successor. Has Disqus comments and HD options. Check it here.
- Animepahe: Simple, small file sizes for downloads.
Always use ad blockers and VPNs on free sites. Risks include malware.
Legal Options: Support Creators
Legal sites are safer and better quality. They help the anime industry.
Here is a list of top legal platforms:
- Crunchyroll: Biggest library. Simulcasts new episodes. Free with ads or premium.
- Netflix: Many popular shows like One Piece and Attack on Titan.
- HIDIVE: Good for dubs and older titles.
- Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll): Great dubs.
- Amazon Prime Video: Some exclusive anime.
Legal streaming grew a lot. More shows get official releases fast.
Tips for Safe Anime Watching
Follow these steps to stay safe:
- Use a good VPN to hide your location.
- Install strong ad blockers like uBlock Origin.
- Avoid sites asking for payment or downloads.
- Check Reddit for updates on site status. See discussions here.
- Try torrents for better control (sites like Nyaa.si).
Community Reactions to the Changes
Fans shared stories online. Many miss the old days of Kissanime and 9anime. The community feel was special. Jokes, discussions, and spoilers in comments made watching fun.
After the shutdown, some stopped watching anime for a while. Others moved to torrents or legal sites.
Quotes from users:
- “The comments were the best part – thoughtful and funny.”
- “Nothing replaces the polished UI and filters.”
For more on the rebrand news, read this article from 2023 here.
Why Legal Sites Are Winning
Anti-piracy efforts are stronger now. Groups like ACE target big sites. This pushes fans to legal options.
Benefits of legal:
- No ads or risks.
- Better video quality.
- Supports creators and new anime production.
In 2025, legal streaming has more content than ever.
Comparison Table: Old vs New Options
FAQs About the 9anime Rebrand
What caused the 9anime rebrand? Legal troubles like DMCA notices and domain blocks.
Is Aniwave coming back? No, it shut down permanently in 2024.
Is 9animetv.to the official site? It claims to be a successor, but not the original team.
Are there safe free sites? Some like HiAnime, but always use protection.
Why switch to legal? Safer, supports industry, better experience long-term.
In Conclusion
The 9anime rebrand to Aniwave was a smart move to escape legal heat. It gave fans more time with a great site. But in the end, strong anti-piracy actions closed it down. This story shows how piracy sites come and go. Today, fans have many choices – from clones to legal platforms.
The anime world keeps growing. New shows come out every season. Whether you pick free or paid, enjoy watching safely.
What is your favorite alternative after the 9anime rebrand and shutdown? Share in the comments!
References
- TorrentFreak article on the rebrand (via Creative First): https://creativefirst.film/news/9anime-rebrands-to-aniwave-citing-legal-troubles/
- Reddit discussion on losing 9anime/Aniwave community: https://www.reddit.com/r/animepiracy/comments/1mo4z9s/the_worst_part_of_losing_9animeaniwave_that_i/
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