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No—the original AniWave is no longer operating. AniWave, formerly known as 9anime, shut down on August 27, 2024. Its farewell message warned that any website claiming to be AniWave or 9anime after the shutdown was fake. A currently accessible AniWave-branded domain may copy the old name, catalog, or design, but that does not make it an official continuation.
The safest conclusion is straightforward: treat current AniWave and 9anime lookalikes as untrusted impersonators and do not enter passwords or payment details, install software, or grant them browser permissions.
What happened to AniWave and 9anime?
9anime rebranded as AniWave in 2023. On August 27, 2024, the service’s administrator-facing farewell announcement said that AniWave was gone and warned users that websites claiming to be AniWave or 9anime were fake. The archived farewell discussion is the clearest source for that shutdown warning.
That means a domain using the old name cannot establish its identity simply by displaying the familiar logo, reproducing the former interface, or claiming to be the “official” successor. Search results may still show AniWave-branded pages, but the existence of a working page is not proof that it belongs to the original operators.
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In practical terms, the question is not whether one particular clone appears to load correctly. The original service is gone, and post-shutdown sites using its identity should be treated as unverified and potentially malicious.
Why a working AniWave clone can still be dangerous
There are two separate problems: authenticity and technical security.
1. There is no reliable reason to trust the operator
The original shutdown warning specifically said that sites claiming to be AniWave or 9anime were fake. A clone might be operated by an unrelated advertising network, a phishing operator, or someone attempting to collect account and payment information. It might also simply be a copyright-infringing streaming site with no connection to the former service.
Those possibilities cannot be resolved by a familiar domain name or copied website design. Do not assume that a site is legitimate because:
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- it has the old AniWave or 9anime branding;
- it offers the same titles or episode pages;
- it uses HTTPS and shows a padlock; or
- other users say that it worked for them.
HTTPS encrypts the connection between your browser and the site; it does not verify that the site operator is trustworthy. Likewise, a clean visit on one day would not prove that a site is safe on the next visit.
2. Streaming pages can expose users to malicious advertising and redirects
The FTC warns that illegal streaming websites, applications, and add-ons can spread malware. Reported consequences include stolen payment-card details, compromised shopping or banking credentials, pop-ups, unwanted redirects, device slowdowns, and use of an infected computer for criminal activity. The FTC’s guidance on malware and illegal video streaming recommends caution around these services.
The FBI also advises avoiding free streaming devices or services that may contain malware or backdoors and warns that pop-up advertisements on untrusted sites can initiate malware installation. Security research has additionally documented malicious advertising, hidden iframes, fraudulent traffic schemes, and malware distribution in illegal streaming ecosystems. See the FBI’s consumer security alert and Malwarebytes’ analysis of illegal streaming advertising infrastructure.
Warning signs on an AniWave lookalike
Leave the page if you encounter one or more of these behaviors:
- It claims to be the “real” or “official” AniWave or 9anime after the August 2024 shutdown.
- Clicking Play opens several new tabs, redirects, or fake download pages.
- The page displays multiple fake Play buttons or urgent security messages.
- It asks you to install a codec, browser extension, mobile application, VPN, video player, or “security update.”
- Your browser downloads an installer, executable, script, APK, or other file when you only intended to stream.
- It requests an email address, password, cryptocurrency payment, card number, or social-media login.
- It repeatedly triggers antivirus, browser, or smart-screen warnings.
- It asks permission to send browser notifications before showing a video.
Community reports from former 9anime and AniWave users have described redirects, pop-ups, and adware warnings. Those reports are anecdotal rather than controlled testing of every historical domain, but they are consistent with the broader security warnings about untrusted streaming advertisements.
Does a VPN, ad blocker, or antivirus make AniWave safe?
No. These tools can reduce some risks, but none authenticates a domain or guarantees that a clone is safe.
- A VPN can encrypt traffic between your device and the VPN provider, but it does not stop phishing, malicious downloads, deceptive pages, tracking by the destination site, or stolen credentials.
- An ad blocker may block some advertisements or scripts, but malicious redirects and new techniques can bypass it. It is not a safety certification.
- Antivirus software may detect known malware or suspicious files, but detection is not guaranteed, particularly for newly distributed threats.
- HTTPS protects the connection in transit but does not prove that the website owner is legitimate.
The FTC recommends obtaining software by typing the vendor’s address directly rather than clicking software-download advertisements, and keeping your operating system, browser, and security software updated. Its guidance on fake software advertisements is available on the FTC website.
If you already visited an AniWave lookalike
Do not panic, but do not revisit the site to “test” whether anything happened. The right response depends on what you did.
If you only opened the page
Close the tab. Do not click additional buttons or permit downloads. Update your browser, operating system, and reputable security software, then run a scan. A visit alone does not prove that your device was infected, but it is sensible to check.
If you allowed browser notifications
Notification permission is not, by itself, proof of malware. It can nevertheless produce repeated scam or malicious-advertising alerts.
Remove the permission for the suspicious domain:
- Chrome or Chromium-based browsers: open Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, find the domain, and block or remove it.
- Microsoft Edge: open Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Notifications, then remove or block the domain.
- Firefox: open Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Notifications > Settings, select the site, and choose Remove Website or Block.
Also review your browser extensions. Uninstall anything you did not intentionally add, especially an extension installed after the visit or one that claims to be required for video playback. Use the browser’s official extension-management screen rather than another pop-up’s removal tool.
If a file was downloaded but not opened
Do not open it. Delete the file, empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, update your security software, and run a full scan. Do not upload an unknown file to a random “online scanner” if it may contain private information.
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If you opened or installed a file or application
Disconnect the device from sensitive accounts and, if practical, from the network while you assess it. Run a full security scan using reputable, updated security software. If the device is used for banking, work systems, health records, identity documents, or other sensitive information, consider professional incident-response assistance.
On Windows, a typical built-in check is Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Full scan. The exact labels can vary by Windows version and organizational settings. A scan result is useful evidence, not an absolute guarantee that no compromise occurred.
If you entered a password
From a known-clean device, change the affected password immediately. Begin with your email account, because email can be used to reset other accounts. Do not reuse the password elsewhere. Enable multifactor authentication, review active sessions and recent sign-ins, check recovery addresses and phone numbers, and inspect email-forwarding rules for changes you did not make.
If you entered payment information
Contact the card issuer or bank through the number on the card or an official statement. Explain what happened, ask whether the card or account should be replaced, and monitor transactions and account alerts. Do not rely only on an email or pop-up claiming to offer a refund or security fix.
Safer ways to watch anime
If your goal is simply to watch anime without trusting a post-shutdown clone, use a licensed service available in your country. Crunchyroll is one legal anime streaming alternative. Its official service advertises a large anime catalog, ad-free Premium plans, simulcasts, offline viewing on eligible plans, and support for multiple device types.
Do not interpret that as a promise that Crunchyroll—or any single legal service—has every title formerly listed on AniWave. Anime licensing is specific to the title, language, and territory. Crunchyroll says that regional licensing restrictions affect which programs can be streamed in each country; its explanation is available in this regional availability guide.
For viewers in the United States, Crunchyroll also operates a free, curated Crunchyroll Channel on selected platforms, including Roku, Amazon Freevee, LG Smart TVs, and Vizio Smart TVs. It does not require an account or subscription, but it is a programmed channel rather than the complete on-demand catalog. Details and supported platforms can change, so check the official Crunchyroll Channel information.
Other legal options may exist depending on your location, including services operated by broadcasters, libraries, studios, and digital stores. Check the service’s official website or a reputable regional availability guide rather than following links supplied by an AniWave clone.
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The former AniWave service was associated with unauthorized anime streams. Unauthorized streaming or downloading can raise copyright issues that vary by jurisdiction, and this article is not jurisdiction-specific legal advice. The security recommendation does not depend on whether a particular user would face legal liability: do not give a post-shutdown impersonator your credentials, payment information, downloads, or device permissions.
Bottom line
The original AniWave/9anime service shut down on August 27, 2024. A site using the name today should not be treated as an official revival. Because lookalikes may combine impersonation, aggressive redirects, phishing, malicious advertising, and unwanted downloads, the safest choice is to avoid them and use licensed anime services instead. If you already interacted with one, secure accounts and payment methods first, then scan the device and remove suspicious permissions or software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AniWave coming back?
The former service’s August 27, 2024 farewell message said it was gone and warned that sites claiming to be AniWave or 9anime were fake. A later website using the name is not authenticated as an official return.
Can I get malware just by visiting an AniWave clone?
A visit does not prove that malware was installed, but untrusted streaming pages can expose users to malicious advertising, redirects, phishing, and unwanted downloads. Close the page, do not return to test it, update your software, and run a reputable security scan.
Is HTTPS enough to make an AniWave website safe?
No. HTTPS encrypts the connection but does not verify the operator’s identity or prevent phishing, malicious advertising, tracking, or harmful downloads.
What should I do if I entered my AniWave password?
Change the password from a known-clean device, starting with email accounts. Do not reuse it, enable multifactor authentication, and review active sessions, recovery settings, forwarding rules, and recent account activity.
The Bottom Line
The original AniWave is gone. Treat every current AniWave or 9anime-branded site as an untrusted clone unless independently authenticated—which the shutdown warning says users should not expect. Do not enter credentials, payment information, or install anything from it.
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