HiAnime review

HiAnime is closed. The free anime streaming site – formerly known as Zoro and then Aniwatch – was the biggest anime piracy site in the world, with well over 150 million visits a month (and a record of more than 360 million). It went offline in March 2026, and in July 2026 the people allegedly behind it were arrested in Vietnam. Any “HiAnime” you find today is not the original.

What happened to HiAnime?

In March 2026 HiAnime posted a goodbye message across its domains and went offline. A few months later, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security announced seven arrests linked to the network, after a multi-year investigation involving US Homeland Security Investigations, the US Department of Justice and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE). According to the investigators:

• the group ran more than 100 piracy sites with over 26,000 titles;
• it earned about $12.8 million from advertising between 2020 and 2026;
• four alleged ringleaders are in custody facing copyright and money-laundering charges.

The MPA has since said that the same network also ran the movie sites Sflix and MyFlixer – which explains why they went dark at the same time.

Update, 30 October 2026: Vietnamese prosecutors indicted the seven suspects. Four face copyright infringement and money-laundering charges, three face copyright infringement only. According to the indictment, the group received 12.85 million USDT from advertising. The trial will take place at the Hanoi People’s Court; no date has been set yet.

Is HiAnime coming back?

Very unlikely. The operators have been arrested, and HiAnime had already changed name twice (Zoro → Aniwatch → HiAnime) to survive blocks. Any site presenting itself as “the return of HiAnime” is unrelated.

HiAnime clones and fake domains

Copies such as hianime.ro and many similar domains reuse the HiAnime name and design to catch people still searching for it. They are not run by the original team and often come with pop-ups, redirects, fake “update your player” messages and notification spam. Never install anything they ask for. Our HiAnime status page checks the original domain automatically.

Best HiAnime alternatives: sites like HiAnime

Since HiAnime closed, anime fans have moved to other sites and apps. Before you pick one, check our reviews for ads and safety:

• Cloudstream – an open-source Android app with anime extensions;
• Stremio – with community addons for anime;
• legal options such as Crunchyroll’s free tier and official YouTube channels from anime studios.

See every tested site on the HiAnime alternatives page.

HiAnime FAQ

Is HiAnime down?

Yes, permanently. HiAnime shut down in March 2026.

Why did HiAnime shut down?

After a long international investigation; in July 2026 Vietnamese police arrested seven people linked to the network behind it, and on 30 October 2026 prosecutors formally indicted them. The case goes to the Hanoi People’s Court.

Is HiAnime safe?

The original HiAnime is closed, so every site using the name today is a copy. Copies often come with aggressive pop-ups, redirects and fake “update your player” messages, so they are not safe. Use a tested alternative and keep an ad blocker on.

Is hianime.ro the real HiAnime?

No. It is a copy using the HiAnime name.

Was HiAnime the same as Zoro and Aniwatch?

Yes. Zoro became Aniwatch and then HiAnime in 2024, changing name to get around blocks.

What is the best alternative to HiAnime?

See our list of HiAnime alternatives, and check each site’s safety score before you use it.

Our verdict on HiAnime

HiAnime is gone, and its operators are facing charges. The sites using its name today are copycats chasing its traffic, often with aggressive ads. Use a tested alternative, keep an ad blocker on and never install software a streaming site asks for.