Anime piracy streaming platform Aniwave has officially shut down

AniWave, a popular free anime streaming site, has shut down, leaving a farewell letter on its homepage accompanied by the music video for Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again,” (perhaps hinting at a possible return?). This closure is part of a broader trend affecting several anime and movie piracy sites, though the specific reasons for Aniwave's shutdown remain undisclosed.

The farewell note from Aniwave encourages users to support anime creators through legal means but does not provide details about the shutdown's cause. The announcement has also been shared on Aniwave’s official Reddit thread to keep the community informed.

Before ceasing operations, Aniwave allowed users to back up their watchlists, offering multiple file formats for download. Users were instructed to move custom watchlist folders into default folders to ensure a smooth transfer. Detailed instructions were provided for exporting watchlists to MyAnimeList (MAL) and AniList, with the AniList process requiring additional steps due to file format differences. Aniwave has also recommended the MAL-Sync browser extension for seamless syncing of watchlists and viewing history across platforms. In response to the shutdown, the company suggested HiAnime as a comparable alternative for users seeking a similar experience.