5 Best Places to Watch Spanish Anime Online in 2023
Many people try their hand at learning Japanese through anime, sometimes quite successfully!
But did you know that you can also use anime to improve your Spanish?
That’s right—with modern technology and a variety of websites, finding Spanish anime has never been easier.
And today, I’m going to introduce you to five of these cheap and easy-to-use streaming resources, plus five must-use tips for learning Spanish with anime.
One of the most popular anime sites of all time, Crunchyroll offers anime shows, news, games and mangas all in one place.
You can change the subtitles and/or audio to Spanish and even Spain or Latin American Spanish specifically for many series.
Plus, Crunchyroll’s ad-free premium membership is very affordable and allows you to view simulcasts straight from Japan as soon as one hour after they’re broadcasted.
With Crunchyroll, you can start streaming popular animes worldwide like “Dr. Stone” and “Hell’s Paradise” while learning Spanish at the same time. It’s a win-win!
Plus, you won’t have to wait forever for the dubs of new and ongoing animes to be released, because Funimation dubs animes within two weeks of their broadcasting in Japan.
If you prefer watching anime on your phone, they have an app you can download on iOS and Android devices with all the same benefits.
The best part is that you can search by language (for both audio and subtitles), so you don’t have to waste time scrolling through tons of series to find what you’re looking for.
Keep in mind, however, that not all videos are uploaded legally onto YouTube. Look for the verified checkmark next to the channel’s name for official anime channels.
You’re also likely to find channels and playlists that have a collection of Spanish anime clips (and maybe even full episodes), which makes learning Spanish with anime easier and completely free.
How to Learn Spanish with Spanish Anime
Watch shows you’ve already seen in English
If you’re an anime lover, odds are you’ve already watched a handful of series.
When you want to turn anime into a Spanish learning resource, you’ll have better luck learning and understanding anime that you’ve already seen in English instead of starting a completely new series.
If you’re already familiar with the storyline, characters and quotable lines, you won’t spend as much time trying to figure everything out in another language. Instead, you can just focus on what’s being said and on picking up new vocabulary.
Sentence mine episodes to compile a vocabulary list
Speaking of picking up new vocabulary, the best way to do so is by using a technique called sentence mining.
Sentence mining is when you pause the show you’re watching to write down and learn each sentence you struggle to understand.
Even if there’s just one word you don’t know, it’s always best to write down the entire sentence so you have some context that teaches you how to use it properly.
Keep a notebook with you (or keep a Google Doc open) when you’re watching anime or other shows in Spanish so you have a quick and easy way to organize your notes and jot down new vocab and sentence structures.
Try to find anime with Spanish audio and subtitles
You can learn Spanish with anime in a few ways, such as switching the subtitles to Spanish even if the audio is in another language, switching the audio to Spanish with English subtitles or just finding a Spanish dubbed version.
However, to get the best results, I suggest finding an anime that lets you change both the audio and subtitles into Spanish. This way, you can listen, read and sentence mine Spanish all in the same study session.
Download a Spanish dictionary app
When watching Spanish anime, a dictionary app or translation website is absolutely essential. You’ll need to use it any time you come across a new word while sentence mining.
Plus, tools like Google Translate can help you navigate sentence structure. Sometimes, you’ll find you understand all the words in a sentence, but you can’t decipher the meaning because you don’t know why the words are ordered in a specific way.
Simply run it through the translator and you’ll see what it means and, oftentimes, discover a new Spanish sentence structure (just remember, translation tools aren’t always perfect).
Shadow episodes to improve speaking and listening skills
Shadowing is when you repeat everything you hear as soon as you hear it. As a result, your listening comprehension and speaking skills improve. Shadowing requires intense focus on what’s being said, and the ability to quickly recall it.
While you watch an anime series in Spanish, you can echo the audio to work on your language skills (and maybe your dramatic acting skills, too!).
With these five resources, you’re bound to become a better Spanish speaker while enjoying some anime binge sessions.
Whether you’re watching clips or full episodes, I’m sure you’ll end up with a long list of new vocab soon!