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Do you prefer streaming or downloading anime content?

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Dec 1, 12:00 PM
#1

Online
Jul 2013
13099
I prefer downloading it, because the streams tend to be of low-quality. And the downloaded anime files are of higher-quality (better resolution, better image/sound quality) than the streaming services. Of course, it is best to download anime files without DRM. The DRM anime downloads are rather annoying (for obvious reasons).

So do you prefer streaming anime on your web browser? Or would you rather download it directly onto your device's hard drives, memory sticks and other digital storage devices? I prefer downloading anime over streaming it......
Dec 1, 12:07 PM
#2

Offline
Sep 2016
23660
Downloading, so that I can watch with a superior customized video player of choice.
*kappa*
Dec 1, 12:13 PM
#3

Offline
Oct 2025
275
I prefer streaming.

I just be chilling.
Somebody kiss Potato. D:<
Dec 1, 12:15 PM
#4

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Zarutaku
Downloading, so that I can watch with a superior customized video player of choice.
@Zarutaku which video player do you use? I use VLC Player.....
Dec 1, 12:21 PM
#5

Offline
Sep 2016
23660
Reply to DesuMaiden
@Zarutaku which video player do you use? I use VLC Player.....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLC_media_player
*kappa*
Dec 1, 12:27 PM
#6

Offline
Sep 2023
103
Depends on the anime:
  • If it's from before the mid 2000s, I stream on a pirate site because I don't care that much about video quality for those. I didn't have 1080p Doraemon or Shin-chan episodes when I was 6. CRTs weren't in HD either (at least not mine).
  • If it's an anime from the digital display era onward, I download so I can get the best video quality that I can, and I watch with VLC.
Dec 1, 12:31 PM
#7

Online
Jul 2013
13099
@Zarutaku VLC Player is the only video player I recommend. I don't recommend the Windows Movie Player because it is of bad-quality. VLC Player is relatively easy to install.....VLC Player works with most anime codecs, I have never seen it not work with any of the anime video files I downloaded.....
Dec 1, 2:06 PM
#8

Offline
Feb 2025
33
Do you prefer streaming or downloading anime content?

I prefer streaming.
Dec 1, 2:14 PM
#9

Offline
Dec 2018
1847
I prefer watching on the TV if I can, or streaming on piracy sites if it isn't available on tv

Dec 1, 2:21 PM

Offline
Nov 2018
16
I almost always download because I get superior quality and usually superior subbing too (although I've been watching a lot raw recently)
Dec 1, 2:22 PM

Online
Dec 2021
4203
I just do as I do, and that's what I do.

Dec 1, 5:45 PM
Offline
Nov 2025
121
Downloading gives more freedom, I like to use headphones and to customise the sound with EQ and virtual soundstage, which I can do with VLC.
Also, I usually prefer dub, but for stories with a gamification system in the dub version the stuff in the status window is not translated, so I download the dubbed and the hard-subbed version, and with VLC I can sync them so that I have the video of the hard-subbed but the audio of the dubbed.
I only stream when the only version available is a normal sub, as usually the subs don't work in the downloaded version (not from the sources I use).
Dec 1, 5:52 PM

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Sep 2018
14732
I download my anime to watch offline with no lag.
Dec 1, 5:58 PM

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Aug 2023
62
Streaming, i dont mind quality issues as long as its not to the point of it being unwatchable, and i tend to try and minimize too much storage usage.

電気式音楽集団
Dec 1, 7:37 PM

Offline
Aug 2015
1861
Reply to DesuMaiden
@Zarutaku VLC Player is the only video player I recommend. I don't recommend the Windows Movie Player because it is of bad-quality. VLC Player is relatively easy to install.....VLC Player works with most anime codecs, I have never seen it not work with any of the anime video files I downloaded.....
@DesuMaiden MPV is way better than VLC. Have you ever had problems with video playback getting ultra slow during certain subtitles? (well, assuming that you prefer subs).
Dec 1, 8:13 PM

Offline
Oct 2013
902
Streaming, having to wait for a download takes awhile and takes a lot of space
Dec 1, 8:40 PM

Offline
Nov 2025
3
Prefer Downloading, idk for other people but i just don't want a small internet connection problem interrupted my experience.
Dec 1, 9:14 PM
Nostalgia Rules!

Offline
Jun 2008
15899
Streaming is probably the way I watch anime the most these days, second would be buying DVDs and blu-rays of the stuff I like. 💸💸💸
Dec 2, 9:14 AM

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to m0llerz
Streaming, having to wait for a download takes awhile and takes a lot of space
@m0llerz downloading anime is fast, if you have a fast Internet connection. And digital storage space is cheap, in 2025.
Dec 2, 12:33 PM

Offline
Aug 2019
3
ive been living with the worst internet of all time for about a year now so i just download things while i sleep. i used to stream but i dont think id go back to it even with better internet on the horizon, i heart keeping those thangs on me !!!!!
Dec 3, 5:32 AM
Offline
Nov 2021
1041
I prefer to stream anime don't want to catch any virus on my computer.
Dec 3, 5:39 AM

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Joubin
I prefer to stream anime don't want to catch any virus on my computer.
@Kiss94 what makes you think there are viruses in downloads?
Dec 3, 6:09 AM

Offline
Aug 2018
629
Streaming, although, if it's an anime movie then i download it.



Why do you hate cats?

Dec 4, 9:00 AM

Offline
May 2018
1733
Streaming cause I'm lazy and don't use a PC most days. I could try to make a nice little torrent mediaplayer setup but too busy and not that interested in doing that. I got great internet so not a lot of quality drops when I watch shows so I'm good for now
Yesterday, 2:27 PM

Offline
Dec 2017
190
I prefer streaming - since downloading can be a bit sketchy sometimes xD

And it is just quicker for me to be able to jump between watching stuff witout having to worry about having downloaded it or not at the time.

End comment.

Yesterday, 2:36 PM

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Fish4Seagulls
I prefer streaming - since downloading can be a bit sketchy sometimes xD

And it is just quicker for me to be able to jump between watching stuff witout having to worry about having downloaded it or not at the time.

End comment.
@Fish4Seagulls you don't need to be tech savvy to download anime btw. Surely that should be obvious......
Yesterday, 6:06 PM

Offline
Aug 2017
1457
If available on legit streaming services, stream. If not, download. I used to be stream for both until I figured out how to torrent, and since then I've never gone back.
Some of you never watched Bakugan Battle Brawlers on TeleToon in 2008 and it shows.
Yesterday, 6:18 PM

Online
Sep 2023
31
I've been downloading at 2 years ( I think more practical than stream if you net is bad )
Yesterday, 6:27 PM

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to ryan77999
If available on legit streaming services, stream. If not, download. I used to be stream for both until I figured out how to torrent, and since then I've never gone back.
@ryan77999 i don't torrent. I do direct downloads for my anime content.....
Yesterday, 6:39 PM

Offline
Apr 2018
1146
Between the two options, I prefer downloading anime. Torrents, in particular. I also like getting Blu-rays when they're available, especially since I love physical media, but for the most part my default is to torrent everything.
Yesterday, 11:36 PM
Offline
Dec 2025
16
Downloading because it will always be there and streaming is getting very expensive these days
Today, 12:58 AM

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Purple_Gh0st24
Between the two options, I prefer downloading anime. Torrents, in particular. I also like getting Blu-rays when they're available, especially since I love physical media, but for the most part my default is to torrent everything.
@Purple_Gh0st24 you do know that it is possible to have direct downloads of anime, without relying on torrents? I typically don't torrent anime, I do direct downloads instead.
8 hours ago

Offline
Apr 2018
1146
Reply to DesuMaiden
@Purple_Gh0st24 you do know that it is possible to have direct downloads of anime, without relying on torrents? I typically don't torrent anime, I do direct downloads instead.
@DesuMaiden Oh yes, I am aware. I just personally don't like direct downloads as much. That said, I did directly download Evangelion off of Reddit some years ago.
7 hours ago

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Purple_Gh0st24
@DesuMaiden Oh yes, I am aware. I just personally don't like direct downloads as much. That said, I did directly download Evangelion off of Reddit some years ago.
@Purple_Gh0st24 of course, torrents only work if there are other people seeding the files. Direct downloads don't require seeders for the downloads to work btw.
7 hours ago

Offline
Feb 2024
556
Streaming anime is for turbo-normies.
7 hours ago

Online
Jul 2013
13099
Reply to Cybercat2000
Streaming anime is for turbo-normies.
@Cybercat2000 are you ever afraid of the streams permanently going offline, meaning you won't be able to watch it without downloading it directly onto your devices?

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