An AniAPI alternative
AniAPI was a popular free anime REST API. It has been discontinued, so apps built on it need a replacement. Which one fits depends on what you used it for.
What happened to AniAPI
AniAPI offered anime metadata and episode information through a free REST API. The project has been shut down and its API no longer answers, which is common for free, volunteer-run anime APIs: hosting costs and upkeep add up.
Pick a replacement by use case
| You need | Good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Metadata from MyAnimeList | Jikan | Free, no key, mirrors MyAnimeList data |
| Metadata, user lists, GraphQL | AniList | Free GraphQL API with detailed data |
| Metadata with JSON:API | Kitsu | Free, includes links to official streaming services |
| Search plus playable episodes | AnimeDoc | Hosted streaming API with media sources and a stream proxy |
Many apps combine them: AniList or Jikan for rich metadata and user lists, and AnimeDoc for search and playback. See the full comparison.
What AnimeDoc offers instead
- A hosted API you don't run yourself, with an API key and a free plan.
- Search across anime, animation, movies and series.
- Episode lists, video sources in several resolutions, and subtitles.
- Documented rate limits and error codes, so you know what to expect.
Honest limits: AnimeDoc is a paid product beyond the free tier, it's closed source, and its catalog depends on its content providers, so titles can change.