How to Watch Anime in 4K & Upscale Anime to 4K
- Last updated on 2025-03-12
Table Of Content
Introduction
Anime has become a global phenomenon, but not all content is available in 4K UHD anime quality. Many classic and even modern anime are still produced in 1080p HD, making it difficult for fans to experience their favorite shows in ultra-high resolution.
This is where AI anime upscaling tools come in. These advanced solutions can upscale anime to 4K, enhancing clarity, color vibrancy, and detail—giving you a near-native 4K anime experience without the need for official 4K releases.
In this guide, we’ll introduce the best 4K anime streaming platforms and the top 5 AI upscalers to help you watch anime in the highest quality possible.
Where to Watch Anime in 4K
Most anime is traditionally produced in 1080p Full HD, as 4K anime production requires higher costs. However, as demand for high-quality anime grows, more 4K anime streaming platforms have begun offering content in Ultra HD.
4K Anime Streaming Platforms
Many popular streaming platforms offer 4K anime streaming, though availability may vary by region. If you're looking for where to watch anime in 4K, consider these platforms that provide a dedicated Ultra HD anime section:
- Netflix – Offers select 4K anime movies and series, including HDR anime.
- Amazon Prime Video – Features 4K UHD anime, mostly in movie format.
- Hulu – Limited selection of high-quality anime titles in 4K HDR.
- Apple TV+ – Occasionally releases anime movies in 4K Ultra HD.
- MAX (formerly HBO Max) – Some Studio Ghibli films are available in 4K UHD anime.
- Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll) – May offer high-resolution anime in select regions.
4K Anime Website
Several 4K anime websites provide downloadable or streaming options for ultra-high-definition anime. Be sure to check legal sources to support the anime industry.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a 4K Anime Steaming Platform
While these platforms support 4K anime streaming, availability varies by region, and not all anime titles are available in true 4K resolution.
- Check Regional Availability – Licensing restrictions affect the 4K anime library in different countries.
- Confirm Native 4K vs. Upscaled 4K – Some platforms upscale anime instead of offering native 4K UHD anime.
- Look for HDR Support – Some anime movies come with HDR10 or Dolby Vision, enhancing colors and contrast.
Even if your preferred anime isn’t available in native 4K, don’t worry! Next, we’ll explore AI anime upscalers that can transform any HD anime into stunning 4K quality.
How to Upscale Anime to 4K
1. UniFab Video Upscaler AI
UniFab Video Upscaler AI is the perfect solution for upscaling anime to stunning 4K/8K/16K resolution. Powered by advanced animation AI models, it uses cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to meticulously analyze and enhance video content. The tool intelligently detects and resolves issues such as compression artifacts, detail loss, noise, over-sharpening halos, jagged edges, and blurriness, delivering significantly improved video quality.
Price: 30-day Free Trial without watermark; Year license: $69.99; Lifetime license: $139.99
Supported Platforms: Windows & Mac
Performance
Effect
- Clarity Enhancement: Significantly smooths out textures, providing a clean, modern look.
- Detail Enrichment: Recover subtle details in both backgrounds and characters.
- Edge Restoration: Sharpen lines and edges to make characters and scenes more defined.
- Color Accuracy: Fine-tune colors to enhance the anime style without causing distortion.
Step By Step Guide to Upscale Anime to 4K
30-day Free Trial with full feature access!
Choose 'Upscaler' Module and Load Source
Open UniFab, click ‘All Features’ and locate the 'Upscaler' module. Then, click the "+" Video button to import the anime you intend to upscale to 4K.
Choose 4K resolution and Animation Model
Select the "Animation Model", and adjust parameters such as resolution, quality, audio, codec, output format, and more options to achieve the desired output.
Initiate the Upscaling Process
After fine-tuning all preferences, click the 'Start' button to upscale anime to 4K.
Pros
Renders excellent results for different types of anime videos.
Offers a 30-day free trial to enjoy the software without any upper limits.
A straightforward interface makes it the perfect choice for novice users.
Advanced GPU hardware enhances video enhancement speed by 50 times.
Supports built-in editing features like trimming to customize the video.
Cons
Currently, Linux is not supported.
2. Topaz Video Enhance AI
Topaz Video Enhance AI is a versatile software, particularly adept at upscaling various types of videos, including anime, to stunning 4K quality. Powered by deep machine learning, this software intelligently enhances low-resolution videos, providing incredible detail.
Price: $299 lifetime for 1 PC
Supported Platforms: Windows & Mac
Performance
Effect
- Color Adjustment: The colors are more vibrant, and the subject looks sharper and more defined.
- Clarity Enhancement: Background elements maintain a good level of clarity.
- Artificial Appearance: The overall appearance is slightly artificial, with some noticeable artifacts on the edges.
Pros
Utilizing temporally aware facial recognition technology, it automatically adjusts corrections for sprawling landscapes or intricate portraits.
It generates new frames, ensuring smooth transitions between different frame rates.
Offers different AI models to cater to various video-enhancing requirements of users.
Trained with extensive video frames, it distinguishes between noise and detail, precisely recognizing people and faces.
Cons
You cannot remove the watermark from images and videos in the trial version.
Has high hardware support requirements.
3. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI, utilizes machine learning to upscale anime and other videos to ultra-high-definition 4K resolution. With its AI-powered capabilities, AVCLabs' video enhancer revitalizes old animation videos, improving overall quality and clarity for modern viewing experiences.
Price: $39.95 per month, $119.95 per year, and $299.90 for perpetual plan of 1 PC.
Supported Platforms: Windows & Mac
Performance
Effect
- Edge Clarity: Sharpness is improved, with edge definition.
- Color Accuracy: Color remains faithful to the original.
Pros
It helps perfectly balance contrast, brightness, and saturation levels.
Banks on state-of-the-art AI algorithms for eliminating shakes caused by shaky camera movements.
User-friendly interface makes it the perfect choice for novice and advanced users.
Compatible with different video formats and content sources.
Cons
The output quality might not match that of native 4K content.
The processing time for rendering high-resolution output is substantially high.
4. HitPaw Video Enhancer
HitPaw Video Enhancer is a readymade solution to upscale anime files to 4K resolution effortlessly from lower resolutions such as 480p or 720p. Its exclusive AI model is tailored explicitly to repair animation videos, ensure perfect clarity, and present stunning AI-upscaled anime.
Price:
$42.99 per month, $99.99 per year, and $349.99 for a perpetual plan of 1 PC for Windows.
The Mac version costs $69.99 per month, $109.99 per year, and $349.99 for the perpetual plan of 1 PC.
Supported Platforms: Windows & Mac
Performance
Effect
- Balanced Enhancement: Very balanced enhancement, retaining both texture and color accuracy.
- Detail Preservation: The image appears well-preserved without over-enhancement of details.
- Flat Background: Some background elements might still seem a little flat, lacking depth, especially compared to the main subject.
Pros
Advanced AI algorithms help fix glitches by bringing new life into old anime videos.
Can upscale anime videos to up to 8K quality.
Easy interface is perfect for first-time users.
Retains the original quality while lessening pixelation.
Cons
It has very high system requirements.
The time taken for the video process is extremely lengthy.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro has AI features that can help unlock creativity as you upscale anime videos to 4K resolution. The superb combination of a non-linear editing interface and a top-notch tool set has helped Adobe Premiere Pro become the top choice for professional-level video editors.
Price: $32.99/month & $100.95/year
Supported Platforms: Windows & Mac
Pros
You can easily smoothen bumpy videos using the Warp Stabilize feature.
Offers collaboration with Creative Cloud Libraries to organize online assets.
Supports various export formats like AVCHD, MPEG, and more.
Filler-word detection feature helps overcome verbal stumbles.
Cons
Interface is intimidating for novice users.
You must install additional apps like Media Encoder & After Effects to avail of most of its features.
Conclusion
The demand for high-quality anime experiences continues growing, with enthusiasts seeking the best viewing options. Today, we have answered your common question about how to watch anime in 4k with AI video enhancers so that fans can immerse themselves fully in their favorite shows, regardless of where or how they choose to watch.
FAQs of Watching Anime in 4K
How can I watch anime in 4K quality?
You can watch anime in 4K quality by using streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Crunchyroll that offer 4K anime content. Alternatively, you can upscale anime to 4K using AI upscaling tools like UniFab Video Upscaler.
Can you upscale anime to 4K?
To upscale anime to 4K, you can use AI-powered tools like UniFab Video Upscaler. For a detailed guide and the best AI tools available, check out this article: Anime 4K Upscaler.
How to upscale anime movies to 4K?
To upscale anime films to 4K, use AI-powered tools like UniFab Video Upscaler. Its Animation Model is specifically designed for animated content, ensuring high-quality upscaling while preserving vibrant details and colors. For more information, check out: How to Upscale Movie to 4K.