🔑 How to get AniDB API access
AniDB uses registered client names instead of API keys — registration is free but its rate rules are strict.
- Create an AniDB account. Register at anidb.net.
- Register an API client. In your profile's API settings, register a client name and version for your project.
- Use the HTTP API for anime data. GET http://api.anidb.net:9001/httpapi?request=anime&client=YOURCLIENT&clientver=1&protover=1&aid=1 returns XML.
- Respect the limits. Hard limit: no more than one request every ~2 seconds, and aggressive caching is mandatory — abusive clients get banned.
📚 Documentation & Examples
Everything you need to integrate with AniDB
🚀 Quick Start Examples
// AniDB API Example
const response = await fetch('https://wiki.anidb.net/HTTP_API_Definition', {
method: 'GET',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
});
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);The Anime Database API provides developers with an extensive resource for accessing a wide array of information related to anime titles, characters, episodes, and much more. This API is particularly beneficial for integrating anime data into applications, allowing users to effortlessly retrieve detailed information on their favorite series, discover new titles, and explore comprehensive metadata. By referencing the official documentation available at AniDB HTTP API Definition, developers can understand the various endpoints and parameters required to perform effective queries, making it an invaluable tool for anime enthusiasts and application creators alike.
Utilizing the Anime Database API comes with numerous advantages that enhance user experience and expand functionality within your applications. Here are five key benefits of using this API:
- Access to an extensive library of anime titles and metadata.
- Real-time updates and comprehensive anime information.
- User-friendly interface for easy integration into existing projects.
- Support for displaying character, episode, and review details.
- Facilitation of discovering trends and popular series through rich data sets.
Here's a simple JavaScript code example demonstrating how to call the Anime Database API:
const fetchAnimeData = async (animeId) => {
const apiUrl = `https://api.anidb.net/anime/${animeId}`;
try {
const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error('Error fetching anime data:', error);
}
};
// Replace '12345' with a valid anime ID
fetchAnimeData(12345);
How to Access the AniDB HTTP API
AniDB doesn't use a typical API key — instead you register a client (an app name plus version number) and send those on every request.
- Create a free account at anidb.net and verify it.
- Register a client under your profile (Add Project → add a new HTTP client) to reserve a client name string, e.g.
myanimeapp. - Use that name as
clientand an integerclientverin your requests.
The base endpoint is http://api.anidb.net:9001/httpapi. Required parameters are request, client, clientver, and protover=1:
http://api.anidb.net:9001/httpapi?request=anime&client=myanimeapp&clientver=1&protover=1&aid=1
Respect AniDB's flood limits — send no more than one request every few seconds and cache results, or your IP/client can be temporarily banned.
Security Assessment
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AniDB API free?
Yes — but you must register a client name, cache heavily, and stay under roughly one request per two seconds or risk a ban.
What are alternatives to the AniDB API?
Jikan (unofficial MyAnimeList API, free), AniList GraphQL API (free), and Kitsu API — all easier to start with than AniDB's XML/UDP APIs.
