ani-cli

Search anime by name

$ ani-cli "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-d|--download]] "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-d|--download]] [[-r|--range]] "[1 6]" "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-d|--download]] [[-r|--range]] "1 -1" "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-v|-vlc]] "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-e|--episode]] [episode_number] "[anime_name]"

$ ani-cli [[-c|--continue]]

$ ani-cli [[-U|--update]]

ani-cli [OPTIONS] [ANIME_TITLE]

-h, --help
    Display help message and exit.

-v, --version
    Show version information and exit.

-s SERVER, --server SERVER
    Specify the preferred streaming server (e.g., gogoanime, zoro).

-d, --download
    Download the selected episode instead of streaming it.

-q QUALITY, --quality QUALITY
    Set the desired video quality (e.g., 360p, 720p, 1080p).

-c, --crunchy
    Use Crunchyroll as the streaming server (may require premium subscription and authentication).

-r, --random
    Play a random episode from a specified anime or a random anime if no title is given.

-i, --info
    Display detailed information about an anime title.

-e EPISODE, --episode EPISODE
    Select a specific episode number to stream or download.

-p PLAYER, --player PLAYER
    Specify an alternative video player to mpv.

-l, --list
    List all available episodes for a given anime title.

-g, --gui
    Open the episode link in a web browser instead of streaming via mpv.

-n, --no-subs
    Disable subtitles for the selected episode.

-S, --skip-search
    Skip the search results if an exact anime title is provided, playing the first match directly.

-V, --verbose
    Enable verbose output for debugging and detailed progress information.

ani-cli is a powerful command-line interface (CLI) tool designed for streaming and downloading anime directly from the terminal. It provides a lightweight and efficient way to access a vast library of anime without the need for a web browser, relying on common external tools like mpv for video playback. Users can search for specific titles, browse episodes, and either play them instantly or download them for offline viewing. Its primary appeal lies in its minimalist interface and speed, making it suitable for users who prefer a terminal-centric workflow or want to consume media on systems without a full graphical environment. It typically scrapes content from various online anime streaming websites, allowing for server and quality selection to optimize the viewing experience.

Using ani-cli to access copyrighted content without proper authorization may carry legal risks. The tool relies on scraping external streaming websites, which can be unreliable, change their structure, or go offline, potentially breaking functionality. It is also subject to geographical restrictions imposed by content providers. Users should be aware that ani-cli is not typically available through official distribution package managers and often requires manual installation, along with dependencies like mpv, curl, and standard Unix utilities.

ani-cli is primarily distributed via its GitHub repository. Users typically clone the repository, make the main script executable, and place it in their system's PATH. It is also available via community-maintained packages for some distributions (e.g., AUR for Arch Linux).

The tool relies on several external programs for its functionality, including mpv (for video playback), curl (for network requests), and standard Unix utilities like grep, sed, and awk for parsing data. Optional dependencies like fzf can enhance interactive search and selection.

ani-cli emerged as an open-source project, primarily developed on GitHub, gaining popularity among command-line enthusiasts and anime fans seeking a lightweight alternative to browser-based streaming. Its development has been community-driven, with contributions focusing on improving site compatibility, adding new features like server selection and quality options, and refining the user experience within the terminal environment. It has evolved to support a growing number of anime sources and playback customization options since its initial release.

mpv(1), curl(1), yt-dlp(1)