Honestly, trying to track down a legal stream of Steins;Gate can feel like you’re actually stuck in a shifting world line. One day it’s on Netflix, the next it’s gone. You check Crunchyroll, and only the sequel is there. It’s a mess.
If you’ve heard the hype about a microwave that sends texts to the past and a "mad scientist" named Okabe, you're probably itching to start. But since the Sony merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll, the licensing has been... weird.
Where can I watch Steins Gate in the US?
For those in the United States, your best bet is almost always Crunchyroll. They generally hold the keys to the kingdom for the original 24-episode series. You can find it there in Japanese with subtitles.
Here is the kicker: the English dub—which is actually legendary because of J. Michael Tatum’s performance—isn't always available on the same platform as the sub.
Currently, Hulu often carries the first season of Steins;Gate. It’s a bit of a legacy contract thing. If you already have a Hulu sub, check there first before paying for another service.
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- Crunchyroll: Best for the original series (Subbed) and the sequel Steins;Gate 0.
- Hulu: Usually has the first season (Sub/Dub varies by month).
- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy the episodes individually if you’re a completionist who hates the "now you see it, now you don't" nature of streaming licenses.
The international struggle (UK, Canada, and Australia)
If you're in the UK, things are even more annoying. Netflix UK used to be the home for the Future Gadget Lab crew, but they purged it a while back.
Crunchyroll remains the global giant here. In Canada and Australia, the story is largely the same. If it’s not on your local Netflix, Crunchyroll is the fallback.
Some fans swear by using a VPN to hop over to Japan or different European regions where Netflix still has the rights. Is it a bit of a hassle? Yeah. Does it work? Usually. Just remember that Netflix has been cracking down on those digital leaps lately.
What about the movie and the OVAs?
Watching the main show is one thing. Finding the rest is a scavenger hunt.
The movie, Load Region of Déjà Vu, is notoriously hard to find on standard subscription services. You might have to rent it on Apple TV or Amazon.
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Then there’s the "Episode 23β" (Missing Link). This is a special episode that acts as a bridge to Steins;Gate 0.
You absolutely need to watch this before starting the sequel, or you’ll be lost. Most of the time, Crunchyroll tucks this away as a "special" or at the very end of the Season 1 list. Look closely.
Don't ignore the Visual Novel
Look, the anime is a 10/10 masterpiece. I’ll fight anyone on that.
But if you really want the full "I haven't slept in three days because I'm worried about Mayuri" experience, the Visual Novel (VN) is on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
The VN has multiple endings. The anime only follows the "True End."
If you finish the show and feel a void in your soul, buying the game is the only way to fill it. Plus, you get way more of the pseudo-science and "Operation Skuld" details that the show had to trim for time.
Why the licensing is such a nightmare
It basically comes down to who bought whom.
When Sony (who owns Funimation) bought Crunchyroll, they started moving everything to the Crunchyroll app.
But old contracts with Hulu and Netflix don't just vanish.
That’s why you’ll see Steins;Gate 0 on one app but the original on another. It’s corporate red tape at its finest.
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If you are a hardcore fan, honestly? Buy the Blu-rays.
The "Anime Classics" versions are usually pretty cheap—around $25 to $40.
Streaming services are great until they decide to delete your favorite show at 2:00 AM on a Tuesday. Physical media doesn't have geo-blocks.
A quick note on the watch order
Don't let the internet confuse you with "chronological" orders.
Watch the original series (Episodes 1-24) first.
Then watch the OVA (Episode 25).
Then the movie.
Then watch Episode 23β and move into Steins;Gate 0.
Doing it "chronologically" on your first watch ruins the pacing. Trust me.
To get started right now, check your Hulu or Crunchyroll apps and search for the title exactly. If you don't see the original series, it might be hidden under a "Seasons" dropdown menu on the Steins;Gate 0 page.
Check your current subscriptions for "Steins" before buying anything new. If all else fails, the Steam version of the game is frequently on sale for under $15 during seasonal events.