M
API Matrix

Kitsu API

Anime / OAuth Advanced HTTPS CORS
Varies by plan (check documentation)
25 Score
Grade F
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

Kitsu is a JSON:API-compliant anime and manga tracking platform that lets you search titles, manage user libraries, and fetch detailed series metadata. While powerful, its OAuth 2.0 requirement makes it more appropriate for building full applications than quick experiments. Beginners who already understand OAuth can use it to build anime tracker or recommendation apps.

💡

Beginner Tip

You can search anime and manga without authentication using GET /anime?filter[text]=. Only write operations (saving to user library) require OAuth. Explore the unauthenticated endpoints first.

Available Data

anime/manga title
episode count
airing status
synopsis
rating score
genre list

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "id": 1,
  "title": "Attack on Titan",
  "episodes": 75,
  "status": "Finished Airing",
  "score": 8.5,
  "genres": [
    "Action",
    "Drama",
    "Fantasy"
  ],
  "synopsis": "In a world where humanity lives within enormous walled cities..."
}

Field Reference

id Unique Kitsu identifier for the anime resource.
attributes.canonicalTitle The official primary title of the anime.
attributes.averageRating Community average rating as a percentage string (e.g. "84.17").
attributes.episodeCount Total number of episodes in the series.
attributes.synopsis Plot description of the anime.
attributes.status Current status: current, finished, tba, unreleased, or upcoming.

Implementation Example 

const url = "https://kitsu.docs.apiary.io/";
// Replace headers or query params with the values required by this API.
const response = await fetch(url, {
  headers: {
  "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  }
});
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

401 Unauthorized Trying to access a user-specific endpoint without a valid OAuth token.
✓ Use client credentials flow for public data or follow the OAuth 2.0 authorization code flow for user data.
400 Bad Request Malformed JSON:API filter or include parameters.
✓ Check the Kitsu API docs for correct filter syntax, e.g. ?filter[text]=naruto not ?q=naruto.
404 Not Found Invalid resource ID or the anime/manga does not exist in Kitsu database.
✓ Search by title first to find the correct Kitsu ID, then use it for direct lookups.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 0/30
⚡ Speed 2/20
🔒 Security 15/15
🛠 Developer XP 8/20
✓ Reliability 0/15

Partially tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth OAuth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS YES
Category Anime
Difficulty Advanced
Verified: 2026-04-04

Recipes Using Kitsu

Build something with this API. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and code outlines.

Intermediate 4-5 hours

Build an Anime Recommendation Engine

2 APIs

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