How to search a GIF
- Save the GIF to your device (or copy a direct link to it).
- Upload or paste it here — AniTrace searches using a frame from the GIF.
- If the first frame is a title card or transition, take a screenshot of a clearer moment and upload that instead.
How to search a TikTok, Reel, or YouTube Short
- Pause on a frame where the anime fills most of the screen.
- Wait for captions, stickers, and the app's buttons to disappear, or pick a moment with the least overlay.
- Take a screenshot and upload it here. On a phone, tap “Choose an image” and pick it from your gallery.
TipEdits are often zoomed, mirrored, or colour-graded. If you get no match, try a few different frames — one of them is usually close enough to the original.
Step-by-step phone instructions are in our mobile guide.
Why edits are harder to match
AMVs and TikTok edits often add zoom, speed ramps, glow, mirroring, or text. Each change moves the frame further from the original episode. The more “raw” the frame, the higher the similarity score — so pick the least edited moment you can find.
Frequently asked questions
Can I search with a GIF?
Yes. Upload the GIF file or paste a direct link to it, and AniTrace searches using a frame from it. If that frame is unclear, screenshot a better moment and search that.
Can I search with a video file?
Not directly — take a screenshot of a clear frame from the video and upload the screenshot.
How do I find the anime in a TikTok edit?
Pause on a clean frame with minimal captions, screenshot it, and upload it. If the edit is mirrored or heavily filtered, try several frames.