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trace.moe

trace.moe

From $1/mo Free plan WebAPIBrowser extension
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Spec score 7.6 #21 of 31 in AI Reverse Image Search Tools

What it is

trace.moe searches anime scenes from screenshots and can identify a title, episode, and timestamp, then show a short preview to help confirm a match. It is for finding a scene rather than watching anime; access to the original video is limited to a few seconds. The search compares image colors and patterns using content-based retrieval, so it is designed for close matches rather than heavily altered screenshots. Crops, flips, rotations, strong filters, dark scenes, large text, and low-detail images can cause searches to fail; the FAQ recommends images at least 320×180 pixels. Its index covers officially published TV, web, DVD, and Blu-ray anime, with most Japanese anime since 2000 represented, though coverage is incomplete for some series. The service is available on the web, through an API, and as official screenshot-search extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. Other official tools include a Telegram bot and an MCP server. Uploaded search images are deleted immediately according to the terms. The free service has no ads and is funded by donations; GitHub Sponsors plans offer daily API quotas and varying search priority.

Spec sheet

Purpose
trace.moe searches anime scenes from screenshots and can identify the anime, episode, and exact timestamp, with a short preview to verify results.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Privacy
The terms page states that images uploaded to the search engine are deleted immediately.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Support
The maker directs users with questions or feedback to its Discord or Telegram communities.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Browser integrations
Official screenshot-search extensions are listed for Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Indexed content
The index covers officially published TV, web, DVD, and Blu-ray anime; most Japanese anime since 2000 are indexed, with incomplete coverage for some series.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Legal policy
The terms describe a process for reporting copyright infringement and say repeat infringers' accounts may be disabled or terminated.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
MCP capabilities
The MCP server supports searches by image URL, local image file, base64 image, vector, or anime name, and can report account quota.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Minimum image guidance
The FAQ recommends images of at least 320×180 pixels for effective searching.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Not for streaming
The site says it is not for watching anime and limits access to the original video to a few seconds of preview.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Other integrations
Official apps include a Telegram bot and an MCP server; the API documentation and source code are also linked for developers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Search limitations
Search is designed for almost-exact matches, and crops, flips, rotations, strong filters, dark scenes, large text, or low-detail images can cause failures.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
Search method
The service uses content-based image retrieval that compares image colors and patterns rather than neural-network image understanding.Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe

Plans and prices

Free Free Free service · no ads · operational costs funded by donations Read 7 Oct 2026 · trace.moe
GitHub Sponsors — $1/month $1 a month $1 a month 1,000 API search quota per day · medium search priority Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub Sponsors — $5/month $5 a month $5 a month 5,000 API search quota per day · medium search priority Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub Sponsors — $10/month $10 a month $10 a month 10,000 API search quota per day · higher search priority Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub Sponsors — $20/month $20 a month $20 a month 20,000 API search quota per day · higher search priority · 2 concurrent search Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub Sponsors — $50/month $50 a month $50 a month 50,000 API search quota per day · higher search priority · 3 concurrent search Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub Sponsors — $100/month $100 a month $100 a month 100,000 API search quota per day · highest search priority · 4 concurrent search Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every trace.moe plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Identifies anime title, episode, and timestamp
  • Provides a short preview to verify results
  • Available through web, API, and browser extensions
  • Uploaded search images are deleted immediately
  • Free service has no ads

Limits

  • Not intended for watching anime
  • Original video access is limited to a few seconds
  • Altered or low-detail screenshots can fail
  • Coverage is incomplete for some series

Who it suits

trace.moe suits people trying to identify an anime scene from a near-exact screenshot. Developers can also use its API or MCP server, while browser users can choose a listed extension.

Verdict

trace.moe is a source-finding tool for anime screenshots, not a streaming service. Results depend on a close match in its index, so image alterations and gaps in series coverage matter.

Where Specifiction places it

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