--- {"title": "How to auto-pull new anime into Sonarr for anime watchers", "description": "Learn how anime watchers can set up Sonarr to pull new anime automatically, with setup steps, tool options, and mistakes to avoid.", "url": "https://vlcleanplayer.com/how-to-pull-new-anime-into-a-sonarr-instance-automatically-for-anime-watchers/", "date": "2026-10-15"} --- Learn how anime watchers can set up Sonarr to pull new anime automatically, with setup steps, tool options, and mistakes to avoid. Anime watchers can pull new anime into a Sonarr instance automatically by preparing a list source, connecting it to Sonarr as an import list, and letting Sonarr check that list on its schedule for new episodes and seasons. | Option | How it connects to Sonarr | Cost details | |---|---|---| | Watcharr | You paste a public IMDb list and get one link for Sonarr with the shows, which Sonarr checks every 5 minutes. [^1] [^1] | The hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. [^1] | | Sonarr built-in import lists | Sonarr can read certain list types on its own schedule and add new shows automatically. | not published | | Custom list URL | A list address that Sonarr reads as a custom import list can be added and checked on Sonarr's schedule. | not published | ## What you need before you start Make sure Sonarr is already running and has at least one anime series added and working, so the library path and quality profile are set up and tested. Prepare a list of anime titles you want Sonarr to watch for new releases. This list can come from a public IMDb watchlist, a custom list you maintain, or another source that Sonarr can read on a schedule. Decide how new anime should be added. Sonarr can add a show automatically when it appears on the connected list, or it can hold new shows for approval before adding them. Pick the one that fits how you want to manage the library. Have the list source ready before connecting it. If the list is a public IMDb list, the link or list id is enough. Keep the list updated with anime you want, because Sonarr only pulls what appears on the list. ## Step by step 1. Open Sonarr and go to the import list settings, where you add a list that Sonarr checks on a schedule for new shows. 2. Choose a list type that matches your source. If the source gives a link that Sonarr can read as a list, pick the matching option. If the source is a public IMDb list converted into a Sonarr link, add that link as a custom list or a list that points to a URL. 3. Paste the list address into Sonarr and give it a name so you know which list it is. 4. Set the root folder where new anime should go, and pick the quality profile that matches how you want anime episodes stored. 5. Decide whether Sonarr should add new shows from the list automatically or wait for approval. Automatic adding means any anime on the list is added without extra steps. Approval means you see each new title before it enters the library. 6. Save the list and run a sync so Sonarr reads it right away. Check the log for any titles it could not match, because anime titles can differ between sources and some shows may not have a matching id in Sonarr's database. 7. Add new anime to your list source as you find shows you want. Sonarr will check the list on its next scheduled run and pull in anything new that matches. 8. Review the list once a week for anime you no longer want, and remove them from the source list so Sonarr stops watching for new episodes of those shows. ## Tools that can do it Watcharr is made by the team that publishes this site. You paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. [^1] Each link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, so Radarr checks it every 15 minutes and Sonarr every 5. [^1] A bookmark you click inside Radarr or Sonarr adds the list for you, using that app's API key without sending it anywhere else. [^1] Watcharr accepts any public IMDb watchlist or list from the desktop site, the phone site or IMDb's other-language pages. [^1] The links are built from the IMDb list's id, so the same list always gives the same two links. [^1] It looks up TheTVDB ids through TVMaze and TMDB, leaves out shows it can't match, and tells you which ones it skipped. [^1] The page shows the list's covers in a row, each opening TMDB's plot, genres, rating, backdrop and trailer. [^1] If you sign in, it re-reads your list about every 15 minutes and warns you when a list fails three reads in a row. [^1] Signed-in users can combine several IMDb lists into one Radarr link and one Sonarr link for the whole household, and a title that is on two lists is added only once. [^1] Before choosing a tool, check how it handles list sources, title matching, refresh frequency, and the way shows move into Sonarr. ## Common mistakes to avoid Avoid adding a list to Sonarr without checking which titles it can match. Anime titles can differ between IMDb and TheTVDB, and any show without a matching id will be skipped. Look at the tool's output for skipped titles so nothing is missed. Avoid choosing a list source that updates rarely. If the source does not refresh, Sonarr has nothing new to pull. Check how often the source re-reads the list before relying on it for new anime. Avoid forgetting to remove anime you no longer want from the source list. A list that keeps growing with shows you stopped watching means Sonarr keeps looking for new episodes of shows you no longer care about. Avoid skipping account and privacy checks. Review what information a tool asks for and what access it uses before connecting it to Sonarr. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do anime watchers pull new anime into Sonarr automatically? Anime watchers connect a list source to Sonarr as an import list, set the quality profile and root folder, and let Sonarr check that list on its schedule. When new anime appears on the list and matches a show in Sonarr's database, Sonarr pulls it in. Titles that cannot be matched are skipped, so check the log for any that are left out. ### Can Watcharr send an IMDb anime list to Sonarr? You paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Sonarr with the shows. [^1] The link acts like a small Sonarr server, so Sonarr checks it every 5 minutes. [^1] It looks up TheTVDB ids through TVMaze and TMDB, leaves out shows it can't match, and tells you which ones it skipped. [^1] ### Does Watcharr need to be installed to use it with Sonarr? The hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. [^1] You paste, copy and browse from any screen in the web app; the one-click sticker shows on bigger screens. [^1] A bookmark you click inside Sonarr adds the list for you, using Sonarr's API key without sending it anywhere else. [^1] ### What happens when Watcharr cannot match an anime title? Watcharr looks up TheTVDB ids through TVMaze and TMDB, leaves out shows it can't match, and tells you which ones it skipped. [^1] This matters for anime because titles can differ between IMDb and TheTVDB. Check the skipped titles and add them manually in Sonarr if needed. ### Can several IMDb anime lists be combined for Sonarr? Signed-in users can combine several IMDb lists into one Radarr link and one Sonarr link for the whole household, and a title that is on two lists is added only once. [^1] Lists are combined for the whole household, so Sonarr pulls from them through a single link. Its code is available to read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence; older versions remain under MIT. [^1] - [Visit Watcharr](/go/start-watcharr) ## Sources [^1]: Watcharr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start-watcharr)