To download videos on Pixiv, you need a browser extension that adds a download button directly to the artwork page. This is the most straightforward way to save Pixiv's animated illustrations, known as Ugoira, for offline viewing.
What you need to download videos on Pixiv
Pixiv videos are actually "Ugoira", animated illustrations composed of multiple frames. The platform does not provide a built-in download button for these files, so saving them requires an unofficial third-party tool. Browser extensions designed for this purpose integrate directly into your browser, allowing you to download videos on Pixiv as standard video files.
Install a Pixiv downloader browser extension
Verified extensions such as Pixiv Toolkit Next are available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. After installing the extension from your browser's official store, it automatically adds a download button to every Pixiv artwork page that contains an animation or video. No additional configuration is needed, the extension works as soon as it is installed.
Download the Ugoira animation as MP4 or GIF
- Navigate to the Pixiv artwork page containing the Ugoira you want to save.
- Click the extension's download button that now appears on the page, then choose your preferred output format (MP4, WebM, AVI, or GIF).
The extension handles the conversion automatically, delivering the file directly to your browser's downloads folder.
Important rules for downloading from Pixiv
Using downloaders or crawlers to download a large amount of content or to place an excessive load on Pixiv's servers is prohibited and may lead to account restrictions or bans. You are solely responsible for any copyright infringement resulting from files you download using third-party software. Always respect the original creator's rights and use downloaded content only for personal, offline viewing.
