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Anime shows rose to prominence in the ’80 and ’90s, and thanks to a solid fanbase, the genre is still going strong. But for those fans who don’t have Netflix, or may not be familiar with streaming platform Crunchyroll, you can also catch your favorite anime shows streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Sling TV.
If you’re not signed up for one (or more) of those platforms, you won’t have to break the bank to access plenty of TV shows and movies. Hulu’s monthly subscription is just $5.99 (with ads), or $13.99 for ad-free streaming. There’s also an option to bundle the service with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $13.99 month (starting March 26).
Sling TV is a reliable streaming alternative for cable-cutters to enjoy live television. The service costs $35 a month ($25 for your first month), and gives you access to TV shows and movies, plus on-demand programming, DVR recording options, and options to add more channels for $5 per tier. Amazon Prime will cost you $12.99 a month for an all-inclusive service that offers access to the massive Amazon Prime Video library, and free two-day shipping.
Of course, the anime world extends far beyond TV. As previously mentioned, Netflix amped up its anime content, which includes a forthcoming “Godzilla: Singular Point” series, and a film on “Yasuke,” about Japan’s first Black Samurai warrior. Elsewhere in the anime universe, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” is gearing up for a U.S. release following a record-breaking box office run in Japan. The film became the first to surpass $400 million in the history of Japan’s box office.
The record-breaking box office sales for “Demon Slayer” in Japan have elevated the series — and anime itself — to a new level, making it a truly global franchise.
Whether you’re already an anime fan, or want to learn more about the genre, we put together a list of the best anime shows (outside of “Sailor Moon,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Pokemon”) that are currently streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.
“Fullmetal Alchemist”
Hulu/Screenshot
Like a lot of anime shows, “Fullmetal Alchemist” started out as a manga series — and it just so happens to be one of the best-selling in history, with more than 70 million volumes sold. The plot centers around Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who decide to use alchemy to try and bring their mother back from the dead. The plan backfires and the brothers set out on a quest to realign their sprits with their bodies. “Fullmetal Alchemist” is currently streaming on Hulu.
“Cowboy Bebop”
YouTube screenshot
Taking place in the year 2071, this futuristic, jazz-inspired series follows a collective of bounty hunters (a.k.a. “Cowboys”) from the spaceship Bebop, who are on the run from their pasts while hunting down the most dangerous criminals in the galaxy. “Cowboy Bebop” is streaming on Hulu, or you can buy episodes on Amazon Prime.
“Soul Eater”
Funimation/YouTube screenshot
Maka, her partner, Soul, and their classmates are the center of “Soul Eater,” which was adapted into an anime series in 2008, and remains one of the most popular manga series in circulation. The anime show is about a group of students at Death Weapon Meister Academy, a fictional school where they learn to hunt demons. You can stream season one of “Soul Eater” on Hulu.
“Death Note”
YouTube/screenshot
Written and illustrated by Tsugumi Ohba, “Death Note” takes viewers on a supernatural ride. The anime series centers around a teenage genius who finds a mysteries notebook (the “Death Note”) that gives him the power to kill anyone simply by writing their name down, while simultaneously picturing their face. He decides to use the notebook to rid the world of evil, a task way more complex than it sounds. The series, which aired in Japan from 2006 through 2007, spawned a slew of spinoffs including a novel, video games, live actions films, a TV drama, and musical. Netflix released an American film adaptation of “Death Note” in 2017. You can stream Season 1 of “Death Note” on Hulu.
“Inuyasha”
Hulu screenshot
“Inuyasha” is about a Japanese school girl (Kagome) who travels back in time, where she meets Inuyasha, a half-dog demon/half-human, and joins him on a mission to find the powerful Shikon jewel before it falls into the wrong hands. You can stream “Inuyasha” on HBO Max, and Hulu.
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”
VIZ Media/YouTube screenshot
Featuring a rotating list of protagonists for each story arc, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” follows the adventures of different members of the psychically gifted Joestar family. The anime series was created by Hirohiko Araki in the late ‘80s. It first appeared as a manga series and transitioned into anime, and a live action film. Seasons 1-3 of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” are streaming on Hulu and Sling TV. You can also buy episodes of the show on Amazon Prime.
“FLCL”
YouTube/Animelab Screenshot
In short, “FLCL” (pronounced Fooly Cooly) is a coming-of-age story about a young boy, Naota Nandaba, living with his widowed father and grandfather in the city of Mabase. Things take a turn when Haruko Haruhara arrives, runs him over with her Vespa, and hits him over the head with a guitar, the latter of which opens a portal, making Naota’s life that much weirder. “FLCL” has a large fan following, and is pretty much known for intertwining sexual themes in the storyline. The Japanese series created and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki was released in Japan in 2000 before airing on Adult Swim a few years later. “FLCL” is streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
“Dragon Ball Z”
VIZ Media/Funmation Screenshot
“Dragon Ball Z” is probably one of the best-known anime series on this list. The series plot follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors as they defend the Earth against evil. Created by Akira Toriyama, the animated series first debuted on Japan’s Fuji TV in 1989, before making its way to American televisions screens during the ‘90s. You can buy episodes of “Dragon Ball Z” on Amazon Prime.
“Attack on Titan”
Amazon Prime Video
The last remnants of humanity are hidden behind three walls where humans still dwell after humanity was driven to the brink of extinction. “Attack on Titan” tells the backstory of a world with humanoid giants that kill and eat humans on sight, and those who managed to find a safe place to hide. Stream “Attack on Titan” on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Anime shows rose to prominence in the ’80 and ’90s, and thanks to a solid fanbase, the genre is still going strong. But for those fans who don’t have Netflix, or may not be familiar with streaming platform Crunchyroll, you can also catch your favorite anime shows streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Sling TV.
If you’re not signed up for one (or more) of those platforms, you won’t have to break the bank to access plenty of TV shows and movies. Hulu’s monthly subscription is just $5.99 (with ads), or $13.99 for ad-free streaming. There’s also an option to bundle the service with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $13.99 month (starting March 26).
Sling TV is a reliable streaming alternative for cable-cutters to enjoy live television. The service costs $35 a month ($25 for your first month), and gives you access to TV shows and movies, plus on-demand programming, DVR recording options, and options to add more channels for $5 per tier. Amazon Prime will cost you $12.99 a month for an all-inclusive service that offers access to the massive Amazon Prime Video library, and free two-day shipping.
Of course, the anime world extends far beyond TV. As previously mentioned, Netflix amped up its anime content, which includes a forthcoming “Godzilla: Singular Point” series, and a film on “Yasuke,” about Japan’s first Black Samurai warrior. Elsewhere in the anime universe, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” is gearing up for a U.S. release following a record-breaking box office run in Japan. The film became the first to surpass $400 million in the history of Japan’s box office.
The record-breaking box office sales for “Demon Slayer” in Japan have elevated the series — and anime itself — to a new level, making it a truly global franchise.
Whether you’re already an anime fan, or want to learn more about the genre, we put together a list of the best anime shows (outside of “Sailor Moon,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Pokemon”) that are currently streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.
“Fullmetal Alchemist”
Hulu/Screenshot
“Fullmetal Alchemist”
Like a lot of anime shows, “Fullmetal Alchemist” started out as a manga series — and it just so happens to be one of the best-selling in history, with more than 70 million volumes sold. The plot centers around Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who decide to use alchemy to try and bring their mother back from the dead. The plan backfires and the brothers set out on a quest to realign their sprits with their bodies. “Fullmetal Alchemist” is currently streaming on Hulu.
“Cowboy Bebop”
YouTube screenshot
“Cowboy Bebop”
Taking place in the year 2071, this futuristic, jazz-inspired series follows a collective of bounty hunters (a.k.a. “Cowboys”) from the spaceship Bebop, who are on the run from their pasts while hunting down the most dangerous criminals in the galaxy. “Cowboy Bebop” is streaming on Hulu, or you can buy episodes on Amazon Prime.
“Soul Eater”
Funimation/YouTube screenshot
“Soul Eater”
Maka, her partner, Soul, and their classmates are the center of “Soul Eater,” which was adapted into an anime series in 2008, and remains one of the most popular manga series in circulation. The anime show is about a group of students at Death Weapon Meister Academy, a fictional school where they learn to hunt demons. You can stream season one of “Soul Eater” on Hulu.
“Death Note”
YouTube/screenshot
“Death Note”
Written and illustrated by Tsugumi Ohba, “Death Note” takes viewers on a supernatural ride. The anime series centers around a teenage genius who finds a mysteries notebook (the “Death Note”) that gives him the power to kill anyone simply by writing their name down, while simultaneously picturing their face. He decides to use the notebook to rid the world of evil, a task way more complex than it sounds. The series, which aired in Japan from 2006 through 2007, spawned a slew of spinoffs including a novel, video games, live actions films, a TV drama, and musical. Netflix released an American film adaptation of “Death Note” in 2017. You can stream Season 1 of “Death Note” on Hulu.
“Inuyasha”
Hulu screenshot
“Inuyasha”
“Inuyasha” is about a Japanese school girl (Kagome) who travels back in time, where she meets Inuyasha, a half-dog demon/half-human, and joins him on a mission to find the powerful Shikon jewel before it falls into the wrong hands. You can stream “Inuyasha” on HBO Max, and Hulu.
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”
VIZ Media/YouTube screenshot
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”
Featuring a rotating list of protagonists for each story arc, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” follows the adventures of different members of the psychically gifted Joestar family. The anime series was created by Hirohiko Araki in the late ‘80s. It first appeared as a manga series and transitioned into anime, and a live action film. Seasons 1-3 of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” are streaming on Hulu and Sling TV. You can also buy episodes of the show on Amazon Prime.
“FLCL”
YouTube/Animelab Screenshot
“FLCL (Fooly Cooly)”
In short, “FLCL” (pronounced Fooly Cooly) is a coming-of-age story about a young boy, Naota Nandaba, living with his widowed father and grandfather in the city of Mabase. Things take a turn when Haruko Haruhara arrives, runs him over with her Vespa, and hits him over the head with a guitar, the latter of which opens a portal, making Naota’s life that much weirder. “FLCL” has a large fan following, and is pretty much known for intertwining sexual themes in the storyline. The Japanese series created and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki was released in Japan in 2000 before airing on Adult Swim a few years later. “FLCL” is streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
“Dragon Ball Z”
VIZ Media/Funmation Screenshot
“Dragon Ball Z”
“Dragon Ball Z” is probably one of the best-known anime series on this list. The series plot follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors as they defend the Earth against evil. Created by Akira Toriyama, the animated series first debuted on Japan’s Fuji TV in 1989, before making its way to American televisions screens during the ‘90s. You can buy episodes of “Dragon Ball Z” on Amazon Prime.
“Attack on Titan”
Amazon Prime Video
“Attack on Titan”
The last remnants of humanity are hidden behind three walls where humans still dwell after humanity was driven to the brink of extinction. “Attack on Titan” tells the backstory of a world with humanoid giants that kill and eat humans on sight, and those who managed to find a safe place to hide. Stream “Attack on Titan” on Hulu and Amazon Prime.