Sometimes you want to watch anime without having to buy the box set. There are many platforms you can watch anime on but not all of them are legal. Watching anime on a streaming platform can also be cheaper than buying a box set and you get more variety. The main anime streaming services are Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and Hidive. Below you will find the best anime streaming service for watching anime.

Funimation

Funimation is not the best streaming service but it has some strong points. It offers anime both in sub and English dub. Most of the anime on Funimation can be seen on Crunchyroll and eventually on Hulu but Funimation offers simulcast. This means that either the same or next day the new episode will be available. It also offers simuldub for some of their shows. This means that the dubbed version of the new episode can be available almost as soon as the original is available. They do not offer exclusive content but if you just want to watch your favorite anime then most likely you will find it here.

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is one of the more popular anime streaming services that is dedicated to anime and anime only. It also may be the best anime streaming service out right now. This streaming service offers almost all of the mainstream anime and some obscure ones too. Crunchyroll is definitely the most popular anime streaming service because it is available on most streaming devices. While it has mainstream and obscure anime it also has original anime. Their original content is not based on manga but rather webcomics, and video games. Crunchyroll has a free option but that option comes with ads. If you sign up for their premium option you get anime ad-free and simulcast episodes of some shows.

Hulu

Surprisingly Hulu has a decent anime library. While its library isn’t very original nor does it have any exclusive anime content but it does carry both dubs and subs. It carries most if not all of the mainstream anime shows. This includes One Piece, Naruto, Fairy Tail, Dragonball Z, and My Hero Academia. Although some of these shows are only available in the sub version. Hulu is the best subscription service if you are new to anime and don’t know where to start. While it offers mainstream anime it also offers older anime like Ranma 1/2, Samurai Champloo, and YuYu Hakusho.

Netflix

Netflix may not seem like it should be on an anime streaming service list but they do have a decent library. Although that library greatly depends on where you are from. What is available in Japan and other countries may not be available in the U.S. For example, while A few seasons of One Piece (Dub) are now available in the U.S. it has been available in Japan for years. Now if you want to watch anime as soon as it is available or as it airs in Japan then Netflix is not for you. Certain shows take about a year to appear on Netflix. But if you like anime that is geared more towards adult watchers then Netflix may be what you want. Violence, gore, sexism, nudity, or grieving are topics that some Netflix anime deals with. If you are planning on subscribing to Netflix solely for their anime library you may be disappointed.

Hidive

Hidive isn’t for everyone and it may not have everything you want to see. If you like watching more obscure anime and uncensored the Hidive is for you. They offer exclusive movies and storylines that you don’t get to see much in mainstream anime. There are a lot of female-focused anime and LGBTQ positive anime in their library. Another thing that may interest anime enthusiasts is that Hidive offers uncensored anime and dubs that take into account what accent the speaker has based on where they are from. While it may not have a library filled with mainstream anime, you may find something you like.

Hemant Kumar