Animes on Hulu

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The best animes are not only well animated, they also offer great storylines that are unique, consistent, original, and thorough. Additionally, they should appeal to your emotions, have a plot that progresses, and provide closure at the ending, so you don’t feel cheated. If you’re looking to watch a good anime, Hulu boasts a wide variety of options.

Below you’ll find the anime options available on Hulu.

12 of the Best Animes Available on Hulu

  1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
  2. My Hero Academia
  3. Afro Samurai
  4. Akira
  5. Attack on the Titan
  6. Sailor Moon
  7. Ninja Scroll
  8. Assassination Classroom
  9. Naruto 
  10. Fairy Tail
  11. Astra Lost in Space
  12. Akudama Drive

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1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
9.1/10100%Netflix (subscription), Crunchyroll, HBO Max (subscription), Funimation (subscription)

One of the best-known anime shows of all time, Brotherhood is the second adaptation of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series to television and is usually acknowledged as the better of the two. 

The show follows brother Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose mother died of illness and whose father vanished when they were young. When they attempted to revive their mother using alchemy, Al’s body is obliterated and his soul tied to a suit of armor, and Ed loses his left leg and right arm. 

To return their bodies to their original state, the brothers travel to the capital to become State Alchemists for the government while also looking for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. Along the way, they uncover a government conspiracy and unravel the secrets of their father’s past.

The show runs for 64 episodes and has been released in both subtitled and dubbed versions. It’s one of the most critically acclaimed animes ever, and a must-watch for newcomers to the genre.

2. My Hero Academia

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.5/10100%Apple TV (buy), Sling TV, Funimation (subscription), Crunchyroll

Set in a universe where most of the world’s population possesses superpowers known as “Quirks” and are separated into Heroes and Villains, My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of being a Hero despite seemingly having no Quirk.

Things change for him when the best-known Hero and his idol, All Might, passes his own Quirk down to Izuku, who must then train to be a hero at U.A. High School alongside a large cast of friends.

Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia is available in both subtitled and dubbed formats for English audiences, both of which have been well-received by critics, who have praised the development of the characters, especially Izuku Midoriya and his friends.

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3. Afro Samurai

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
7.7/10100%Tubi, Funimation (subscription)

Samuel L. Jackson is probably the last name you expect to star in an anime television show. However, that’s what the Afro Samurai miniseries offers.

The story focuses on Afro, a warrior in a feudal future who witnessed the murder of his father when he was a child. The murderer was the outlaw Justice, who killed Afro’s father for possession of the Number 1 headband, which is said to imbue the wearer with godlike powers.

As an adult, Afro now bears the Number 2 headband and is searching for Justice. However, as the owner of the Number 2 headband, he also has to deal with constant challengers and must defend the headband, which hinders his journey for vengeance. 

The manga was adapted into a 5 episode miniseries and a film sequel titled Afro Samurai: Resurrection, which is also available on Hulu. Jackson stars as Afro in both the movie and the miniseries, with Ron Perlman starring as Justice in the anime.

The anime received two Emmy nominations and one award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.

4. Akira

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.0/1090%Tubi, Funimation (subscription)

Despite being over three decades old, Akira remains one of the best anime movies of all time and a must-watch for those who haven’t yet had the chance to sit through it. 

Based on the manga of the same name, Akira falls in both the post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk genres. It follows Kaneda in a post-world war Neo-Tokyo as he fights to save his best friend Tetsuo from a secret government project and scientists that want to control his newly developing psychic powers.

During production, the film had the largest budget of any anime film yet and would significantly impact the development of anime in both Japan and the United States. Extremely critically acclaimed, it’s considered by critics to be pivotal to the development of the cyberpunk genre, as well as that of adult animation.

The movie has an enduring legacy and has been credited with influencing media ranging from The Matrix and Godzilla to Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, Stranger Things, Batman Beyond, the Half-Life video game series, and even the Star Wars franchise.

Akira is also credited with setting the stage for the development and success of several other anime shows and films, including cultural touchstones like Pokémon, Naruto, and Dragon Ball Z. 

Though released in 1988, the themes still hold water today. It’s an undoubtedly violent film but remains a high point in anime, and is one of the most influential films the genre has ever produced.

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5. Attack on Titan

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
9.0/1095%Netflix (subscription), Funimation (subscription), Crunchyroll, TVision (subscription), Tubi 

Set in a world where humanity has been driven to the brink of extinction due to attack by giants called Titans and live in three domed cities, the series begins with the breach of one of these cities by new, more powerful types of Titans.

The story follows Eren Jaeger and his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, who swear revenge after their hometown is destroyed. To this end, they join an elite group of soldiers battling the Titans known as the Scout Regiment.

The show has been praised for its complex storylines and detailed animation, as well as for the performances of the English dub voice actors. The series has a darker, more adult tone that keeps your attention gripped throughout. 

This show is still in production – three seasons have been released, and the fourth is currently in progress, with 75 episodes released so far.

6. Sailor Moon

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
7.6/1090%Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video (buy), Apple TV (buy), Google Play (buy)

One of the best-loved animes of all time, Sailor Moon follows protagonist Usagi Tsukino, who receives superpowers from Luna, a magical talking cat. These powers allow her to transform into the magical Sailor Moon, after which she is given the mission to find the missing moon princess.

At the same time, she must battle against numerous evil forces. She is joined in her battle by other Sailor Soldiers, including Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Mars, as well as the mysterious Tuxedo Mask.

The large cast of characters and portrayal of friendships has made this one of the best performing anime series of all time. It was broadcast around the world during its original run in the 1990s, including Spain, Frances, Taiwan, Brazil, North America, and more.

The series is spread across five seasons and 200 episodes, making it perfect for binge-watching.

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7. Ninja Scroll

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
7.9/1094%HiDive (subscription)

Along with Akira and Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll is one of the best-performing and most influential anime movies ever made. Set in feudal Japan, the film is about Kibagami Jubei, a ninja who must face off against the Eight Devils of Kimon, ninjas with supernatural powers planning to overthrow the shogunate. 

Jubei is helped on his quest by Dakaun and Kagero. Dakaun also sets Jubei’s quest in motion, blackmailing him into fighting against the Eight Devils, while Kagero wants her own revenge against the antagonists. 

While undoubtedly containing numerous adult themes, Ninja Scroll is nonetheless a must-watch for all adult anime fans. While some critics point out that the storyline hasn’t aged well, the movie is still praised for its action scenes and animation styles.

The movie has been cited as an inspiration by numerous creators, most notable are the Wachowskis when discussing the inspirations for The Matrix trilogy. The movie was so influential for them that Ninja Scroll director Yoshiaki Kawajiri also directed two segments of The Animatrix, a compilation animated film produced by the Wachowskis that details the backstory of the Matrix universe.

8. Assassination Classroom

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.0/10N/ACrunchyroll, TVision (subscription), Funimation (subscription)

This innovative anime centers around two main protagonists – Koro-sensei, an octopus-like alien, and class 3-E, a classroom of junior high students.

Koro-sensei is an extremely powerful being who has destroyed three-quarters of the moon and has threatened to destroy the Earth at the end of a calendar year unless he can be assassinated. To that end, he works as the homeroom teacher for class 3E, who are given the task of assassinating him for a bounty of a billion dollars.

It was named one of the animes of the decade for 2010 by Polygon. It has been praised for its complex, bittersweet themes and is undoubtedly one of the best new animes available for streaming.

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9. Naruto

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.3/10N/ANetflix (subscription), Funimation (subscription), Vudu, Tubi, PlutoTV, Crunchyroll

The Naruto series is based on the manga of the same name, which is the fourth all-time on the list of best-selling manga. It tells the story of the titular Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who aims to become the leader of his village, and the challenges he faces in this quest.

The main series, Naruto, features a 13-year old Naruto and his friends. However, the series is so popular that it has spawned two additional anime – Naruto: Shippuden, set two and a half years after the end of the original anime, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which follows the adventures of Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto’s son.

The first two series run 720 episodes long (220 for Naruto and 500 for Naruto: Shippuden), while the third is still ongoing, with over 200 episodes already released. Naruto boasts an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb and has been consistently ranked among the best animes of all time, including by IGN. 

While not as popular, Naruto: Shippuden received a better critical reception of the two original series, especially for the improved animated style and the better-developed plot. Like its predecessor, it has been in several critics’ top 10 lists. When it comes to classic anime, this is a must-watch.

10. Fairy Tail

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.0/10N/ATubi, Funimation (subscription), Crunchyroll

Based in a world where magic is real, and wizards join guilds and complete job requests in exchange for payment, Fairy Tail follows the journey of two members of the Fairy Tail guild, Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia. Natsu’s anthropomorphic cat-like partner Happy and various other guild members, including Gray Fullbuster and Erza Scarlet, accompany them.

The show follows Natsu’s journey to find his missing adoptive father, a dragon named Igneel. During his quest, he and his companions encounter numerous adventures and uncover ancient secrets while also battling rival guilds in a bid to ensure Fairy Tail remains the best guild in the world.

The nine-season anime features 328 episodes and has been praised for its complex characters and visually appealing storytelling. It boasts an 8.0/10 rating on IMDb. 

Aside from the main anime, Hulu also offers one of the two Fairy Tail movies, Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess. While knowledge of the main series will undoubtedly enhance your viewing experience of this movie, you can also view it as a standalone if you have limited time but would like to try out the Fairy Tail universe.

11. Astra Lost in Space

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
8.1/10N/AGoogle Play Movies (buy), AppleTV (buy), Amazon Prime Video (buy), Funimation (subscription)

This anime is set in 2063, in a world in which space travel is both possible and affordable. It follows a group of students from Caird High School who leave on a trip to a nearby planet for their Planetary Camp. 

When the children reach the new planet, they come into contact with an unknown sphere of light that is highly intelligent. The sphere transports them to a strange planet, where they find an abandoned spaceship (which the children name Astra) they must use to try and return home.

This show has been praised for resembling Star Trek in the way it depicts the interpersonal relationships between the characters. It’s also well-regarded for how well it defies viewers’ expectations to provide them with unanticipated story arcs. Additionally, it has been praised for its inclusive cast, with main character Luca being intersex and bisexual.

The show runs for 12 episodes, making this a perfect choice for viewers looking to add variety to their list of anime and those looking for shorter options they can watch quickly.

12. Akudama Drive

IMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingWhere Else to Watch
7.5/10N/AAmazon Prime Video (buy), Funimation (subscription)

A cyberpunk series, this show takes place in a dystopian Kansai, which has become a vassal state of Kantō. The show follows a collection of skilled criminals, known as the titular Akudama, who are sent free a prisoner from death row.

They’re challenged by a group of four other Akudama hoping to earn money by capturing them. However, when the respective teams enter the prison, they find that the job is part of a larger job in which the two teams have to work together to steal cargo from a high-speed Shinkansen train, all while staying clear of the police after them.

Before release, the series was considered one of the most anticipated releases of 2020 by Anime News Network. It has been praised for its choreography, cinematography, and action. It has been lauded by several reviewers as being among the best animes of 2020. The show runs for 12 episodes, making it a fun, quick watch for viewers who don’t have the time to dedicate to a longer series.

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