Best Anime On Hulu

Hulu has plenty of anime shows to choose from for longtime viewers or anyone wanting to dip their toes into the industry. It doesn’t have many exclusive shows like Netflix, which has hits like The Seven Deadly Sins and Beastars, but Hulu’s selection is vast and impressive.

Along with some of the most popular and beloved anime of all time, Hulu regularly airs new shows as they are being released, even typically having one or two series that are not available on any other streaming service. Most importantly, the platform’s library is expansive and diverse, touching upon a wide range of genres and demographics; consequently, which are the best anime on Hulu?

Updated on September 30, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Fall 2024 has arrived, but are any of the season’s anime airing on Hulu?

Fall 2024 Hulu Anime

A new season has arrived, which means about 40 series will be doing the rounds over the next three months. Crunchyroll has (unsurprisingly) the most expansive lineup, followed distantly by HIDIVE and Netflix. In comparison to all of these services, Hulu cannot claim to offer quantity; nevertheless, it has two major Fall 2024 anime that are both likely to be among the quarter’s best releases. That said, only one show is exclusive to Hulu.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict

Thousand-Year Blood War has been fantastic so far, to the point of rehabilitating Bleach‘s image. Although far from hated, the original anime lost a lot of steam towards the end of its run and is nowadays mostly remembered for squandering the momentum of the great Soul Society arc. This revival has served as a reminder that Bleach was always among the coolest battle shonen on the market, delivering top-tier fights featuring larger-than-life characters with (mostly) ambiguous morals.

While not particularly deep, this arc has highlighted Bleach‘s strengths while minimizing its weaknesses, and Pierrot should be commended for delivering film-quality visuals throughout the first two parts. The Conflict should maintain that momentum, and if it matches the quality of its predecessors, part 3 will be among 2024’s best anime.

Dandadan

Except for maybe Uzumaki, Dandadan is Fall 2024’s most highly anticipated new anime, a situation stemming from Yukinobu Tatsu’s respected shonen manga. Momo and Ken both believe in the extraordinary, although the former believes in ghosts and the latter in aliens. Consequently, they decide to see which one is right, sending them down a path of investigating bizarre cases that might just break reality.

Dandadan is simply entertaining. The manga blends comedy, action, and even romance, delivering a full package that works as part of all three genres. That said, the show is mainly known for its hilarity and generally likable characters, who evolve quite a bit throughout the story. The first three episodes were released in theaters as Dandadan: The First Encounter, something that only happens when a studio is feeling confident.

Dandadan
is also available on Netflix and Crunchyroll.

Best Battle Shonen Anime On Hulu

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Bones’ 2009 adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist manga has established itself as a prominent gateway anime, a position it more than earned. Revolving around the Elric siblings, FMA: Brotherhood takes place in a world defined by alchemy and the rule that to create something, an object of equal value must be given in return. After their mother’s death, the Elrics break this law trying to bring her back, a decision that costs them a lot more than just grief.

FMA: Brotherhood is an ambitious shonen anime packed with action, comedy, and haunting scenes. This entry-level show sets a very high standard, and it is one of Hulu’s best anime.

Undead Unluck

Yoshifumi Tozuka’s Undead Unluck is a battle shonen comedy about an unlikely duo who are made for each other. Fuuko Izumi has an unfortunate power: she brings bad luck to people who touch her. After spending years in isolation, Fuuko decides to end her life, but she is inadvertently rescued when a guy named Andy touches her. More importantly, Andy’s ability forbids him from dying, which means he can be around Fuuko without meeting a grizzly end. Before long, these two characters find themselves being chased by a mysterious organization called Union, which consists of other superpowered individuals.

Undead Unlucky‘s premise is not that unusual, although it takes a few unique turns along the way. The manga is a fun read, and the anime retains the source material’s kinetic and infectious energy. The series has gotten better as it has moved along, especially since Andy and Fuuko’s friendship has gone from entertaining to downright charming. Both characters are fantastic, with Fuuko being particularly great.

My Hero Academia

An argument can be made that My Hero Academia has been overexposed in the last few years, resulting in diminishing returns during its most recent seasons. This criticism has merit, but even at its worst, this superhero anime is still pretty entertaining; at its best, MHA compares favorably with nearly any show out there.

Set in a universe where super-powered people are commonplace, people with extra special quirks can attend schools specifically designed to prepare their student bodies for a future in heroics. Izuku Midoriya was not born with one of these gifts, but his destiny changes when he meets his idol, All Might. Fall 2022’s season 6 was an improvement over its immediate predecessors and brought My Hero Academia back to its glory days; meanwhile, season 7 is more of a mixed bag.

Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man is a violent battle shonen series about Denji, a devil hunter who can transform any body part into the eponymous tool. At a glance, this premise might seem relatively run-of-the-mill for shonen, but its execution sets the show apart from the crowd. Gory and irreverent, the anime does not hold back on delivering the over-the-top mayhem that such a concept promises.

Chainsaw Man has well-choreographed action sequences that reflect Denji’s chaotic personality. The series also does not neglect its secondary characters, particularly the women in the protagonist’s life.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba has exploded in popularity since its 2019 debut, cementing itself as one of shonen’s best modern series. With a well-received movie under its belt and multiple sequel seasons complete, ufotable’s anime is firmly established as a mainstream juggernaut, one that delivers some of the smoothest action in the medium’s history.

Boasting smooth animation and a solid premise revolving around humans fighting off demons, Demon Slayer is fast-paced, thrilling, and occasionally funny. Recently completing the Entertainment District arc, the anime still has ground to cover since the manga has already concluded.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is simultaneously an old and modern shonen manga, debuting all the way back in 1987 and still going strong to this day. Split into parts dedicated to different generations of Joestars, JoJo is defined by gloriously over-the-top battles, larger-than-life characters, and Stands, the latter of which is one of battle shonen’s quintessential power systems.

While the anime is currently adapting the manga’s sixth arc, Stone Ocean, Hulu only has the first four parts. This still provides more than 100 episodes worth of content, including arguably the show’s best arc, Diamond Is Unbreakable. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure‘s versatility is its greatest strength and biggest weakness; each saga not only introduces new characters and a fresh setting, but they are also structured differently. Consequently, the show’s appeal can vary greatly from season to season.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files

Yoshihiro Togashi’s shonen classic stands alongside Dragon Ball Z as the genre’s definitive ’90s entry-level anime. Nearly three decades after its debut, Yu Yu Hakusho has aged beautifully, courtesy of its timeless characters, strong animation, brilliant fights, and a blend of conventional and experimental storytelling techniques.

Yu Yu Hakusho follows Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent who dies saving a child but is brought back and tasked with working as a spirit detective. The anime’s “Dark Tournament” is perhaps the greatest tournament arc in anime. Unfortunately, Hulu only has the first 56 episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho.

Hunter x Hunter
is also on Hulu, but only the first 79 episodes.

Best Action Anime On Hulu

One-Punch Man

What if a hero was too powerful? That’s the question asked by One-Punch Man, an anime that delivers what its title advertises and more. Saitama is so powerful that he defeats all opponents with just a single punch, which quickly turns the superhero life into a bore-fest.

One-Punch Man‘s season 1 was animated by Madhouse and is some of the studio’s best post-2010s work. Season 2 doesn’t quite manage to replicate the same animation quality, but it is still a decent watch since the storytelling is just as good as its predecessor.

Fate/Zero

Ufotable’s Fate/Zero is a dark fantasy anime set in the real world. Once in a while, a Holy Grail war takes place to determine who will be given the right to make a single wish. In order to determine the recipient of this prize, Masters compete in a battle royale using Servants, heroes summoned from history (or fiction).

Fate/Zero is grim, brutal, and engrossing. Ufotable is known for crafting fluid action scenes, and this 2011 show helped inspire that reputation. Hulu also has Fate/stay night, which comes very close to reaching the heights seen by Fate/Zero.

Best Comedy Anime On Hulu

Ranma 1/2

Based on a manga by Rumiko Takahashi, who also penned Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2 is the definitive gender-bender anime. Airing in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Studio Deen’s adaptation is both a product of its time and timeless. The humor leans heavily into tropes of the era, but they are executed to near perfection. While primarily focusing on producing laughs, the anime also throws out elements of romance and even hints of action, both of which are done well.

Ranma 1/2 was a fairly huge deal in Japan, arguably sitting alongside the likes of Dragon Ball in terms of popularity and exposure. While it did cross over to Western nations, the anime has not had the staying power of some other classics. Thankfully, the show is accessible for streaming as one of the best anime on Hulu.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Kaguya and Miyuki run the Shuchiin Academy’s student council, and they also happen to be interested in one another. However, out of fear that revealing their feelings would put them at a disadvantage, the two engage in battles of wits to determine who will confess first.

Only season 1 of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is available on Hulu, which should contain enough content for a newcomer to decide whether this anime is for them. The first season is first and foremost a comedy, although romance still plays a part.

Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 finds the world’s most powerful esper, Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, trying to find his place in the world, a process that involves seeking guidance from a conman who pretends to be able to see spirits. Fitting into a few different genres, Mob Psycho 100 expertly balances comedy, action, drama, and even slice of life elements, creating an experience that is complete and unique.

Mob’s gradual growth from an uncomfortable and lost teenager to a confident young adult who is ready to ask for help is perfectly handled. Despite his overpowered nature, he is still very relatable.

Spy X Family

Spy x Family follows the most unconventional family in anime – a spy, Twilight, adopts a telepathic child, Anya, and marries an assassin, Yor. Naturally, all three characters keep these parts of their lives a secret from each other, creating the perfect recipe for hi-jinks and tension.

Spy x Family leans heavily into comedy, particularly when it comes to Anya, but the anime also takes its premise and characters fairly seriously. Charming and creative, Spy x Family was a highlight of the Spring and Fall 2022 seasons and, those episodes alone make this one of the best anime on Hulu. However, the Forger family’s story is far from done as season 2 is airing during Fall 2023. While some repetition has begun to set in, the show can still be relied upon to deliver a few laughs per week.

The Tatami Time Machine Blues

A sequel to The Tatami Galaxy, The Tatami Time Machine Blues finds Watashi stuck in a hot summer with a broken air conditioner thanks to the antics of his friend, Ozu. Fortunately, a time traveler arrives out of nowhere, presenting a simple solution: go back in time and save the air conditioner. Naturally, this endeavor proves to be quite complicated.

The Tatami Time Machine Blues is a zany comedy that uses time travel as a tool to explore Watashi’s insecurity and his relationship with Akashi. While not quite as complex as The Tatami Galaxy, the 2022 sequel is a highly entertaining extension of these characters’ stories, and it is simply fun to spend more time with Watashi and company. Unfortunately, the original series is not on Hulu, but The Tatami Time Machine Blues is relatively accessible to newcomers.

Best Fantasy Anime On Hulu

Attack On Titan

After roughly a decade, the Attack on Titan anime is done, and the show took viewers on a bloody, nerve-wracking, and captivating journey. While technically shonen, AoT is more of a dark fantasy thriller with a lot of action than a traditional example of a battle shonen series, especially its later seasons.

For the uninitiated, the story envisions a reality where humanity is trapped behind large walls in an attempt to protect themselves from colossal beasts known as Titans. The latter creatures have a taste for human flesh. That premise is inherently fascinating, and it serves as merely a launch pad for an epic and ambitious series that takes plenty of risky and rewarding turns.

Best Sci-Fi Anime On Hulu

Cowboy Bebop

Recently adapted into a live-action series by Netflix, Cowboy Bebop is still at its best as an anime. Shinichiro Watanabe’s space western has everything anyone could want from a show: flawless animation, unforgettable characters, a killer soundtrack, highly entertaining stand-alone episodes, and stellar overarching plots.

Cowboy Bebop seems destined to forever rank among anime’s greatest series. Regardless of whether someone has yet to watch a single anime or has completed hundreds of series, Cowboy Bebop should be the next show on their watchlist.

For those who want something similar but minus the sci-fi element,
Samurai Champloo
is also on Hulu.

Heavenly Delusion

Heavenly Delusion is a gripping sci-fi anime set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan. More than a decade following a widespread disaster, humanity has scattered across the land, with pockets of civilization trying to eke out a living among crumbling buildings and horrifying monsters.

Heavenly Delusion predominantly follows two teenagers as they search for a place called Heaven. The anime keeps its cards close to its chest, opting to emphasize a sense of mystery that covers its characters and world. Even though this can be frustrating at times, the series has slowly started to pull back the curtain, hopefully setting things up for an even better sequel.

Trigun

The late ’90s was a fruitful period for sci-fi westerns, with Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, and Trigun all cementing themselves as anime classics. Trigun tells the relatable story of Vash the Stampede, a good-natured man who just happens to have a reputation for inspiring disasters, leading to him acquiring a massive bounty.

Effortlessly balancing action, comedy, and drama, Trigun is an irresistibly delightful show that successfully offers both popcorn entertainment and fascinating themes. The series was also created by Madhouse, so the animation has aged like a glass of fine wine.

Trigun Stampede
is also on Hulu.

Best Magical Girl Anime On Hulu

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica has magical girls, an adorable mascot, and existential dread. Well-known for twisting the conventions of its genre, Madoka Magica is a challenging watch that dedicates most of its runtime to breaking down its characters. Although not the first “dark” magical girl anime, Shaft’s series is arguably the definitive and best example of this type of series.

Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki are approached by a strange animal who agrees to grant each of them a wish in exchange for them becoming magical girls. Despite a classmate cautioning them against accepting the request, Madoka and Sayaka cannot help but be intrigued by the prospect.

Sailor Moon

What Dragon Ball and Fist of the North Star did for the international visibility of shonen series, Sailor Moon accomplished for shojo and magical girl anime. Hulu has most of the show’s classic episodes along with Sailor Moon Crystal, so fans looking to re-experience Usagi and the other Sailor Guardians’ stories will be well served by the streaming service.

Sailor Moon is certainly a product of its era, and that extends to its animation; however, the show’s storytelling and characters are strong enough to allow the series to still be a magnetic watch all these decades later. The anime also maintains a high standard of quality throughout most of its run.

Best Romance Anime On Hulu

Fruits Basket (2019)

In 2019, Natsuki Takaya’s beloved shoujo manga finally received an adaptation that properly goes through its story. Fruits Basket is an emotionally stirring tale about perseverance, love, expectations, and forgiveness. The anime centers around Tohru, a sweet girl who finds herself in the care of the respected Soma family. Before long, Tohru realizes that the Somas are not quite that ordinary.

Fruits Basket‘s strengths lie in its incredible writing, particularly when it comes to the relationships between Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo. This anime acts as a great entry point into shoujo stories.

Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

Do not judge this anime by its title, as Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai is a smartly written supernatural drama with a comedic edge and a strong core romance. Puberty Syndrome manifests the insecurities of teenagers in everyday life. For example, a person who feels like nobody knows them would find their presence slipping to the point that they could disappear.

Split into numerous arcs, Sakuta Azusagawa helps out a number of girls suffering from this syndrome. The titular bunny girl takes center stage in the first storyline, although she remains a fixture throughout the series. Even if she disappears for long stretches, Mai’s relationship with Sakuta serves as the anime’s beating heart, and most of the show’s best moments are fueled by the couple’s banter and chemistry.

Your Lie In April

Discussions of anime tearjerker will inevitably find their way to Your Lie in April, a music-themed show that deals with grief, loss, and also healing. A personal tragedy leaves Kousei Arima unable to perform on a piano. As his world loses its color, Kousei meets Kaori Miyazono, a passionate violinist who reignites the protagonist’s love for music and life.

Your Lie in April is a gateway anime for any fans of dramas, and the show has aged well since its 2014 release.

Best Isekai Anime On Hulu

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation might be the most divisive isekai anime of the last few years, which is saying something. A shut-in dies and is reborn as a baby in a fantasy world with his memories and adult mind intact. Still traumatized by his past life, Rudeus struggles to overcome his demons as his personality has not changed at all. Jobless Reincarnation thoroughly chronicles Rudeus’ growth as both a fighter and a person, and the anime is not afraid to depict its protagonist as unlikeable. In fact, Rudeus is not a great person in general, and he needs to work hard to become one.

Jobless Reincarnation has great visuals and generally solid storytelling. That said, Rudeus’ behavior can be very off-putting at times, to the point that some viewers might find themselves not caring about his journey.

Suicide Squad Isekai

2024 will go down as a strange year for Suicide Squad. On the gaming side of things, the group entered the Arkhamverse through Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a live-service project that went down like a lead balloon. Despite not building much momentum or hype before its debut, the game was arguably still a disappointment, and it is unquestionably Rocksteady’s most polarizing (if not just straight-up disliked) release ever.

While not quite on that level, Suicide Squad Isekai was slightly underwhelming, coming and going without generating too much excitement. Considering Wit Studio’s pedigree and the fact the writing was handled by the creator behind Re:Zero, Suicide Squad Isekai is shockingly average, in more ways than one. The animation is solid but rarely spectacular, resulting in an array of fight sequences that are mostly just decent (although exceptions exist). The story plays things safe too, mostly coming across as a series of side quests set in nondescript locations. Most frustratingly, the anime seems to have little desire to distinguish its fantasy world from the many bog-standard realms found in the isekai genre.

All those criticisms aside, Suicide Squad Isekai arguably nails the most important element: the actual Suicide Squad. Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, Deadshot, King Shark, and Clayface are instantly delightful and consistently entertaining, and they are all given something to do. Some liberties aside, these characters are relatively true to their modern comic selves and have fantastic designs that honor the source material while still doing their own thing. Most importantly, their banter is great and helps carry the show’s slower parts. Even if not too amazing as a whole, the fights benefit from revolving around a group of characters with well-defined abilities.

The secondary characters are more of a mixed bag, particularly
Suicide Squad Isekai
’s version of the Joker.

No Game, No Life

Madhouse’s No Game, No Life‘s reputation has steadily dropped over the last decade, perhaps coinciding with the realization that a sequel seems destined to remain a pipe dream. Consequently, the anime only scratches the surface of a much larger story, and effectively just comes across as a teaser for the light novel. That said, the available episodes are of high quality and reflect the source material’s fun characters and world-building. Madhouse also delivers the goods in the animation department.

Sora and Shiro are master gamers, so much so that they are summoned to a world governed by games by that universe’s deity. After meeting a local princess, the siblings decide to take on god as they battle their way through a variety of games.

Inuyasha

Inuyasha is an all-time classic that holds up pretty well after all these years. One of the earliest success stories in the isekai subgenre, the show follows a shrine maiden who is dragged to an alternate reality, where she meets the eponymous half-demon. Long story short, they have to go on a journey to retrieve fragments of a jewel, which proves to be anything but simple.

Blending comedy, action, drama, and romance, Inuyasha does a splendid job of balancing different genres and tones, creating a complete and satisfying package. Although dated in some ways, Sunrise’s animation is still impressive to this day. While available on other platforms, Hulu is one of the few services to offer all of Inuyasha‘s episodes. The site even has the sequel, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon​​​​​​.

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Isekai is packed to the brim with power fantasies, to the point the latter has become synonymous with the theme. Consequently, these shows have a habit of blurring into each other since they tend to hit many of the same notes. In many ways, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is a prototypical example of this type of story, albeit one that proves clichés are not fundamentally bad. After dying in the real world, Satoru awakens in a fantasy realm as the weakest imaginable creature: a slime. However, this monster has the unique ability to absorb skills, which quickly comes in handy and transforms the protagonist into a powerhouse.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows Rimuru as they create a village and unite a wide range of species through the power of positivity. This anime works as a great companion piece to Overlord, which is also on Hulu, since they approach similar premises from wildly different perspectives.

Best Thriller Anime On Hulu

Death Note

Arguably home to the most famous cat-and-mouse chase in anime, Death Note is all about Light and L’s exciting rivalry. An intelligent teenager with something of a superiority complex, Light finds a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by just writing their name within its pages.

As the Kira persona, Light sets out on a murder spree designed to birth a new era of “justice.” Naturally, Interpol starts an investigation into Kira and brings L, a super detective, into the case.

Erased

A gripping murder mystery with a sci-fi twist, Erased finds Satoru Fujinuma traveling back in time to his childhood in order to investigate the disappearance of a girl that is tied to a later tragedy. Erased‘s heart is the friendship between Satoru and Kyo Hinazuki, the young girl in question who comes from a dysfunctional home.

Although the ultimate reveal is obviously important, mystery stories are only as good as their build-up, and Erased knocks this area out of the park.

Summer Time Rendering

A standout anime of 2022, Summer Time Rendering did not attract as much attention as it deserved since it was not available on a streaming platform. Thankfully, the mystery anime is finally accessible to Western viewers, and it is comfortably among the best anime on Hulu. Shinpei Ajiro returns to Hitogashima Island to attend the funeral of a friend, only to find that something unusual has taken hold of his former home. He also begins to relive the same day, a power he must utilize to figure out what happened to his friend and to stop the island’s descent into darkness.

An intense murder mystery with supernatural elements, Summer Time Rendering launches with a gripping opening episode and only tightens its hold from there. Animated nicely by OLM and featuring a roster of really likable main characters, this anime has suspense, horror, and even a hint of comedy; more importantly, it handles all of these elements well.