When most people set out to watch an anime, they might be inclined to check Crunchyroll or even Netflix first. However,many anime fans are missing out on a varied, high-quality catalog of anime that is featured on the Hulustreaming platform.
Hulu actually features over 300 anime series and has its own dedicated section called “Animayhem"that includes nothing but animated television shows and anime. With hundreds of anime series to choose from, it can feel overwhelming deciding where to begin, but these are ten of Hulu’s best anime offerings, ranging from extremely popular to more niche.
One-Punch Man
One-Punch Manhas a simple, but genius premise. The series follows superhero protagonist, Saitama, who has a miraculous ability:with just one punch, he can take down anybody he comes across.Although this may seem indispensable, especially for a superhero, it actually leads Saitama to become very bored and disinterested, since no enemy even stands a chance against him and no battle is ever a genuine struggle or challenge for him.
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Saitama’s hilarious apathy and the series' unique form of humor,which can also be seen inMob Psycho 100,which was also created by One, make the anime a true delight to watch.One-Punch Man’sfight sequences are also pretty thrilling, even if many of them end quickly due to Saitama’s unbeatable levels of skill and physical strength.
Assassination Classroomis absolutely bizarre in the best way.Koro-sensei is a mysterious and dangerous teacher at a middle school and his students, Class 3-E, are tasked with catching him off guard and thus, assassinating their own teacher. The job proves to be a lot more difficult than the students expected, as Koro-sensei is exceptionally difficult to deceive.
Although the plot may sound somewhat terrifying and dark,Assassination Classroomalso excels in its humor, character development within the class, and its one-of-a-kind brand of weirdness.At under 50 episodes,Assassination Classroom’sanimeis a relatively short watch, with a compelling premise that will keep any viewer hooked until Koro-sensei’s final fate is revealed.
Parasyte: The Maximwill no doubt appeal to horror fans,because its premise is pretty disturbing. Shinichi Izumi, an ordinary high schooler, wakes up one morning to a horrifying realization: something is growing on his body, and it is alive. Shinichi has to adapt to his new life as the host body of a parasite, Migi. To complicate matters, Migi the parasite has a mind of its own and a hunger for human flesh.
Due to the bloodthirsty cravings of Migi,Parasytedoes have a violent, dark tone.At only one season with 24 episodes,Parasyteis easy to binge quickly over a weekend, and viewers will definitely not want to take a break from watching once they become invested in the complicated symbiotic relationship between Shinichi and Migi.
Ouran High School Host Clubisa romance anime classicandshould practically be considered required viewing for anyone interested in that particular genre.The story follows, Haruhi Fujioka, a high school student who has to begin working at her school’s host club in her spare time when she accidentally knocks over and shatters a very expensive vase that she does not have the funds to replace.
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Haruhi is a girl, and the members of the host club are all men who cater to the school’s wealthy female students, soHaruhi must obscure her identity from her customers,which often gets her into tricky, awkward predicaments.Ouran High School Host Clubis hysterical and filled with witty jokes and silly gags. The series also contains genuine romance, as Haruhi’s connections with various members of the host club become more flirtatious, which definitely complicates matters for her by placing her in somewhat of a love triangle.
Steins;Gateis an extremelycreative twist on the time travel tropethat can be seen in many anime series and other forms of media. InSteins;Gate,a clever scientist, Rintaro Okabe, experiences the scientific breakthrough of a lifetime, realizing he can text people in the past and actually get the message to them. However, this seemingly positive advancement has some dire consequences, when Rintaro realizes meddling in the past can lead to disaster.
Any science fiction anime fans will likely adoreSteins;Gate,and even those who are not as familiar with the genrewill appreciate the anime’s action, ethical dilemmas, and drama.Time travel may seem like an overdone cliché at this point, butSteins;Gatepulls off the trope like never before with a fresh new take that definitely deserves a watch.
Hunter X Hunter
Hunter x Hunteris one of the longer anime offerings on Hulu, butit is well worth the time it would take to catch up on the anime’s six seasons.The series is a great example of what a well-written, well-animated fantasy shonen should look like, and is often described as the perfect series for anime beginners due to its humor, lovable characters, and interesting arcs.
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Hunter x Huntercenters around the young protagonist Gon, as he works diligently to earn the title of “Hunter,” fighting increasingly dangerous villains and embarking on treacherous journeys to prove himself.One ofHunter x Hunter’sbest qualities is its character development,because characters like Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio are dynamic and nearly impossible to forget.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodfollows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who meddled in alchemy and became horribly injured. Although the Elric brothers originally set out to revive their mother, they both received devastating effects from the magic they used andthe elusive Philosopher’s Stone is the only way to reverse these negative consequences.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodhas been a standout in the dark fantasy anime genrefor many years, and is considered one ofthe best anime of all timeby some fans. From its stunning fight scenes to its deep writing,Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis sure to please any anime fan, whether they are looking for action or emotion.
Your Lie in Aprilis tragic, beautiful, and impossible to watch without crying by the end.Kousei Arima is a talented pianist, Kaori Miyazono is a skilled violinist, and their worlds collide when difficult circumstances bring them together. Kousei struggles with the loss of his mother, while Kaori is battling a terminal illness, unbeknownst to Kousei.
The pair discover they make beautiful music together with their respective instruments, but Kousei quickly realizes Kaori’s days are unfortunately numbered due to her sickness. The animation inYour Lie in Aprilis breathtaking, many of the morals and themes are truly profound, the bond between Kousei and Kaori is touching, and, of course,the music is captivatingly gorgeous and sure to appeal to music lovers especially.
Erasedis one of the most suspenseful, engrossing anime series ever, as the protagonist, Satoru Fujinuma, finds himself suddenlysent back in time to catch a serial killer involved in a string of murders.Erasedtakes place in two different timelines: Satoru’s adult life as a 29-year-old, and his childhood, as an elementary school student.
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AlthoughErasedflashes between Satoru’s adulthood and childhood, the flow of the series is phenomenal and never feels confusing.The identity of the killer remains a secret almost until the very last episode ofErased,and viewers may find themselves watching the entire series in one sitting to find out who murdered Satoru’s classmates. Aside from the murder mystery and time travel elements,Erasedis deeply emotional, exploring themes like protecting others and finding meaning in one’s life.
The Promised Neverlandappears innocent at surface level, focusing on three children, Emma, Norman, and Ray, who live together in an orphanage. The insightful children eventually begin to realize thatthe seemingly innocuous orphanage and its owners are hiding an evil secret:they are planning to sell the children to hungry demons.
The Promised Neverland is a grim storyfull of unexpected twists and turns,as the children desperately fight to escape the orphanage and protect one another. Until its very last episode,The Promised Neverlandgrasps the viewer’s attention and does not let go, chronicling all the setbacks the children face on their tedious escape mission from a vile fate at the hands of demons.
