In the last decade, Anime has been growing rapidly outside of Japan, especially in the USA. Here in the USA, most people prefer to watch anime through streaming websites. These websites offer a wide selection of anime shows and movie libraries to choose from, as well as help you to short out your preferred anime list based on genre, and popularity. However, with so many different streaming websites available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 5 anime streaming websites, highlighting their pros and cons to help you choose the best one for your needs.
5. Hulu:
Hulu is a streaming service with lots of TV shows and Movies from different categories. You can watch it on many devices, like your phone or TV. Hulu does not spend a lot of money making originals rather focuses on acquiring most content from different sources. Hulu is easy to use, and it helps you find new anime to watch. It’s a great choice if you want to add anime to your entertainment options.
Pros;
Low-Cost Plans: Hulu offers cheap plans and even a free one with fewer features. This is great if you’re on a tight budget.
More Anime: Hulu keeps getting more anime, so you’ll always find new things to watch.
Watch New Episodes Quickly: You can see new episodes of your favorite shows as soon as they’re out in Japan. This is because Hulu gets popular shows as they air, so you stay up to date.
High-quality streaming: Hulu offers high-quality streaming, even for anime shows and movies. You will have to use the paid version for that.
Cons;
Ads in the Paid plan: If you’re using Hulu’s paid plan, you’ll still have to watch some ads. This means that during your show or movie, there will be breaks for advertisements even after you pay money.
Not for Hardcore Anime Fans: If you’re a hardcore anime fan looking for a rich anime collection, you may not like Hulu. Its library, while growing, may not match the vast selection offered by other dedicated anime streaming services.
4. Amazon Prime Video:
Amazon Prime Video is a premium streaming service offered as part of an Amazon Prime membership. it is known for its diverse content library, which includes a growing collection of anime series and movies. It is a bit new to anime streaming as it started in 2017. Prime constantly trying to get a firm grip on anime streaming by buying famous shows like “Vinland Saga”, “Dororo”, “Fate series”, and so on.
Pros;
Variety of Anime Content: Amazon Prime Video keeps adding new anime shows and movies regularly, so you’ll always have something different to watch.
Amazon Originals: Amazon Prime Video creates its own unique anime shows and movies like “Vinland Saga”, “Isekai Quartet”, and “Blade of the Immortal.”
Easy to Use: The platform is easy to navigate. You can search for anime by type, name, or when it was released. You can even make your own anime watchlist.
Great Picture and Sound: It makes sure you get excellent video and sound quality when you’re watching. It adjusts how it plays depending on your device, so it always looks and sounds good.
Cons;
Limited Anime Selection: Amazon Prime Video has less anime than some other services on the list. You might not find all your favorite shows there.
Not All Anime Have Dubs: Some anime on Amazon Prime Video only have subtitles, not dubbed versions. This might not be what you prefer.
High Price: Streaming anime is only a part of all the content. So It can be difficult for those who just want to enjoy anime to get a high-priced subscription.
3. Netflix:
Probably the most popular on this list Netflix is one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms for its movies and TV shows. Which includes its own exclusive content which is by no means bad. But it is ranked in fourth due to its lack of a large anime library.
Netflix started its anime streaming journey in 2014 with its own animated show named Knights of Sidonia. Ever since Netflix has been a major player in popularising anime in the USA by buying streaming licences to dubbing new anime series. It has produced its own exclusive animated content like Castlevania, and Devilman Crybaby. Nevertheless, it has one of the best user experiences so far.
Pros;
Original Animated Series and Movies: Netflix has made significant investments in creating and licensing original anime content. This includes well-received series like “Castlevania,” “B: The Beginning,” and “Devilman Crybaby.” These exclusive titles can only be found on Netflix.
Download and Offline Viewing: Netflix allows users to download anime episodes or movies for offline viewing.
Ad-Free Experience: Unlike some free streaming services, Netflix is entirely ad-free after you get the subscription.
Cons;
Not an anime-focused website: Netflix’s anime library is large, but it is not as comprehensive as some other streaming services, such as Crunchyroll or Funimation. Additionally, the selection of anime shows and movies can vary depending on region.
High Price: like Amazon Prime streaming anime is only a part of all the content. So It can be difficult for those who just want to enjoy anime to get a high-priced subscription.
Loss of content: Netflix regularly removes shows and movies from its library, and this includes anime. So it is difficult to find your favorite anime whenever you want.
2. Hdive:
HDIVE is another notable player in the world of anime streaming, offering a unique selection of anime content. While not as widely known as some other platforms, HiDive has carved out a niche for itself by focusing on quality over quantity and providing a home for a variety of anime titles.
Pros;
Great Video Quality: Many anime on HiDive are in high-quality 1080p or even 4K, so you see all the details clearly.
Affordable Prices: HiDive’s monthly cost is lower than many other anime platforms, which is good for people looking to save money.
Watch New Episodes Quickly: You can watch the latest anime episodes soon after they come out in Japan, keeping you up to date.
Watch Offline: You can download some shows to watch without the internet, useful for travel or when the internet is slow.
Works on Many Devices: HiDive works on phones, tablets, game consoles, and smart TVs, giving you lots of ways to watch anime the way you want.
Cons;
Not Available Everywhere: HiDive mainly focuses on Asian markets, so if you’re outside of Asia, you might have fewer shows to choose from.
Website and App Issues: Sometimes, the HiDive website and apps don’t work perfectly. They might look old and be a little tricky to use.
Smaller Anime Collection: HiDive has lots of anime, but not as much as some other websites like Crunchyroll or Funimation.
1. Crunchyroll And Funimation:
The merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll brings together a streaming service that consists of both dubbed and subtitled anime fans. It offers a broader choice in how you enjoy your anime. The combined library is vast. Before the Merger, both of the streaming services were already top-tier. Now there is no doubt it is the best anime streaming service out there.
Pros;
Huge Anime Library: The merger combines two big anime libraries, giving us fans a much wider choice of shows and movies. We get more stuff to watch.
More Dubbed Anime: Funimation is good at making anime in English Dub. So, with this merger, you might see more anime on Crunchyroll with English dub voices.
Better Quality and Apps: The merger means they have more money. That could make the video quality better and apps easier to use.
Saves Money: If you like anime, you might have subscriptions to many different places. But with one big service, it can be cheaper than paying for lots of subscriptions.
Lower Costs in the Long Run: Because the merged company could have a lot of anime, they might be able to get it for less money. This could save money for people who like to watch anime in the long run.
Cons;
none
Wrapping It Up
Choose the anime streaming service that matches your anime-watching style, budget, and device. Consider your language preference, how up-to-date you want your content, and also your geographic location. Each service has something different to offer.
So pick the one that suits you best. Whether you’re a big anime fan or just enjoy it occasionally, there’s a service for everyone.