Hulu probably isn’t the first place you’d think of for anime, but it should be. With a strong lineup of traditional favorites and new fan favorites, it’s become one of the go-to destinations for anime fans. Whether you’re an old hand at anime or just anime-curious, Hulu has something to suit every taste—thrillers, supernatural romances, psychological horror, and action-packed adventures. Here are 15 of the greatest anime shows out now on Hulu, ordered from sleeper hits to downright blockbusters.
15. Fruits Basket
This effective revamp of the widely popular manga combines family secrets, mystical curses, and poignant coming-of-age drama. Meet Tohru Honda as she becomes entangled in the lives of the cursed Sohma clan—each member cursed with an animal from the zodiac. It’s a delicate but powerful exploration of trauma, benevolence, and healing, and a classic example of how shoujo anime can land deep emotional punches.
14. Parasyte: The Maxim
Ever considered what would occur if your right hand were possessed by an alien? That’s Shinichi Izumi’s life in Parasyte, a gory combination of sci-fi horror and moral dilemma. With graphic violence and unexpectedly astute observations about humanity, this series will leave you both repulsed and enthralled.
13. Blood-C
Gut-violent and stunningly animated, Blood-C tracks Saya Kisaragi as she juggles school life and her secret work as a monster-killer. It’s bloody, yes, but the violence is accompanied by mystery and complexity—and a couple of major twists you won’t anticipate. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth a shock for horror aficionados.
12. Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU
Underneath the adorable graphics is a chilling horror series that takes place in a quiet town where time repeats—and there’s always one more murder waiting. Higurashi expertly manipulates timelines and paranoia to create an always-tense journey into madness and mystery.
11. Trigun & Trigun Stampede
Vash the Stampede is a gentle gunslinger with an enormous price on his head. Both the original 90s show and the modern Trigun Stampede remake are great, although in different ways. Both have a good balance of humor, action, and unexpectedly profound themes. The remake offers superior animation and a more accurate adaptation of the manga’s emotional trajectory.
10. Cowboy Bebop
No anime roundup is complete without this genre-defining space western. Cowboy Bebop tracks a group of bumbling space bounty hunters traveling through the cosmos—and their troubled histories. With its jazz soundtrack, cutting-edge plots, and characters to die for, this one’s more than a series—it’s an experience.
9. Death Note
What if a high school whiz kid discovers a notebook with the ability to kill? You have Death Note—a gripping psychological thriller in which morality, power, and brains clash. Observing the intellectual battle between Light Yagami and the enigmatic L is like observing two chess grandmasters wage war—human lives at stake.
8. Tokyo Ghoul
This series blends body horror with a tragic identity crisis. Kaneki becomes half-human, half-ghoul after a freak experience—and finds himself belonging to neither society. Tokyo Ghoul delves into the gray areas of evil and good with jaw-dropping action and tear-jerking moments.
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Every arc of JoJo’s is progressively more outlandish than the previous one—in a good way. With its over-the-top art style, offbeat characters, and constantly shifting narrative, this generational epic is anime at its most enjoyably bizarre. Begin at the start or jump into a preferred arc—either method leads to a crazy ride.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
A true masterpiece, Brotherhood follows the Elric brothers as they seek redemption after a tragic alchemy experiment gone wrong. With sharp pacing, deep philosophical questions, and some of the best character development in anime, this is a show you’ll want to binge and rewatch.
5. Sailor Moon
This legendary magical girl series still sparkles. Whether you’re revisiting your childhood or discovering it for the first time, Sailor Moon delivers heart, style, and cosmic battles in spades. Hulu offers both the nostalgic original and the modern retelling, Sailor Moon Crystal.
4. My Hero Academia
In a reality where superpowers (quirks) are the norm, My Hero Academia tracks Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless high school student with big dreams. Packed with high-stakes hero training, emotional explorations, and legendary battle choreography, it’s a must-watch for action and sentimentalists alike.
3. Attack on Titan
This end-of-the-world anime isn’t merely trendy—it’s a phenomenon. Mankind’s struggle to survive against monstrous Titans becomes a rich, intricate saga of political machinations, changing allegiances, and jaw-dropping surprises. You can watch all four seasons in their entirety and binge the whole grisly epic from beginning to end.
2. Naruto
Naruto is a classic for the reason that it is. This gigantic saga chronicles a young ninja with big hopes and an even bigger heart as he climbs from village outcast to world savior. With stories of persistence, friendship, and competition, Naruto, Shippuden, and even Boruto provide hundreds of hours of gripping lore.
1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
No anime has won over viewers in the last few years as completely as Demon Slayer. With breathtaking animation, eye-popping battle choreography, and emotionally charged narrative, it tracks Tanjiro’s quest to confront demons and find a cure for his sister. It’s as gorgeous as it is gory—and well worth your time.
From brooding thrillers to heartwarming classics, Hulu’s anime offerings are surprisingly robust. Whether you’re an old pro or just beginning, there’s never a better moment to discover what it has in store. So stock up on snacks, queue up a show, and binge away.