While the anime world is largely dominated by dedicated services like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE, general streaming giants such as Netflix and Prime Video have quietly curated impressive libraries. Hulu, however, often stays under the radar; despite being primarily known for its extensive live-action slate, it serves as a robust home for pillars of the medium like Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, and My Hero Academia. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll unearth stellar, lesser-discussed gems like Dororo and Summer Time Rendering.
To help you navigate their library, we’ve rounded up 11 essential anime currently streaming on Hulu.
1 Mob Psycho 100
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Mob Psycho 100 remains a masterpiece of subversion. Shifting focus away from the typical power-scaling tropes of the shonen genre, the series centers on Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, a socially awkward teenager burdened with immense psychic abilities. Rather than focusing on combat, the story flourishes through the mentorship of Arataka Reigen, a charismatic fraud masquerading as a powerful medium.
With visual flair provided by Studio Bones—the team behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood—the series masterfully balances high-stakes psychic battles with poignant, character-driven vignettes.
2 Sonny Boy
Image: Madhouse
Director Shingo Natsume delivers a surreal, avant-garde experience with Sonny Boy. Produced by Madhouse, this series follows a group of middle schoolers mysteriously displaced to a fractured alternate dimension known as “This World.” It is an experimental and melancholy look at adolescence, using the genre’s tropes to critique the dangers of escapism while exploring the complex identities of its young cast.
3 Fruits Basket
Image: TMS Entertainment
Natsuki Takaya’s iconic series received a definitive, three-season reimagining in 2019 that offers far greater depth than the original adaptation. Centering on Tohru Honda, an orphan who discovers the secret of the Sohma family—that they transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when embraced—the show is a deeply empathetic exploration of trauma, found family, and the healing power of love.
4 Gurren Lagann
In a genre often bogged down by nihilism and grim political warfare, Gurren Lagann serves as a vibrant, life-affirming antidote. When a young tunnel-digger named Simon drills his way to the surface, he discovers a world in turmoil under the heel of the Spiral King. What follows is an adrenaline-fueled coming-of-age journey that champions optimism and sheer willpower. It is a spectacle of heart and scale, urging viewers to keep pushing forward regardless of the odds.
5 Medalist
If you enjoy the emotional stakes of competitive sports anime, Medalist is an essential watch. The story follows Inori Yuitsuka, a young girl determined to defy the odds by becoming a champion figure skater despite her “late” start. Paired with a struggling coach, Tsukasa Akeuraji, the series captures the grueling dedication required to succeed at an elite level, all while maintaining a beautiful, heartfelt focus on the artistry of the ice.
6 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Widely considered one of the greatest stories ever told in the medium, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a masterclass in narrative structure. After a tragic alchemical experiment goes awry, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric set out to rectify their mistakes, uncovering a web of political corruption and conspiracy within the military state of Amestris. It’s a profound meditation on ethics, sacrifice, and the weight of history.
7 Spy x Family
Spy x Family is the perfect mix of high-stakes espionage and wholesome family comedy. To pull off a mission of international importance, a master spy, an elite assassin, and a telepathic child must form a fake family. The resulting domestic shenanigans are hilarious, yet the show remains grounded by the genuine, evolving bond between its mismatched trio, with the telepathic Anya serving as the series’ adorable anchor.
8 The Tatami Time Machine Blues
Serving as a whimsical, standalone sequel to The Tatami Galaxy, this six-episode series is a delightful, low-stakes time-travel comedy. Set during a sweltering summer, the protagonist finds himself caught in a loop as he uses a time machine to try and optimize his social life and solve minor inconveniences. It is bright, fast-paced, and ideal for a weekend binge.
9 Heavenly Delusion
Heavenly Delusion (or Tengoku Daimakyo) is a visually arresting post-apocalyptic thriller. The narrative weaves between two distinct threads: Maru and Kiruko’s perilous trek across a desolate wasteland, and a group of children residing in a mysterious, isolated sanctuary. While the series occasionally trips over its own provocative themes, it remains an incredibly compelling mystery that rewards viewers who piece together its shocking structural puzzle.
10 Hell’s Paradise
For those who crave gritty, high-stakes action, Hell’s Paradise offers a dark fantasy experience like no other. Gabimaru the Hollow, an infamous ninja on death row, is granted a chance at freedom if he can retrieve the Elixir of Life from a surreal, death-filled island. Pitted against other dangerous criminals and grotesque monsters, the survivors must navigate a beautiful yet lethal landscape where the only thing more dangerous than the island is the person fighting beside you.
Source: Polygon
