Original anime and fresh releases have found a home on Netflix, and we think it's one of the best streaming services for anime fans. Its library is surprisingly expansive, covering everything from long-beloved classics like Cowboy Bebop and Naruto to more recent hits like Dandadan. Crunchyroll is exclusively for anime, so it remains our favorite service overall. That being said, it's worth subscribing to Netflix for its anime, too, if you want to cover all your bases.
There's so much to watch. If you're looking for more niche stuff, Netflix also has Beastars and Record of Ragnarok to check out. Get stuck in!
The best anime shows on Netflix
Shogakukan Shueisha Productions/MAPPA/Ranma 1/2 Production Committee Ranma 1/2 (2024) Prefer comedy? This beloved manga was adapted by MAPPA studios for a new anime release that arrived last October. Ranma Saotome and his father were cursed when they fell into springs, with Ranma transforming into a girl whenever he touches cold water. The gifted martial artist is set up in an arranged marriage to Akane to keep the family dojo business going. But the school-age couple encounters all sorts of problems.
Hyuganatsu/Imagica Infos/The Apothecary Diaries Project The Apothecary Diaries (2023- ) There are 24 episodes of The Apothecary Diaries available to stream on Netflix, which will bring you up to speed on the first two seasons of the show. Maomao's life is upended when she's sold to the imperial family, separating her from her father and the apothecary practices she grew up with. Though she's not on board with the change, when members of the royal family get sick, her knowledge and skills help cure them. Her efforts get her noticed, and she's soon promoted, sending her on a path to investigate and heal medical issues. If you like mystery, drama and a little romance, this is the perfect binge.
Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha/Dandadan Production Committee Dandadan (2024- ) Fan-favorite manga Dandadan (also spelled Dan da dan) can be streamed on Netflix, Crunchyroll and Hulu, so take your pick. Once Momo and Okarun become friends, they find common ground about their beliefs -- and disbeliefs -- about the unexplainable. In this case, it's ghosts and extraterrestrials. The pair learn to tap into their own super-abilities to fight supernatural threats.
Netflix Devil May Cry (2025- ) Love the video game? Netflix brought its anime adaptation of Devil May Cry to screen, giving life to mercenary demon hunter Dante. Armed with superhuman strength, a smart mouth and cutthroat gun skills, he's got to fight a vengeful villain named the White Rabbit while ducking a government organization called DARKCOM. Season 1 is up now, and the series has recently been renewed for season 2.
Viz Media Demon Slayer (2019-) Shonen's standout hit, Demon Slayer, breaks with many of the well-worn cliches in action anime. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, who joins the ranks of the demon slayers, following the murder of his family by a demon. Only Nezuko Kamado, Tanjiro's younger sister, survived the onslaught — but she was turned into a demon. Tanjiro travels Taisho-era Japan with Nezuko in search of a cure and joins the Demon Slayer Corps, seeking to confront the original demon, Muzan Kibutsuji, who killed his family. The animation and action are breathtaking, the characters are compelling and vibrant, the music is stellar and the dialogue is memorable. We couldn't recommend this anime more. All seasons through the Hashira Training arc are streaming on Netflix now, along with seven episodes covering the events of the Mugen Train film that was released in theaters.
Viz Media Naruto (2002-2007) "Believe it" (as Naruto Uzumaki would say), you can't have a best anime list without this show. This classic, well-loved anime follows Naruto, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who dreams of becoming the leader of the village. Beware: Naruto is a very long anime. So long, in fact, that once you get through all nine seasons on Netflix (220 episodes total), which covers Naruto's preteen years, you'll still have another 500 episodes to cover in Naruto: Shippuden, which picks up two and a half years after the show's original run. You'll have to look elsewhere for the follow-up series, though, as Shippuden isn't currently streaming on Netflix. But Netflix does carry plenty of the Naruto movies, if you're after more adventures from the Hidden Leaf ninjas. Just make sure to skip the filler episodes, unless you're really desperate for something to watch.
Netflix The Summer Hikaru Died (2025- ) Mokumokuren's debut manga, The Summer Hikaru Died, has been adapted for the small screen, bringing its haunting and sometimes tragic storytelling to Netflix in 2025. Yoshiki and Hikaru are best friends who grew up together in a small town. Yoshiki's home life isn't the most peaceful, and he has inner struggles as a teen, which are made more complicated when his friend disappears and mysteriously comes back "different." Horror, suspense and fantasy blend in this story about grief, friendship and... monsters. See at Netflix
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