When it comes to anime, there is almost always plenty of variety. These animated shows range from modern to classic, serious to light-hearted, realistic to absurd, and, perhaps most importantly, from short to long. For every monolithic series with hundreds of episodes, there are countless others that tell succinct stories that any interested fan can watch in a single sitting.
While most streaming services offer plenty of anime options, Hulu does a particularly good job of stocking its library with quick-hitting anime titles that have a low number of episodes. Binge-watching can bre a lot of fun with a short and sweet anime series, and the next time viewers are in search of a low-investment option, these anime titles are definitely worth checking out.
Updated on November 2nd, 2023 by Louis Kemner: This article has been updated with a few more of the best anime to watch on Hulu and reflects Hulu's current library of anime content. It has also been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.
30 Mushoku Tensei is a Popular Fantasy Isekai Title
Mushoku Tensei is widely considered one of the better isekai anime out there, even if it's fairly formulaic. The story introduces a 30-something NEET who hits rock bottom and decides his life is worthless, but he still has some good in him. He leaps into traffic to save some kids from danger, and then Truck-kun hits him instead.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.38
- IMDb: 8.4
The NEET awakens in a new life in a fantasy realm, starting his life over as a young child named Rudeus Greyrat. He will grow up to become a master of magic, just in time for horrendous catastrophes to befall the land. Now, Rudeus must make something of himself and save many more lives than he ever could back on Earth.
29 Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun Puts a New Twist on an Urban Legend
Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun is a bizarre twist on the real-life "Hanako-chan" urban legend in Japan. The original legend speaks of a spirit called Hanako-chan who haunts girls' bathrooms and can be summoned, but in this anime, things aren't what they seem. Heroine Nene Yashiro will try to summon Hanako-chan to get a wish granted, only to realize Hanako is a boy.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 7.84
- IMDb: 7.5
This spirit is Hanako-kun rather than Hanako-chan, and Nene is now bound to him as his assistant. Now, Nene must help Hanako fight evil supernatural phenomena and change rumors around the school to maintain the balance between the human and spirit worlds.
28 Persona 5 Is a Fine Adaptation of the Popular Atlus Game
The Persona 5 anime is a great anime to binge on Hulu for fans of supernatural action/adventure anime like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. This anime is based on Atlus Games' title Persona 5, a hugely popular game that blends JRPG elements with visual novel sequences, all held together with a good story, fun characters, and a famously great jazzy soundtrack.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 6.43
- IMDb: 6.6
Unlike the carefree Persona 4, set in an idyllic Japanese town, the story of Persona 5 takes place in Tokyo, where corrupt adults always ruin life for teenagers. It's up to protagonist Akira/Joker to form the Phantom Thieves group to steal the mental treasures of those adults and expose their crimes. That means plenty of drama, adventure, and Stand-like battles with Personas.
27 Kimi Ni Todoke Gives an Unpopular Girl Another Chance at True Love
Kimi Ni Todoke is widely beloved as one of the best shojo romance anime series out there, and it's long enough to tell a meaningful story but just short enough for Hulu subscribers to binge all day long. This story stars the charming dandere Sawako Kuronuma, a dark-haired girl who's often compared to horror movie villains.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.0
- IMDb: 7.8
No matter her appearance, though, Sawako is a compassionate and good-hearted girl who just wants love and friendship, and at last, she'll get it. Sawako will make two great friends who will always support her and vice versa, and then Sawako will get involved with the kind Shota Kazehaya, the most popular boy at the school.
26 Demon Slayer Has Become a Shonen Must-Watch
Several story arcs/seasons of Demon Slayer are available to stream on Hulu, though binging the entire thing might be too much for one day. So, fans who want to aggressively dive into Demon Slayer's anime can start with Season 1 and binge it all, then decide when and if they're ready for more.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.49
- IMDb: 8.6
Demon Slayer is the heartfelt story of protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, who will train to become a demon-hunting swordsman after his sister Nezuko is forcibly turned into a monstrous demon. Tanjiro's only hope to save Nezuko is to hunt powerful demons while researching a cure, but of course, saving innocent people from demons is rewarding, too.
25 Platinum End Features a Tournament to Find the Next God
The creators of Death Note also launched the series Platinum End, which has some overlap with Death Note while exploring its own theme and combat system. In Platinum End, 13 angels descend from heaven to choose 13 humans who are strong contenders to become the next God. People like protagonist Mirai Kakehashi must use wings and arrows to fight and see who comes out on top.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 6.05
- IMDb: 6.2
Along the way, Platinum End's main characters will face their own mortality and ask tough questions about why they fight and what the meaning of life really is. Most importantly, they must also figure out what it really means to become God and wield such an enormous responsibility, no matter who the strongest fighter is.
24 Fruits Basket Is a Classic Romance Drama/Comedy
Both versions of the Fruits Basket anime are available to stream on Hulu, but the 2019 reboot version, at 63 episodes, is too long for a one-day binge marathon. That anime is best savored over the course of a week or more, but the 2001 Fruits Basket anime is perfect for a one-day binge, at a solid 26 episodes.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 7.69
- IMDb: 7.9
The 2001 Fruits Basket may not tell the complete story from the manga, but it's still a fun watch, binge or not. Protagonist Tohru Honda is a kind, emotionally strong girl who will move in with the reclusive, cursed Sohma family and learn that some of them turn into animals when hugged. The Sohmas have a lot of internal drama regarding their curse and Akito Sohma's oppressive ways, but Tohru is ready to save the day and change some lives.
23 Gurren Lagann Is a Flamboyant, Over-the-Top Mecha Anime Fans Love
Gurren Lagann stands as one of the best mecha anime of all time, even if it seems cartoony and sappy compared to legendary franchises like Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. For all its goofiness, Gurren Lagann is still one of the best anime to watch on Hulu or indeed, any streaming platform.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.63
- IMDb: 8.3
Gurren Lagann depicts violent future where the Beastmen have conquered the Earth, and humans like protagonist Simon and his best bud Kamina must live in underground cities to survive. However, Kamina dreams of seeing the sky and retaking the Earth, and he and Simon will use the power of their mighty robot Gurren Lagann to do just that.
22 Konosuba Is a Delightful Parody of Isekai
Konosuba is one of the most popular isekai anime series out there, and is certainly among the best anime on Hulu, too. Konosuba is a satire of the formulaic isekai subgenre, depicting a sleazy NEET antihero who ended up in a fantasy world where his massive luck stat is his only real advantage as his quest begins.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.11
- IMDb: 7.8
Joining Kazuma in his misadventures are the juvenile goddess Aqua, the bratty explosion witch Megumin, and the wacky but well-meaning crusader Darkness, a rich girl who ran off to fight monsters with her own two hands. This band of misfits will struggle to ever get the job done right, but they'll still have fun, and real friendships will soon take root.
21 The Promised Neverland Starts With a Dark, Suspenseful Twist
The first season of 12 episodes is all that Hulu has for The Promised Neverland, but new fans probably won't mind. The anime's second season is deeply unpopular and didn't finish the story, so the 12-episode Season 1 on Hulu should suffice to show fans what this franchise is like. If they like it, the original manga is a viewer's best bet to finish the story.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.5
- IMDb: 8.2
The Promised Neverland is a horror/action anime series where children like Emma, Ray, and Norman live in what they think is an ordinary rural orphanage. The grim truth is that beyond the orphanage's walls, demons rule the world, and kids like Emma are being prepared as meals for those monsters. So, Emma and her friends will escape this falsely safe world, no matter the risk.
20 Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Makes the Zombie Apocalypse Hilarious
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is making waves as one of the best and most original anime in the Summer 2023 season, and it's already one of the best anime on Hulu, too. It's currently airing, and will likely run for 12 episodes, making it a fine binge for interested fans as the summer season ends.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.05
- IMDb: 8.0
Zom 100 is a humorous zombie apocalypse story where the protagonist, Akira Tendo, is actually thrilled to watch the undead hordes tear civilization down. He hated his soul-crushing office job, and with civilization gone, he's free to roam the world and cross off items from his bucket list, and finally start living while everyone else dies.
19 Kaguya-Sama: Love is War Is a High-IQ Romance Comedy
Hulu features the first season of Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, a fine introduction for this outstanding romantic comedy seinen anime. This one-season sample of the overall Kaguya-Sama franchise may certainly inspire Hulu subscribers to check out the complete manga series, which offers more material than any anime season.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.41
- IMDb: 8.5
Kaguya-Sama is one of the best Hulu anime because it's more than just romantic hijinks in high school. The series has sharp writing with deceptively deep characters, clever dialogue, and resonant themes about realizing one's own potential and being brave enough to reach for it.
18 Akame ga Kill! Is About Deadly Assassins in the Night
After its debut in 2014, Akame ga Kill! quickly earned a reputation as one of the most popular shonen anime of the 2010s. The action-packed series follows the exploits of the Night Raid — a skilled group of assassins who are hell-bent on taking down the corrupt government that rules their kingdom.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 7.83
- IMDb: 7.8
During the first episode, the Night Raid encounters the series' protagonist, Tatsumi. Hailing from an impoverished village, Tatsumi has just begun a journey to save his struggling family. Together, he and his new acquaintances do their best to overthrow the corrupt Prime Minister, squaring off against numerous lethal opponents along the way.
17 Mushishi Is Rooted in Japanese Folklore & Has Great Music
Like many other classic seinen, Mushishi draws significant inspiration from Japanese folklore. Its protagonist, the traveling wanderer Ginko, spends most of the series interacting with mysterious spirits known as Mushi, resulting in a fun, modernized depiction of traditional Asian motifs.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.66
- IMDb: 8.5
Instead of an ongoing narrative, Mushishi opts for an episodic format that is perfect for its slow-paced tales. Thanks to its breathtaking scenery, wonderful musical scores, and solid animation, the beloved seinen is still a treat almost 20 years later.
16 Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc Will Finish Tite Kubo's Original Story
The original Bleach anime is also on Hulu, though at 300+ episodes, it's far too long to binge in a single day. By contrast, the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime is much shorter and has better pacing, and anyone who once watched the original Bleach is encouraged to binge its shiny, modern successor.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 9.05
- IMDb: 9.0
This Bleach anime covers the final and biggest story arc of the series, with Ichigo Kurosaki and the other Soul Reapers waging a bloody war against the mighty Quincy empire, the Wandenreich. Along the way, Bleach's best heroes will also discover new sides to themselves in the midst of war, and experience growth they never thought was possible.
15 Death Parade Features Unusual Games to Test People
Although numerous supernatural thrillers populate the anime landscape, Death Parade does a great job of separating itself from the rest of the pack. The unique series primarily focuses on Decim, a Charon-like bartender who offers the deceased a chance at reincarnation.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.15
- IMDb: 7.9
Death Parade's hands-on exploration of death and human nature feels innovative thanks to the show's storytelling, and throughout the series, the work done by Madhouse animation studio shines through. Since a follow-up season is unlikely to happen, fans would be wise to check out Death Parade while it's available on Hulu.
14 ItaKiss Is a Conventional But Fun High School Romance
ItaKiss turned 15 years old in April 2023, but in spite of its age, the beloved shojo still ranks among the best romance anime available on streaming platforms. Kotoko Aihara, the protagonist of ItaKiss, is forced to share a roof with her high school's smartest student, Naoki Irie.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 7.42
- IMDb: 7.3
Although the pair begin without much chemistry, they slowly grow to appreciate one another as an unlikely romance develops between them. At only 25 episodes, ItaKiss' easy-to-watch nature makes it perfect for an all-day binge. For fans of the series in search of more content, ItaKiss also spawned three live-action adaptations, speaking to its long-standing popularity worldwide.
13 Claymore Is a Dark Fantasy For Berserk Fans
Few anime series available on the Hulu platform have been as well-received as the 2007 dark fantasy title, Claymore. Despite eventually deviating from its source manga, Claymore's 26 episodes tell a story that perfectly captures the brutal circumstances facing its protagonist, Clare.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 7.74
- IMDb: 8.0
During her youth, Clare was one of the weakest members of her entire race. As a Claymore, she is part-human, part-Yoma (a powerful humanoid race that feeds on people), but unlike her peers, Clare's DNA is three-quarters human rather than half. This puts in her a unique position that, although disadvantageous at first, ultimately allows her to bridge the gap between two very different groups.
12 Kill la Kill Makes Clothing Part of the Combat System
Ten years after its initial release, Kill la Kill still holds a spot as one of the most beloved anime in recent memory. The eclectic series follows its protagonist, Ryuko Matoi, as she searches the world for the culprits behind her father's murder, resulting in a wacky, action-packed adventure that perfectly matches its unique art style.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.04
- IMDb: 7.9
Along her journey, Ryuko meets a variety of characters — some friends, some foes — that prove instrumental in her hunt for answers. At only 24 episodes, Kill la Kill can easily be knocked out in a single day.
11 Your Lie In April Is Sure to Break Some Hearts
Originally a one-shot comic, Your Lie in April eventually transformed into the beautiful anime series that won over fans upon its debut in 2014. It tells the story of piano prodigy Kosei Arima, a fourteen-year-old struggling to cope with the recent loss of his loving mother.
Rating Scores:
- MyAnimeList: 8.65
- IMDb: 8.6
After meeting Kaori Miyazono, a talented violinist with an upbeat personality, Kosei comes to terms with his circumstances, developing a loving bond with his newfound friend along the way. A love triangle will also take shape, adding more drama to an already tense situation.