Over the past decade, Hulu’s commitment to fleshing out its anime library has become increasingly evident. No major streaming services — minus anime-specific platforms like Crunchyroll — even come close to challenging the depth of Hulu’s catalog. Here are some of the best anime movies to watch on Hulu.
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Akira
Akira was released in 198. This cinematic masterpiece played a massive role in the proliferation of anime in Western media. Thanks in large part to its stellar animation, avant-garde presentation, and massive impact on the cyberpunk genre.
It takes place in a dystopian, technologically-advanced version of Tokyo. It follows two characters — Shotaro Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima — as they grapple with the latter’s burgeoning psychic powers. Anyone who has seen Akira can attest that this film is an absolute classic.
Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul
The Made in Abyss franchise is actually among the darker animated properties available on the Hulu platform. Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul picks up where the first season of Made in Abyss ends, and it raises the stakes for its protagonist, Riko, in virtually every way.
Riko and her companions inhabit a world built around the Abyss — an endless chasm housing creatures and relics of a time long past. Together, they venture deeper into the Abyss, slowly unraveling its secrets as they learn more about themselves in the process.
Lupin III: The First
The Lupin III franchise has seen its fair share of reboots since debuting in 1967. Its 2019 theatrical release, Lupin III: The First, received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics alike. As with the rest of the Lupin III franchise, Lupin III: The First follows the charming thief, Arsene Lupin III, as he attempts to steal a massive treasure.
Praised for its plot, visual quality, and stellar voice-acting, this film took the anime world by storm en route to winning the 2019 Japanese Academy Award for Excellent Animation.
Trigun: Badlands Rumble
Trigun has maintained its presence in the anime community since debuting in 1998. But the franchise’s 2010 theatrical release, Trigun: Badlands Rumble, is clearly one of the properties’ high points. Vash the Stampede, the series’ sharp-shooting protagonist, is as dynamic in this film as in any work he appears in.
Trigun: Badlands Rumble doesn’t tell Vash’s origin story. But it does a wonderful job of grounding viewers in his perspective and outlook on the world. The pacifistic sharpshooter is a walking contradiction.
K MISSING KINGS
K: Missing Kings is a direct, cinematic sequel to the show’s first 13 episodes. Centered around the protagonists’ search for Shiro, the missing King of the Silver Clan. This film combines mystery, action, and political conflict into one beautifully-animated package.
For anime watchers in search of a film with a conclusive narrative, K: Missing Kings might not be the right option. However, since the anime’s second season picks up immediately after the events of the film, K: Missing Kings’ abrupt ending should be easy to overlook.