Unapologetically Relatable Content
Unapologetically Relatable Content
Anime is making a comeback like never before! You no longer have to endure a late Friday night to catch all the episodes of your favorite show. Hulu and Netflix have made it easier than ever to stream anime instantly! But when you compare cost, usability, and selection, how do you know which option is best for you?
Hulu’s subscription prices range, giving viewers the ability to customize their experience based on their budget. Their standard subscription starts at $7.99/month with ads, and students with an active ID can use Hulu’s Student Service for only $1.99/month! If you would like to opt out of ads completely, it will run you about $14.99/month.
THE PROS:
Hulu boasts a tremendous selection of titles, with over 300 anime shows and movies to choose from! They partner with big-name platforms like VIZ, Crunchyroll, and Funimation to provide viewers with the best simulcast experience possible. This means Hulu will release new episodes for popular anime shows within just one hour of them airing in Japan! You no longer have to worry about spoilers since you’ll have immediate access to what’s newly released.
Additionally, Hulu provides more options when watching their anime in either the original Japanese or English dubbed versions. With new episodes and titles released sooner than on Netflix, streamers can expect to see the original version of their favorite shows without worrying about a language barrier should they choose to watch in English!
Finally, Hulu is extremely user-friendly! They have all their shows organized into playlists based on studio, genre, and style, making it incredibly easy to find new content relatable to what you’re already interested in. The platform is easy to navigate for anyone looking to find more to explore, whether you’re a seasoned anime watcher or just starting.
THE CONS:
While Hulu has a vast selection of some of your favorite content, it falls short in comparison to platform originals. Unlike Netflix, Hulu has no “Hulu Anime Originals”.
Another inconvenience would be the cost to eliminate ads. At $15/month, it runs you about $5 more than an ad-free subscription with Netflix. The ads also tend to be pretty frequent, at about 2-3 ads per episode, and the inability to skip through them.
Netflix is going to come at a slightly cheaper price point, with it costing $6.99/month with ads and $9.99/month without ads. Although you don’t have a student option, Netflix offers two additional subscriptions: $15.49/month to get 1080p quality and $19.99/month for 4K + HDR quality!
THE PROS:
The most obvious pro to Netflix would be the cost difference. Netflix does come in at a slightly more affordable price for the everyday consumer. They also have more subscription options for viewers who value the overall video quality of their shows!
Although Hulu grants you immediate access to all your favorite binge-worthy shows, Netflix seriously outweighs Hulu when it comes to original content ONLY found on their platform. Extremely popular shows like, Kakegurui, and BAKI may be all your anime-loving friends are talking about, but you’ll only be able to share their experience by having an active Netflix subscription. This gives viewers a sense of exclusivity with shows that are only available to subscribers!
Netflix also carries a wide range of shows imported straight from Japan! While they may not be the most popular or well-known, they are still accessible and easy to find on their platform. This doesn’t just give fans the ability to catch up on their favorite and lesser-known shows, but it allows these series to be viewed by more consumers worldwide!
THE CONS:
A major con that avid anime watchers will face when streaming with Netflix is the missing perk of simulcasts. Simulcasts are what make new episodes readily available in either subbed or dubbed formats. Viewers who use Netflix may find themselves waiting weeks for a new episode or season to be released.
Netflix also has no partnerships with major anime streaming platforms, such as Funimation and Crunchyroll. This means that what they are making up for in original and exclusive content, they are seriously lacking in more popular and binge-worthy shows. Many users may find themselves opting for a free version (with many ads) of Crunchyroll to have immediate access to new episodes and releases.
Luckily, both options are great when you’re looking for affordability, a user-friendly interface, and overall content. It boils down to what you are using your streaming service for.
For someone looking for the ability to binge-watch or catch up on your favorite shows almost immediately after its release, Hulu may be the best option for you. If you prefer to stay up to date on exclusive originals and a wider selection of what Japan has to offer, you might want to opt for Netflix.
Regardless of your interests or anime-watching needs, Hulu and Netflix are both exceptional options when trying to get your anime fix!