Top 6 Roku Anime Apps to Try in 2024

Looking for the best Roku anime apps to check out this year? Whether you’re completely new to anime or a long-time fan, Roku has some great streaming apps where you can watch hundreds of anime shows and movies. These apps range from specialty anime-only streaming services to more broad, general audience services that happen to have a wealth of anime content. We selected the top six to get you started. 

1. Crunchyroll

No list of the best anime streaming services is complete without Crunchyroll. This platform should be your go-to for watching anime today, whether you’re new to the genre or a long-time fan. It includes hundreds of titles with numerous language options, dubs and subtitles. Popular shows include Attack on Titan, JUJUTSU KAISEN, One Piece, Shangri-La Frontier and more. 

The Crunchyroll library is only continuing to grow, too. In 2022, Crunchyroll’s parent company, Sony, acquired Funimation, another top anime streaming service. Since the merger was finalized, Sony has been gradually adding the Funimation library to Crunchyroll. 

There are a few subscription options on Crunchyroll. First, you can use the 14-day free trial to test out the service and see if it has any specific shows you’re looking for. After that, there are three pricing tiers starting from $7.99 per month: fan, mega fan and ultimate fan. All the paid plans get you ad-free streaming with the full Crunchyroll library, although the more expensive plans do include some fun premium perks. 

2. HiDive

HiDive has become a top competitor with Crunchyroll among anime fans, although the two platforms cater to slightly different audiences. 

Crunchyroll tends to market more heavily toward the teen demographic with pop culture hits like My Hero Academia and Attack On Titan. In comparison, HiDive tends to focus more on edgy, gritty content than Crunchyroll does. There is some overlap, but if you’re looking for something outside the younger shonen demographic, HiDive is definitely worth checking out. 

HiDive includes many popular anime series and movies such as Vinland Saga, The Eminence in Shadow, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Made in Abyss and more. It’s somewhat cheaper than Crunchyroll with subscriptions starting at $4.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. 

3. RetroCrush

RetroCrush is one of the best Roku anime apps to try out in 2024, especially if you’re looking for retro anime. Many people consider the 1980s a golden age for anime. Series from this era still have a unique feel compared to their modern counterparts. So, if you’re an anime fan it’s definitely worth taking a look at some old school shows. 

RetroCrush specializes in classic anime. Its streaming library includes popular nostalgia titles like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Astro Boy, 07-Ghost, Street Fighter, Lupin the Third and more. Many shows are available to watch for free, including RetroCrush’s 24/7 live stream. If you do want to go ad-free, RetroCrush has one premium subscription rate of $4.99 per month (or $49.99 per year). 

4. Hulu

What if you want to give anime a try without paying for a specialty streaming service for it? In this case, there are a few Roku anime apps you can try that offer a more broad range of content in addition to anime. One of the best general audience streaming services for anime is Hulu. 

Hulu is a good option for anyone who’s new to anime and looking to check out the most popular, core shows in the genre. For example, Hulu includes hits like Naruto, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Super, Tokyo Ghoul and more. 

It’s worth noting that if you live outside the U.S. you may have to access Hulu content through Disney+ or Disney Star. In many countries, such as Canada, Disney has already merged Hulu content with Disney+ under the “Star” genre tab. So, if you live outside of the U.S., check there on Disney+/Disney Star to find Hulu’s anime content. 

5. Netflix

Netflix may not be a go-to source for anime, but if you already have a Netflix subscription, it can be a good place to try out a few shows in the genre. The main downside to watching anime on Netflix is a frustrating pattern known as “Netflix jail.” This refers to situations where Netflix acquires an international show, such as a Japanese anime, but doesn’t drop it for U.S. viewers until months after it originally airs. 

Netflix does have some great original anime series, though. These include Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Devilman Crybaby, Castlevania and more. There are also many fantastic anime-adjacent animated series on Netflix like Dragon Prince and Arcane. Netflix is also notably home to smash hit One Piece, which Netflix recently adapted into a live action series. 

So, if you already have a Netflix account, there are plenty of great shows that can give you a taste of anime without adding another streaming service to your collection. 

6. Tubi

If you want to get a taste for anime without paying for a subscription service, try out Tubi. This streaming service is ad-supported, which means it’s free for anyone to use. While the Tubi library is somewhat limited, it does have some good anime titles worth checking out. 

For example, with a free Tubi account, you can watch hits like Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, Astro Boy and more. If you don’t mind watching a few ads, Tubi’s anime library is fairly extensive, especially considering that it’s free. Unlike many other streaming services, Tubi doesn’t have a premium tier of content. Everything is ad supported, so you don’t need to pay to access the full Tubi library. 

Top Roku Anime Apps in 2024

There are a growing number of great Roku anime apps out there today. These six are the top options in 2024, ranging from specialty anime-specific platforms like Crunchyroll to free general audience platforms like Tubi. No matter the budget or genre you’re looking for, there’s an awesome streaming service out there where you can watch today’s top anime shows and movies.