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, making it an appealing choice for veteran anime watchers and prospective fans alike.
In addition to a stellar lineup of television shows, Hulu also boasts a solid selection of anime films. Although the platform offers far fewer of these movies than anime series, there are still numerous options worth checking out. From beloved classics to non-canon spin-offs, anime watchers can find a little bit of everything on the Hulu platform.
Updated on March 25, 2023, by Kennedy King: With each passing month, Hulu seems to make a concerted effort to expand its anime library. Although most of these additions come in the form of television series, plenty of anime movies are still available on the platform to incentivize prospective viewers. These titles cover a wide range osubject matter and art styles, but regardless of their content, they all deservie their presence on the streaming service.
Made In Abyss: Journey’s Dawn
Runtime: 119 Minutes
Generally, anime films that repackage narratives from their original series are lukewarmly received by audiences. However, as evidenced by Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn, that isn’t always the case. This movie adapts the first eight episodes of Made in Abyss, bringing its narrative to life on the big screen in a way that adds significant value to its source material.
As with many anime films, Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn appeals to longtime fans of the franchise more than first-time viewers. Thankfully, Reg and Riko, the film’s dual protagonists, are more than entertaining enough to justify watching this movie and the rest of the Made in Abyss films as well.
Made In Abyss: Wandering Twilight
Runtime: 110 Minutes
Hulu has yet to license the Made in Abyss anime series, but luckily for franchise fans, the streaming service does offer each of its theatrical releases. The second film in the franchise, Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight, debuted in 2019, yet it’s still one of the best-animated movies offered on the platform.
As is the case for Made in Abyss’ first movie, Wandering Twilight adapts several of the episodes from the first season of the Made in Abyss anime. It compiles Riko and Reg’s adventures from episodes nine-13 into a theatrical format, providing the perfect segue for fans to transition into the franchises’ film-only content.
Akira
Runtime: 124 Minutes
No collection of anime movies is complete without what is quite possibly the most influential film in the history of Japanese animation, Akira. Released in 1988, 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.
Akira takes place in a dystopian, technologically-advanced version of Tokyo and 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
Runtime: 105 Minutes
Despite its cute art style and adorable chibi characters, 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.
Sword Art Online: The Movie — Ordinal Scale
Runtime: 120 Minutes
Few anime series have ever reached the same level of commercial success as Sword Art Online, so it only makes sense that streaming services like Hulu would license it and its accompanying films. Sword Art Online: The Movie — Ordinal Scale expands on the franchise’s lore and places Kirito in yet another virtual landscape with deadly circumstances.
By drawing upon Kirito’s experiences in Aincrad, Sword Art Online: The Movie — Ordinal Scale appeals to fans of the original series without directly rehashing its plot. Several characters from various seasons of Sword Art Online also appear throughout the movie, making it a rewarding watch for those familiar with its narrative.
The Deer King
Runtime: 113 Minutes
Hulu offers a variety of well-known anime films, but as evidenced by titles like The Deer King, plenty of lesser-known gems are hidden within its catalog. Released by Production I.G, the studio behind hits like Haikyu!! and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, The Deer King was originally published as a series of Japanese fantasy novels from 2014 to 2017.
Thanks to solid voice-acting and Princess-Mononoke-esque animation, The Deer King offers much of the same nostalgic appeal as anime movies from the early-2000s. Although its narrative isn’t as inspired as some, this fantasy film is worth checking out.
Lupin III: The First
Runtime: 93 Minutes
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, marking a successful foray into modern-day animation.
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.
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Runtime: 100 Minutes
Anime has experienced tremendous growth since the turn of the millennium, but despite its international popularity, the medium rarely brings in Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. However, 2009’s Afro Samurai: Resurrection bucked this trend by casting Samuel L. Jackson as its main character.
Released as a direct sequel to the Afro Samurai miniseries, Afro Samurai: Resurrection picks up immediately after the events of the original and follows Afro as he adjusts to life as the Number One Samurai. Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu, Mark Hamill, and Wu-Tang’s RZA voice various characters in the film, easily making it the most star-studded voice-acting cast in anime history.
Trigun: Badlands Rumble
Runtime: 90 Minutes
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.
Although Trigun: Badlands Rumble doesn’t tell Vash’s origin story, it does a wonderful job of grounding viewers in his perspective and outlook on the world. The pacifistic sharpshooter is a walking contradiction — one that viewers will undoubtedly understand a little better by the end of the film.
Inu-Oh
Runtime: 98 Minutes
The anime medium has produced a wide array of critically successful films in recent years. However, almost none of these films have approached their material through the lens of music — a trend that makes anime musicals like the 2022 release Inu-Oh stand out even more by comparison.
Inu-Oh is set in 14th-century Japan, and it follows two characters as they use their respective forms of expression to work through their own personal struggles. Inu-Oh, the titular co-protagonist, combats his physical deformities through traditional Japanese dancing, while his companion, Tomona, uses his stringed biwa to search for answers regarding the death of his father. Together, the unlikely pair uses their talents to weave a story that will strike chords with viewers of all kinds.
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
Runtime: 101 Minutes
For several years, Sword Art Online could barely put out enough content to keep up with the massive demand from its fans. As a result, the franchise greenlit the development of several products, including their first full-length film, Sword Art Online: Extra Edition.
To be fair, Sword Art Online: Extra Edition feels more like a made-for-TV special than a feature film. However, it still contains plenty of new material for dedicated fans of Kirito and his companions. It is more than interesting enough to justify checking out.
K MISSING KINGS
Runtime: 113 Minutes
Originally an action-mystery anime produced by GoHands animation studio, 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 — it ends with a significant cliffhanger, which almost certainly turns some viewers away. 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.
Leave a Reply