The omnipresent streaming service has steadily expanded its library of television shows, dramas, and movies since the launch of the Disney+ platform in 2019. A range of high-caliber anime series have been added, including a mix of well-known hits and undiscovered gems that are likely to impress even the most skeptic anime lovers.
There are still a ton of entertaining anime series accessible on Disney+, despite the service’s limited show selection. Disney+ almost surely offers something to offer those looking for high-stakes action, lighthearted humor, or thought-provoking drama.
Updated on April 12, 2023, by Kennedy King: New series are regularly added to the Disney+ platform every month, helping to fill up the service’s ever-expanding catalog of anime titles. The variety of titles available to viewers is bigger than ever thanks to these shows, which range from blockbusters made by well-known companies to hidden gems created by indie animators.
Dance Dance Danseur
Total Episodes: 11
The anime hit Dance Dance Danseur isn’t your ordinary one. However, the subversive concepts of the endearing seinen are breathtakingly brought to life on screen because to the skillful work done by MAPPA’s animation studio.
The main character in Dance Dance Danseur, Junpei, battles to conceal his enthusiasm in ballet dancing throughout the course of the film’s plot. The unexpectedly thoughtful series is able to investigate conventional ideas about Japanese masculinity via this lens and, in the end, challenge them.
Dr. Stone
Total Episodes: 24
Dr. Stone is a wonderful example of the shonen anime genre’s capacity to defy expectations, despite the fact that the majority of its stories focus on battle. Senku Ishigami, the protagonist of the show, is a scientific prodigy who, rather than using physical prowess to escape difficulties, prefers to employ quick thinking and intellect.
The protagonist of Dr. Stone, however, faces an apparently insurmountable barrier. Only Senku and a few companions are left to rebuild society after the globe is petrified for 3,700 years in the first episode of the series. They are able to take on the Herculean effort and restore mankind to its rightful place at the top of the food chain by research, cooperation, and a little bit of luck.
Haikyuu!!
Total Episodes: 85
Few would disagree that Haikyu!! is a fantastic addition to contemporary anime lineups, despite the fact that sports anime don’t generally have the best reputation. When the brilliantly animated, volleyball-themed series made its debut in 2014, it caused a stir, and things have only gotten better for it since then.
Haikyuu!! challenges viewers’ expectations on a regular basis since it features a cast of characters that is both approachable and inventive for the medium, unlike many sports anime. Additionally, the protagonist of the anime, Shoyo Hinata, injects vertical explosivity into each and every one of his battles, resulting in some of the most exciting sports sequences in recent memory.
Made In Abyss
Total Episodes: 13
The Made in Abyss anime series eventually went on hiatus to support the franchise’s theatrical releases, but that doesn’t mean the original show is without merit. Its first 13 episodes are a wonderful introduction to the world of the series, and since they are not constrained by the temporal limits of film, they are free to spend as much time as they want analyzing their characters.
Made in Abyss centers around two characters — Riko and Reg— that are deadset on investigating the mysterious, impossibly deep hole found near their hometown. This hole is referred to as the Abyss, and it holds artifacts from a long-forgotten civilization. Riko’s mother disappeared while exploring the Abyss before the events of the series — an event that eventually prompts her daughter to descend into the crevice in hopes of finding answers.
Overlord
Total Episodes: 13
Often, the isekai anime genre is portrayed as one of the banalest, most uninspired in the entire medium. Luckily, thanks to thoughtful, subversive series like Overlord, this isn’t always the case. The mature action adventure follows the story of Momonga — a skilled gamer in the virtual-reality MMORPG, Yggdrasil.
As with all isekai, Momonga is ultimately transported from Yggdrasil to a new dimension. There, he maintains his in-game form as a powerful Lich character, allowing him to exert massive influence over a bustling world that is chock-full of independently-thinking NPCs.
Summer Time Rendering
Total Episodes: 25
When it comes to supernatural thrillers, Disney+’s selection is fairly thin. However, anime such as Summer Time Rendering do a great job of adding depth to the genre. This beautifully animated title depicts the journey of its protagonist, Shinpei Ajiro, as he attempts to solve the mystery surrounding the death of his adopted sister, Ushio.
Shinpei is told that his sister died in a drowning-related accident, but after discovering strangle marks around her neck, he begins to question what really happened. With the help of Ushio’s closest friends, Shinpei fights against strange forces to uncover the secrets behind the death of his sister.
The Devil Is A Part-Timer!
Total Episodes: 25
Over the past 15 years, the isekai genre has repeatedly proven itself to be among the most popular in all anime. Therefore, Disney+’s interest in licensing beloved titles like the 2013 smash hit, The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, comes as no surprise.
Most anime in the isekai genre follow a protagonist as they are transported from their normal lives into a fantastical world full of adventure. However, in a wonderful subversion of this trope, The Devil Is a Part-Timer! tells the story of the Demon Lord Satan as he adjusts to life as a fast food employee in modern-day Japan.
Attack On Titan
Total Episodes: 88
Disney has acquired the streaming rights to a slew of anime’s biggest titles, yet none have been as big a commercial success as the acclaimed hit, Attack on Titan. The brutal horror series is set to release the remaining episodes from its final season in late 2023, making it a perfect addition to the Disney+ platform.
Attack on Titan’s haunting enemies, top-notch animation, and memorable characters are some of shonen’s best. Although its mature themes are far different from those seen in Disney+’s kid-friendly programming, the series’ overall tone is a much-needed change of pace for the platform.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War?
Total Episodes: 24
Despite its cute art style and romantic overtones, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War? is actually among the best seinen to be released in recent memory. Although the series demonstrates several elements that are typically associated with shojo titles, its nuanced commentary and storytelling devices are perfect for mature audiences.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War? follows the lives of two brilliant (yet incredibly stubborn) adolescents as they try to compete to “win” the game of love. Each does their best to outwit the other, hoping to coerce a confession of affection, resulting in a fun series of events that brings out the best of their characters.
The Rising Of The Shield Hero
Total Episodes: 38
Like many other popular isekai titles, The Rising of the Shield Hero depicts the story of a meek protagonist who gains a second chance at life after being thrust into a strange world. Its main character, Naofumi Iwatani, lives his life as a lonely recluse, yet suddenly he is transported to a parallel world where he assumes a new identity as the Shield Hero.
The Rising of the Shield Hero recycles many of the banal tropes seen throughout most series in the isekai genre, but it does so with a sense of maturity largely absent from its peers. While the series’ commentary often falls short of anime’s best titles, its unique approach makes it one of Disney+’s best options.
Bleach
Total Episodes: 379
Thanks to Bleach’s recent return to syndication with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, its stock is as high as it’s been since the series’ peak in the late 2000s. Luckily for long-time fans of the series, Disney+ picked up the rights to both titles in an effort to bolster its newfound anime presence.
Ichigo Kurosaki, Bleach’s protagonist, lives a normal life as a high school teenager, except for one major exception — he can see ghosts. This ability eventually helps him encounter a Soul Reaper named Rukia, prompting him to investigate her and her role in the mysterious Soul Society.
The Tatami Time Machine Blues
Total Episodes: 6
Anime watchers will be hard-pressed to find a more unique series on the Disney+ platform than The Tatami Time Machine Blues, a loosely related sequel to 2011’s hit release, The Tatami Galaxy. Produced by Science SARU (one of nine studios behind the first season of Star Wars: Vision), this thoughtful, time-warping comedy is arguably the most underappreciated anime title in recent memory.
The Tatami Time Machine Blues includes several characters from The Tatami Galaxy, and like the original, it does a fantastic job of humanizing and examining its stellar cast. Despite the surreal circumstances of its plot, this show feels as relatable as it does hilarious.
Future Avengers
Total Episodes: 26
Given the plethora of Marvel-related media released in the past decade, it should come as no surprise that Future Avengers pushed the blockbuster franchise toward a new medium — anime. Based on the Marvel Comics universe, this 26-episode series follows the adventures of three teenagers as they join the Avengers in their battle against the evil forces of Hydra.
Hurricane, Charade, and Codec combine to form Future Avengers’ trio of protagonists. After being raised as villains by Hydra, they quickly realize the error of their ways. With the guidance of recognizable faces like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, the teenagers soon prove to be vital assets to the Avengers.
Spy X Family
Total Episodes: 25
Whereas many anime adaptations fall short of realizing the same success as their source material, Spy x Family has done quite the opposite. Its manga was met with positive reviews upon its release in 2019, but thanks to its anime’s overwhelming response, the franchise’s stock is at an all-time high.
Spy x Family follows the adventures of Loid Forger, a Westalian agent spying on another country; Anya, a telepathic girl posing as an orphan; and Yor Briar, an Ostanian assassin, also hiding her identity. Despite their occupations, this light-hearted series does a fantastic job of subverting the serious expectations of the spy genre.
Tokyo Revengers
Total Episodes: 35
In a shonen landscape full of high-octane combat and constant power-scaling, Tokyo Revengers stands apart from the crowd by utilizing a much different tone. The series’ protagonist, Takemichi Hanegaki, is a 26-year-old, unemployed recluse living in modern-day Tokyo.
However, after a freak accident sends him back in time to 2005, Takemichi must use all the tools at his disposal in order to set his life down a better path. The unpredictable nature of his journey, coupled with his relatable attitude and underdog mentality, is a huge part of what makes Tokyo Revengers such an enthralling experience for first-time watchers.
Demon Slayer
Total Episodes: 44
After shattering the theatrical box office record for an anime, it’s clear that Demon Slayer has firmly established itself as a member of the shonen elite. Although Disney+’s anime library isn’t as deep as some, their acquisition of hits like Demon Slayer signals a clear commitment to the medium.
Set in a fictionalized version of Taisho-era-Japan, Demon Slayer follows its protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, as he tries to unravel the secrets behind his sister’s demonic affliction. With some of the best animation in the modern shonen landscape, this series is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Total Episodes: 24
First released in 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen has played a massive role in defining the contemporary shonen landscape. The series was immediately a massive hit upon its debut. It earned Crunchyroll’s “5th Annual Anime of the Year” award, and its first feature-length film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, did over $200 million at the international box office.
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the life of Yuji Itadori, a physically gifted teenager who accidentally consumes the finger of Ryomen Sukuna — the most dangerous Curse of all time. After doing so, he enlists at the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School, an institution full of powerful Jujutsu Sorcerers who can hopefully teach him how to control his newfound abilities.
Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall
Total Episodes: 12
Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall makes a welcome change of pace by relying on a far more real threat: renegade AI. Many anime utilize otherworldly opponents to create tension. The title character of the series must utilize her abilities to halt an AI program dubbed Artemis’ rampage when it rebels against humans.
Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall is a wonderful trip down memory lane for devoted fans of the Black Rock Shooter series. While the show occasionally panders to new viewers’ nostalgia, it more than makes up for it with a beautiful visual aesthetic and catchy musical score.
Star Wars: Visions
Total Episodes: 9
Disney’s purchase of the Star Wars franchise has produced a mixed bag of results, but their current project Star Wars: Visions has undoubtedly been a huge success. With the help of several different foreign animation companies, the series was developed with the intention of providing fresh, varied interpretations of the franchise.
Nine anime short films made by various Japanese animation studios make up the first season of Star Wars: Visions. Star Wars: Visions is more appealing to a larger spectrum of anime viewers because to the variety of these studios, which range from well-known (Production I.G) to up-and-coming (Geno Studio).
My Hero Academia
Total Episodes: 132 (Ongoing)
My Hero Academia is one of the few anime shows to ever enjoy the same amount of commercial success. The superhero-filled shonen is one of the top 25 best-selling manga series of all time, and global audiences have embraced its anime version.
80% of people on Earth have superpowers in the world of My Hero Academia, which is represented by the term “Quirks” in the show. Izuku Midoriya, the book’s protagonist, belongs to the 20% of people who lack authority, forcing him to forge his own path in his quest to become the greatest hero in the entire world.
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