Given the rapid development of the anime medium over the past decade, many different streaming giants have emerged to stake their claim on its most popular works. While Crunchyroll still maintains a definitive edge over most of its competition, another upstart streaming platform is quickly vying for Crunchyroll’s place atop the anime streaming hierarchy — HIDIVE.
HIDIVE is the official streaming platform of Sentai and Section23, two of the most promising licensing companies in the industry. As a result, HIDIVE enjoys a deep lineup of popular series, including a wide array of titles that will appeal to fans of virtually any genre.
Vinland Saga (2019)
Total Episodes: 40 (Ongoing)
Viking-related content is currently very popular in pop culture, so the overwhelming success of a high-quality series like Vinland Saga isn’t necessarily a surprise. The seinen anime tells the story of Thorfinn, an anguished young man pushed down a path of warfare from an early age.
Throughout Vinland Saga‘s first two seasons, Thorfinn undergoes a process of self-discovery that makes him question the value of a life full of never-ending conflict. While he may never find any clear answers to the issues he faces, his journey provides an invaluable perspective on the balance of love and loss.
The Promised Neverland (2019)
Total Episodes: 23 (Complete)
When The Promised Neverland‘s first season debuted, it instantly became as popular as any thriller anime in recent memory. Emma, Norman, and Ray, the series’ protagonists, are a trio of children living in a quaint, secluded orphanage until they make a horrifying discovery — they are being bred as livestock for a race of horrifying demons.
The Promised Neverland‘s first season fully capitalizes on the potential of its excellent premise. Unfortunately, the series’ second season completely goes off the rails by heavily straying from its source material. Fans of the show’s first 12 episodes would be wise to switch over to the manga, lest they have their hopes dashed by what is possibly the worst follow-up season in anime history.
Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
Total Episodes: 24 (Complete)
Parasyte: The Maxim follows the story of Shinichi Izumi, a 16-year-old high school student whose life changes forever after he is infected by a parasitic alien. However, rather than losing control of his entire body like most hosts, the parasite can only control his right hand.
Throughout Parasyte: The Maxim‘s 24 episodes, Shinichi and his extraterrestrial acquaintance — endearingly named Migi — form an odd bond. Together, they slowly bridge the gap between their vastly different species, engaging in numerous life-or-death battles along the way.
Sword Oratoria (2017)
Total Episodes: 12 (Complete)
Sword Oratoria is a spinoff of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? However, instead of exploring any new narrative events, the show presents the plot of the original series from the perspective of a new group of characters. The members of the Loki Familia — a talented guild of monster hunters — serve as the protagonists of the spinoff, rather than Bell Cranel.
In Sword Oratoria, the Loki Familia begins an adventure to discover the legendary Tower of Babel. Along the way, they encounter a variety of dangerous obstacles and monsters, including some familiar faces from the show’s parent series.
Made In Abyss (2017)
Total Episodes: 25 (Ongoing)
Although Made in Abyss‘ cute art style and chibi character designs are characteristic of a light-hearted series, the dark fantasy title is anything but. Reg and Riko, the film’s dual protagonists, spend most of their time on-screen descending a mysterious hole known as the Abyss, encountering numerous horrors in their search for answers regarding the disappearance of Riko’s mother.
Made in Abyss‘ first season is only thirteen episodes, after which it is continued by a feature-length film release, Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul. With more episodes confirmed to be in development, the series is primed for an even larger breakout in the near future.
Legend Of The Galactic Heroes (1988)
Total Episodes: 110 (Complete)
With the constant stream of high-quality science-fiction anime released each year, it’s becoming easier and easier to overlook classic series like Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Luckily for HIDIVE users, the iconic series is available in its entirety on the platform.
Adapted from a series of 10 novels, Legend of the Galactic Heroes tells the story of an ongoing conflict between two interstellar empires: the monarchic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free States Alliance. Despite its age, the show holds up remarkably well, making it the perfect hidden gem for younger viewers.
Hitorijime My Hero (2017)
Total Episodes: 12 (Complete)
HIDIVE features a wide range of classic anime, but Hitorijime My Hero represents the platform’s willingness to license innovative, new-age series within the medium. Released in 2017, the boys’ love story instantly made a splash with anime fans thanks to the quirky, heart-warming relationship between its two main characters.
Masahiro Setagawa, a shy and oft-bullied high school student, is the protagonist of Hitorijime My Hero. After his bullies start to assault him one day, a stranger named Kousuke Ooshiba intervenes, sending the pair down a path of self-exploration and forbidden love.
Food Wars! (2015)
Total Episodes: 86 (Complete)
Food Wars! has earned a reputation as one of the most eccentric anime of the modern generation, and for good reason. Its over-the-top humor and excessive fan service create a consistently fun mix of humorous gags; however, they cloud what is actually a legitimately well-crafted narrative.
Souma Yukihara, the protagonist of Food Wars!, is an aspiring sous chef looking to reach the pinnacle of culinary prowess. To do so, Souma will have to surpass every chef that stands in his way — including his father, who was one of the most exceptional chefs of the previous generation.
Akame Ga Kill (2014)
Total Episodes: 24 (Complete)
Since debuting in 2014, Akame ga Kill! has made a name for itself as one of the most popular shonen of the 2010s. The series follows the story of a group of assassins known as the Night Raid, who are hell-bent on taking down the corrupt government that rules their kingdom.
Early in Akame ga Kill!, the Night Raid encounters Tatsumi — an impoverished boy looking for a way to help his struggling village. Together, they embark on a journey to overthrow their Prime Minister, squaring off against various lethal opponents along the way.
Dororo (2019)
Total Episodes:24 (Complete)
Although Dororo‘s unique art style has remained polarizing among viewers since its debut in 2019, there’s no denying that the rest of the series is expertly executed. Dororo carries the torch of other beloved samurai anime like Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai Champloo, but it does so with a sense of modernity sorely lacking from older series.
MAPPA, the production studio behind Dororo, has been on a tear since the late 2010s, yet Dororo remains fairly underappreciated by mainstream anime audiences. Hopefully, HIDIVE’s licensing of the title brings more eyes to its 24 episodes.
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