Crunchyroll, DNA, Wakanim, Netflix and Prime Video

There are a multitude of SVoD streaming platforms for anime. But it can sometimes be difficult to navigate… Here we invite you to discover the most important ones, with their advantages and disadvantages.

Our comparison of the different SVoD services reviews the main platforms, but does not give pride of place to anime. However, since the 1980s, Japanese animation has established itself permanently in the landscape of pop culture in Europe. The content is intended for viewers of all ages and it is therefore no surprise that there are today a plethora of streaming services dedicated to Japanese animation. However, from the point of view of an anime fan, it can be complicated to find your way among this multitude of platforms. Here is our comparison of the best streaming sites for watching anime.

In fact, each service benefits from its own catalog of works to view. In addition, compatibility with different media (Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.) varies depending on the platform consulted.

Comparison: what is the best platform for watching anime?

Crunchyroll: the best site to watch anime in French

If you have, even once, tried to watch – legally, I mean – anime on the web, there is every chance in the world that you have already come across the name Crunchyroll. Created in 2006, the American has reigned supreme in this field throughout the world for several years. And this is only getting worse with the recent acquisition by Sony.

In addition to the website, this service has the advantage of being available on smartphones, Chromecast and Android TV, with, each time, an interface that is not necessarily very pretty, but which has the merit of being very easy to use. . As for the anime catalog on this site, it’s difficult to know where to start as it is so rich, but we are still frustrated that it is not as important as that offered across the Atlantic. Not long ago, the Crunchyroll and DNA catalog were shared. They are now well separated.

But let’s not shy away from our pleasure. Crunchyroll brings together many recent series – each episode is released an hour after Japan – and older works that we can binge watch at leisure in 1080p – except for a few titles. Among the flagship titles of the catalog we can cite One Piece, the attack of the Titans, Chainsaw Man or even the Fruit Basket.

We can regret that the interface is quite cluttered in places and could benefit from a little more intuitiveness. It is possible to subscribe to Crunchyroll for the price of 5.99 euros per month. A very attractive price which allows you to enjoy Full HD on a large number of titles. Please note, offline mode is only available with a subscription of 7.99 euros per month. It is good to know that since the platform comes from the United States, bank charges may be incurred at each payment date for your subscription.

A 7-day free trial is still offered. This is one of the best anime streaming sites on the market.

Is Crunchyroll free?

The free subscription, for its part, allows you to enjoy the series several days after their release, in 480p only, and with advertising. This is the only anime site with a free plan.

Anime Digital Network (ADN): the ad-free anime site

Anime Digital Network

is a very good French site offering a well-stocked catalog and each new season brings its share of very interesting new products. This platform is very extensive, with the broadcast of very popular anime like One Punch Man, Boruto, One Piece, Fire Force And My Hero Academia. and classics almost already vintage from the 80s and 90s: Albator, Cobra, City Hunter, Captain Tsubasa, Cat’s eye, Nana And so on.

Roughly speaking, if you want to see the most popular works — some will no doubt say “ commercial works » — very soon after their releases in Japan, DNA is a service to consider, but not always as quickly powered as Crunchyroll. The service is very well organized and easy to understand on the web, on Apple TV and Android TV. On smartphones, the search function can be improved a lot. Finally, note that 1080p quality is only available with a paid plan. It is one of the best streaming sites, particularly for its plethora of offerings.

The subscription starts at the price of 6.99 euros per month or 59.99 euros per year. This goes up to 14.99 euros if you want to download your episodes (13 per month).

Netflix: for streaming anime one year after the others

No need to introduce Netflix. The most famous SVoD service in the world has broken audience records year after year. This is good, because this platform, even if it has not made it its hobby horse, deploys a limited but interesting offer of anime.

Where Netflix particularly stands out is in the strength of its exclusives. In this regard, we can mention major successful licenses such as Seven Deadly Sins Or Ajin. Other titles, a little less known, are also worth a look, like Kuromukuro, very entertaining. Since 2020, Netflix has offered films from Studios Ghibli, some great references.

But that’s about all we can say about Netflix in terms of anime. Although not classified as animated, original series like Castlevania, Arcane or Cyberpunk are also very interesting. Most of the other series are very classic and can be viewed on the other platforms presented above. Finally, this service has the advantage of being available on all media, with an intuitive interface for each. Netflix’s only flaw, particularly compared to Crunchyroll, for example, is the delay in acquiring the rights for certain anime like Demon Slayer. On the other hand, for One Pieceit is possible to watch the Egg Head arc directly on the platform.

The least expensive subscription (Netflix Essential) starts at 8.99 euros per month.

Amazon Prime Video: for the anime Naruto in VF

For Amazon Prime customers, Jeff Bezos’ firm offers its video streaming service in France. Like Netflix, this one is clearly not oriented towards anime – unlike Anime Strike, not yet available in France.

Prime Video, however, recently strengthened the share of Japanese animation in its catalog. There are also some confidential titles which will undoubtedly delight their fans, but it is difficult to know if they will attract newbies. The latter will be able to find their feet with some great classics like Naruto, Hunter × HunterDororo or Dragon Ball Z.

This offer is especially interesting if you already have an Amazon Prime account for 49 euros per year. In addition, the platform is available on all media. We will regret an interface that is not always very intuitive…

Disney +: to watch Bleach on Vostfr

For its part, Disney + is undoubtedly much better known for the quality of its animated feature films than for the production of quality anime. However, the situation has changed since Mickey’s house works in collaboration with the TBS channel to offer animated series.

On the program, the adaptation of the manga Time Shadows or the series Twisted Wonderlanda manga based on the iconic Disney villains from the pen of Yana Toboso known for Black Butler. Above all, Disney + has in its catalog some well-known titles such as the cult Bleach and in particular the adaptation of the arc Thousand Year Blood War. It is also possible to watch Tokyo Revengers.

In terms of offer, the Disney + subscription starts from 8.99 euros per month without commitment, but it is also possible to pay 89.90 euros in one go to benefit from a year of subscription.

What anime to watch?

You are spoiled for choice, and if we do not recommend specific anime, Numerama has produced numerous files on the subject:

Where to watch anime for free?

The only streaming platform that offers a free plan is Crunchyroll. This is a proposal that includes advertisements without them being avoidable.