The 10 Best Ways to Watch Anime on Roku

Do you love anime? Want to watch all your favorite series on your Roku device? With so many streaming platforms available, it can get overwhelming finding the best anime channels.

Well, I’ve tested them all and put together this ultimate guide on the top 10 Roku anime options. Whether you like action, adventure, comedy, or any other genre, this list has something for every anime fan.

An Introduction to Anime Streaming on Roku

Once upon a time, anime could be hard to access, especially in the US. But with today’s streaming devices like Roku, enjoying Japanese animation is easy and affordable.

Roku gives you access to specialized anime streaming platforms as well as popular services like Netflix with expanding anime libraries. Their channel store makes it simple to browse and add whatever anime options fit your interests.

Below I’ll break down the 10 best Roku anime channels available:

  • Crunchyroll
  • Pluto TV
  • HIDIVE
  • CONtv Anime
  • Pokemon TV
  • Netflix
  • Hulu
  • FunimationNow
  • Crackle
  • Anime Network

For each service, I cover the key details like pricing, free trials, and featured anime series/movies. My goal is to help fellow anime fans discover their perfect streaming home.

1. Crunchyroll

Without a doubt, Crunchyroll is the premier destination for streaming subs and dubs of all the latest anime direct from Japan.

Some key things to know:

  • Library Size: Over 1,000 anime series and growing. New simulcast episodes every season.
  • Pricing: Free with ads, $7.99/month without ads
  • Exclusive Series: Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, more
  • Free Trial: 14 days

I always describe Crunchyroll as the “Netflix for anime” given their massive catalog of subbed and dubbed series, from all-time classics to season premieres straight from Japan.

Between their simulcasts, Crunchyroll Originals, and library reaching over 1,000 series, they offer the ultimate anime experience.

Why Choose Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll gives anime fans more options than anyone else. A few reasons it tops this list:

  • Latest Episodes: New episodes available every season as they air in Japan
  • Dubs and Subs: Options for dubbed and subbed for popular anime
  • Community: Discover and chat about your favorite anime
  • Mobile Apps: Stream on any device, from phones to Xbox

So if you consider yourself an anime super-fan hungry to watch new series weekly, Crunchyroll is a must. The ad-supported free plan still provides hundreds of series, or upgrade for an ad-free experience.

2. Pluto TV

Prefer free anime streaming on Roku without ads? Pluto TV has you covered with Anime All Day, their 247 anime channel.

While newer anime can be limited compared to Crunchyroll, Pluto TV is great for watching older licensed anime series like Naruto, Bleach, Inuyasha, and more.

Their continuous stream makes it easy to just lean back and let classic anime play for hours commercial-free. It won’t replace a premium service but works nicely complementing platforms like FunimationNow with its always accessible retro anime lineup.

3. HIDIVE

For lovers of english dubbed anime, HIDIVE is a top contender stacking over 500 dub releases in their expanding catalog.

Series featuring popular dubs include:

  • Cowboy Bebop
  • Claymore
  • High School of the Dead
  • Samurai Girls

A few things to note with a HIDIVE subscription:

  • Pricing: $4.99/month
  • Free Trial: 30 days
  • Dubs: 500+ english dubbed series

HIDIVE continues acquiring simulcast rights and producing new dubs faster than streaming competitors. Their affordable pricing plus commitment to dubs makes them a smart anime streaming solution for Roku enthusiasts.

4. CONtv Anime

CONtv takes a unique approach with their anime streaming channel – they combine anime, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror together into one service.

This genre convergence leads to an eccentric content mix, such as:

  • Fist of the North Star
  • Star Blazers
  • Great Outer Space Escapade
  • More obscurd discoveries

A few important notes on their service:

  • Pricing: $6.99/month
  • Free Content: Some series available free with ads
  • Free Trial: 7 days

CONtv won’t replace another service but is a fun low-cost add-on for discovering rare anime gems not streaming elsewhere. Consider it for expanding your anime horizons.

5. Pokemon TV

No paid subscription needed – Pokemon fans can watch episodes free on Pokemon TV. As a bonus, episodes also stream on mobile without a Roku device needed.

Features include:

  • Newest episodes shortly after airing
  • Previous seasons & movies
  • Nintendo switch connectivity
  • Search for your favorite pokemon

While Pokemon TV won’t satisfy viewers looking for anime beyond catching them all, it’s an essential destination for franchise fans to stay updated weekly.

6. Netflix

Known for their original movies and series, Netflix continues expanding their anime library every quarter.

Some noteworthy anime series now streaming include:

  • Baki
  • Aggretsuko
  • Castlevania
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

And plenty more arrive each year as Netflix prioritizes anime.

Reasons I recommend at least considering Netflix:

  • Improving Library – Netflix invests heavily in licensing anime
  • Bringing New Fans – People drawn in for Netflix Originals discover anime shows

For binge watchers on a budget, Netflix split-billing option makes it cheaper to add anime into the mix.

7. Hulu

Similar to Netflix, Hulu grows their anime catalog aggressively making them a solid low-cost choice.

Some top anime highlights exclusive to Hulu:

  • My Hero Academia
  • Naruto Shippuden
  • Boruto
  • One Piece

Beyond their expanding collection, a few membership perks:

  • Ads or No Ads – $6.99/month with ads or $12.99 without
  • On-Demand – Useful for watching slower or revisiting episodes
  • Free Trial – 30 days

Especially for cord-cutters already using Hulu, their anime offerings combined with western animation and other perks make it easy to justify keeping it in your streaming rotation.

8. FunimationNow

Want anime, anime, and nothing but the anime? Say hello to FunimationNow.

As pioneers in bringing anime to the west starting from Dragonball Z on Cartoon Network/Toonami, Funimation helped kickstart the anime craze across generations of American viewers.

Key FunimationNow Features:

  • Exclusive Anime – New seasons not on other streamers
  • Dubs – Funimation has the most anime dubs period
  • Pricing – $5.99 no ads, $99.99 annual subscription

Funimation is the place for watching your favorite english dub casts return season to season like Attack on Titan. No subtitles needed.

9. Crackle

An ad-supported free option, Crackle offers a nice sample of anime to enjoy without payment.

Newer anime won’t be found here but nostalgic hits featured include:

  • .hack anime series
  • Street Fighter anime films
  • Vampire Knight
  • More classics

As a free streaming solution, this fits nicely for anyone with older or broader anime interests not necessitating the latest series simulcasts.

10. Anime Network + On Demand

Lastly, the aptly named Anime Network channels provide another Roku friendly anime destination.

With Anime Network Plus for $6.99 monthly, you unlock:

  • 1000+ Anime Movies & Series
  • Family Friendly selections
  • Bonus live action titles

This supplemental source combines depth of catalog plus on-demand conveniences that make it one of the most flexible anime offerings next to the premium services.

Which Anime Streaming Service is Best For You?

With many ways to watch anime on Roku, focus on your budget, interests, and priorities:

  • Prefer ad-free newest subbed episodes weekly? Crunchyroll.
  • Want affordable on-demand shows to rewatch anytime? Hulu.
  • Love collecting obscure and rare anime discoveries? CONtv or Crackle.
  • Into supporting the creators behind english dubs? FunimationNow.

Evaluate all the options with free trials first, and never be without amazing anime to enjoy thanks to how far streaming on Roku has come.