The UK anime streaming landscape has changed dramatically. Funimation is gone (merged into Crunchyroll). Netflix is investing heavily. Prime Video has surprise hits. And Hidive is the scrappy underdog with exclusive licences.
Which service is best for UK anime fans in 2026? Here's the complete breakdown.
Quick Verdict
| Service | Best For | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Largest library, most simulcasts | £4.99-£7.99 |
| Netflix | Mainstream anime, originals, casual fans | Part of Netflix (£4.99-£17.99) |
| Hidive | Exclusive licences, sentai content, dubs | £3.99 |
| Prime Video | Add-on, occasional exclusives | Part of Prime (£8.99) |
Short answer:
- Crunchyroll is essential for serious anime fans (biggest library, most simulcasts)
- Netflix for casual fans or Netflix originals
- Hidive as a supplement for specific exclusives
- Prime Video has anime but it's not the focus
Crunchyroll
What It Is
The dominant anime streaming platform worldwide. After absorbing Funimation in 2024, Crunchyroll has the largest anime library globally.
UK Price
- Fan (basic): £4.99/month — ads, 1 device, no offline
- Mega Fan: £6.50/month — no ads, offline, 4 devices
- Ultimate Fan: £7.99/month — above + 6 devices, annual swag
The Library
Size: 1,000+ anime series and films Simulcasts: Most new seasonal anime Dubs: Many titles have English dubs (improved since Funimation merger)
Key Titles
- My Hero Academia — all seasons
- Demon Slayer — all seasons including new arcs
- Jujutsu Kaisen — complete
- One Piece — 1,000+ episodes
- Chainsaw Man — exclusive
- Spy x Family — simulcast
- Frieren: Beyond Journey's End — simulcast
- Blue Lock — simulcast
The Good
- Largest library — nothing else comes close
- Simulcasts — new episodes hours after Japan
- Subbed and dubbed — extensive dub library post-Funimation merge
- Seasonal coverage — almost everything airs here first
The Drawbacks
- App quality varies — Roku/TV apps have had complaints
- Premium pricing for full features
- Some legacy Funimation issues with account transitions
Verdict
Essential for serious anime fans. The merger with Funimation made it the definitive platform.
Netflix
What It Is
Netflix's anime selection has grown significantly. A mix of licenced classics, Netflix Originals, and exclusive simulcasts.
UK Price
- Standard with Ads: £4.99/month
- Standard: £10.99/month
- Premium: £17.99/month
(Anime is included in standard Netflix subscription)
The Library
Size: 150-200 anime titles (much smaller than Crunchyroll) Simulcasts: Select titles only Dubs: Almost everything has English dubs
Key Titles
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners — Netflix exclusive, critically acclaimed
- Blue Eye Samurai — Netflix Original
- Pluto — Netflix adaptation of Tezuka manga
- One Punch Man — licenced
- Death Note — classic
- Attack on Titan — select seasons
- Naruto — classic series
- Studio Ghibli films — entire library exclusive to Netflix UK
The Good
- Studio Ghibli — the entire catalogue is only on Netflix UK
- High production originals — Cyberpunk, Blue Eye Samurai
- Casual-friendly — good for anime newcomers
- Always dubbed — prioritises accessibility
The Drawbacks
- Limited simulcasts — few same-day releases
- Smaller library than Crunchyroll
- Binge model — often waits for full season before release
- Anime gaps — many popular titles missing
Verdict
Good for casual fans and Studio Ghibli. Not a replacement for Crunchyroll if you're serious about anime.
Hidive
What It Is
Sentai Filmworks' streaming platform. Smaller than Crunchyroll but has exclusive licences for titles you can't get elsewhere.
UK Price
- Monthly: £3.99/month
- Annual: £36.99/year (£3.08/month)
The Library
Size: 500+ titles Simulcasts: Select seasonal titles (their exclusives) Dubs: Strong dubbing focus (Sentai produces many dubs)
Key Titles
- Oshi no Ko — exclusive simulcast
- The Dangers in My Heart — exclusive
- Vinland Saga — exclusive in UK
- Made in Abyss — exclusive
- GATE — exclusive
- Food Wars! — exclusive
The Good
- Cheapest option at £3.99/month
- Exclusive licences — titles unavailable elsewhere
- Strong dub library — Sentai is known for quality dubs
- Less cluttered — easier to browse than Crunchyroll
The Drawbacks
- Smaller library than Crunchyroll
- Fewer simulcasts overall
- App quality — interface is basic
- UK-specific gaps — some titles not available here
Verdict
Supplement to Crunchyroll for exclusive titles. Not a primary service unless you specifically want their exclusives.
Prime Video
What It Is
Prime Video has anime, but it's not a dedicated anime service. Mix of included content and rentals.
UK Price
- Amazon Prime: £8.99/month (includes Prime Video)
- Prime Video only: £5.99/month
- Anime channels: Additional cost (Crunchyroll available as channel)
The Library
Size: Variable — some included, some rental only Simulcasts: Occasional exclusives
Key Titles (Included with Prime)
- Vinland Saga Season 1 — was exclusive, now shared
- Banana Fish — included
- Dororo — included
- Various films — Studio Ghibli-adjacent classics
The Good
- Already have Prime? — anime included at no extra cost
- Crunchyroll channel — can subscribe through Prime billing
- Occasional exclusives — Vinland Saga S1 was huge
The Drawbacks
- Inconsistent selection — titles come and go
- Not a dedicated service — anime is a side category
- Confusing — some content is rental only
Verdict
Bonus content if you have Prime. Not a destination for anime specifically.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Crunchyroll | Netflix | Hidive | Prime Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library size | 1,000+ | 150-200 | 500+ | Variable |
| Simulcasts | Most | Few | Some exclusives | Rare |
| Dubs | Many | Almost all | Many | Some |
| Studio Ghibli | No | Yes (exclusive) | No | No |
| Monthly price | £4.99-7.99 | £4.99-17.99 | £3.99 | £5.99-8.99 |
| Free trial | 7 days | No | 7 days | 30 days |
| Offline viewing | Mega Fan+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous streams | 1-6 | 2-4 | 2 | 3 |
What's Your Anime Profile?
"I watch everything as it airs"
Get Crunchyroll. No other option for comprehensive simulcasts.
"I'm new to anime and want good recommendations"
Start with Netflix. Accessible, dubbed, good starter titles. Then add Crunchyroll.
"I specifically want Oshi no Ko / Made in Abyss / Vinland Saga"
You need Hidive. These are exclusive.
"I want Studio Ghibli films"
Netflix is the only option in the UK. The entire library is exclusive to Netflix.
"I'm budget-conscious"
Hidive at £3.99/month if it has what you want. Or Crunchyroll Fan at £4.99 with ads.
Our Recommendations
Essential: Crunchyroll Mega Fan (£6.50/mo)
The library is unmatched. Ad-free with offline viewing. This is the default choice.
Add if needed: Hidive (£3.99/mo)
For exclusive titles like Oshi no Ko and Vinland Saga. Worth checking if their exclusives interest you.
Already have: Netflix
If you're paying for Netflix anyway, you get a decent anime selection and all Studio Ghibli films included.
Skip for anime: Prime Video
Use it if you have Prime for other reasons. Don't subscribe specifically for anime.
Best combination: Crunchyroll + Netflix
Covers almost everything. Crunchyroll for depth, Netflix for Ghibli and originals.
What About Funimation?
Funimation merged into Crunchyroll in 2024. All Funimation content has moved to Crunchyroll. If you had a Funimation subscription, it should have migrated.
FAQ
Is Crunchyroll premium worth it in the UK?
Yes, for ad-free viewing and offline downloads. The Fan tier with ads is fine for casual viewing.
Can I watch anime free?
Crunchyroll has a free tier with ads and limited library. Netflix and Hidive don't offer free anime.
Which has the best app?
Netflix, then Crunchyroll, then Prime Video, then Hidive. Crunchyroll's app is much improved since the Funimation merger.
Do I need both Crunchyroll and Hidive?
Only if Hidive has specific exclusives you want. Crunchyroll alone covers most needs.
Why isn't Studio Ghibli on Crunchyroll?
Netflix has exclusive UK streaming rights to the entire Ghibli catalogue.
Want more anime recommendations? Try our recommendation engine or see best starter anime on Crunchyroll UK.