6 Anime streaming on Crunchyroll is better than anything on TV

For decades, TV has dominated the pop culture landscape, from broadcast to cable to the modern age of streaming, but now, anime is a worthy challenger to that powerful medium. Like legendary TV shows Wire and The Sopranos Still stands among the best stories out there, but the anime industry has its own heavy hitters that put many TV shows to shame.

Animation's dominance is reinforced when fans compare animation to tired soap operas and reality TV. That's because the purpose of anime is not to make money from circular ideas, but to tell a great story with state-of-the-art 2D animation. Anime always has something to say, more so than the next season General Hospital Or a cheesy reality show with equally disgusting characters. After checking out some of the best anime out there, like Crunchyroll's offerings, a TV fan is sure to switch sides and forget that “regular” television exists.

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Gachiakuta puts most YA shows and movies to shame

Rudo is an angry teenager navigating a broken world

Rudo holds up a gloved hand and speaks.
Rudo holds up a gloved hand and speaks.
Image via Studio Bones.

Western pop culture fans are familiar with the young adult/YA dystopian concept, with titles such as The Hunger Games, Maze Runnerand different Depicting a grim future where freedom-loving teenagers fight to overthrow the world order. It's about sympathetic characters having the courage to defy cruel rules when no one else does, but while this genre is fine in concept, it already feels stale. It's easy to enjoy charming, melodramatic teenagers juxtaposing their rebellion with their love triangle.

So fans of YA fiction are encouraged to take a break from those movies and TV shows. Gachiakuta instead In broad strokes, Gachiakuta Almost identical, fantastic young adult heroes who use unique powers to fight for freedom in an unfair world. Gachiakuta Uses pollution and waste as vehicles for this message, with society's elite — usually adults — exploiting both the natural world and the lower class, offloading their waste onto a world they don't see.

My Hero Academia is anime's answer to boys

My Hero Academia has a deeper battle system and more inspiring characters

Thanks to Marvel and DC, the superhero genre is huge, which is both a blessing and a curse. “Normal” superhero stories are everywhere, from The Ultimates to Absolute Batman, but it's easy and fun to like or even imitate the genre. the boys. To its credit, the boys A twisted take on Justice League is a great deconstruction of the superhero genre, but not every audience wants something that dark and twisted. Homelander goes far, perhaps too far, to question the Superman mold.

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If fans want a middle ground, they need it My Hero AcademiaA true tribute to what Marvel and DC have achieved. The darker side of this anime effectively questions the superhero concept with the human crisis regarding Quirks and pro hero popularity contests, which inspired Stan to do what he did. but, My Hero Academia There are also really inspiring, motivating characters and arcs so it's not only A serious breakdown. There is always room for more positive messages, and it should be put to good use.

Apothecary Diaries rival the best historical TV dramas

Mao Mao made a head at the imperial court as a clever poison expert

A doctor talks to Mao Mao.
A doctor talks to Mao Mao.
Image via Studio OLM.

Historical dramas can be quite a hit on TV, eg Vikings and CrownWhereas anime can play fast and slow with history for its convenience. For that reason, fans may prefer the historical style Apothecary DiariesWhich has both great worlds as a fantasy story in a Chinese-inspired setting. It takes fans to another world without the need for another isekai title with a silly gimmick.

Find all 10 pairs


Find all 10 pairs

Apothecary Diaries is beautifully animated in an immersive setting, and that's just the beginning. Maomao is one of anime's best protagonists as a quirky but clever and often serious poison expert who is oblivious to the world's hardships. She is more compelling than most TV leads as a young woman who mixes court intrigue, personal problems, and her love of plants to find her place in this kingdom's often ruthless inner court. Thus Apothecary Diaries Creates such wonderful tension without the need for shonen-style action or magic.

Oshi no Ko sounds like an evolved form of reality TV or musical drama

Idols have never been so glamorously pathetic

Ai Hoshino winks as she sings.
Ai Hoshino winks as she sings.
Image via Studio Doga Kobo.

TV has explored the realm of music in many ways, often in subtle ways, e.g gaiety and High School MusicalNot mentioned Mozart in the woods and Nashville. It's always fun to see the human and business side of making music, but no TV show does it better than this terrific drama. Of Oshi no. For one thing, the concept of Japanese idols is fresh territory for consumers, even for fans of famous singers like Taylor Swift and Adele.

Of Oshi no It's a powerhouse thanks to its excellent mix of genres making it greater than the sum of its parts. It is true that TV can juggle a few genres at once with musical stories, but Of Oshi no Beats all the competition with idols, cutthroat business practices, romance, drama, and the intersection of rebirth and revenge stories. The shocking truth between the glamorous looks of idols and the painful reality of the road to stardom is not to be missed.

Dr. Stone blew fans away as Apocalyptic Edutainment

Mythbusters also Dr. Stone's attention

Senku and Dr. Zeno stands back.
Senku and Dr. Zeno stands back.
Image via TMS Entertainment.

TV is often either educational or entertaining, with only a select few programs doing both. Classic Mythbusters It's a good mix of both entertaining and educating viewers as Jamie and Adam examine urban legends with practical science. If fans want to maximize this mix of fun and science Dr. Stone The answer is All the mythbusters disappear with Senku Ishigami as a genius scientist hero who uses the hard sciences to rebuild humanity.

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The level of accuracy and detail for hard science inspired real mythbusters, Dr. Stone Soon on their radar. With or without the Mythbusters team to hype this anime, Dr. Stone Presents the exciting story of Senku fighting to restore civilization in the New Stone Age with all its gadgets. what's more, Dr. Stone Call it “Look what Senku just made!” There's some strong character drama, comedy, and controversial plot twists to make up for! All of that, along with Senku's strength of friendship and stubborn optimism, make this science warm-hearted.

Detective X Family puts Nickelodeon to shame

Anya Forger is a little magical girl like no other

Anya Forger looks concerned and blushes.
Anya Forger looks concerned and blushes.
Image via Studio MAPPA.

There aren't many Western TV shows or movies that feel exactly the same Detective X FamilySo this action/comedy/spy anime feels very fresh to seasoned TV viewers. In terms of family-friendly comedy and action, though, TV buffs can tell Detective X Family Feels as slow as Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network's offerings. after all, Detective X Family There's something for everyone in an exciting and engaging package that puts most cartoons to shame.

Kids can relate to Anya's perspective on the world as a student looking for friendship and learning more about the world, while older fans can see themselves in Lloyd's or Yor's shoes. in any case, Detective X Family With Operation Streaks it feels like an ideal TV show as one that follows the story but is also more episodic than most action anime. Detective X Family A slice-of-life anime with a few twists, it makes the perfect anime to stumble upon, like discovering a new show on Nickelodeon or other channels.

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