Animation Series
Animation & anime series
What are Animation Series?
Animation Series Feature Summary
1. FEATURE OVERVIEW
Animation Series refers to a streaming service's collection of animated content specifically designed for adult audiences, including anime series, adult animation shows, and sophisticated animated programming that goes beyond children's content. This feature encompasses everything from popular Western adult animation like Rick and Morty and BoJack Horseman to extensive anime libraries with thousands of episodes from Japanese studios.
The feature includes both original animated productions created by streaming platforms and licensed content from animation studios worldwide. Content is typically delivered in high-definition formats, with premium services offering 4K HDR and Dolby Vision support for enhanced visual quality that showcases the artistry of animation.
2. WHAT YOU NEED
Basic Requirements:
- Standard broadband internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps for HD, 25 Mbps for 4K)
- Compatible streaming device (smart TV, smartphone, tablet, computer, or streaming stick)
- Active subscription to the streaming service
Enhanced Experience:
- 4K-capable display and high-speed internet for premium visual quality
- Ad-free subscription tiers for uninterrupted viewing (particularly important for animation)
- Mobile device with adequate storage for offline downloads where available
Platform-Specific Considerations:
- Some specialized anime platforms like Crunchyroll require separate subscriptions
- Certain content may be geo-restricted based on licensing agreements
- Premium tiers often required for simultaneous streaming on multiple devices
3. REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES
Western Adult Animation:
- Netflix's original series like Big Mouth, BoJack Horseman, and licensed content including Rick and Morty
- Paramount+'s extensive South Park library and Beavis and Butt-Head content
- Amazon Prime Video's Invincible and The Boys: Diabolical
Anime Content:
- Crunchyroll's massive library of over 50,000 episodes including simulcasts of current Japanese series
- Netflix's growing anime collection with both licensed and original productions
- Disney+'s anime offerings and classic animated series
Premium Animation Experiences:
- Disney+'s complete Pixar catalog in 4K with HDR support
- Crunchyroll's ad-free viewing with offline downloads for mobile viewing
- YouTube's vast collection of independent animated series and web animations
4. HOW WE SCORE THIS FEATURE
Our scoring methodology evaluates animation series offerings across several key criteria:
Content Library Depth (40% of score): Services with extensive catalogs score highest. Crunchyroll Mega Fan and Fan both score 9-10/10 with over 50,000 episodes, while services like BBC iPlayer score only 3/10 due to minimal animation content.
Content Quality and Exclusives (25% of score): Original productions and exclusive content boost scores. Disney+ services consistently score 9-10/10 for their unmatched Pixar and Disney animation libraries, while services with primarily acquired content score lower.
Technical Experience (20% of score): Ad-free viewing significantly impacts scores, as ads disrupt animation viewing more than other content types. Premium tiers with 4K HDR support score higher, with services offering Dolby Vision receiving additional points.
Accessibility and User Experience (15% of score): Download capabilities, simultaneous streaming limits, and content discovery features influence scoring. Services with better categorization and recommendation systems for animated content receive higher marks.
Score Ranges:
- 9-10/10: Comprehensive libraries with premium features (Disney+, Crunchyroll, Netflix)
- 6-8/10: Solid selections with some limitations (Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Premium)
- 3-5/10: Limited offerings or significant restrictions (BBC iPlayer, Apple TV+)
5. WHY IT MATTERS
Animation series represent a rapidly growing and increasingly sophisticated entertainment category that appeals to diverse adult audiences. Unlike children's animation, these series tackle complex themes, feature intricate storytelling, and showcase cutting-edge artistic techniques that benefit significantly from high-quality streaming delivery.
Key Benefits:
- Visual Fidelity: Animation's artistic nature makes high-definition streaming crucial for appreciating detailed artwork and fluid motion
- Uninterrupted Experience: Ad-free viewing is particularly important for animation, as commercial breaks can disrupt the immersive visual storytelling
- Cultural Access: Anime and international animation provide access to diverse storytelling traditions and artistic styles
Most Valuable For:
- Anime enthusiasts seeking comprehensive libraries with simulcast access
- Adult animation fans who appreciate sophisticated animated storytelling
- Families wanting access to premium animated content without advertising interruptions
- Art and animation students studying different animation techniques and styles
Considerations:
While animation series are increasingly popular, the best content often requires premium subscriptions or specialized services like Crunchyroll. The fragmented nature of animation licensing means no single service offers everything, and serious animation fans may need multiple subscriptions to access their preferred content.
Service Plans Offering Animation Series
BBC iPlayer
The BBC's free streaming service featuring live TV and on-demand content from all BBC channels.
Standard
Free access to all BBC iPlayer content including live TV, catch-up programmes, and exclusive online content. Requires valid UK TV licence (£169.50 annually) for legal use.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is an American free ad-supported streaming television service owned and operated by the Paramount Streaming division of Paramount Global.
Pluto TV
Free access to 250+ live TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows with ads. No subscription required.
YouTube
The world's largest video platform with user-generated content, music videos, live streams, and premium subscription options including YouTube Premium and YouTube Music.
YouTube
Ad-supported streaming with limited features. Access to most YouTube content with advertisements.
Youtube Student
Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included. Eligible students only. Annual verification required.
Youtube Premium Lite
Ad-free YouTube experience on most videos. Does not include ad-free Youtube Music, Offline Downloads or Background Play
Youtube Premium
Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included.
YouTube Family
Up to 6 family members with individual accounts, ad-free viewing, and YouTube Music Premium for everyone.
S4C Clic
S4C Clic is the on-demand streaming service for S4C, the Welsh public service broadcaster
S4C Clic Free Account
Free access to S4C content (registration and TV license required)
Tubi
Free ad-supported streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content with no subscription required
Tubi Free
Ad-supported content, Full-length movies, TV shows, Live TV, No subscription required
Plex
A streaming platform that allows users to organize and stream their personal media libraries, plus access to 50,000+ free movies and TV shows with ad-supported content
Plex Free
Personal media streaming, 50,000+ free titles, Ad-supported content, Basic mobile sync
Plex Pass
Ad-free experience, Premium features, Mobile sync, Hardware transcoding, Live TV & DVR, Premium music features
Channel 4
Channel 4’s free streaming service (formelry All 4/4oD) offers live TV, catch-up, box sets, and exclusive content. Channel 4+ upgrade removes ads and adds downloads.
Channel 4+
Ad-free on most on-demand content, offline downloads, early access to some shows. Does not include live TV ad-free.
Netflix
The world's leading streaming entertainment service with a vast library of original content and licensed movies and TV shows.
Netflix Standard with ads
Full HD (1080p) streaming on 2 devices simultaneously with limited ads. Some content may not be available due to licensing restrictions.
Netflix Standard
Full HD (1080p) streaming on 2 devices simultaneously with ad-free viewing and offline downloads
Netflix Premium
4K Ultra HD streaming on 4 devices simultaneously with HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and ad-free viewing
Disney+
The home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
Disney+ Standard with Ads
Standard with Ads is the entry-level subscription tier for Disney+, offering ad-supported streaming of its content library at a lower price point than the ad-free options. It allows for streaming on up to two devices simultaneously and offers video quality up to 1080p Full HD with 5.1 and stereo audio. However, it does not allow for downloading content and includes ads during playback.
Disney+ Standard
Disney+ ad-free with full HD (1080p) resolution and enjoy immersive 5.1 surround sound where available.
Disney+ Premium
Disney Plus Premium adds 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio where available, as well as offline downloads, no ads and up to 4 simultaneous streams.
Amazon Prime Video
Included with Amazon Prime membership, featuring original series, movies, and exclusive content.
Paramount Basic Prime Video Add-on
Add-onParamount+ Basic add-on on Prime Video. Allows the consumption of content through the Prime Video UX. Note it does not allow separate consumption of the native Paramount+ app.
Requires base plan
Apple TV
Add-onApple TV
Requires base plan
Prime Video
Full Amazon Prime membership including Prime Video streaming with limited ads on movies and TV shows, plus free delivery, Prime Music, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos storage, and exclusive member deals. 4K and HDR available on supported content and devices.
Paramount+
Paramount+ offers a wide range of movies, exclusive originals, hit series, and family content. Now with three subscription tiers in the UK: Basic (with ads), Standard, and Premium.
Paramount+ Basic (with Ads)
Full HD, ad-supported, 1 device at a time, full content library.
Paramount Standard
Full HD, ad-free, 2 devices at a time, downloads.
Paramount+ Premium
4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, ad-free, 4 devices at a time, downloads.
Crunchyroll
The world's largest anime streaming service with simulcast and simuldub content from Japan.
Crunchyroll Fan
Ad-free anime streaming with access to simulcasts, offline viewing on mobile devices, and premium member-only content
Crunchyroll Mega Fan
Premium tier with ad-free anime streaming, offline viewing on up to 6 devices, exclusive member discounts on Crunchyroll Store, priority customer support, and access to new episodes one hour after Japan broadcast
Apple TV+
Apple's premium streaming service featuring high-quality original content and exclusive shows.
Apple TV+
4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
NOW
NOW is Sky’s contract-free streaming service in the UK, offering flexible monthly memberships for Entertainment, Cinema, Sports, and Hayu. Boosts add-ons are available for improved audio and video, ad-free, and extra streams.
NOW Entertainment
Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, and more. On-demand and live channels.