Watching anime has never been easier, with platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Crunchyroll housing a wide slate of titles. The options for non-subscribers are more limited, but YouTube presents itself as a viable alternative — especially now that a handful of anime classics have been added to its library.
The best part? All of them are streaming free on the service, courtesy of a welcome move by anime and manga publisher Viz Media. The company has compiled six of its licensed shows into helpful playlists, which include Death Note, Hunter x Hunter, Inuyasha, Mr. Osomatsu, Naruto, and Sailor Moon.
These aren’t just a few episodes or promotional clips, either. The list is complete with every episode from that particular series, all available for viewing on high quality. It’s a smart move, considering the growing popularity of the genre in recent times, with trending titles like Spy x Family and Blue Lock making its way into the mainstream audience.
There’s just one drawback, though. The playlists are geo-locked to the U.S., so parties outside of the region will have to rely on VPN services to enjoy the treat. Still, the YouTube uploads are a nice way to pay tribute to the classics while also making them more accessible to a new generation of fans. For long-time fans, this only means an easier way to revisit the nostalgia.
In any case, do note that the shows are subbed, which means Japanese-speaking with English subtitles. Those who prefer the dubbed version, as such, may want to give it a miss.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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