When it comes to streaming anime, there are much better options than Netflix. Crunchyroll is heavily focused on anime and often streams subtitled series shortly after they air in Japan. Meanwhile, Hulu is home to the Neon Alley channel, which features a lot of what you can find on Netflix and then some. It’s also where TMS Entertainment streams its offerings, including classics like The Rose of Versailles and Lupin the 3rd. Still, Netflix subscribers have access to some really good time-sucks. A few of the shows from Paste’s 2013 list, like Samurai Champloo and Mushi-Shi, are still available for streaming, but 10 of these anime programs are brand new to the list.

1. Death Note:

Year: 2006
Creators: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
This supernatural thriller is a must-see for anyone with a passing interest in anime. In Death Note, a student named Light Yagami comes into possession of a notebook with the power to bring death upon anyone whose name is written in it. Light decides to use this book for what he thinks is a great purpose—ridding the world of terrible people—but his actions have consequences. If you’re a Dexter fan, you will probably get sucked into Death Note quickly. Even if you aren’t, this cat-and-mouse series is highly addictive.

2. InuYasha:

Year: 2001
Creator: Rumiko Takahashi
A demon-heavy time-travel saga, InuYasha is a beloved, and lengthy, series based on the manga by Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura). Kagome Higurashi’s life takes a weird turn when the teenager falls down a well and ends up in the Warring States period of Japan, where she encounters half-demon Inuyasha. As she goes back and forth between the modern world and the past, Kagome learns a lot about who she is while encountering a host of unusual characters and some frightening battles. InuYasha mixes a lot of different elements, from its beginning as a Wonderland-style adventure through its evolution as a romantic comedy-meets-action series.

3. Gurren Lagann:

Year: 2007

Creator: Kazuki Nakashima
Anime studio Gainax mastered the art of the giant robot-heavy action series. Back in the 1990s, they were responsible for the now-classic franchise Neon Genesis Evangelion. Around the turn of the century, they hit big again with the bizarre action-comedy FLCL. Unfortunately, neither of those is currently streaming on Netflix. However, Gurren Lagann, the studio’s 2007 series, is and you should watch it. The adventures start underground when Simon, a young teen in an earthquake-plagued community, discovers unusual technology. Along with his overconfident pal Kamina and a brave, young woman named Yoko, Simon embarks on an adventure.

4. Samurai Champloo:

Year: 2004
Creator: Shinichiro Watanabe
While the show never reaches the heights of Shinchiro Watanabe’s masterpieces Macross Plus and Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo still has its creator’s magic touch. Its set-up, following the adventures of an Odd Couple-esque pairing of samurais, may be a bit cliched. However, Watanabe’s voice and impressive style always rises above the material and its takes on classic stories are beautifully realized. A wonderful introduction to anime for the curious.—S.G.

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