Summary
Looking for a free alternative to Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu? ThenTubi TVis the way to go. The content on the video streaming site is free, something the app achieves through its inclusion of ads. Tubi TV has an impressive collection of movies and TV shows that should satisfy most people looking for a way to pass the time for a weekend (or a year). Yearning for a fast-paced Western live-action movie? Tubi TV is worth checking out. Feel like a ’90s comedy? The service has plenty on offer, includingMr. Show with Bob and David.
This stretches to Japanese animation as well; in fact,Tubi’s animecollection is surprisingly impressive. As a demonstration of the content available on the platform, here are thebest free anime on Tubi.
Each anime’s Japanese title includes a link to the show’s Tubi page.
Check Out On Tubi!
Yoshihiro Togashi fans are in for a treat asTubi has bothYu Yu HakushoandHunter x Hunter. These series rank among the very best shonen anime of all time, with the former excelling as a more conventional story (outside the brilliant “Chapter Black” arc) and the latter taking a more experimental approach.
Hunter x Hunterrevolves around Gon’s quest to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a hunter, a role that sees him taking on numerous villains and monsters. That is just the basic premise thatHunter x Hunteruses as a launchpad to explore awide range of charactersand themes.
One of the most famousanime romcoms,Toradora!revisits the timeless idea that opposites attract. Contrary to what their appearances might suggest, Ryuuji Takasu is easygoing and responsible while the petite Taiga Aisaka is known for violent outbursts. When they both develop crushes on the other person’s best friend, Ryuuji and Taiga decide to work together to increase their chances of finding love.
An influential series,Toradora!blends fantastic animation with character development, slapstick humor, and an ending that tugs at the heartstrings. As the anime’s success inspired plenty of imitators,Toradora!no longer feels as fresh as it did in 2008, but that does not take too much away from the show’s appeal.
Nothing short of a classic,Ranma 1/2is thedefinitive gender-bender anime, and it is hilarious. After being cursed to swap genders when splashed with water, Ranma Saotome’s life gets even more complicated when he has to decide between three potential suitors.
Ranma 1/2mines this rom-com premise for all it’s worth, and the first few seasons dedicate the majority of their energy to humor rather than romance. Some people might be put off by the anime’s age, butRanma 1/2is still as enjoyable in 2022 as it was during the early ’90s.
Studio Pierrot’sNarutoneeds no introduction by this point. The anime was inescapableduring the 2000s, and while many people might argue thatNaruto: Shippudenimproves upon its predecessor in nearly every way, the original series still contains many of the franchise’s highest points.
For those who grew up with Team 7 and wish to relive the glory days of the Chunin Exams and Sasuke Recovery Mission arcs, Tubi should help scratch that itch. The platform has both the dubbed and subbed versions ofNaruto.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis more than just a meme. Following a somewhat uneven start, the anime picks up a lot of steam during its second and third sagas, introducing not only an iconic power system but also characters worthy of using it. Blending stellar action, weird but charming humor, and clever writing,JoJois a timeless property that has produced some of the highest highs in shonen anime.
An anime original,Ergo Proxyis an unsettling sci-fi thriller set in a distant future where humanity lives alongside androids. When the latter gain sentience and start to commit murders, Re-I Mayer is assigned the task of investigating the cause behind these crimes.
Boasting impeccable visuals and music,Ergo Proxyweaves a gripping tale that touches upon quite a few philosophical ideas. The anime creates a familiar but cold world, one that has a dream-like quality to it. The story can be a bit slow at times, but the show’s few dull moments are worth pushing through to reach its high points.
Tubi has the first two seasons ofA Certain Magical Index, however, it is that show’s spin-off that ranks among thebest free anime serieson the streaming platform.A Certain Scientific Railgunpushes Mikoto Misakato the forefront, focusing on the powerful Esper’s closest friendships and the struggles the protagonist faces with accepting help from her peers.
The first season starts as almost a slice of life anime, and this section helps cement the core dynamics between the central characters. Once the action gets going,A Certain Scientific Railgunseldom slows down, particularly during season 2’s brilliant opening arc. The latter, known as the Sisters Arc, represents the high point of not onlyRailgunbut also the entire anime franchise. Unfortunately, season 3 is not on Tubi.
Bunny Drop
MyAnimeList: 8.35
Bunny Droprevolves around a father-and-daughter dynamic. At his grandfather’s funeral, Daikichi learns that his relative had a child that nobody knew about. Disgusted by his family’s dismissive treatment of Rin, Daikichi decides to adopt the girl, a huge step for a guy who has never needed to take care of anybody else.
Bunny Dropchronicles the pair’s relationship as they gradually grow more comfortable with each other and their new roles. Except for an uncomfortable opening episode, this anime is wholesome, uplifting, and sweet. Maintaining a realistic and mature tone throughout,Bunny Dropis a masterpiece.
My Hero Academiawas hardly the first anime to tackle superheroes, and an argument could be made that it is not the best either. Sunrise’sTiger & Bunnyenvisions an alternate reality where empowered heroes have been thoroughly commercialized, with their life-saving actions featuring in essentially a reality show and competition.
The title refers to the story’s central partnership: the aged Tiger and the youthful Bunny. These two are forced to work together, and like the best buddy cop flicks, they initially hate each other before becoming great friends.Tiger & Bunnyhas a fantastic roster of supporting characters and villains, along with consistently stellar animation and world-building.
Only season 1’s 25 episodes are on Tubi. Season 2 is exclusive to Netflix.
Full Metal Panic!comes in two flavors: the main series and theFumoffuspin-off. The former has a couple of seasons, although only the first one is available on Tubi. A cult classic, the anime follows Sousuke Sagara’s attempts to protect Kaname Chidori, a high school girl with a powerful ability that could change the world’s power balance. Featuring exhilarating action and likable characters,Full Metal Panic!is a must-watch for mecha fans.
Fumoffudrops the mecha action in favor of school comedy hi-jinks. While a complete departure from the mainline entries, the spin-off’s content is still canon, even if nothing of consequence truly happens. That said,Fumoffuis consistently hilarious. The show highlights different sides of the main characters, all the while still remaining true to their established personalities.
