If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
YouTube is making a surprise move to be an anime destination with multiple hit shows this season [Popverse Jump]
The anime business is changing and YouTube is becoming a surprise destination for new anime this season.
I spend a lot of my free time watching anime, so figuring out how to get more anime into my life is always something I’m thinking about. For years, the choices have been either shelling out for physical releases, something that is happening less and less these days, or paying subscription fees for one of the growing number of streaming services that are fighting to get anime fans to part with their cash.
While Netflix, Crunchyroll, Prime Video, and Hulu remain where those outside Japan can watch the most anime, this season, a new contender has entered the mix – YouTube, with a surprisingly large amount of free anime to watch for American fans. Two of the most anticipated anime of the Spring 2026 season are streaming for free on YouTube, while a smattering of other shows have shown up outside the usual paywalls that fans have become
Subscribe to Popverse to read this article
Become a member and get first access to tickets and badges to our events, photo ops, exclusive content, and more.
Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news
Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy
Let Popverse be your tour guide through the wilderness of pop culture
Sign in and let us help you find your new favorite thing.
Comments
Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.