There are a multitude of SVoD streaming platforms for anime. But it can sometimes be difficult to find your way around… We invite you here to discover the most important ones, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Our comparison of the different SVoD services in 2022 reviews the main platforms, but does not give pride of place to anime. However, since the 1980s, Japanese animation has firmly established itself in the landscape of pop culture in Europe. The content is aimed at viewers of all ages, so it’s no surprise that there are a plethora of streaming services dedicated to Japanese animation today. However, from a user’s point of view, it can be complicated to find your way around this multitude of platforms.
Indeed, each service has its own catalog of works to view. In addition, compatibility with different media (Android TV, Apple TV Chromecast, etc.) varies depending on the platform consulted.
This is why we offer you here a small summary of the main services available in France to watch anime legally and simultaneously (most of the time) with Japanese releases.
Update of 07/27/2022: Crunchyroll and DNA separate in good and due form while Wakanim fades slowly but surely in favor of the first city. Offers are therefore subject to change shortly.
Comparison of the main streaming services
| streaming platform | Crunchyroll | Anime Digital Network | wakanim | netflix | Amazon Prime Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| website | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| android | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chromecast | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AppleTV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android-TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free subscription (limited) | Yes (with advertising) | Yes (but limited to a few series) | Yes | Nope | Nope |
| Languages | VOSTFR, mainly | VOSTFR and VF | VOSTFR and VF | VOSTFR and VF | VOSTFR |
Anime Digital Network (DNA)
Anime Digital Network is a very good French site offering a well-stocked catalog and each new season brings its share of very interesting novelties. This platform is very provided, with the diffusion of very popular animes like One Punch Man, Boruto, One Piece, Fire Force and My Hero Academia. and classics almost already vintage 80s and 90s: Harlock, Cobra, City Hunter, Captain Tsubasa, cat’s eye, girl And so on.
Roughly speaking, if you want to see the most popular works – some will probably say ” of commercial works — very soon after their releases in Japan, DNA is a service worth considering, though not always as quickly powered as Crunchyroll. The service is very well organized and easy to understand on the web, on Apple TV and Android TV. On smartphones, the search function can be greatly improved. Finally, note that 1080p quality is only available with a paid plan.
Subscription starts at 6.99 euros per month or 59.99 euros per year. This goes up to 14.99 euros if you want to download your episodes (13 per month).
wakanim
Wakanim is the other French service. Formerly little known, it has now taken a more important place. First of all, its price is still very attractive, because you only have to pay 5 euros per month to enjoy unlimited streaming (with a 14-day trial offered).
The platform also offers to watch each episode for free, thirty days after its release, provided you watch an advertising spot before the start of the video and you have to wait 100 minutes between each viewing. Note that to take advantage of it, you must create an account.
Wakanim’s problem lies rather in its catalog, which is a little less extensive than ADN or Crunchyroll. Rest assured, excellent titles are available on this platform, and simultaneously, moreover with Japan. But it’s hard to find exclusives on this site that will convince you to opt for Wakanim.
Above all, a recent event changes the situation: Wakanim, alongside Funimation, will gradually merge with Crunchyroll, the juggernaut in the sector. The migration of content is done gradually.
Crunchyroll
If you’ve even once tried to watch—legally, I mean—anime on the web, chances are you’ve come across the name Crunchyroll. Created in 2006, the American has reigned supreme in this field throughout the world for several years. And it’s only getting worse with the recent takeover of Wakanim.
In addition to the website, this service has the advantage of being available on smartphone, Chromecast and Android TV, with, each time, an interface that is not necessarily very pretty, but which has the merit of being very easy to use. . As for its catalog, difficult to know where to start as it is so rich, but we are still frustrated that it is not as important as the one offered across the Atlantic.
But let’s not spoil our pleasure. Crunchyroll brings together many recent series – each episode comes out one hour after Japan – and older works that we can binge-watch at leisure in 1080p — except for a few titles.
We can regret that the interface is quite messy in places and deserves to gain a little intuitiveness. It is possible to subscribe to Crunchyroll from only 4.99 euros per month. A very attractive price that allows you to enjoy Full HD on a large number of titles. Attention, the offline mode is only available from the subscription to 6.49 euros per month.
A 14-day free trial is always offered.
The free subscription, meanwhile, allows you to enjoy the series several days after their release, in 480p only, and with advertising.
netflix
No need to introduce Netflix. The world’s most famous SVoD service has broken audience records year after year. That’s good, because this platform, even if it has not made it its hobbyhorse, deploys a limited but interesting offer of anime.
Where Netflix particularly stands out is in the strength of its exclusives. We can, in this respect, mention large successful licenses such as Seven Deadly Sins Where Ajin. Other titles, a little less known, are also worth a look, like Kuromukuro, very entertaining. Since 2020, Netflix has been offering films from Studio Ghibli, great references.
But that’s about all that can be said about Netflix in terms of anime. Most of the other series are very classic and can be viewed on the other platforms presented above. Finally, this service has the advantage of being available on all media, with an intuitive interface for each.
The least expensive subscription (Netflix Essential) starts at 8.99 euros per month.
Amazon Prime Video
For Amazon Prime customers, Jeff Bezos’ firm offers its video streaming service in France. Like Netflix, this one is clearly not oriented towards anime – unlike Anime Strike, not yet available in France.
However, Prime Vidéo recently increased the share of Japanese animation in its catalog. There are also some confidential titles that will undoubtedly delight their fans, but it is difficult to know if they will attract neophytes. The latter will be able to find their mark with some great classics such as naruto, Hunter × Hunter, Dororo Where Dragon Ball Z.
This offer is especially interesting if you already have an Amazon Prime account for 49 euros per year — but beware, this price increases drastically on September 15, 2022. In addition, the platform is available on all media. We regret an interface that is not always very intuitive…
What anime to watch?
You are spoiled for choice, and if we do not recommend anime in particular, Numerama has produced many files on the subject:
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