Streaming Service Comparison Guide

Last updated: July 19, 2026

New anime streaming services keep popping up, and it's easy to end up wondering "which one should I actually sign up for?" This guide breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of the seven services listed on DOKOMIRU, based on Japanese-market accounts, so you know what to expect before subscribing.

Want the largest anime catalog? Try dアニメストア

This is a long-running, anime-only streaming service with an enormous catalog spanning decades of classics and new releases. It's usually cheaper than general-purpose services, making it a solid pick if anime is really all you watch.

Want movies and dramas too? Try U-NEXT or Netflix

U-NEXT and Netflix are general entertainment platforms that cover anime alongside a huge range of domestic and international movies, dramas, and variety shows. Subscriptions tend to cost a bit more than anime-only services, but a single plan covers far more ground. Netflix in particular invests heavily in original anime productions.

Want to try before you commit? Abema

Abema offers a large number of titles for free, making it a low-risk way to sample anime streaming before spending anything. Some fully unlocked titles require ABEMA Premium (a paid tier), so check the "Free" vs "Included in Subscription" badge on each title's page here.

Want Disney and Western animation too? Disney+

Disney+ covers Disney, Pixar, and Marvel content, and has been investing more in Japanese anime in recent years. A good pick if you want anime and Western animated content in one place.

Want more general options? Hulu or DMM TV

Hulu and DMM TV are also general-purpose platforms covering anime among many other genres. Each runs its own exclusives and promotions from time to time, so the fastest way to check whether a specific title is available on either is simply to look it up on its DOKOMIRU page.

When in doubt, pick based on what you actually want to watch

Since every service has its own trade-offs, working backward from "where can I watch the title I actually want to see" is usually more reliable than trying to pick the objectively "best" service. Search by title or genre on the DOKOMIRU homepage to see every streaming option for a given anime at a glance.