For those that are unaware, this past week it was announced that Funimation's library would be migrating over to Crunchyroll. This was huge news as it marked the first change to come out of Sony's purchase of Crunchyroll.
While Funimation subscribers might feel like they're getting the short end of the stick in this situation. as they aren't really getting anything out of this, Crunchyroll users on the other hand are thrilled with the additions. With all the new shows coming to Crunchyroll over the course of the next month, here are 5 of the best ones.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Considered to be one of the godfathers of the shonen genre, Yu Yu Hakusho is nothing short of a masterpiece created by the incomparable Yoshihiro Togashi. The story revolves around the delinquent Yusuke Urameshi dying before being brought back to life as a Spirit Detective; a human being that hunts evil ghosts, demons, and spirits.
While this might not seem like anything too unique, especially given how many demon-hunting shows are out these days, it features some of the greatest character development of any anime out there, with both incredibly charismatic heroes and villains. Encompassing cool fights and even cooler characters, Yu Yu Hakusho is a classic that needs to be watched by all that love the shonen genre. If that wasn't enough, Yu Yu Hakusho is also one of the few examples where the dub surpasses the sub.
SK8 the Infinity
For those that want something a little different than the standard shonen, seinen, or isekai then Sk8 the Infinity is perfect. Instead of fighting and supernatural powers, Sk8 the Infinity centers around skateboarding as well as the culture it created. The show follows two friends, Reki and Langa, and creates a very fun and touching story with a surprising amount of suspense about following your passions and accepting yourself for who you are, faults and all.
Another thing to note about the show is that its animation is absolutely gorgeous. It might not showcase the same style of visuals as a show like Demon Slayer, but skateboarding has never looked better and would make someone who's never even tried want to get on a board themselves. It might only be 12 episodes, but it's an infinitely fun ride throughout and worth anyone's time.
Megalobox
While the first season of the series was on Crunchyroll, the same could not be said about its second until this week. MEGALOBOX is a one-of-its-kind boxing series, where boxers fight each other while wearing cybernetic gear in the ring. It might sound a little silly, but that's part of what makes the series so fun to watch because it totally is, especially since the main character, "Gearless" Joe, chooses to fight his opponents without any gear at all, hence the name.
The series might sound like nothing more than a fun time, but it's actually a deeply emotional journey of a man coming from nothing fighting his way to the top with nothing but his team and his grit. It has all the heart of a movie like Rocky mixed with all the fun of Real Steel. The animation is also gorgeous with a unique visual style and character designs that make it all the better. The second season takes both the visuals and the story to the next level, featuring a larger cast that gets a lot more time to develop. There are also even more touching moments than the first season that really focuses on the heart and emotional core of boxing. Now that both seasons are available on Crunchyroll, users should make sure they check it out.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Considered by many to be the best new anime to come out of 2021, Crunchyroll subscribers should rejoice that they finally get to watch Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. The story is an interesting take on the isekai genre in that it features a somewhat overpowered protagonist, Rudeus Greyrat, whose main obstacle is overcoming the traumatic experiences of his previous life. Throughout the show so far, he steadily manages to grow as a person and starts making the most of his second chance at life.
Aside from a compelling story, the series also boasts some of the best visuals of 2021. The animation is incredibly crisp and fluid, with fight scenes being a spectacle for the eyes that all should take the time to experience. With a great cast of characters, incredible visuals as well as an interesting story, there's no reason Crunchyroll users shouldn't take advantage of the show finally being available to them on their platform.
Trigun
Another classic that was exclusive to Funimation, Trigun is one of anime's oldest and greatest stories. While the anime never managed to adapt the entire manga, with most of it never getting animated, Trigun is still more than worth the watch and considered a classic by many. Following a man known as Vash the Stampede, Trigun is a sci-fi space-western that examines many themes of morality, purpose, and death in a fun and largely interesting way.
The series features a great cast of characters that are as likable as they are badass with incredible designs, and it's easy to see why this classic is beloved by many. Vash in particular is one of the most intriguing protagonists in anime, with a past as mysterious as he is yet without the common trope of being broody and angry all of the time. He's a genuinely kind character put in situations that push his kindness and respect for life to their limits. The series might be old, but it is still definitely worth watching.
