It’s easier than ever to watch anime thanks to streaming services. Platforms like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE specialize in anime, and major services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu are also adding a growing number of anime titles, both old and new. However, despite this growth, some classic anime series remain unavailable on these platforms. We’re taking a look at some of these hidden gems and discussing why it’s a shame they’re so hard to find.
7.) Fullmetal Alchemist
It’s surprising that the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime isn’t currently available on any streaming services, but considering Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood came out in 2008 – five years after the original – it makes some sense. Most fans agree that Brotherhood is the stronger series, but the original shouldn’t be overlooked. While the remake more closely followed the manga’s story and ending, the original series deserves to be accessible because of the franchise’s overall influence on anime. Fullmetal Alchemist is frequently mentioned as one of the greatest anime series of all time, and for good reason.
6.) Baki The Grappler
It’s surprising that the 2001 Baki The Grappler anime isn’t available on any streaming services, considering it came before the popular Baki series on Netflix. Netflix has had a lot of success with anime, including Baki, Baki Hanma, and Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai, which makes it even stranger that they haven’t picked up these earlier seasons. These first two seasons are where many fans first met Baki, and they feature some of his most exciting fights. Hopefully, a streaming service will add them soon!
5.) Big O
When it premiered on Toonami in 2001, The Big O quickly became a standout anime, attracting many new fans to the genre. With a unique style reminiscent of both Batman: The Animated Series and Mobile Suit Gundam, Roger Smith’s story remains visually impressive even now. The show was so successful on Toonami that it received a sequel in 2003, and many fans hope it will be revived on a streaming service. Until then, they’re happily rewatching their Blu-Ray copies of this action-packed series from Sunrise.
4.) Slayers
Though it never appeared on popular streaming services like Netflix or Cartoon Network, the anime series Slayers was incredibly influential and often represented anime for many fans in the 1990s. With over a hundred episodes, it follows the adventures of the young wizard Lina Inverse, a journey filled with magic comparable to that of Frieren. Slayers was a great way for people to get into anime when it was first becoming popular, and it’s unfortunate that this classic isn’t currently available to watch, given its length and how much of an impact it had on Western audiences.
3.) The Guyver: Bio-Booster Armor
I remember discovering The Guyver back when the live-action films came to North America – it was a really unique introduction to anime for a lot of people. The first one came out in 1989, and it was packed with intense, violent action. While the main character never reached the popularity of heroes like Goku or Luffy, it really stood out as a superhero story unlike anything else I’d seen. It’s a shame that both the original series and the 2005 remake are so hard to find – they aren’t available on any of the major streaming services right now. Honestly, The Guyver deserves a comeback, and a streaming release would be a perfect way to start.
2.) Shin-Chan
Crayon Shin-Chan is a hugely popular anime series, but it’s surprisingly difficult to watch in North America. It started in 1992 and is still being made today, with over 1300 episodes! Although it briefly aired on Adult Swim, it hasn’t had a consistent streaming home. While One Piece is a long series, Crayon Shin-Chan is even longer, but each episode is self-contained and doesn’t rely on a big, ongoing story. It’s a major anime hit in Japan, and deserves to be more widely available in North America.
1.) Samurai Deeper Kyo
I recently rediscovered Samurai Deeper Kyo, and wow, it’s something special! Studio Deen made this 26-episode anime back in 2002, and it really takes the whole samurai story and turns it on its head. The main character ends up trapped inside the body of his enemy, and the whole series is about him trying to get back to his own body. It came out before anime really blew up in popularity, so a lot of people might have missed it, but honestly, it deserves a second chance – it’s a series I think could really have a resurgence if more people checked it out!
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-03-04 00:10