The first thing I did with my Crunchyroll subscription was immediately add shows and movies to my watch list. More importantly, I wanted to finally dive into a mix of anime shows I’ve been dying to visit and revisit with fresh eyes. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Dan Da Dan, for example.
Now that my Crunchyroll subscription is up and running, it’s time I caught up. However, I wanted to focus on shows that I consider giving you the best value, for example, if you only subscribe for a month. Sound good? Given the number of episodes of each entry, a month is plenty of time to watch most, if not all, of these anime series.
Dan Da Dan
Stream Dan Da Dan on Crunchyroll
Dan Da Dan is hands down one of the most unique anime series I’ve watched in a good long while. The few episodes are explosive with their bizarre mix of the supernatural and alien, such as cryptids and ghosts. At the same time, it sprinkles romance between the characters, leading to a really nice layer of comedic relief. I wholeheartedly believe it’s partly because of the voice actors, especially the English VAs.
One of the things that stands out to me most is that the characters are very real and believable. The dynamic between Okarun, Momo Ayase, and their friendship with multiple other characters feels like something real and tangible. And while Okarun and Momo are fighting aliens and making friends along the way, you’ll love the unexpected romance that starts to blossom between the two.
I highly recommend watching two episodes at a time, at least until you’re caught up, as it is an ongoing series. It’s short enough to binge over the weekend, too. If you can’t catch it on Crunchyroll, Dan Da Dan is on Netflix, too.
Ranking of Kings
Stream Ranking of Kings on Crunchyroll
Ranking of Kings immediately caught my attention for its style, giving me vibes of Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo, as well as having an awesome opening theme (which I think is extremely important). It gives the characters, even the gruff ones, a cutesy look that I find adorable. More importantly, it makes the wounds the characters experience, which can be quite bloody at times, very jarring and meaningful. It isn’t gory, but limbs do get severed and ultimately serve the story by showing that Bojji’s defeat could mean death.
Speaking of the story, Bojji’s mannerisms are endearing and often silly, but that plays to his character being both mute and deaf. His stature often leads enemies to underestimate him, and then they sorely regret it after being beaten into the ground. I also love that the show goes over the moon in accepting Bojji and his disabilities, and people accommodate without being patronizing. The overall message of accepting yourself and finding what you excel at is something I can’t get enough of from Ranking of Kings.
Parasyte
Stream Parasyte on Crunchyroll
When I first watched Parasyte, I felt like I was immediately transported into the realm of Junji Ito—that strange kind of body horror, in the form of a high school student taken over by a parasite, which can twist and contort his body. Instead of horror connected to culture, like Junji Ito, the strangeness is the alien nature of the parasite, which has taken residence in Shinichi’s hand.
Would you be surprised to find out that Shinichi and Migi actually become friends and make a pretty great team, working together to attack other parasites? It’s a bizarre buddy-cop combo that somehow works, so chalk comedic relief for Parasyte, too. In fact, Migi—that’s the parasite—is actually adorable and incredibly funny. Oh, and it is particularly gory!
Dragon Ball
Stream Dragon Ball on Crunchyroll
Dragon Ball was the one series I wanted to revisit after years of not watching it. I was due for a watch, and best of all, I got to include my kids. And yes, Dragon Ball absolutely holds up to this day and is still one of the golden examples of a fun, creative, and endearing shonen. Not to mention the timeless look of the animation compared to today’s shiny digital look. I also appreciate a character who is unquestionably good in a sea of grey characters.
If you’re one of many fans who got your start with Dragon Ball Z, and that’s a fine place to start, giving Dragon Ball a go is worth the effort. Goku is so silly, lovable, and naive, but then the next moment, he’s channeling ki. Martial arts is at the very heart of the show, and despite being so small, Goku is always ready to fight the next toughest person. More importantly, Dragon Ball is one of the best shows to introduce anime to your friends and family.
Crunchyroll will definitely get another subscription from me
I know for a fact that Crunchyroll has far more shows to offer than these, but it’s a darn good start. Up next on my watch list are Spy x Family, Cowboy Bebop, and numerous movies like Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. I have so much catching up to do!
