Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has one of the largest streaming libraries on the web, and their anime selection is no exception. While competitors like Crunchyroll and HiDive still maintain the highest numbers among anime streaming services, other providers, like Hulu and Netflix, have shown that they can also be a perfect place for fans to watch. Furthermore, while Max may not have many original titles, they still maintain one of the highest quality collections available.
What puts Max above most of its competitors is the number of recognizable titles. They are famous for providing Studio Ghibli films to American audiences. They also have some of Japan’s biggest movies. Its anime selection may not be large but the quality of the content cannot be ignored. With that in mind, here are the ten best anime series that fans can watch on Max right now as of August 2023.
10 Housing complex C
This spooky series is Adult Swim’s big Halloween release of 2022. Since Max is owned by the same parent company as Cartoon Network, the anime is available immediately with each new episode added to the service one at a time. days after broadcast.
This terrifying series is a perfect watch for horror fans as it explores an isolated housing estate in the rural countryside. When a new family and a group of immigrant workers move in, people start to disappear one by one. It’s a gripping mystery that blends cosmic terror and intense tension. Plus, the show only has four episodes so it can easily be binge-watched in one night for anyone looking for something scary.
9 The night is short, walk away girl
The Night is Short, Walk On Girl is a charming romantic comedy from director Masaaki Yuasa that is a surreal look at Japanese nightlife. The film is about a young girl walking on the street, drinking along the way. All the while, she is stalked by a potential suitor who intends to confess his feelings for her before the night ends.
The story does not have a simple narrative. It’s a series of abstract events as the girl and boy walk around town, similar to how most people go on a night out. It’s an experience that needs to be seen to be believed.
8 castles in the sky
As the first of many Studio Ghibli films on this list, this underrated Hayao Miyazaki gem deserves more attention. Castle in the Sky is about a boy who accidentally meets a girl flying down from the sky. When he discovers she is a descendant of Laputa, the two embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they race against a mysterious man to reach a legendary castle in the sky. The entire movie is non-stop fun from start to finish. The sheer sense of adventure rivals Indiana Jones. It’s one of Miyazaki’s best films but doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserves.
7 Howl’s Moving Castle
Another modern masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is about a cursed woman named Sophie who is trapped in the body of an old woman. When she accidentally meets a wizard named Howl, she takes a job as a housewife in his eccentric castle and quickly finds herself caught up in a much larger resistance plot. This film is considered by many Miyazaki fans to be one of his best, and it’s easy to see why.
The fantasy world in Howl’s Moving Castle is a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity like the connection between machines and magic. There are also strong themes relating to the horrors of war. This is essential content for those who want to learn about Hayao Miyazaki’s works.
6 The weather is with you
Weathering With You had a strong impact when it was released, if anything, because of the level of hype surrounding it. After Makoto Shinkai’s landmark film Your Name, his sequel is sure to attract a lot of curiosity as the latter is very well made. It’s safe to say that his next effort did not disappoint.
Weathering With You is a powerful romantic film about a girl named Hina who has the ability to control the weather. These newly discovered capabilities led to a popular increase in requests from people to change the weather to make their social gatherings better. It’s difficult to describe this movie without spoiling things, so it’s best to learn as little as possible about this movie. Regardless, this is a must-see for anime fans.
5 Belle
This stunning retelling of Beauty and the Beast made waves around the world when it debuted in 2021. Directed by Wolf Children’s Mamoru Hosoda, the story takes place in a modern world like the ours, where virtual reality is an integral part of everyday life- everyday life and replaces traditional social media. The main character, Suzu, who is extremely shy in the real world, leads a double life as one of the most popular idols in the virtual world, known simply as U.
However, when she learns about a “Monster” that scares the people of U, she searches for him to discover who he really is. Like Weathering With You, it’s best to dive into this story as there are many unexpected twists that are sure to surprise viewers. It loosely follows the Beauty and the Beast story but takes its own liberties to make the ideas its own. Enhanced further by stunning animation, Belle is not to be missed.
4 When Marnie was there
This clever ghost story may not be a horror movie, but it’s still a compelling drama. When Anna moves to the countryside to spend the summer with her adoptive mother’s relatives, she discovers a mysterious island across the lake. There she meets a girl named Marnie who only appears at certain times and spends the summer seeing her in secret.
As the months pass, she begins to uncover a mystery regarding Marnie’s identity. The story is extremely intriguing as Anna continues to investigate further into the house across the lake and Marnie herself. Combine this with a strong theme of loneliness and a satisfying ending, and you have one of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated films.
3 Princess Mononoke
Hayao Miyazaki’s environmental film is considered one of his most mature stories. This story of ecological rebellion follows a young man who discovers a mysterious woman in the woods dubbed Princess Mononoke by the townspeople. She is a girl who hates humans and fights to protect the forest from being destroyed and replaced by iron mines.
However, as a demon continues to move across the land, things begin to spiral out of control to the point that her worst fears become a reality. This powerful story is reinforced by powerful imagery of the forest and the spirits that inhabit it. Miyazaki manages to bring the trees to life through his clever realism of a fantasy world that is better seen, not told.
2 Spirited Away
This was the film that finally put Miyazaki on the world map. It was the first international film to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards and was the highest-grossing anime film for many years until it was dethroned by Demon Slayer: Mugen Train in 2020.
The best part is it’s easy to see why. While the story tends to play a small role as a young girl named Chihiro works to save her parents from a witch, the visuals bring it to life. From No-Face to the mysterious River God, Haku, it’s a vast fantasy world that feels alive and filled with culture. It’s not just a movie; it was an experience
1 Kiki’s delivery service
Without a doubt, the best anime to find about Max today is Miyazaki’s 1989 classic, Kiki’s Delivery Service. This story, adapted from the novel by Eiko Kadono, follows a young witch named Kiki and her talking cat Jiji as they live independently in a small town as Kiki works to make a name for herself. I’m a witch.
She starts a delivery service business to prove herself a valuable member of society while also showing off her magic. However, as work pressure increases, she begins to realize that sometimes magic can’t solve everything. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a show that has been around for many years because of its mature themes. Exploring burnout is as relevant today as ever as people continue to find themselves overworked. It differs significantly from the book in that the saddest moment doesn’t even happen in the source, but it’s a strong story that benefits from its deviations.
While Max doesn’t have as large an anime library as Crunchyroll, it still stands out as a service that anime fans should check out. The inclusion of Studio Ghibli titles alone makes it well worth a watch. However, its smaller gems lose Max one step further is an important service for anime fans who want to see the best in anime movies.
