Searching for the best anime shows and movies on Netflix Canada to watch?
Adam got me into anime in the last few years, and now we both really enjoy watching them together!
I used to think animes were just “cartoons”, but I’ve realized that it’s really just an art form, and there are so many different types and genres of animes.
I prefer the darker and more horror stuff, but I also love the wholesome, slice-of-life romance animes!
Since anime originated in Japan, most are Japanese, but there are animes on Netflix from other countries like China and Korea as well.
Here are some of the best anime series and movies to watch on Netflix Canada right now!
You can watch these animes in Japanese or dubbed in English – we personally prefer the original Japanese voice actors, and I’m also trying to learn Japanese myself.
If you’re looking for even more anime shows and movies, you can watch tons of them for free on Crunchyroll – it’s basically the Netflix of anime.
Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!
More things to watch
If you’re looking for more things to watch on streaming services in Canada, check out my other posts on shows and movies:
- Looking for more Netflix? Watch the best Netflix movies (including comedy, classic, horror, and holiday movies), or if you’re into shows instead, watch the best Netflix shows (including Korean dramas).
- Got Crave? Peep out the best movies (including comedies and horrors) or shows on Crave.
- Have Amazon Prime? Watch the best movies (including horror and holiday movies) or shows on Prime Video.
- Searching for things to watch on Disney+? Watch the best movies (including comedies and horrors) or shows on Disney+.
- Into specific genres? Check out my horror movie binge list or my list of the best Korean dramas.
Best anime shows on Netflix Canada
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is set in a world where the last humans are confined to three sets of walls, endangered by man-eating titans on the outside.
It’s a dark action series, but I did find some parts quite scary and gruesome (with quite a bit of gore).
Attack on Titan is probably my all-time favourite anime series, and the manga (sort of like Japanese comic books) is one of the best-selling mangas of all-time!
You can watch the first season on Netflix Canada, and the rest is available on Crunchyroll (with a subscription.
There are also some spinoffs of the show as well (which I haven’t seen), that you could probably find somewhere online.
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Death Note
High school student Light Yagami discovers a mysterious notebook called the Death Note that grants him the ability to kill.
This psychological thriller really keeps you on your toes, and it’s known as one of the best anime series of all-time.
Oh, and don’t watch the Netflix live action movie version – they Americanize it completely and it’s awful.
If you live in the GTA, there’s actually a Death Note escape room in Markham that’s super fun!
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an awesome cyberpunk/dystopian series about a street kid who becomes an edgerunner.
It’s set in Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk universe, and serves as a prequel to the popular game.
I love that romance is an underlying theme in the series, and the soundtrack is also v good!
Oh, and it’s definitely not family-friendly at all, so don’t watch this with yo’ family.
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Erased
Satoru Fujinuma is a 29-year-old aspiring manga artist who has the ability to travel back in time, but not by choice.
When he gets sent back in time to his childhood, he tries to stop a fatal incident from happening.
Erased is a pretty dark anime, but it’s a really good one to watch.
If you’re into the butterfly effect, you’ll definitely enjoy watching this!
Netflix also created a live action version of the series, and it’s pretty much a play-by-play of the anime.
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
The Promised Neverland
A trio of orphans discover a dark secret about the orphanage they live in, and they try to figure out how to escape.
It’s hard to explain too much without spoiling, but The Promised Neverland is a good watch and it’s quite dark!
Season 2 isn’t on Netflix yet, but it’s definitely pretty underwhelming compared to how great the first season was – hopefully the next season is much better.
A live action series is also coming out, which looks pretty good!
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Hunter x Hunter
I’ve listed a lot of darker anime shows on this list, so here’s a more light-hearted one for ya.
A young boy named Gon Freecs embarks on an adventure to become a hunter while in search of his father.
Hunter x Hunter is a fun and wholesome anime series, but only the first few seasons are available to stream on Netflix Canada.
I love the soundtrack of the show – there are so many good and catchy songs!
6 seasons available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki is a young ninja with a goal of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village.
I actually watched Hunter x Hunter before watching Naruto, and I immediately noticed a lot of similarities between the two shows.
For one thing, the same voice actress plays Gon and Naruto, the leads in their respective shows!
The Hunter x Hunter manga actually came out a year before Naruto, so it’s Naruto that took inspiration from Hunter x Hunter.
Anyway, both are great shows, but I definitely have to say Hunter x Hunter is my favourite of the two!
9 seasons of Naruto and 10 seasons of Naruto Shippuden are available to stream on Netflix Canada, as well as 8 different Naruto movies.
19 seasons available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Violet Evergarden
After the war, Violet Evergarden’s arms are replaced with prosthetic steel arms, and she slowly settles into post-war life.
She becomes an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters for other people, to try to understand what her former major’s last words meant.
It’s a very emotional show with beautiful artwork – probably one of my favourite artwork styles from any anime.
You can watch one season of the romance series on Netflix, and there are also three films and one special.
1 season, 3 films, & 1 special available on Netflix
Monster
Kenzo Tenma is a Japanese neurosurgeon living in Germany, and his life enters turmoil when he tries to solve a series of murders involving a patient whose life he once saved.
Monster was one of the first animes Adam and I watched together, and it’s a really good one!
It’s a crime thriller, and it ain’t a feel-good series at all if you’re looking for something happy to watch.
There’s one season with 30 episodes, so it’s also quite a long one!
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Devilman Crybaby
In a world where demons seek to destroy humanity, Ryo convinces his friend Akira to unite with a demon and become a Devilman, a being with demon powers but a human soul.
There’s an excessive amount of fan service and nudity and quite a bit of gore, so this one definitely ain’t for everyone.
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Vinland Saga
After his father is killed, young Thorfinn goes on a journey with his father’s killer to get revenge and establish himself as an honourable warrior.
Vinland Saga is a historical fiction anime set in Iceland, and it’s all about vikings.
Watching this series was even cooler because we’ve been to Iceland twice and we love it there!
And if you’re into the whole viking thing, you’ll love the shows Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla on Netflix.
2 seasons available on Netflix
The Seven Deadly Sins
If you like Akame ga Kill! you’ll also enjoy Seven Deadly Sins.
A princess sets out to find a disbanded group of knights called the Seven Deadly Sins, in hopes of saving the Kingdom of Liones.
There’s quite a bit of fan service, but it’s at least tolerable lol (I hated it in High Rise Invasion – also on Netflix).
If you don’t know what fan service is, it’s basically when an anime includes scenes that heavily focus on certain parts of scantily-clad women.
It’s pretty common in anime, but sometimes it’s just too much lol (also hated it in Dr. Stone, but that at least had a good storyline).
You can watch all 5 seasons and two movies of Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix Canada, and there’s also a new movie that’ll be coming out this year in 2022!
5 seasons + 2 films available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Castlevania
If you’re into vampires, you’ll definitely enjoy Castlevania.
It’s a dark medieval fantasy about the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont clan, Trevor Belmont, who tries to save Eastern Europe from Dracula and his vampires.
4 seasons available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Demon Slayer
After his family is slaughtered and his younger sister Nezuko is turned into a demon, Tanjiro Kamado becomes a demon slayer.
It’s a pretty gory anime, but there are some wholesome parts as well.
The movie is also really good, though it’s not on Netflix Canada.
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Cowboy Bebop
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Cowboy Bebop is about a group of bounty hunters who travel between planets to capture wanted fugitives.
It was made in the ’90s and feels very ’90s, but it’s still a great show!
1 season available on Netflix
Great Pretender
Makoto Edamura, supposedly Japan’s best swindler, gets more than he bargained for when he tries to con an international con artist.
Great Pretender is a fun watch, and it takes place all over the world!
I personally don’t love the art style as much as I do other animes, but it is very unique.
2 seasons available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Japan Sinks: 2020
Japan Sinks: 2020 is a tragic series based on the novel Japan Sinks by Sakyo Komatsu, which was written back in the 70s.
In the anime, a series of natural disasters threatens the existence of Japan, and survivors try to find a safe place to go.
It’s definitely not a feel-good series, and it’s actually quite emotional.
I think this was actually the first anime Adam and I watched together!
1 season available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Best anime movies on Netflix Canada
A Silent Voice
A girl who’s hard of hearing transfers to a different school after relentless bullying, and one of her bullies tries to make amends years later.
A Silent Voice is a beautiful slice-of-life anime film with stunning artwork, and it’s quite a long movie at just over 2 hours.
It sort of reminds me of Your Name, my favourite anime movie of all-time (which unfortunately isn’t on Netflix Canada!)
If you don’t know what “slice-of-life” is, it’s basically a realistic anime that shows everyday life.
Sometimes it can be kinda mundane, but I think that’s the beauty and appeal of the genre!
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Bubble
After gravity-defying bubbles rain down on Tokyo, the city becomes a playground for young people to compete in parkour team battles.
Quiet Hibiki keeps to himself until he’s saved after falling in the sea by a young girl with mysterious powers.
The artwork in Bubble is gorgeous, and the parkour scenes are so cool to watch.
The soundtrack is also a lot of fun as well!
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Kind of similar to the slice-of-life vibes of Your Name and A Silent Voice, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is an adorable teen romance.
A shy boy who expresses himself through haikus meets a bubbly but self-conscious girl, and they spend a magical summer together.
It’s very wholesome and feel-good, and I teared up a little at the end.
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
A Whisker Away
A Whisker Away is a super wholesome fantasy/romance anime about a young girl who transforms into a cat to spend time with the boy she loves.
As time goes on, the line between human and cat starts to blur.
If you love animals, you’ll definitely enjoy this anime film – the lead character’s cat version is sooo cute lol.
The soundtrack of the film is also on point!
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Flavors of Youth
Flavors of Youth tells the stories of 3 completely different people living in China: a man and his fond memories behind bowls of noodles, an aging model trying to find her way, and a bittersweet first love.
It’s a wholesome, feel-good show if that’s what you’re in the mood for.
It’s also by the same creators behind Your Name!
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll & Violent Evergarden: The Movie
If you enjoyed the Violet Evergarden anime series on Netflix, you’ll definitely enjoy the films, which are kind of like extended episodes.
In Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll, Violet gets sent to a prestigious girls’ boarding school to help a young and reluctant girl become a debutante.
In Violet Evergarden: The Movie, Violet still thinks of the commander and his last words to her.
The newest film from 2020 wraps up the entire story perfectly!
1 season, 2 films, & 1 special available on Netflix
Spirited Away
A young girl and her parents stumble across a seemingly abandoned amusement park, and after her parents are turned into giant pigs, she works together with a young boy to free her family from the supernatural beings living there.
Spirited Away is a classic anime film by Studio Ghibli, known for their animated feature films for kids.
Fun fact: Spirited Away is one of the highest grossing anime films of all-time!
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
My Neighbour Totoro
Two young sisters move with their dad to a new house to be closer to their mother who’s in the hospital, and they become friends with a spirit named Totoro, a giant rabbit-like creature.
The funny thing about animations is that you can’t always tell exactly what era they’re from, and My Neighbour Totoro was made in the 80s!
It’s also by Studio Ghibli, and you can tell by their iconic art style.
1 film available on Netflix, watch the trailer
Best anime shows and movies on Netflix Canada:
- Attack on Titan
- Death Note
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Erased
- Hunter x Hunter
- Naruto
- Violet Evergarden
- The Promised Neverland
- Monster
- Devilman Crybaby
- Vinland Saga
- The Seven Deadly Sins
- Castlevania
- Demon Slayer
- Cowboy Bebop
- Great Pretender
- Japan Sinks: 2020
- A Silent Voice
- Bubble
- Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
- A Whisker Away
- Flavors of Youth
- Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll
- Spirited Away
- My Neighbour Totoro
These were some of the best anime shows and movies to watch on Netflix Canada!
If you’ve never watched anime before, I highly recommend you give it a chance.
It’s not just cartoons and it’s not just for kids – you can find all kinds of genres of anime, no matter what types of shows you’re interested in watching!
Some other honourable mentions of animes that I loved but aren’t available on Netflix (but most of which are on Crunchyroll):
- Your Name (teen romance film)
- Steins;Gate (sci-fi series)
- Dr. Stone (sci-fi dystopian series)
- Jujutsu Kaisen (supernatural adventure series)
- Mob Psycho 100 (supernatural comedy series)
- A Place Further Than the Universe (slice-of-life adventure series)
Also a fun fact: your local library might have a good selection of anime movies and shows on DVD that you can borrow!
Are you a fan of anime? What are some of your favourite animes on Netflix Canada? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
More things to watch
If you’re looking for more things to watch on streaming services in Canada, check out my other posts on shows and movies:
- Looking for more Netflix? Watch the best Netflix movies (including comedy, classic, horror, and holiday movies), or if you’re into shows instead, watch the best Netflix shows (including Korean dramas).
- Got Crave? Peep out the best movies (including comedies and horrors) or shows on Crave.
- Have Amazon Prime? Watch the best movies (including horror and holiday movies) or shows on Prime Video.
- Searching for things to watch on Disney+? Watch the best movies (including comedies and horrors) or shows on Disney+.
- Into specific genres? Check out my horror movie binge list or my list of the best Korean dramas.
Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest if you aren’t already!
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Frequently asked questions
Fan service is when an anime includes scenes which heavily focus on a woman’s body parts. It’s usually used for comedic purposes.
Slice-of-life is a genre of anime that shows a realistic representation of everyday life, whether it’s a character going through school or living their everyday lives.