5 Best Cartoon Network Anime Available Now On Netflix

For a whole generation of kids rushing home from school in the late ’90s and 2000s, or maybe just burning the midnight oil and watching with the volume set to low as their parents slept, Cartoon Network was like their very first anime streaming service. Before we even knew what “streaming” was, we devoured anime like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Yu Yu Hakusho. They were just undeniably the coolest cartoons ever, and Toonami made sure every afternoon felt like a grand event!

Launching way back in March 1997 with the iconic TOM aboard the spaceship Absolution, Toonami introduced us Western folks to some of anime’s big hitters. We’re talking Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and later gems like My Hero Academia and Dr. Stone. This sweet lineup turned casual cartoon watchers into die-hard anime enthusiasts. And even after moving over to Adult Swim’s late-night slot, Toonami kept that flame burning bright.

But, alas, finding those childhood gems is a bit trickier these days! With streaming rights bouncing around like a bouncy ball, classics such as Cowboy Bebop and Yu Yu Hakusho have done the ol’ vanishing act from Netflix’s US library, forcing fans to hunt them down on platforms like Prime Video, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. But don’t fret! Netflix still boasts a treasure trove of Cartoon Network faves, including One Piece and Neon Genesis Evangelion, along with other gems that deserve their time in the limelight.

1. InuYasha

If late-night Cartoon Network had a signature scent, it would probably smell like nostalgia and the essence of InuYasha. Those who stayed awake until 2 AM on Adult Swim might recall its spine-tingling themes and the adventures of Kagome and Inuyasha running amok in feudal Japan. Dreamt up by Rumiko Takahashi and animated by Studio Sunrise, this series landed on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim in August 2002 and became a staple before its exit in 2014 and return for a grand finale in InuYasha: The Final Act on Toonami.

The plot dances around 15-year-old Kagome Higurashi, whose family shrine sits atop a well that sends her straight into the Sengoku period of Japan. After she unwittingly shatters the magical Shikon Jewel, she teams up with the half-demon Inuyasha to gather its scattered shards before they fall into the clutches of the nefarious spider-demon Naraku.

Along their journey, she’s joined by Sango, Miroku, and the cute little fox demon Shippo, while Inuyasha’s rivalry with his brother Sesshomaru adds an extra pinch of drama. And what’s a love story without a love triangle? Enter the tragic priestess Kikyo, making things all the more complicated. Both the original series and its final act are cozying up on Netflix, so if you want a trip down memory lane, grab some popcorn!

2. Ranma ½

Before InuYasha became a late-night staple, Rumiko Takahashi had already sprinkled her magic on Ranma ½. This classic, animated by Studio Deen, originally ran from 1989 to 1992 and made its way to North America via VHS before becoming a late-night favorite across Latin America in 2006. With its outrageous martial arts battles, zany transformations, and a hefty dash of ’80s charm, it was the perfect excuse to stay up way past bedtime.

Chaos erupts when teenage martial arts whiz Ranma Saotome and his dad Genma visit the cursed Jusenkyo springs in China. Ranma accidentally falls into one of the wrong pools, turning into a girl when splashed with cold water (talk about an identity crisis), while Genma morphs into a giant panda. Hot water? That’s their magic remedy! Meanwhile, Ranma is stuck in an arranged engagement with the feisty Akane Tendo. Their non-stop bickering is half the show’s appeal, along with Ranma’s mischievous rival Ryoga and the determined Chinese Amazon, Shampoo. The original classic is a nostalgic delight, and let’s not forget Studio MAPPA’s reboot that’s strutting around in its third season on Netflix!

3. Gurren Lagann

If staying up until 2 AM while hearing Kamina shout about a drill that’ll pierce the heavens isn’t already inscribed in your memory, you need to experience Gurren Lagann immediately! This mecha masterpiece from Studio Gainax made its American debut through Sci Fi’s Ani-Monday block back in 2008 but found a more permanent residence on Cartoon Network when Toonami staged its comeback.

Originally running from August 2014 to March 2015, this action-packed series is a glorious mix of giant robots, epic speeches, and a whole lot of excitement. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi (who later co-founded Studio Trigger and directed the Netflix hit Cyberpunk: Edgerunners), it follows timid fourteen-year-old Simon and his fearless brother Kamina as they crack through the surface and confront their oppressors, the Beastmen and their Spiral King, Lordgenome.

What starts as a tiny rebellion blossoms into an all-out war against the Anti-Spirals. And trust me, it only gets wilder from there! Each of the 27 episodes is currently rip-roaring their way across Netflix, ready for you to binge!

4. Case Closed

Few anime openings are as recognizable as the jazzy saxophone theme of Case Closed. Created by Gosho Aoyama and animated by TMS Entertainment, this long-running mystery series first dazzled American viewers on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim under its localized title in May 2004.

Spinning the yarn about teenage detective prodigy Shinichi Kudo, things go south when he’s caught snooping around a shady deal involving the Black Organization. The outcome? The poor guy gets forced to swallow a weird poison called APTX 4869 and wakes up in the body of a first-grader. Oops!

Now adopting the alias Conan Edogawa, he moves in with his childhood crush, Ran Mori, and her bumbling private detective father, Kogoro. Armed with Professor Agasa’s tranquilizer wristwatch and a voice-changing bowtie, Conan uses Kogoro to solve impossible cases while he hunts those responsible for his unfortunate fate. Get ready for the nostalgia trip as curated episode collections are now on Netflix!

5. Rurouni Kenshin

With a goofy grin hiding a bloody past, Rurouni Kenshin introduced early-2000s Cartoon Network fans to a samurai hero unlike any other on their screens. This classic from Studio Gallop and Studio Deen first hit American airwaves via Toonami in March 2003 and swiftly became a staple, captivating kids right after school!

Set in 1878 during Japan’s Meiji era, it follows a former assassin known as “Battosai the Manslayer.” Haunted by his past, Kenshin vows never to kill again. After rescuing fiery kendo instructor Kaoru Kamiya in Tokyo, he finds a new home at her dojo alongside street brawler Sanosuke Sagara and orphaned Yahiko Myojin.

But peace doesn’t last as deadly forces from his past come knocking, pushing Kenshin to unsheath his sword once more! Fans can relive this unforgettable journey on Netflix through the modern remake and the five-movie live-action saga.

So there you have it—five Cartoon Network and Toonami anime ready for your streaming pleasure! Grab your blanket, find a comfy spot, and relive those epic childhood memories today!