Memories, Otomo’s three-part 1995 sci-fi anthology, hit Prime Video and immediately climbed anime forum recommendations again. Anthology anime is a specific taste: three or four short films with different directors, no shared cast, no follow-up seasons. Standard binge apps aren’t built for it and their algorithms bury short-form content. These seven Android apps stream anime anthologies and shorts without hiding them under season-long series.
What to look for in an anime anthology streaming app
- Short-film catalogue depth, not just series count
- Dubbed and subbed tracks so late-night viewing works with headphones
- Offline downloads for flights and commuting
- No paywall on anthology films that used to be free
- Cast-to-TV support without a subscription tier
- Cross-device watch history so a short you started on the phone finishes on the TV
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Big-budget anthology exclusives | No, ads tier available | Around $8/month | 4.4 |
| Prime Video | Otomo, Watanabe classics | Included with Prime | Around $9/month | 4.1 |
| Crunchyroll | Simulcast plus shorts | Free with ads | Around $8/month | 4.5 |
| Hidive | Cult catalogue, Japanese shorts | 7-day trial | Around $10/month | 4.3 |
| RetroCrush | Classic OVAs and anthologies | Free with ads | Ad-supported only | 4.2 |
| Tubi | Free anthology titles | Free with ads | Ad-supported only | 4.6 |
| YouTube | Official uploads, film festivals | Free, ads | Around $14/month for Premium | 4.6 |
The apps
1. Netflix, best for big-budget anthology exclusives
Netflix treats anime anthologies as tentpole releases when it commissions them. Star Wars: Visions, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners short and the Eden anthologies all shipped globally in dubbed and subbed tracks on day one. The mobile app includes offline downloads on every tier, and cast-to-Chromecast works even on the ad-supported plan.
Where it falls short: the catalogue outside Netflix originals shrinks each year, and anthology titles get shuffled deep into category rows.
Pricing:
- Free: 30-day trial in some regions, otherwise no free tier
- Paid: Around $8 per month with ads, higher tiers unlock 4K and additional profiles
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV, gaming consoles.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Netflix is the strongest single pick for readers who want anthology anime that came out this decade.
2. Prime Video, best for Otomo and Watanabe classics
Prime Video landed Memories globally in 2026 and holds a rotating catalogue of anthology films from Otomo, Watanabe and Studio 4°C. The Android app supports X-Ray overlays for staff credits mid-film, which is genuinely useful for anthology directors most people cannot name from memory.
Where it falls short: films rotate in and out of Prime inclusion, and paid rentals often replace them.
Pricing:
- Free: Included with Amazon Prime membership
- Paid: Around $9 per month standalone, cheaper with an annual Prime bundle
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Pick Prime Video for the Otomo catalogue and the anthology films you cannot find on other services.
3. Crunchyroll, best for simulcast plus shorts
Crunchyroll is still the biggest simulcast library, and its shorts section groups anthology projects, festival submissions and one-shots that never got a season. The Android app supports background audio playback on paid tiers, and Chromecast integration works without hiccups.
Where it falls short: the free tier is very ad-heavy, and older OVAs are behind the subscription wall.
Pricing:
- Free: Ad-supported, one-week delay on new episodes
- Paid: Around $8 per month for Fan tier, higher tiers add offline downloads and simulcast day-one access
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV, gaming consoles.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Crunchyroll is the everyday pick, and its shorts section rewards patient browsing.
4. Hidive, best for cult catalogue and Japanese shorts
Hidive carries the anthology and cult titles the big services skip. Legend of the Galactic Heroes, older Sunrise experimental work and independent Japanese short films all live here. The Android app is snappier than Crunchyroll’s, and the search filters by run time, which matters for shorts.
Where it falls short: no ad-supported tier and catalogue rotation can drop titles unexpectedly.
Pricing:
- Free: 7-day trial
- Paid: Around $10 per month, annual plans discount to about $80
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Hidive is the pick for anthology anime that will not appear on Crunchyroll or Netflix.
5. RetroCrush, best for classic OVAs and anthologies
RetroCrush specialises in pre-2000 anime. Neo Tokyo, Robot Carnival, Twilight of the Cockroaches and other anthology-era OVAs sit in a browsable classics library. It is genuinely free with ads on Android and lets you cast to Chromecast without a paywall.
Where it falls short: the mobile app crashes occasionally on Android 15 devices, and there are no download options.
Pricing:
- Free: Ad-supported, no subscription tier for the current catalogue
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV.
Download: Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: RetroCrush is the pick for classic anthology anime you cannot get on the mainstream services.
6. Tubi, best for free anthology titles
Tubi cycles anthology anime into its rotating free catalogue several times a year. Cyber City Oedo 808 and other 90s anthology titles regularly show up. No account required to start watching, and the Android app supports Chromecast on the free tier.
Where it falls short: the catalogue rotates, and the ad load on longer films can hit five breaks.
Pricing:
- Free: Ad-supported, no subscription tier
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: Tubi is the free-first choice, and its anime anthology rotation is worth checking monthly.
7. YouTube, best for official uploads and film festivals
YouTube is the surprise anthology streaming app. Studios upload short films for anniversaries, festival winners sit on official channels, and directors like Makoto Shinkai kept early anthology work up in high quality. The Android app plays anything the browser can and supports offline downloads for Premium subscribers.
Where it falls short: content is scattered, and there is no anime-specific browse experience.
Pricing:
- Free: Ad-supported
- Paid: Around $14 per month for Premium, which removes ads and enables background playback
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, smart TV.
Download: Aptoide · Google Play · App Store
Bottom line: YouTube is the completeness pick for anthology hunters who follow directors, not services.
How to pick the right one
If you want the newest big-budget anthology anime: Netflix.
If you specifically came for the Otomo catalogue and Memories: Prime Video.
If you want the widest current catalogue with a shorts section: Crunchyroll.
If you want cult anthology films the majors skip: Hidive.
If you want classic OVAs from before 2000: RetroCrush.
If you want free anthology films with no subscription: Tubi.
If you follow directors more than services: YouTube.
