If you want animation that is not just for kids, Blade of the Immortal is available in the US on HiDive, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video right now. The show says what it needs to say in a single season, no filler. 18 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Rina Sato brings more to the role than the format usually demands. Available now on HiDive — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Blade of the Immortal keeps coming up in conversation. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious, Blade of the Immortal operates well above the genre average. Manji is a crass, violent samurai with a special ability: he cannot die. Cursed with immortality by the nun Yobikuni as punishment for his ruthless deeds, he has grown weary of his ageless life. The only way to lift the curse is to slay 1,000 evil men. The voice work from Rina Sato and Tomokazu Seki adds real texture, not just recognisable names. It was aired in 2008. The visual gags in Blade of the Immortal reward close attention without ever depending on it. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you have been sleeping on Blade of the Immortal because of the format, the format is not the issue here. Viewers who responded to Rozen Maiden will find a lot to like here too. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Rina Sato's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.

Blade of the Immortal wrapped up in 2008 — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.