Hulu and Joost Launch Channels for Free, Legal Anime Streams
September 23, 2008The video service Hulu.com has announced that it is launching a channel for free, legal streaming of anime in the United States today. Joost started a similar service as well. Yup, those companies have to do this kind of thing because this is the sate of the industry now:
Hulu
Currently Available Anime:
- Speed Racer (51 Episodes)
- Astro Boy (50 Episodes)
- Naruto (20 English-subtitled episodes)
- Death Note (All 37 English-subtitled episodes)
- Mushi-shi (12 English-dubbed episodes)
To be added later:
- Bleach
- Basilisk
- Black Blood Brothers
- Kiddy Grade
- MoonPhase
- Peach Girl
- School Rumble
- Ikki Tousen
Joost
Currently Available:
- Naruto
- Death Note
- Blue Dragon
- Zatch Bell!
- MÄR
- Astro Boy
- Cosmowarrior Zero
- Ikki Tousen
- Gun Frontier
- Saiyuki
- Izumo
Coming Soon:
- Bleach
Joost Free Legal Anime Channel
Sources:
ANN on Hulu
ANN on Joost
I wonder if they’ll incorporate “brand new releases”. That might a smart business incentive to distinguish themselves and get ahead on this frontier online market. Then again, it might blow up in their faces…
Yes, brand new releases is a good idea, but I believe it is not Hulu or Joost who are really responsible – it is Viz and others. As they pointed it out in their panels, it takes a long time to get a license of new anime and agree on all the nuances of its dissemination with Japanese.
Otakon 2008 Fansubs and Industry Panel
Anime Expo 2008 Industry Panel: Anime Fansubs = Death of Anime?
I had Joost but got rid of it, the damn thing never wanted to work right.
Thankfully Hulu requires no download the the quality is awesome.
YAY Black Blood Brothers!
I have not tried Joost, and, as you point out, Hulu is just easier to use.
I never heard about Black Blood Brothers, may I ask what is so good about that anime?