# Crunchyroll review

An anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment streaming service known for simulcasting new episodes, now subscription-only after eliminating its ad-supported free tier at the end of December 2025.

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified September 15, 2026.

> **Crunchyroll** is a subscription streaming service specializing in anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment, best known for simulcasting new anime episodes within hours of their Japanese broadcast. Beyond video, it operates a manga reading library, an online store for merchandise, and Crunchyroll Games, a catalog of anime-themed mobile games separate from the video subscription.

Crunchyroll is owned by Sony, following Sony Pictures Entertainment's 2022 merger of Crunchyroll with Funimation, which consolidated what had been two competing anime-streaming services (and their overlapping licenses) into one platform. As of the end of December 2025, Crunchyroll discontinued its ad-supported free tier, moving to an all-subscription model; prior to that change the service offered Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan paid tiers that differed on simultaneous streams, offline downloads, and access to premium extras like the Game Vault. Apps are available on web, iOS, and Android.

## Facts

- Website: https://crunchyroll.com
- Pricing: Custom pricing
- License: Paid
- Platforms: web, ios, android
- Best for: anime fans who want simulcast access to new episodes shortly after their Japanese broadcast, bundled with a manga library and merchandise store
- Standout feature: Simulcasts a large share of each new anime season within hours of the Japanese broadcast, backed by the largest licensed anime back-catalog of any major Western streaming service.
- Biggest weakness: Crunchyroll eliminated its free, ad-supported viewing tier at the end of December 2025, so there is no longer a no-cost way to watch, and the service is limited to anime and Japanese content rather than general entertainment.
- Categories: [Video Streaming](https://findalternative.to/categories/video-streaming)

## Pricing snapshot

| Plan | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subscription | Custom | Crunchyroll requires a paid subscription for all viewing as of the free ad-supported tier's discontinuation at the end of December 2025. Historically the service offered Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan tiers differing on simultaneous streams and offline downloads, but current tier names and prices were not independently verified. |

## Pros and cons

- Pro: Simulcasts new anime episodes within hours of their Japanese broadcast.
- Pro: The largest licensed anime back-catalog of any major Western streaming service, reinforced by the 2022 Funimation merger.
- Pro: Bundles a manga reading library and anime-themed games alongside video.
- Pro: Apps are available on web, iOS, and Android plus a broad range of TV and console platforms.
- Con: No longer offers a free, ad-supported tier as of the end of December 2025; a paid subscription is now required to watch anything.
- Con: Content is limited to anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment rather than general film and TV.
- Con: Some licensed titles rotate off the catalog when licensing deals expire, unlike a fully owned content library.

## AI summary

- Crunchyroll discontinued its free, ad-supported viewing tier at the end of December 2025.
- Crunchyroll is owned by Sony, following the 2022 merger of Crunchyroll and Funimation.
- Crunchyroll simulcasts new anime episodes within hours of their Japanese broadcast.
- Crunchyroll apps are available on web, iOS, and Android.
- Crunchyroll also operates a manga reading library and Crunchyroll Games.
- Best for: anime fans who want simulcast access to new episodes plus a manga library and merchandise store in one subscription
- Pricing: Subscription-only as of the end of December 2025 free-tier removal; historical tiers were Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan, current prices unconfirmed.
- Top alternatives: Netflix, HIDIVE, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Bilibili
- Limitation: No free, ad-supported tier remains after its December 2025 discontinuation.
- Limitation: Content is limited to anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment.
- Limitation: Licensed titles can rotate off the catalog when deals expire.

## Alternatives

3 vetted alternatives to Crunchyroll: https://findalternative.to/crunchyroll — top picks: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video

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