Read this Crunchyroll review with its alternatives to explore all about the world’s largest anime library which is an exclusive subscription-based streaming service for Japanese animated content:
Being an Anime fan in 2024 is a privilege. Long before Anime became the rage it is today, a few rabid fans like me celebrated it. Just a few years ago, it wasn’t as accessible as it is today. If I and my friends wanted to catch anime online, we only had two options in front of us. One was Funimation and the other was Crunchyroll.
Both Crunchyroll and Funimation were a haven for us anime fanatics. They satiated our desires for high-octane animated fun long before Netflix and many other streaming services caught onto the appeal of Anime.
Table of Contents:
Crunchyroll Review: World’s Biggest Anime Library
Disclaimer:
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. SoftwareTestingHelp.com does not own, promote, host, operate, resell, or distribute any of these tools or services. This page may contain unverified listings. We are not certain if they hold legal licenses to distribute the content as we do not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Your own due diligence is required before using any of these tools or services. The end-user shall be solely responsible for accessing the content.
Crunchyroll Overview
Fast forward to 2024 and things have changed. Anime fans aren’t starving for options anymore for streaming services. Netflix, Prime, and Hulu have populated their content library with new and classic Anime. Add to that, Funimation got absorbed by Crunchyroll at the beginning of this year.
The landscape for anime streaming has changed drastically. As a long-time user of Crunchyroll, I was curious how the platform is faring today.
Is it still the best streaming option for Anime in the West? Can its content library match that of Netflix in terms of scale? Is Crunchyroll even relevant now that Anime is no longer a niche medium?
Those are all the answers I intend to shed light on with this review.
So, without much further ado, let’s dive in.
Launched in 2006, Crunchyroll is a subscription-based on-demand video and over-the-top streaming service that exclusively offers Japanese animated content.
Until the 2020 pandemic, Crunchyroll was the go-to website for folks in the USA who were a fan of this then-niche medium. As anime made its way into the mainstream, Crunchyroll’s popularity skyrocketed. The $1.2 billion acquisition by Sony also helped.
Since then, it has expanded its operations. Crunchyroll now satiates Anime fans across 25 countries worldwide. As of 2023, it has over 100 million registered users. This includes more than 9 million paid subscribers.
It also stands out for a rich catalog that’s just growing with each passing year. The launch of streaming services hasn’t put a dent in its popularity among Anime fans.
Now that you know what Crunchyroll is all about, let’s dive deeper into the review as I share my thoughts on the platform’s user interface.
User Interface
As a longtime user of Crunchyroll, I remember small issues on the platform that would always hinder my viewing experience. Now using it in 2024, it is hard not to ignore the drastic improvements that seep through every inch of the platform’s interface. The interface is easy on the eyes and simple to navigate.
The best aspect of this interface is the neatly organized catalog. It categorizes all the shows and movies based on their genre, making browsing through the platform a breeze. The sheer number of options at your disposal could’ve been overwhelming to sift through if the catalog wasn’t as organized as it is.
Besides the genre, the categorization of the shows is based on their popularity, release calendar, and simulcast season.
As with most streaming services, you will receive personalized recommendations on your account’s home page as you watch shows. The more you watch, the more personalized your home page will be.
I don’t know if the Sony acquisition was the cause or if the design team finally decided to take their jobs seriously. Whatever the reason may be, its UI is incredible today. The search function is intuitive and the navigation is smooth. It features everything that I expect from streaming platforms of the modern era.
Catalog
Its catalog is its biggest USP. There are over 1000 different shows for you to watch on the platform. Whether you are a fan of Shounen or like yourself some slice-of-life drama, you’ll find shows on Crunchyroll spanning across multiple anime genres. There is fantasy, moe, horror, isekai, and more for you to dip your toes in.
I think Crunchyroll perhaps features the most extensive library of Anime shows online. If there is a show that fans are talking about online, you are likelier to find it on Crunchyroll. What surprised me the most, however, was the manga library.
Back when I used to visit Crunchyroll often, the platform had a reputation solely for anime. The digital manga library is a great new addition and exalts Crunchyroll as the premier destination for geeks who adore the medium.
It has produced a few original anime as well. However, those shows haven’t been appreciated much by fans. Its biggest strength is its massive library of classic anime and the latest releases. This is where Crunchyroll ultimately shines.
Subbed and Dubbed Options
Its massive catalog features both subtitled and dubbed versions of shows. The subbed and dubbed episodes are listed as separate episodes under the series you’ve selected. If you want to watch a show with subtitles like I do, then you can click on the subbed version. If not, then opt for the dubbed version.
You’ll find more shows with subtitles than those with dubbed versions. This is not Crunchyroll’s fault. If you aren’t finding a dubbed episode, that’s because it simply doesn’t exist. You can easily toggle between different subtitles and dubbed languages through the video player’s settings option.
Streaming Quality
If I had to describe my time watching Anime on Crunchyroll in one word, it would be remarkable. I like how quickly the video player started as soon as I clicked on the episode I wanted to watch. Once started, I experienced no glitches, buffering, or interruption of any kind.
All the shows are available in 720p and 1080p HD quality. I would’ve liked the option of 4K. That said, the picture quality I got was crisp and clear enough for an enjoyable experience. The sound was impeccable as well.
Depending on the strength of your internet connection, the picture quality changes automatically. So I would recommend having a strong internet connection to ensure a better viewing experience.
Simulcasts: This is easily another of Crunchyroll’s most appealing facets. Simulcasts essentially mean that episodes on Crunchyroll go live as soon as they are broadcast in Japan.
This is a great feature for folks like me who want to catch their favorite shows as soon as possible and avoid harmful spoilers on the internet. Almost all new shows on this platform are simulcasts.
Offline Viewing: It is another area where Crunchyroll shines. The platform offers you the privilege of downloading your favorite shows so you can watch them offline later. This is a great feature to have if your internet connection is unstable. Many streaming services do not offer this feature. I am so glad that this platform does.
Community Fostering: Ever since its inception, Crunchyroll has been a place online where fans of Anime can come together. I am happy that this has not changed with all the new additions to the platform. You can still leave a comment beneath each episode. You can engage with other fans of Anime as well.
There is a dedicated blog section as well where you catch the latest news and updates from the world of Anime. The professional writers behind the blogs do a good job of keeping you informed.
Recommended Read =>> Best Anime Websites to Watch Anime Online for free
Customer Support
It features a fully realized and functional customer support system. You have tutorials, FAQs, and an adequate knowledge base for assistance. There’s a 24/7 live chat option as well, which you can try to get quick support at any time of the day.
I don’t think you’ll face any technical issues while using this platform. Plus, it is very easy to stream shows on the website.
If you do need customer support, the live chat is quite responsive and resourceful.
Further Reading => List of the Best Gogoanime Alternatives
Crunchyroll on App Store
There is an app version of Crunchyroll available for both Android and Apple devices. The mobile version serves as an extension of Crunchyroll’s original web-based version. You’ll find all the same features that make Crunchyroll’s website special. Plus, the app also possesses the same visual design as the original website.
You get to enjoy the same catalog with the same video player, albeit on the go with the mobile app. The app is like the website in both aesthetics and functionality. This is what I like about the app a lot. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. It adheres to this philosophy for the app.
With the app, you are essentially getting the familiar Crunchyroll experience on mobile and that is the biggest compliment I can give it.
For the Android app, click on Crunchyroll on Google Play Store
For the Apple Store, click on Crunchyroll on Apple Store
Pricing
A large section of Crunchyroll’s catalog is hidden behind a paywall. Fortunately, this price is reasonable. Its cheapest plan will cost you $7.99/month. This plan allows you to stream on a single device.
The Mega Plan, which costs $9.99/month, will allow you to stream on 4 devices simultaneously. The expensive plan that costs $14.99/month will allow you to stream on 6 devices simultaneously.
The cheaper plan does not offer offline viewing privileges. That said, all plans give you access to the entire catalog. You’ll be able to enjoy new episodes as soon as they air in Japan with no ads.
Besides the paid plans, you can watch some Anime episodes for free on the website. You don’t even need to register to stream. However, the number of titles you can watch for free is limited.
Each plan comes with a 14-day free trial. So you can take the website for a test drive before you decide to pay. Its subscription plans are all reasonable. Given the massive catalog, offline viewing, and simulcast privilege, I believe the prices are both reasonable and affordable.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Smooth UI | No 4K Support |
| Massive Anime catalog | |
| Offline Viewing | |
| Simulcast | |
| Flexible pricing |
Alternatives to Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll isn’t the only streaming service offering anime to a Western audience anymore. Here are a few more services that you can try alongside to catch the latest shows and movies.
#1) Tubi
Tubi is largely known among fans for being a free streaming service. The platform features some popular Anime titles, which you can stream for free. However, you are not going to find any new titles on the streaming platform.
The video quality is capped at 720p. That said, Tubi is still a great platform for long-time fans of Anime who want to catch up on a few classics from the past.
#2) Netflix
Netflix makes it to my list because I believe it features an extensive catalog of Anime titles that is second only to Crunchyroll’s. Netflix offers all the latest titles and even some remastered classics.
Netflix has also financed some critically acclaimed original titles in recent years as well. Additionally, viewers can also watch some titles on the platform in pristine 4K resolution.
#3) HiDive
HiDive isn’t as popular as Netflix or Crunchyroll. However, in recent years, it has added a lot of interesting titles to its catalog to warrant a mention among the very best the realm of Anime streaming has to offer.
HiDive’s catalog largely caters to an older audience. Plus, you’ll also find live-action adaptations of popular anime titles there as well.
#4) Hulu
Hulu features a catalog of more than 300 popular and niche anime titles. You may not get an extensive catalog with Hulu. However, the focus here is on quality rather than quantity. Most of these titles are some of the most widely acclaimed and celebrated shows in the medium.
Hulu also has a partnership with Crunchyroll to carry some of its titles. This alone makes Hulu a great alternative to the latter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Crunchyroll Work?
Crunchyroll is a streaming service that exclusively showcases Anime-related content. To watch Anime on this site, you’ll need to register and open your account. To get access to the complete catalog, you’ll need to pay for one of the subscription plans.
2. Is Crunchyroll free to use?
It features a massive catalog of Anime shows and movies. While you can watch some of these for free, even without registering, a large chunk of the catalog can only be unlocked after you pay for a subscription.
3. What kind of content can you find on Crunchyroll?
You can find a wide range of Anime-related content here. This involves old and new anime shows as well as movies. You also get access to a growing library of digital manga. You can also find music videos and games related to Anime on the platform as well.
4. Can Crunchyroll be watched offline?
Yes, you can watch shows and movies on offline. However, you’ll need to either subscribe to the Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan. Once subscribed, you’ll be able to download videos and watch them offline.
5. Is Crunchyroll available worldwide?
It is available all around the world. It is currently available in more than 25 countries. That said, the shows and movies you can watch will depend on which country you belong to. Its catalog will vary from country to country.
The Final Verdict – Is Crunchyroll Worth It?
Crunchyroll was there for Anime fans long before Netflix and other streaming services came into the fray. It was catering to Anime fans when the medium was still considered a niche. It is largely responsible for pushing the medium into the mainstream. So I am glad to announce that the platform is still thriving almost 2 decades after it launched.
The platform still features one of the biggest catalogs of Anime titles on the internet. You get to watch new episodes in high-definition at the same time they air in Japan. It is, without a doubt, one of the best streaming platforms for Anime today, and many popular publications agree.
IGN in their review of the platform stated – “Not just an anime service, but one of the best streaming options, period.” They gave the platform an 8/10 rating in their 2023 review.
PC Mag also had some glowing words for the platform. In their 4/5 review, they said – “Crunchyroll’s massive library and strong simulcast episodes make it the best streaming service for anime lovers.”
Crunchyroll has been an anchor for Anime culture in the West since 2006. I truly believe that it will continue to be the go-to destination for Anime enthusiasts from all around the world for a very long time to come.