crunchyroll.com/devices
The streaming market has now entered the specialty range, with most of the streaming services trying to carve out their own niche. While Netflix, Prime Video, HBO, and Hulu are competing in the upper echelons, services such as Crunchyroll, have been successful in maintaining its popularity whilst separating itself from the mainstream battle. How? Unlike the streaming services, which are all competing for anime content, similar trends can be seen with NBC's "Seeso" (Comedy-only service) and AMC's "Shudder" (horror-themed service).
If you're looking for the best streaming service for anime, Crunchyroll definitely deserves a mention. While it's no longer as popular as it once was, its content is still top-notch. Unfortunately, its days may be numbered; according to app ratings on the Play Store, Crunchyroll's popularity has started to decline in recent months. Despite this potential weakness, I think Crunchyroll deserves high marks for its commitment to keeping anime fans connected no matter where they are in the world.
What is Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is a streaming app and website that allows users to watch anime content for free. While premium features are optional, they can be useful for users who want specific features. Crunchyroll was in its prime 5-6 years ago, but in recent years it has deteriorated and can no longer keep up with its prime period. Notwithstanding this, there are still many reasons why users would enjoy streaming on Crunchyroll, even though it no longer meets the same standards as it did in the past.
If you're looking for an extensive anime streaming service, Crunchyroll is definitely the way to go. It has thousands of shows and manga to choose from, making it a great option for fans of all genres. Not only that, but you can access the latest shows just one hour after they air on the channel so you won't have to wait long at all to catch up. And if you want to read manga on Crunchyroll without having to create a premium account, that's also possible thanks to the simulpub feature. So whether you're looking for something fun and lighthearted or something more serious and intense, there's sure to be something on Crunchyroll that'll fit your needs!
Interactive games
Crunchyroll is a new gaming app that provides a decent number of games for iOS and Android users. That's the benefit of downloading the app rather than streaming on the website. I'm sure that in the near future, Crunchyroll will work on expanding the gaming titles and possibly carve out an ultra-niche within the anime segment.
Excellent Compatibility
Even though Crunchyroll has had some questionable streaming quality recently, there is no problem with compatibility. You can download the app on a wide range of platforms, including Chromecast, WiiU, Apple iOS, Windows Phone, Roku, Google TV, Apple TV, and Gaming Consoles such as Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PS Vita. If you go premium, you can access a massive content library and stream content on all the aforementioned devices.
Chatroom
What separates Crunchyroll from other anime streaming services is the intention of forming a community. Not to forget, it did start as a community. Thus, the social functionality aspect will always be present on this platform. Chatroom, along with video recommendations and badges, really gives the platform a community vibe. Users don't just want to stream anime; they want to share their opinion and want to hear from others.
Sign-up
However, with a monthly price of $6.99 and no ads, it becomes less appealing.
Crunchyroll used to be a free app that allowed streaming for 14 days. However, now you need to subscribe to the premium service in order to continue streaming content. There are many great shows on Crunchyroll, but with a monthly price of $6.99 and no ads, it's not as affordable as it once was. So unless you're ready to go premium, I don't think subscribing is the best option for you.
Crunchyroll App Information
Crunchyroll has been installed more than 10 million times. This makes it one of the most credible anime streaming services around. And even though their app size can vary depending on your device, it was last updated three months ago - so there doesn't seem to be as much activity going on here as with other services.
How to access Crunchyroll?
You can download the app from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). If not these platforms, you can even opt for compatible devices that I mentioned above. Install the device, sign-up, and you can access streaming content for two weeks without spending a dime. However, after two weeks, you'll need to subscribe to the premium service at $6.95/mo.
Design
I find it helpful to have all the content in one place, rather than having to search through different apps for specific shows and movies.
I really like the design of this app. The orange/white color combination is very different from the general dark theme apps, which have darker menus and buttons. The app has two major genres: Drama and Anime. Using these two tabs, you can find various content buckets such as "Popular," "Simulcasts," and "Updated." All the content that you see in these sections is placed in alphabetical order. I find it helpful to have all the content in one place, rather than having to search through different apps for specific shows and movies.
Unlike Crackle, which has a different interface for different devices, Crunchyroll seems to have a standard layout. However, the app doesn't have enough information when you compare it to the website, which has news and discussion boards as well. But because of those options, the website does look a little cluttered.
Content
The app provides access to over 200+ anime series. You can watch popular anime series such as Naruto, One Piece, and Death Note and can even create a queue to keep track of the progress. If you're new to the anime world, the random option is worth exploring if you're on a 14-day free trial. Don't pick the popular anime because you might find it anywhere on the web. Just watch what the app recommends, and you'll be able to make the decision for yourself.
The growing content base of Crunchyroll keeps the audience intrigued. The addition of games on the app offers something new and innovative for the platform. Other than games, forums, and features that keep users up-to-date and learn more about anime industry in general, there are a plethora of videos to watch on Crunchyroll besides anime content. There are even podcasts and reviews of various anime series and manga to check out.
Plans & Pricing
Crunchyroll is free for a limited time, and the premium service costs $6.95/month. I know that might not seem like a lot, but niche-genre based streaming services such as Shudder and Sesso fall into the same category. Worse yet, you can get the Hulu + Live TV package for that amount. But if you're an anime fan, I don't think these comparisons would make much difference. Is the premium worth it? I don't think so. Why? Because there are many quality anime streaming websites that don't charge money for HD streaming.
Desktop/Mobile experience
I had a bad streaming experience on the Crunchyroll app a few years ago but it wasn?t as bad this past month. I tried watching an episode of ?One Piece,? but the stream kept buffering. After every one minute, the app would buffer for two minutes. I thought it might be because of the internet connection, but I was on a 16MBPS connection where other apps like YouTube and Daily motion were steady. Sending a ticket isnât helpful either because they take forever to address the userâs concerns.
Suggestions I have for Crunchyroll
Despite its massive content catalog, it's hard to rely on a premium platform when the streaming and customer support are unstable and the ads are repetitive. The long load times and buffering speed make it difficult to watch videos, and crashes often occur. I hope the developers take this into account and get to work fixing these issues.
Conclusion
If you're a huge anime fan, the chances are you're already subscribed to this service. However, as you're reading this review, you yourself know that Crunchyroll is only a shadow of its former self. On the other hand, if you're a new user, I'd recommend you start off with a 14-day free trial. Experience the platform and see if it makes sense for you to go premium. If it does, then $6.95/mo shouldn't be a major stumbling block.
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