Free access
to anime on Crunchyroll has its days numbered. The platform
has begun notifying users through a pop-up message that its ad-supported
streaming model will come to an end on December 31, 2025. The
message is clear: to continue watching content without interruptions, it will
be mandatory to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Goodbye
to the free catalog
This
measure eliminates the last option that users had to watch anime legally
without paying a monthly fee. Previously, although simultaneous releases
(simulcast) became paid in 2022, the old catalog remained available with ads.
Starting in the new year, dozens of popular titles will be locked behind the
paywall, including:
- Chainsaw
Man
- Spy
x Family
- Bocchi
the Rock!
- Blue
Lock
- Code
Geass
- Vinland
Saga
- Bungo
Stray Dogs
- Lycoris
Recoil
- My
Dress-up Darling
- Ranking
of Kings
- Soul
Eater
Controversy
over the use of AI and background
This
drastic change comes at a tense time for the platform. Current subscribers have
expressed frustration over the alleged low quality of recent subtitles, with
accusations that Crunchyroll might be using artificial
intelligence for translations. A recent technical error exposed the
name of "Ollang", an AI company, in the archives of the
series The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest, stoking
criticism.
The elimination of the free tier follows a trend of restrictions that began two years ago, including blocking One Piece for free users and canceling the access program for libraries.
