Anime fans may be feeling a bit shocked when they log into Crunchyroll.
The platform has announced a price hike across every one of its streaming tiers in the U.S. While the price changes started on February 2nd, they will be reflected on the next billing date after March 4th.
Crunchyroll’s decision comes with new additions and a broader plan to extend the service’s reach.
Price Increases
Crunchyroll has adjusted pricing before, with this being the second price increase since merging with Funimation. The most recent increase took effect in May 2024.
Not long after, at the end of 2025, Crunchyroll removed its free streaming plan.
Below are the new prices for each plan:
- Fan Tier: $7.99 to $9.99 per month
- Mega Fan Tier: $11.99 to $13.99 per month
- Ultimate Fan Tier: $15.99 to $17.99 per month
With every plan increase, even casual viewers will notice the difference when they get their next bill. It may cause those who hold multiple streaming subscriptions to reconsider subscribing to Crunchyroll in the future.
Lack of Advance Notice
The biggest issue for subscribers is the lack of notice. There was no extended promotional period or gradual rollout of the new prices; instead, just a direct update that will apply to upcoming billing periods.
With fans voicing this displeasure about the increase, Crunchyroll did release a post on their website about the platform’s value and price increase.
“Crunchyroll subscribers enjoy the world’s largest dedicated anime library with 50,000+ episodes, 25,000 hours, and 2,000 series and films, alongside music videos, concerts, games, and more.”
New Additions
Along with price increases, there are a few additions to the service to lessen the blow.
One prominent addition is the inclusion of offline downloads for the basic Fan tier, which was previously only available through higher tiers. While it may be small, it could make the new price easier to justify for viewers who enjoy on-the-go viewing.
Other platform enhancements include:
- Teen profiles and PIN protection
- Multiple profiles
- Skip Intro/Credits
- Expanded device compatibility
The platform has also added Crunchyroll manga, a digital-only service connected with publishers like Viz Media and Square Enix.
New Subscription Option
There is an upside within the new Crunchyroll subscriptions, though. The platform quietly revealed a limited-time annual Fan plan for $66.99. Dividing this price monthly, it comes out to be significantly lower than the normal monthly price, at around $5.58 per month.
It’s a great, budget-friendly option for those willing to pay the whole fee up front. However, this is a limited-time deal, so users will want to sign up sooner rather than later to get all the perks.
Crunchyroll’s Strategy
This price increase reflects a broader strategy for the service: increasing revenue while keeping its loyal viewers locked in. It will be interesting to see if the platform’s gamble pays off, especially as fans consider the new cost, the convenience of the service, and the growing competition within the streaming world.
This is also connected to Sony’s desire to grow the platform, with Deadline reporting, “Amid the anticipated continued growth of the anime market, Sony plans to accelerate Crunchyroll’s growth.”
We’ll just have to wait and see whether fans agree or disagree with the changes long-term.