Crunchyroll fans can now stream anime directly through the Apple TV app without juggling multiple apps or logins. Apple hasn’t added many new channels lately, so Crunchyroll joining is a welcome change that should make it easier for fans to watch their favorite anime.
Crunchyroll Comes to Apple TV Channels
Crunchyroll, the go-to streaming service for anime, has launched as a new channel on the Apple TV app. This rollout covers users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, offering a fresh way for anime fans to subscribe and watch. Instead of opening the Crunchyroll app separately, users can now access the entire anime catalog through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other streaming platforms.
Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month after a one-week free trial, aligning with Crunchyroll’s recent price hike. Earlier this year, the service raised its monthly fees by $2, pushing the entry-level plan to $10 and the premium tiers even higher. Despite backlash over pricing and AI-generated subtitle controversies, Crunchyroll’s move to Apple TV aims to improve user convenience and reach.
Why Apple TV Channels Matter
Apple introduced the Channels feature in 2019 to let customers subscribe to and watch multiple streaming services within its TV app. But after a strong start, few major providers joined the platform in recent years. Crunchyroll’s addition breaks that dry spell, becoming the first major new channel to launch in a while.
With Channels, you can sign up using your Apple ID, so you don’t have to remember another password or download a separate app. All the shows play right in Apple’s video player, letting you download episodes to watch offline without ads.
Family Sharing also works, so multiple users under one account can enjoy the service without separate subscriptions.
A lot of streaming services avoid Apple Channels because they prefer managing their own subscribers and how their apps look. Crunchyroll’s decision signals a shift toward embracing Apple’s ecosystem to reach more viewers.
Crunchyroll’s Expanding Platform Strategy
This Apple TV partnership is part of Crunchyroll’s broader plan to expand its footprint. Last year, the service launched as an add-on on Amazon Prime Video, and it also offers free anime channels on streaming platforms like Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and Samsung TV Plus. Adding Apple TV Channels gives subscribers another convenient option on a popular platform.
Crunchyroll’s library features nearly 25,000 hours of anime, including simulcasts of current hits straight from Japan. Shows like “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Demon Slayer,” “Solo Leveling,” and “One Piece” draw millions of viewers worldwide. The spring anime season just kicked off, so launching on Apple TV now aligns perfectly with fans eager to catch new episodes on familiar devices.
Still, the price hike and earlier AI subtitle errors have left some fans wary. Last year, users spotted AI-generated subtitles credited to ChatGPT in certain shows, which Crunchyroll blamed on a third-party vendor. The company promised to fix the issue but hasn’t reversed course on pricing.
What Fans Can Expect
Subscribing through Apple TV means no more juggling multiple apps or separate logins. The Apple TV app becomes a one-stop shop for anime alongside other streaming services. Downloading episodes for offline viewing is possible, and shows will play using Apple’s clean, consistent interface.
Crunchyroll subscribers also gain Family Sharing benefits, letting multiple people in a household watch under one subscription. That could be a big plus for families or roommates who share an interest in anime.
While the service still charges $9.99 and up per month, the ease of use might win over some who found the Crunchyroll app clunky or inconvenient. Whether The move will attract new subscribers amid rising costs we'll have to wait and see.
Crunchyroll joining Apple TV Channels brings a big name to a platform that hasn’t had many new additions recently. This move should make it easier for millions of anime fans to subscribe and watch, despite ongoing concerns about Crunchyroll’s pricing and subtitle issues.
