There are literally millions of anime fans around the world, but we all share the same reality: Legal streaming platforms with a good anime catalog are still limited. This leads many fans to seek alternatives and constantly share opinions and resources. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about Crunchyroll: Its reliability, catalog, operation, advantages and disadvantages in depth and compared to leading platforms and newer competing apps.
Crunchyroll It's known as the "Netflix of anime" for its wide selection and the speed with which it adds Japanese premieres, something that has won over the otaku community internationally. But is it really the best option for watching anime online legally and safely? Here's the most comprehensive analysis, with up-to-date information and real opinions from users and experts.
Crunchyroll: What it is and how the platform works
Today Crunchyroll far exceeds 40 million active users and is the world's reference for watching anime in Spanish and in the original version with subtitles. Its arrival in Spain and Latin America was a revolution, allowing many titles to be watched almost simultaneously with their broadcast in Japan. Access is via web, mobile app, Smart TVs, consoles and streaming devices, making it easy for you to watch anime whenever and wherever you want.
Interface and User Experience: It stands out for having a clean, intuitive and focused interface in the comfort of the user. A slider Visually guides you to the most popular and recommended titles, while thematic and genre menus provide direct access to new releases, news, and manga.
In the simulcast section, you can watch episodes immediately after their Japanese premiere, making it the preferred platform for those who are impatient. The portal also offers Up-to-date anime, manga, and event news, discussion forums, and community recommendationsAll of this positions it as an essential meeting point for otakus.
What does Crunchyroll offer? Catalog, features, and account types
- More than 1.300 legally licensed anime titles, from great classics to recent releases.
- Official digital mangas and access to industry news.
- Simulcast: View chapters alongside Japan, in multiple languages.
- Movies, concerts, OVAs and exclusive original content.
- community forums to discuss theories, recommend series and resolve doubts.
Su business model distinguishes between free users and paying usersThere are three main subscription types that allow you to tailor the service to your needs:
- Free Account: Allows you to view part of the catalog with Ads, release delays, limited quality to 480p, and restricted access. Does not include digital manga or immediate simulcast.
- Fan Subscription: Ad-free access to the full catalog, New episodes one hour after their premiere in Japan, Full HD quality (1080p) and viewing on a simultaneous device.
- Mega Fan Subscription: Includes all of the above, plus View on up to four devices simultaneously, offline mode, and access to digital manga.
- Ultimate Fan: All of the above, plus exclusive benefits such as Discounts in the official store, priority access to events and exclusive merchandising.
Prices may vary by country and promotions, and paid plans typically offer a 14-day free trial.
What devices can I use Crunchyroll on?
- Web: Accessible from any updated browser.
- iOS and Android: Official apps for both smartphones and tablets.
- Smart TV: Apps for Samsung, LG and other major brands.
- Video game consoles: Compatible with PlayStation (PS4, PS5), Xbox One and Xbox Series.
- Streaming devices: Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, etc.
This means you can watch anime comfortably on your living room TV, from your bed with your phone or tablet, on your computer, or anywhere with an internet connection. The app allows you to Create custom playlists, mark favorites, continue episodes where you left off, and download episodes to watch offline. (on Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan plans).
Is Crunchyroll a safe platform for watching anime online?
- Credit Card Security: It uses SSL encryption and complies with PCI DSS standards for online transactions. Although no online system is 100% invulnerable, the risk is low if you follow good security practices (strong passwords, avoiding public networks, always checking the official URL).
- Data privacy: It collects information to improve the user experience and offer personalized recommendations, similar to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
- Legal and malware-free content: All content is officially licensed, so there's no risk of viruses, malware, or misleading ads like those found on pirated websites.
Some negative user reviews point to secondary issues, such as specific problems with buffering or playback, especially during major releases. These issues are usually temporary and are resolved almost immediately. It is important to note that Crunchyroll never requests suspicious personal data outside the platform., so you should be alert to possible external scams.
Is it suitable for children and are there parental controls?
Crunchyroll focuses on teens and adults, although its catalog includes series suitable for all ages and others aimed exclusively at adult audiences.
- Recommended age: Although it doesn't require age verification, the platform is recommended for ages 13 and up. Many series have an age rating, which is visible before each episode is played.
- Parental controls: Crunchyroll allows you to limit the viewing of adult content from your video preferences, but these filters are basic and easily modifiable. If you need more advanced filtering or usage monitoring, it is recommended to use additional parental control apps such as FlashGet Kids or options integrated into mobile devices.
- Community Features: Forums and chats may expose minors to inappropriate language or information if left unsupervised.
Parents should review age ratings and understand basic website and app settings to protect their children's experience.
Advantages and disadvantages of Crunchyroll compared to other anime apps
Advantages of Crunchyroll:
- The most extensive catalog of legal and updated anime worldwide, including simulcast and exclusives.
- Video quality up to Full HD and no ads in payment plans.
- Accessible on almost any modern device and with advanced features like custom playlists and offline downloads.
- News, forums, community and dedicated events exclusively to anime.
- Secure and malware-free platform, unlike pirate websites.
- Subtitles and dubbing in multiple languages (although Spanish dubbing is still limited).
Disadvantages and user reviews:
- Limited parental controls, so supervising child use is essential.
- Some complaints about buffering, bugs in Smart TV apps, and sync issues with major releases.
- The Spanish dubbing catalog is smaller compared to original versions with subtitles.
- Recent changes following corporate acquisitions have generated negative opinions regarding management, technical support, and transparency, according to some reviews on Trustpilot.
- Ultimate Fan plan price slightly higher compared to other platforms by cutting back on some exclusive benefits.
How does Crunchyroll compare to other apps and platforms?
- In front of AnimeBox and Anime Center: Crunchyroll offers a larger catalog and exclusive licenses, although AnimeBox offers a wider variety of languages (Catalan, Galician, Basque), and Anime Center stands out for its interactive community and management of viewed series.
- Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video They've invested in anime content, but they can't match Crunchyroll's variety, exclusivity, and simulcasting capabilities. Their popular anime tend to be limited to exclusives or first-party titles, so many fans use both services combined.
- Free anime apps They may have attractive catalogs, but they often suffer from illegality, potential malware risks, and inferior quality.
Real user reviews of Crunchyroll and user experience
The user reviews about Crunchyroll range from very positive experiences to constructive criticism. Most users value its Extensive library, video quality, near-simultaneous releases, and ease of useHowever, some comments on portals such as Trustpilot criticize management following recent corporate changes, mentioning:
- Sporadic stability issues in the app, especially on Smart TVs and older consoles.
- Comment Deletion Policy under the pretext of creating a good atmosphere, perceived by some as censorship of legitimate criticism.
- Growing competition which is putting pressure on Crunchyroll to improve its catalog and technical support, as platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon are signing more exclusives.
- Some complaints about the quality of subtitles and dubbing in certain titles.
Overall, the platform maintains high satisfaction ratings and continues to be recommended by the community, especially for fans looking for legality, new releases, and variety. Its weaknesses are known and are in the process of being improved.
Risks and best practices for use on Crunchyroll
Like any streaming site, Crunchyroll involves some minor risks associated with internet use. Below are some key recommendations for safe use of the platform:
- Don't share passwords and use secure combinations for your account, especially if you use the same one on other services.
- Avoid downloading unofficial applications or plugins that promise tricks or hacks. Use only official websites and apps from reputable stores.
- Check the adult content filtering options if the user is a minor or sensitive to series with violence or mature themes.
- Be wary of emails supposedly sent by Crunchyroll requesting your payment details via email or SMS. The platform never makes these types of requests outside of a secure environment.
- If you experience recurring bugs, report issues through support channels to receive personalized help and contribute to service improvement.
A recommended option for parents is to install third-party parental control apps to monitor screen time and limit access to undesirable content, as Crunchyroll does not have advanced built-in parental controls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crunchyroll
- What do I do if my favorite anime is not available? Crunchyroll relies on regional licensing and agreements. You can suggest titles on the official forums or browse other platforms' catalogs.
- Is it possible to watch anime offline? Yes, only with Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscriptions, which allow downloads for offline viewing on compatible mobile devices.
- How do I avoid exposure to spoilers? Use your account settings to filter recommendations and avoid forums and community sections on release days, as they may contain comments containing spoilers.
- Can I cancel my subscription at any time? Yes, you can cancel from your user profile at no additional cost, and you'll still have access until the end of your paid period.
Crunchyroll stands out as the reference app and platform for anime fans looking for quality, legality and constant updatesIts catalog is unsurpassed in variety and number of titles, and the active community ensures that you'll always have new recommendations and events available. While there are aspects that could be improved, such as Spanish dubbing and parental controls, the platform remains the most reliable and safe option for enjoying anime on any device. You can try it for free, compare the experience with other apps, and decide if you want to upgrade to a premium subscription to take full advantage of its benefits. This way, you'll have access to the entire otaku world legally and hassle-free, always enjoying the highest quality content.
Greetings. The article is somewhat out of date. For years, free users also have 1080p content available, the main difference being that simulcasts see them 1 week later, which is when they are released for everyone, and not 1 hour after being broadcast in Japan as they can enjoy the paying users. The payment tiers have also changed, currently being the Fan and Mega Fan plans.
Hi Hazu!
Thank you for your comment, it is noted to update.