Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is a digital media platform that streams anime, manga, and Asian drama content to viewers worldwide. It provides both subtitled and dubbed versions of series, often making new episodes available shortly after their broadcast in Japan. The service also offers a manga reading section and related editorial content. Users can access Crunchyroll through web browsers, mobile apps, and various smart‑TV platforms. The platform offers a free, ad‑supported tier as well as paid subscription plans that remove advertisements and unlock additional features. Subscribers can download episodes for offline viewing on mobile devices.

The platform distinguishes itself by focusing on simultaneous releases, known as simulcasts, which allow fans to watch new anime episodes within hours of their Japanese premiere. It maintains licensing agreements with numerous Japanese studios and distributors to build a large library of titles across genres. Crunchyroll also invests in producing original anime works and sponsoring anime events such as conventions and award shows. Its user interface supports multiple languages and includes community features such as forums, watch parties, and user‑generated reviews. The service provides personalized recommendations based on viewing history and allows users to create custom watch lists. The platform also offers editorial content, including news articles and interviews about the anime industry.

In March 2026, Crunchyroll experienced a data breach when malware executed on a workstation of an employee at its outsourcing partner Telus enabled a threat actor to move laterally into customer‑facing systems and exfiltrate approximately 100 gigabytes of personal data. The compromised information included IP addresses, email addresses, credit‑card details, and analytics data belonging to subscribers. Although the intrusion was detected and revoked about a day later, the volume of data taken suggests a rapid, pre‑planned extraction. The incident has heightened concerns about identity theft, financial fraud, and targeted phishing for affected users, and the company has not publicly acknowledged the breach despite an existing class‑action lawsuit concerning alleged unauthorized sharing of viewing data. The breach underscores the risks associated with third‑party outsourcing and the importance of robust endpoint security controls. Following the event, affected subscribers were advised to monitor their financial accounts and consider changing passwords associated with the service.