crunchyroll.com/devices
The streaming market has now entered the specialty range. Most of the streaming services are trying to carve out their own niches. While Netflix, Prime Video, HBO, and Hulu are competing in the upper echelons, services such as Crunchyroll, have been successful in maintaining its popularity whilst separating itself from the mainstream battle. How? None of the streaming services are actually competing for the anime content. Similar trends can be seen via NBC?s ?Seeso? (Comedy-only service), and AMC?s ?Shudder? (horror-themed service).
If you're looking for a streaming service that can easily rank among the Top 5, Crunchyroll is definitely a great option. However, it's now on a decline and may not be able to handle its success. This animosity between anime fans can be understood through the ratings on the Play Store app. Originally an online community, Crunchyroll became a legit streaming platform after a successful period, but it has now fallen flat on its face. I would like to share some information about this site with you so that you can make an informed decision.
What is Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is a streaming platform that allows users to watch anime for free or purchase a premium account with additional features. The service has been in its prime for the past five to six years, but in recent years, it has declined in quality and does not meet the standards of its prime period. However, there are still reasons why you may want to use Crunchyroll despite these issues.
The Crunchyroll App is one of the most popular anime streaming platforms. It provides a wide range of content, including popular shows and manga. You can watch anime titles and live-action shows hours after they air on the channel. You can also read manga on the Crunchyroll App using a premium account. This way, you can access the latest Kodansha Comics simulpubs.
Interactive games
Crunchyroll provides a decent number of gaming titles for iOS and Android users, which is the benefit of downloading the app rather than streaming on the website. I'm sure that in the near future, Crunchyroll will work on expanding their gaming titles and potentially carve out an ultra-niche within the anime segment.
Excellent Compatibility
Despite some problems with streaming quality, Crunchyroll still functions perfectly on a wide variety of platforms. You can download the app on your Chromecast, WiiU, Apple iOS, Windows Phone, Roku, Google TV, Apple TV, and gaming consoles such as Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. If you upgrade to premium membership, you can access a vast content library and stream content on all of these devices.
Chatroom
What sets Crunchyroll apart from other anime streaming services is the intention to create a community. Not to mention, this platform started as a community. As a result, the social functionality aspect will always be present on this platform. Chatroom, along with video recommendations and badges, really gives the platform a community vibe. Users don't just want to stream anime; they want to share their opinion and want to hear from others.
Sign-up
Unless you want to shell out for a subscription, I?d steer clear.
Crunchyroll used to be a free streaming service, but that's no longer the case. You can stream any content on the app, but only for 14 days. After that, you'll need to subscribe to the premium service. So unless you're ready to go premium, I don't think you should attach yourself to this platform. With shows such as Black Clover, Naruto, One Piece, Dr.Stone, and Fire Force, it's easy to get lured by the stellar line-up. Unless you want to shell out for a subscription, I'd steer clear.
Crunchyroll App Information
Crunchyroll has been installed more than 10 million times. This demonstrates the website's credibility in the anime space. As for app size, it depends upon your device. The app was updated on 31st December 2019, and it's been more than three months since the last update. Thus, the developers don't seem quite active as compared to other streaming services.
How to access Crunchyroll?
You can download the app from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). If you don't have one of these platforms, you can even opt for compatible devices that I've mentioned above. Install the device, sign up, and you can stream content for two weeks without spending a dime. However, after two weeks, you'll need to subscribe to the premium service, which costs $6.95/mo.
Design
I like the design of this app, which features a bright orange and white color combination. This differentiates the app from other dark themes, which have darker menus and buttons. The app has two major genres- Drama and Anime.Using these two tabs, you can find various content buckets such as popular, simulcasts, and updated. All the content that you see in these sections is placed in alphabetical order.
Unlike Crackle, which has a different interface for different devices, Crunchyroll seems to have a standard layout with limited information when compared to the website which also has news and discussion boards. However, because of these options, the website does look cluttered.
Content
Crunchyroll gives you access to over 200+ anime series that are compatible with a wide range of devices. You can watch popular anime series such as Naruto, One Piece, or Death Note and can even create a queue to keep track of the progress. If you're new to the anime world, the random option is worth exploring if you're on a 14-day free trial. Don't pick the popular anime because you might find it anywhere on the web. Just watch what Crunchyroll recommends, and you'll be able to make the decision for yourself.
Crunchyroll is continuing to grow its content offerings with the addition of games. This move feels like a great start to something iconic, as there are so many other videos you can watch on Crunchyroll besides anime. There are forums and features that help keep you up-to-date and learn more about the anime industry, as well as podcasts and reviews of various anime series and manga. There are so many other videos available on Crunchyroll than just anime.
Plans & Pricing
Crunchyroll is free for a limited time, but the premium service costs $6.95/month. That's a lot of money if you only watch a few niche-genre based streaming services, like ?Shudder? and ?Sesso? which cost the same amount as Hulu + Live TV. However, if you're an anime fan, I don't think paying the premium is worth it because there are many good quality streaming websites that don't charge extra.
Desktop/Mobile experience
I had a difficult streaming experience on the Crunchyroll app recently. The stream would constantly buffer, and after every one minute it would buffer for two minutes. I thought this could be because of my internet connection, but I was on a 16MBPS connection where other apps were steady. submitting a ticket didn't help either; they took forever to address my concerns.
Suggestions I have for Crunchyroll
Despite its massive content catalog, it is difficult to rely on a premium platform due to its lack of stable streaming and customer support. The ads on the free version are so repetitive that you will end up memorizing them, long load times, buffering speed, and crashes mar the app further. I hope the developers pay attention to this and get to work.
Conclusion
If you are a huge anime fan, the chances are that you are already subscribed to this service. However, as you are reading this review, you yourself know that Crunchyroll is only a shadow of its former self. On the other hand, if you are a new user, I would recommend you start off with a 14-day free trial. Experience the platform and see if it makes sense for you to go premium. If it does, then $6.95/mo shouldnât be a major stumbling block.
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