Crunchyroll: Expansive Anime Library

It’s a one-stop shop.

- JORDAN MINOR & BEN MOORE

Anime fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to video-streaming services. Crunchyroll, one of the best-known names in the space, is also one of the top places to watch animated shows and movies. It offers more than 1,300 series, many simulcast shows, and an ad-free tier. Thanks to recent mergers by its new parent company, Sony, Crunchyroll has become a one-stop anime shop that features dubbed content from former competitor Funimation, as well as VRV’s library. Before, Crunchyroll was worth checking out if you were looking to view anime shows shortly after they air on broadcast TV. Now, Crunchyroll is your general anime destination—and an Editors’ Choice winner. Note that Crunchyroll caters specifically to anime fans; if you want to watch cartoons or other animated series, this is not the service for you.

PROS

• Expansive anime library, now including Funimation dubs

• All tiers support HD streaming

• Many simulcast shows

• Some original series

• Manga and apparel store

• Offline downloads

CONS 

• Some interface clutter

• Few subtitle options

 THE BOTTOM LINE Rough edges aside, Crunchyroll’s massive merged library and strong simulcast support make it the one true service for its anime-loving audience.