Anime streaming service Crunchyroll, which offers shows such as My Hero Academia and One Piece, announced on Tuesday that it will shut down its ad-supported tier on Dec. 31. Viewers will now have to pay for a subscription if they want to keep streaming shows.
For years, Crunchyroll offered a rotating catalog of episodes, mostly older seasons and select shows, available for free with ads. But recent in-service messages alerted viewers that "Ad-supported streaming ends December 31, 2025." After that date, anyone wishing to access the service will need a paid plan.
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The existing subscription tiers remain unchanged. The entry-level Fan plan starts at $8 per month, while the Mega Fan ($12) and Ultimate Fan ($16) options add perks such as HD streaming, offline downloads and multi-device support.
The Crunchyroll free option had already been shrinking. Simulcasts and new episodes were removed from the free library as early as 2022, leaving only a minimal selection of titles, which has made some viewers unhappy. For many casual viewers or newcomers, the loss of the free viewing tier removes a low-barrier entry point that helped introduce them to anime.
If you still want to watch anime without paying, several other services continue to offer free, ad-supported streaming:
Tubi: A large selection of classic and older anime series and movies, all free with ads.
A large selection of classic and older anime series and movies, all free with ads. Pluto TV: Multiple 24/7 anime channels plus some on-demand titles.
Multiple 24/7 anime channels plus some on-demand titles. RetroCrush: Specializes in classic and vintage anime; free with ads.
Specializes in classic and vintage anime; free with ads. YouTube: Some studios (like Toei Animation and Gundam's official channel) release episodes and whole series legally.
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