Crunchyroll is changing things up! They’re removing their free, ad-supported streaming option for anime by the end of the year. While they’re excited about a new year of both returning favorites and brand new anime releases, some fans will no longer be able to watch for free with this change.
Crunchyroll is ending its free, ad-supported anime streaming option on December 31, 2025. Users who currently watch anime for free with ads will need to subscribe to an ad-free plan to continue watching without interruption, according to a message noticed by fans on Reddit. This means Crunchyroll will no longer offer free anime with ads after that date, unless they decide to bring the option back in the future.
What Does This Mean for Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll has evolved a lot over time. For a long period, it allowed users to watch everything with ads for free. However, starting in the 2020s, things began to change. A few years ago, Crunchyroll stopped offering ad-supported streaming for brand new episodes. Instead, they created a smaller library of popular shows across various genres that were available with ads. While this ad-supported library has grown, it’s still not as extensive as what was previously available.
Fans who enjoyed watching these shows for free with ads will soon lose that option, as it ends on December 31st. It’s unclear if the free streaming will disappear completely after that date, or if the platform is planning a new service. Regardless, fans should stay informed about any updates.
What Does This Mean for Anime’s Future?
Anime is currently enjoying a golden age, with a growing fanbase eagerly following each new release. Lots of high-quality series are coming out regularly, often ranking among the year’s best. However, it’s disappointing to see one of the last widely available free streaming options, like Crunchyroll, become less accessible.
Everyone’s watching to see what Crunchyroll does on December 31st. Will free streaming disappear for good, or will it return in some new way? What are your thoughts? Share them and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-07 21:10