Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is an American distributor, publisher, and licensing company focused on streaming anime, manga, and dorama. Founded in 2006 by a group of University of California, Berkeley graduates, Crunchyroll has grown to become one of the most popular platforms for anime fans worldwide.

History

Crunchyroll was founded in 2006 by Kun Gao, Brandon Ooi, Vu Nguyen, and James Lin. Initially, it was a for-profit video upload and streaming site that hosted East Asian content. Over time, the platform shifted its focus to anime and began to secure official distribution rights.

In 2008, Crunchyroll received a $4.05 million investment from Venrock, which allowed the company to acquire official distribution rights for anime series. This marked a significant shift from hosting user-uploaded content to providing licensed content.

In 2013, Crunchyroll was acquired by The Chernin Group and later became part of Otter Media, a joint venture between The Chernin Group and AT&T. In 2020, Sony announced its intention to acquire Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion, a deal that was completed in 2021.

Services

Crunchyroll offers a wide range of services, including streaming anime, manga, and dorama. The platform provides both free and premium subscription options. Premium subscribers have access to ad-free content, simulcasts of new episodes shortly after they air in Japan, and access to the entire library of shows.

Anime

Crunchyroll is best known for its extensive library of anime series, which includes popular titles such as Naruto, Attack on Titan, and One Piece. The platform offers simulcasts of new episodes, allowing fans to watch them shortly after they air in Japan.

Manga

In addition to anime, Crunchyroll also offers a selection of manga titles. The manga service provides access to a variety of genres and popular series, available to read online.

Dorama

Crunchyroll's dorama section includes a selection of Japanese live-action drama series. While not as extensive as its anime library, the dorama offerings provide fans with another form of entertainment.

Community and Events

Crunchyroll has a vibrant community of anime fans and hosts various events to engage with its audience. The platform organizes the annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which celebrates the best in anime each year. Additionally, Crunchyroll Expo is an annual convention that brings together fans, creators, and industry professionals.

Impact

Crunchyroll has played a significant role in popularizing anime outside of Japan. By providing legal and accessible streaming options, the platform has helped reduce piracy and support the anime industry. Its partnerships with Japanese studios and creators have also facilitated the global distribution of anime content.

See Also

• Funimation
• Netflix
• Hulu

References

• Crunchyroll About Page
• Sony Press Release on Acquisition

External Links

• Official Crunchyroll Website

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  Crunchyroll 2024
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  Crunchyroll Store at Crunchyroll Expo 2017