The Asahi Shimbun published a report from New York on October 22, 2026, about Crunchyroll. The paper describes the Sony Group streaming service as one that supports the worldwide popularity of Japanese anime.
According to the Asahi Shimbun report, Crunchyroll has 21 million paid subscribers overseas, even though the service is not available in Japan. Asahi calls it a hub for anime fans, who can also enjoy the original manga and theme songs there.
The report says American anime fans launched Crunchyroll in 2006. At first it streamed Japanese anime with unofficial subtitles, making it what Asahi calls, in effect, a "pirate" site. It gradually began partnering with rights holders.
The article includes reporting from Crunchyroll's booth at New York Comic Con on October 8, 2026, which Asahi says was busy with fans in cosplay and anime T-shirts. One visitor, 13-year-old Emma, attended with their mother and younger sister and told the paper they started watching anime at about age 7. Their favorites are Jujutsu Kaisen and Death Note. Emma first used other streaming services but found them lacking and switched to Crunchyroll, calling it the top choice for anyone who wants to watch really good anime.
The rest of the article, including the paper's look at where Crunchyroll is headed, is behind a paywall.