Crunchyroll’s Journey: From Pirate Site to Anime Streaming Giant

Your favorite anime streaming service was once a popular pirate website.

crunchyroll pirate website

In the early 2000s, anime fans outside Japan faced a dilemma. They craved access to the latest series, but legitimate options were scarce. Out of this void emerged Crunchyroll, a scrappy startup that began as a hub for pirated anime content.

Little did its founders know, this illegal streaming site would one day transform into the world’s premier destination for anime lovers.

Crunchyroll traces its roots back to 2006, when a group of anime enthusiasts, frustrated by the lack of accessible content, took matters into their own hands. They launched Crunchyroll as a pirate site where users could stream fan-subtitled (fansubbed) episodes of popular series like Naruto and Bleach.

The site quickly gained traction among the anime community, who were thrilled to have a centralized platform for watching new releases.

However, Crunchyroll’s early days were filled with controversy. The Japanese anime industry and licensors were understandably furious about the rampant piracy.

Crunchyroll operated in a legal grey area, arguing that it was merely hosting user-generated content. But pressure mounted as the site’s popularity soared. In 2008, several Japanese publishers even filed a lawsuit against Crunchyroll for copyright infringement.

Also Read: 192 Anime Titles Left Without a Streaming Home After Funimation’s Website Shuts Down

Faced with legal challenges and a desire to legitimize their business, Crunchyroll’s founders made a bold decision. In 2009, they pivoted to a legal, subscription-based model.

Crunchyroll-logo-and-mascot_

The company secured proper licensing deals with anime studios and publishers, enabling them to stream content legally to a global audience. This marked a crucial turning point – Crunchyroll went from industry outcast to key partner practically overnight.

The shift to legitimacy was not without challenges. Some of Crunchyroll’s early adopters were resistant to paying for once-free content. But the company persevered, focusing on improving its service and expanding its library.

They invested in intuitive apps, HD video quality, and simulcasts that allowed subscribers to watch episodes just hours after they aired in Japan. Slowly but surely, Crunchyroll began winning over both fans and industry players.

As Crunchyroll’s legal anime catalog grew, so did its subscriber base. The company’s success didn’t go unnoticed. In 2015, telecom giant AT&T became a majority investor in Crunchyroll’s parent company, Otter Media. This influx of resources enabled further expansion, including the addition of manga and drama content.

By 2017, Crunchyroll had surpassed one million paid subscribers, cementing its status as the leading anime streaming service.

Fast forward to 2021, and Crunchyroll’s rise reached new heights. Sony’s Funimation Global Group acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T for a staggering $1.175 billion.

The deal united two anime powerhouses, with Funimation’s extensive dubbed library complementing Crunchyroll’s unrivaled selection of subtitled content. Together, they boast a combined subscriber base of over 5 million and counting.

After Funimation shut its website down, Crunchyroll stands tall as the undisputed king of anime streaming. With thousands of episodes, movies, and exclusive simulcasts, it has become an indispensable hub for fans worldwide.


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