Amazon has delivered exciting news for anime enthusiasts worldwide, unveiling a global partnership to integrate Crunchyroll’s extensive anime catalog into Prime Video. This collaboration offers viewers a choice between two ad-free subscription tiers: Fan or Mega Fan, with pricing starting at $7.99 per month in the US. The premium Mega Fan tier is available for $9.99 monthly. Subscribers will gain access to Crunchyroll’s vast anime library, featuring new releases shortly after their Japanese premieres.
The significance of this announcement for anime aficionados cannot be overstated. Crunchyroll boasts the world’s most extensive streaming collection of top-tier anime, encompassing over 24,000 hours of content, spanning 46,000 episodes within 1,300 series and films. This strategic move significantly expands the already impressive offerings of Prime Video, elevating it to new heights in the realm of anime streaming.
Amazon has also considered budget-conscious anime fans, as the 24/7 Crunchyroll linear channel will be available for free on Freevee, with occasional ads. This option allows those without disposable income to enjoy a selection of anime content.
Mega Fan subscribers can not only stream but also download their favorite shows and series for offline viewing, providing flexibility and convenience for viewers on the go. Amazon has hinted at forthcoming “additional non-video benefits,” but the specifics of these enhancements remain undisclosed.
Some may question the need for this integration when Crunchyroll already offers a dedicated app at a similar price point. However, Prime Video stands out with its extensive compatibility across a wide range of devices. While both Crunchyroll and Prime Video are accessible on mobile devices and key smart TV platforms and gaming consoles, Prime Video’s device compatibility extends further to include numerous Blu-Ray players and various home entertainment systems.
Amazon’s strategy closely mirrors Apple’s efforts to streamline its TV apps, aiming to be the go-to platform for all streaming content, including third-party offerings. The use of a unified Amazon sign-in and app for various services simplifies the process of subscribing to and discovering content from multiple streaming providers. This approach is expected to benefit both Amazon and third-party content providers, resulting in a more convenient and comprehensive streaming experience for users.
