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Crunchyroll enters South Korea with localized anime streaming
Crunchyroll, the Sony Group-owned streaming platform focused on Japanese animation, has officially launched its service in South Korea, opening access to local viewers with Korean subtitles and a payment system designed for the Korean market.
The platform said it will release more than 20 new anime titles this fall. Available titles include popular series such as “One-Punch Man,” “Tower of God,” “Fire Force” and “True Beauty.” The lineup also includes films including “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” and “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Part 1,” with a broader catalog announcement planned soon.
New service options for Korean anime fans
Crunchyroll will support viewing across mobile devices, computers, internet-connected smart TVs and home gaming consoles. Beyond video streaming, the company also operates mobile games, music offerings and offline fan events.
For years, Korean anime fans faced limits on accessing some overseas titles because of licensing issues. The official launch allows viewers in South Korea to watch international anime releases with Korean-language subtitles through a dedicated service.
South Korea’s Video Rating Board, an organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has designated Crunchyroll as a self-rating business operator. This allows the company to directly assign viewing ratings to its titles according to current legal standards, providing a foundation for faster domestic releases.
Subscription plans and first Korean fan event
Crunchyroll is offering two subscription plans in South Korea: the “Fan” plan at 9,900 won per month and the “Mega Fan” plan at 10,900 won per month. The higher-tier plan supports offline viewing, simultaneous streaming on up to four devices and access to more than 100 games through Crunchyroll’s Game Vault at no additional cost.
The company will also hold its first Korean “Crunchyroll Pop-Up Festival” in Seoul later this month. The event will feature special screenings, concerts, games and an interactive merchandise area.
A global anime platform expands into a major fan market
Akshat Sahu, head of Crunchyroll Asia, Middle East and North Africa, said the South Korean launch is an important first step and that the company plans continued investment in content expansion, localization and fan experiences. He said Korea has a large anime fan community and that the company aims to expand simultaneous releases and localized services for viewers.
Crunchyroll has more than 20 million paid subscribers worldwide. The company was founded in the United States in 2006 and was acquired in 2021 by a joint venture involving Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music subsidiary Aniplex.
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