Crunchyroll vs Netflix for Anime Streaming: Which Is Better in 2026?
If you’re deciding between Crunchyroll vs Netflix for anime streaming, look no further. In this comparison, I break down how the two streaming services stack up against each other.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)
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The Crunchyroll vs Netflix anime streaming wars are well underway. Crunchyroll has long been an industry leader, featuring seasonal simulcasts and curated collections. However, Netflix is turning heads with its exclusive titles and brand partnerships. I’ll settle the debate once and for all in this article, highlighting which platform is better for different use cases.
I’ve used both Crunchyroll and Netflix, and in this article, I’ll go over which one has more anime titles and better quality. To cut to the chase, Crunchyroll is ideal for dedicated anime fans, while Netflix works best for casual viewers. No matter your choice, I recommend connecting to one of the best VPNs to bypass geoblocks and stream safely.
Which Has More Anime Titles: Crunchyroll vs Netflix?
Crunchyroll has a larger anime library than Netflix — almost five times bigger. Crunchyroll hosts more than 2,100 titles, spanning seasonal simulcasts, classics, originals and deep-cut genres like mecha, isekai and sports anime.
making it ideal for anime purists.
Netflix’s catalog sits somewhere between 250 and 300 titles, depending on the country. Although that’s a mere fraction of Crunchyroll’s library, Netflix focuses heavily on high-visibility titles and exclusives.
Does Crunchyroll Have All Anime?
No, Crunchyroll doesn’t have all anime. Although Crunchyroll has wide anime coverage, it lacks many Netflix exclusives and loses some high-profile titles to competitors due to regional licensing and studio deals.
Is Anime Quality Better on Netflix or Crunchyroll?
Netflix offers overall better-quality anime across its smaller library than Crunchyroll. Netflix’s approach to anime has been shaped by significant investment in original productions. Many of these Netflix Originals, such as ‘Devilman Crybaby,’ ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ and ‘B: The Beginning,’ are high-budget anime titles known for cinematic storytelling.
In addition, Netflix has invested heavily in professional English dubbing and international language tracks, often releasing these on the same day as the original version. This can make Netflix’s anime feel more accessible and easy to follow for global audiences who prefer dubbed content.
Crunchyroll also offers dubs, with fast and accurate subtitling. However, the consistency and budget behind its dubs can vary, especially for smaller or lower-profile titles. For viewers who prioritize polished dubbing, Netflix often has the edge.
Crunchyroll operates on a volume-first model, emphasizing a vast and constantly updated catalog. While some shows have exceptional animation and storytelling, many are produced with modest budgets typical of television anime. As a result, you can’t expect the same production quality across all shows.
Do More People Watch Anime on Netflix or Crunchyroll?
In terms of sheer numbers, more people watch anime on Netflix than on Crunchyroll. Netflix reports that more than 50% (nearly 300 million viewers) of its global subscribers watch anime. In addition, a 2025 study by Dentsu revealed that 48% of global anime viewers use Netflix.2
Crunchyroll, on the other hand, has a smaller but deeply specialized audience of 15 million paid subscribers. While this number is much lower than Netflix’s viewership, Crunchyroll’s audience comprises core fans who want niche content and seasonal releases.
Crunchyroll vs Netflix Anime Streaming Market Shares
2023 Anime Streaming Market Share
According to a 2023 study by the Wall Street firm Bernstein, Netflix edged out Crunchyroll with a slightly larger market share. Netflix has 42% of the anime market share, while Crunchyroll has 40%. Other anime streaming providers, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Hulu, combine to make up the remaining 18% of the market share.
Instead of competing against each other, Netflix and Crunchyroll have a rather symbiotic relationship. Crunchyroll has sublicensed some of its most popular titles to Netflix, including ‘Demon Slayer,’ ‘Naruto’ and ‘One Piece.’ The money from the licensing deal allows Crunchyroll to acquire more Japanese anime.
How Netflix’s Strategy Conquered the Anime Industry
Netflix conquered the anime industry with money, scale and a global plan. Instead of negotiating licenses country by country, Netflix offered anime studios large up-front payments for worldwide streaming rights. Netflix gained global exclusivity, earning it a strong foothold in the anime market.
Netflix also relied heavily on data to guide its anime strategy. By tracking what viewers watched, finished and rewatched, Netflix could invest in genres and themes with proven global appeal. This helped Netflix move beyond a niche audience and reach new audiences outside of Japan, attracting many casual anime viewers along the way.
Another smart move was branding many shows as Netflix Originals. In most cases, Netflix didn’t fully produce these anime shows but rather funded or co-produced them and controlled global distribution. This allowed Netflix to release anime productions on the same day worldwide, avoiding delays that frustrated international fans.
The binge-release model also changed how people watched anime, pushing the industry away from weekly TV broadcasts and closer to Netflix’s on-demand style.
Are the Anime Streaming Wars Making Good for Fans?
The Netflix and Crunchyroll anime streaming wars have brought advantages for fans, especially regarding access and visibility. Both platforms are pouring money into licensing and producing anime, which means more high-quality shows. International fans now enjoy faster releases, better subtitles and dubs, and fewer regional restrictions than in the past.
Competition has also improved production quality. With Netflix funding high-budget originals and Crunchyroll backing both mainstream hits and niche titles, studios have more opportunities to secure financing. This has led to better animation, stronger sound design and more ambitious storytelling, resulting in higher-quality shows and wider variety.
That said, the Netflix vs Crunchyroll competition has also created new frustrations. With the two platforms splitting exclusives, anime lovers often need multiple subscriptions to keep up with popular series. The differing release strategies don’t help either. Netflix favors full-season drops, while Crunchyroll sticks to weekly simulcasts.
The Verdict: Why We Think Netflix Wins Overall
Unless you watch only anime, Netflix has the edge in this Netflix vs Crunchyroll comparison. Although Crunchyroll has a larger content catalog, Netflix offers many exclusive titles and originals with high-quality production and excellent dubbing. Netflix also releases anime globally on the same date, which helps new fans discover shows without delays.
Netflix offers better overall value. One subscription gives you access to anime, movies, TV shows and documentaries. This makes it easier to justify the price, especially for casual anime fans. Features like offline downloads and strong parental controls also make Netflix more convenient for families.
However, Crunchyroll and Netflix aren’t the only anime options out there; you can read our Crunchyroll alternatives guide for more options.
Which is your go-to platform to watch anime: Netflix or Crunchyroll? Do you have further questions after reading this article? Share your opinions and experiences in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ: Crunchyroll vs Netflix for Anime Content
Netflix is the number-one anime streaming platform for mainstream and casual viewers. It offers high-quality anime episodes and reaches a larger global audience.
Crunchyroll is the best option for dedicated anime lovers. It offers the widest range of series, seasonal releases and genre variety, including shows you won’t find anywhere else.
Crunchyroll makes hundreds of millions of dollars each year, mainly from subscriptions, advertising and licensing deals. Since becoming part of Sony, it has continued to grow through global expansion and exclusive anime rights.