Slowly, very slowly, the Switch is adding more media apps to its library. We have YouTube, Twitch and Pokémon TV, and now we can add Crunchyroll to the list, available on both the European and North American eShop.
It's a familiar and well-known service, boasting a huge collection of anime that you can watch for free with ads or with various perks if you sign up to an account and paid subscriptions. There's a 14-day free trial for newcomers, too.
We've given the app a whirl and it seems solid; picture quality in portable mode was excellent in an episode of Attack on Titan, and that was viewed without even setting up an account. It seems to be a fully featured version of the app, too, with subscribers also able to download shows for offline viewing.
Another welcome addition to the Switch, we'd say - let us know in the comments if you're planning to check it out.
Comments 72
No idea whats going on with Nintendo, but appreciate how they are finally allowing streaming platforms on it.
Also just noticed Nintendo actually commented on the announcement video. What on earth.
Now, we just need Netflix, HBO, etc!
Good. I prefer Crunchyroll's player to Funimation's. I've been making my way through One Piece, and I'm loving it. I'll definitely be watching on Switch.
The OLED switch is perfect for anime!
@rawzeku they already "allowed" Pokémon TV and youtube though.
TBH, it's up to companies like Netflix to make a Switch player.
I really wonder what exactly is the deal with streaming platforms taking so long to arrive on Switch. I assume there's some underlying reason, because I really doubt Netflix would be taking their sweet time putting their app on a system that's sold as many units as the Switch has. But I really can't picture what exactly could be going on there.
Damnit I just checked and tested and they do indeed have offline streaming and now I have no excuse to not watch ONE PIECE even if the idea haunts me 😞.
I can't think of a better word for this than:
Yummy.
Cool! but no thanks. ^-^
@SMUGSLOTH69 It really isn't that bad. If you watch 3 episodes of One Piece a year, you'll be caught up by January.
Thats neat and all but when are they going to bring netflix to the switch? Its cool to have more streaming services on the Switch but crunchyroll is much more niche compared to something like Netflix, especially since the vast majority of people pirate anime and Crunchyroll's service is abysmall.
In truth, I've actually been making use of the Twitch app on Switch recently. It's handy to be able to watch a view streams or VODs on a smaller display on my desk.
But the actual video player itself seems to be a part of why streaming apps are limited, it's not very well suited to playing hours long videos, or resuming from networking interruptions after sleeping the system for extended periods.
Wait, so has Crunchyroll finally allowed their apps to work without an account? I believe there was a time where unless you were paying the monthly, you couldn't just watch for free (through the smartphone/streaming device apps).
All the same, not really looking to be streaming anything on the Switch. I prefer having something streaming on the TV and then just play a game on the Switch itself.
@Browny I had an episode playing without an account, just had to watch a couple of ads
Seriously need to know what's going on with Netflix here?
Huh. Neat!
I'd started my subscription up again a few days ago after letting it be inactive for a few years to catch up on a few things that got some new seasons (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Non Non Biyori, etc.)
@Browny
I don't recall that being an issue with Crunchyroll app on any platform, but the Funimation app on the Switch is definitely locked down to being premium users only (which is super annoying, on account of I own multiple full seasons of anime via codes from Blu-Rays/DVD's on my account, but am not allowed to stream this owned content pretty much anywhere other than desktop browsers).
I watch it on the Wii U. It’s barely functional and occasionally crashes, but because it’s barely functional, the ads don’t load 😉
@Ade117 Dude my mistake was that I watched over 100 episodes in like a week and a half and that broke me.
Yet another Sony product on a Nintendo platform. What in the world is going on here? This is madness! https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/9/21547657/sonys-funimation-acquires-crunchyroll-deal-price-watching-anime
@SMUGSLOTH69 Wow, haha. That's crazy. I haven't watched that much in a week in close to a decade.
Until you pay premium expect ads to drive you crazy to just watch the anime.
On one hand cool, on the other I'm not sure I want to support Crunchyroll specifically. They do some stuff I disagree with, like adding American politics in translation. As a non-Yank I am allergic to those.
@TrixieSparkle
This was about a year or so back, I downloaded the app for Apple TV, and it wouldn't let me do anything without signing in.
Now, it could have just been asking for log in information, free account or paid, to start watching, but since I don't even have a free account, I skipped on the app altogether.
I might have to look into this again; though to be fair, I prefer watching on my laptop/desktop, since there I have adblockers on full blast stopping all those pesky ads.
I hope for LG WebOS app as well.
I hope they can add Adult Time stat.
@sanderev
Netflix already announced that they have software ready and optimized on the Switch. They're still waiting on Nintendo's approval (since 2017), which feels... non-existent.
@rawzeku
Nintendo has allowed streaming services for a long time, ever since the Wii. It's just the Switch has some...weird stuff going on where Nintendo just doesn't talk, like my example above with Netflix.
Now I would be happy if they added Netflix and Hulu. Those two were on the previous platforms but not on Switch "yet"
Are the shows captioned for deaf and hard of hearing people?
I was so depressed this week to be reminded that the most played software on my Wii U, by a huge margin, was Netflix. I’m a CrunchyRoll subscriber, and it’s just my personal preference, but I’ll probably keep my Switch free of video apps and leave it a dedicated gaming machine
crunchyroll hime for smash.
@ThomasBW84 This is why I think crunchyroll is better then funimation, AS, long as you don't care about dubbing, if you do funimation is the place to be.
But you get to watch all episodes for free without paying, just watch adds. And if your watching a new anime, just got to wait a little bit before the next episode comes out, free of charge.
It's nice to know I have another way to not watch anything (unless Pop Team Epic is on Crunchyroll)
@SwitchForce Its better then me having to actually pay just to watch stuff on funimation, I was ok with ads and was willing to watch them just to watch dragon ball z.
But nope, not only do you have to watch the adds, but can only watch up to a certain point, till you have to pay.
Ooooh. I wonder if there's anything good on offer. I'll try this out.
nice, but why is taking long for Netflix to arrive on Switch?
If streaming services are in ….less people will buy games. I checked the Wii U history on Nintendo’s tweeter account. Netflix was number 1 for a lot of people
One of my most used apps!
@KingBowser The Switch already has Hulu. I don't know why that isn't listed in the article. It's still my number played game according to hours watched. 🤣
still no Netflix or Disney+
Pointless trivia: Crunchyroll on Wii came out in 2015, and lasted about 4 or 5 months before it stopped working and was eventually taken down by Nintendo when they shutdown all streaming sites.
I've always found it strange that Nintendo was like "Sure, you can make your thing, oh but in a year we'll shut it down." but CR still did it, only for CR to pull the plug first.
Crunchyroll shot first.
@theflowergarden just being able to instantly swap between handheld and tv mode on Netflix would be amazing, something to replace my Wii U Netflix
Whoa hold up, when did we get YouTUBE!?!?!?
I accidentally let my premium annual membership renew, I’m still sore about that as I’m usually more vigilant.
This will help me get my money’s worth.
@JoeDiddley Give Odd Taxi a watch if you haven't yet.
My streaming diet is YouTube, Crunchyroll, Twitch and Netflix. One more on Switch and I can throw away my Roku. I'll enjoy being able to watch Crunchyroll while traveling.
@Ade117 it was fantastic. Great recommendation
Hell yes.. gonna be downloading this for mine 😁
@iLikeUrAttitude Actually I buy most my anime on blu ray, lol .. I've spent about 5k on anime since 2019 😆
@JustMonika Damn bro now thats dedication.
@TrixieSparkle Currently been watching My Dress-Up Darling as it gets dubbed. Marin is going to be best girl of 2022.
@iLikeUrAttitude I even got a Yui Hirasawa tattoo that takes up half my arm and I'm getting a $4000 full car wrap themed after Chizuru from Rent-a-Girlfriend.
@SMUGSLOTH69 Last week I watched all 24 episodes of Hi Score Girl without a break after working a 12 hour hospital shift, lol
@SmaggTheSmug You're thinking of Funimation, lol .. of course that's a moot point since Sony bought Crunchyroll which also owns Funimation and Aniplex.
@Snatcher But now they're starting to share dubs between the two services since they're now both owned by Sony.
@thejuice027 YouTube has been there since 2017
@JustMonika They are? I didn't know that, thats pretty cool. Crunchyroll gives out the anime for free with ads, and funimation provides the dubs.
I've wanted this for so long. I'm so glad it's finally on Switch.
And offline viewing support? Cherry on top.
The people at my gym will surely appreciate me watching Berzerk while I do my elliptical cardio.
I've never had a use for streaming apps on my Switch tbh. I have a phone and a laptop, with a Chromecast if I want some TV action. I'm usually doing something relatively mindless in a game like exp grinding or hatching Pokémon eggs while I watch a show, so using the Switch itself to watch something is a no go.
@JustMonika Ah, you're right, Crunchyroll makes terrible animation instead.
I love dubbed anime but Funimation are horrible to the European users, finally I can watch Dragon Ball Z, Yugioh and One Piece
I mean, a few years ago I would have gone nuts for this, but now I don't really care. Im just going to stick to the Twitch app for watching things on my TV.
Its nice to have. I used to sub to crunchyroll, but these days i don't watch enough anime to justify the price. I like the option to watch for free with ads for the few times i use it.
Do you need an account or anything to use this?
@Snatcher Yeah, I pay for both Funimation and Crunchyroll so I'm happy both are on Switch now 😁
@SmaggTheSmug Except Tonikawa which is a Crunchyroll original
@NoLife Free but there's ads and $7 a month for no ads.
@KingBowser Hulu has been available since November of 2017.
@thejuice027 November 2018
As someone who almost exclusively uses my PS4 as my media center on a TV... Since the Switch is also portable, I most certainly would appreciate...
... on my Switch to use portably as it has a much bigger screen + variable kickstand for larger viewing angles than a smartphone along with much more entertainment value than a tablet. I'm sure I'm not alone as someone who would appreciate the additions, especially when travelling/commuting anywhere.
Nintendo has already had some of these in the past themselves on previous systems lol smh (C'mon Ninty, no excuses). All of this has become even more standard on any entertainment device... even the cheapest TV's these days. I maintain these additions would just be added value for current and prospective users/customers. Please continue to make and allow updates/additions to the Switch platform and ecosystem Nintendo.
... Wun can only hope.
@JustMonika Hot damn
@wuntyme8 I think the lack of web browser for the Switch has to do with Nintendo trying to prevent hacking and modding the thing. Of course it's been done so it seems a moot point nowadays.
@JustMonika I mean possibly, but piracy is always going to be a risk and thing no matter what console is out.
It’s just even more bizarre since the Switch clearly has a browser already built in.. it’s just not accessible to users. You can access webpages from in-game links/content and even on the Switch’s own “News” tab articles. Previous Nintie consoles had these functionalities which are basically standard on any modern smart device, even the cheapest ones. I’m not gonna make any excuses for Nintendo on this tbh lol seems like a silly omission.
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