Crunchyroll, the global leader in anime streaming, has announced the official launch of its new, dedicated manga application, “Crunchyroll Manga,” set to arrive on iOS and Android devices in the United States and Canada on October 9. A web browser version of the service will follow shortly thereafter, launching on October 15. This new ad-free app marks a significant expansion of Crunchyroll’s offerings, aiming to provide a seamless reading experience for fans of Japanese comics.
The standalone application is designed to be a premium add-on, featuring hundreds of titles from major publishers, including fan-favorite series like One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and My Dress-Up Darling.
Availability and Access: Mobile First, Then Web
Starting October 9, manga enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada will be able to download the Crunchyroll Manga app on their iOS and Android devices, gaining access to a rich library of digital manga. The service will then extend its reach to web browsers on October 15, ensuring accessibility across multiple platforms. Crucially, this new application will operate separately from the main Crunchyroll anime streaming service, offering a dedicated, ad-free reading environment.
Subscription Tiers and Pricing for Crunchyroll Manga
Access to the Crunchyroll Manga app will be integrated into Crunchyroll’s existing subscription model as a premium add-on. Ultimate Fan subscribers, currently paying US$15.99/month, will receive access to the manga app at no additional cost.
For subscribers on the Fan and Mega Fan tiers, the manga service will be available as an extra add-on:
- Crunchyroll Fan + Manga: US$11.99/month (includes a US$4.00 add-on for manga) or CA$15.49/month (includes a CA$5.50 add-on). The standard Fan tier is US$7.99/month.
- Crunchyroll Mega Fan + Manga: US$15.49/month (includes a US$3.50 add-on for manga) or CA$17.49/month (includes a CA$5.00 add-on). The standard Mega Fan tier is US$9.99/month.
All tiers offering the manga service will provide unlimited, ad-free reading across mobile and web platforms.
Expansive Library and Key Publishing Partners
The Crunchyroll Manga app is launching with “hundreds of titles,” promising a diverse selection across various genres. Among the highly anticipated launch titles are popular series such as One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, My Dress-Up Darling, The Summer Hikaru Died, Lycoris Recoil, Delicious in Dungeon, Sasaki and Miyano, Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy, and Maiden of the Dragon: Falling for the Demon’s Lies.
Crunchyroll has partnered with a robust list of leading publishers to bring this extensive catalog to readers. Initial partners include AlphaPolis, COMPASS, Square Enix, Viz Media, and Yen Press, with additional content from publishers like Shueisha, J-Novel Club, and ThirdlineNEXT expected to follow. This broad collaboration aims to consolidate a significant portion of digital manga content in one accessible location.
Advanced Reading Features for an Enhanced Experience
The new Crunchyroll Manga app is equipped with several features designed to optimize the digital reading experience. Readers will benefit from mobile, tablet, and browser compatibility, allowing for flexible access to their favorite series. Key features include:
- Offline Reading: The ability to download chapters for reading without an internet connection.
- Light and Dark Mode: Customizable display options to suit different reading environments and preferences.
- Full Page Spreads: Optimized viewing for manga artwork, including pages designed for two-page layouts.
- Personalized Reading Lists: Users can create curated lists and receive recommendations tailored to their reading habits.
The service is described as being “powered by Link-U Group,” a Japanese media company known for developing digital manga services such as Comikey and Compass, indicating a strong technological foundation for the app.
Crunchyroll’s Strategic Vision: Uniting Anime and Manga
This new manga app signifies Crunchyroll’s deepened commitment to providing a comprehensive “anime lifestyle experience,” recognizing the intrinsic link between anime and its manga source material. Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll, noted earlier this year at CES 2025 that “Research shows that nearly 70% of anime fans read digital manga at least once a month, highlighting the immense demand for this medium”. By offering a robust manga platform, Crunchyroll aims to meet this demand and further fuel the global popularity of both mediums.
A Return to Digital Manga
This isn’t Crunchyroll’s first foray into the digital manga space. The company previously launched a “Crunchyroll Manga” service in October 2013, offering simulpub titles from publishers like Kodansha USA Publishing in over 170 countries. However, that service was eventually shut down in December 2023. The new Crunchyroll Manga app represents a fresh start and a more ambitious strategy, leveraging lessons learned and strengthening partnerships within the digital comics industry. This relaunch underlines Crunchyroll’s dedication to becoming a central hub for anime and manga fandom, uniting stories both on screen and on the page.
