Okay, so Crunchyroll just got a big shakeup. They got rid of the free option, which stinks, and prices went up pretty much everywhere. But they’re trying something new – they’re jumping into making their own games! It feels like they’re trying to be the ‘Netflix of anime,’ and they’re hoping this new stuff will make the subscription worth the cost, you know? They’re really trying to change how we see the value of subscribing.
Crunchyroll announced it will be raising subscription prices worldwide starting in early March 2026. In the US, all paid plans will cost $2 more per month, bringing the price of the top-tier Ultimate Fan plan to $17.99.
These price hikes happened while the industry was already trying to encourage fans to use official sources, as illegal downloads were costing them more and more money globally. To make the price increase easier to accept, Crunchyroll surprisingly added original games to its subscription service.
Crunchyroll bets on games to sweeten the deal
Crunchyroll announced it’s creating its own video games, which will be available exclusively to subscribers of its streaming service.
While the specific games haven’t been announced yet, the original titles will be available in the Crunchyroll Game Vault. Launched in November 2023, the Vault is a catalog of games for Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers. It already features over 80 games, including visual novels and indie titles, and Crunchyroll plans to add even more, reaching 100 games by summer 2026.
Fresh, new content will be added to their expanding collection, developed with both Japanese publishers and developers worldwide to create experiences specifically for anime fans.
Crunchyroll views original games as a core part of its streaming service, not just an add-on. Terry Li, who leads Crunchyroll Games, told Variety that the company recognized a strong overlap in fans of anime and video games. He explained that creating original games allows them to build unique, interactive experiences featuring both popular and new characters.
More games are joining the lineup, in addition to the existing titles. These include Battle Chef Brigade, Cuisineer, Dungeons of Hinterberg, Pepper Grinder, and Pikuniku.
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2026-02-05 20:18