At CES 2025, Crunchyroll announced the upcoming launch of its new manga app, Crunchyroll Manga, set to debut later this year.
Crunchyroll has been steadily evolving into a comprehensive platform for anime and anime-related content. This year, the popular streaming service revealed its plan to expand its offerings with the Crunchyroll Manga app, which will be available for download in the U.S. and Canada on both iOS and Android platforms later this year.
The announcement was made by Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, during Sony Group Corporation’s press conference. Purini highlighted that this new venture would further enhance their growing anime business.
“Crunchyroll Manga will be a premier online manga app featuring catalogs from top publishers, offering fans unmatched access to the visionary works that inspire the anime we all love,” Purini explained.
“As we build upon our partnerships in this exciting new initiative, we aim to add even more value to the Crunchyroll membership, complementing our extensive anime library, Crunchyroll Game Vault, and the wide range of products available in the Crunchyroll Store.”
The goal for Crunchyroll Manga is to become the go-to destination for fans to access both new manga releases and beloved fan favorites.
The app could provide users with the convenience of reading the latest chapters of series like One Piece without leaving the site, or offer a seamless way to enjoy manga on the go.
Details regarding offline reading and the app’s full features are still under wraps. Designed as a premium addition for Crunchyroll members, the app will complement existing memberships, with plans for web browser integration in the future.
Crunchyroll Manga
Since the launch of the Crunchyroll Game Vault in November 2023, Crunchyroll has taken significant steps to expand its platform beyond anime streaming.
This development is the latest in a series of moves that started with the merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll in 2021, which solidified Crunchyroll’s position as the largest anime library globally.
In recent years, the service has also expanded its music video and concert catalog, as well as its merchandise store. Now, the next logical step for the company is to offer a dedicated space for members who already enjoy its various features to also access manga.
Research supports the demand for such an app, though the need for it is also evident by the natural connection between anime and manga.
As Purini pointed out, “Research shows that nearly 70% of anime fans read digital manga at least once a month, underscoring the strong demand for this medium. Crunchyroll Manga will not only meet this growing demand but will also help drive the global popularity of both anime and manga.”
Initially launching in English, Crunchyroll Manga is expected to expand its language options as the app grows, much like the Crunchyroll streaming service itself. Purini mentioned that the company is working with leading publishers to bring these manga titles to the platform.
This raises questions about which publishers Crunchyroll has already partnered with, and how this might impact the membership numbers of other well-established platforms, such as VIZ Media and Kodansha’s K Manga. Additionally, it remains to be seen how the new app could affect Crunchyroll’s membership pricing.
As the app’s release approaches, CGMagazine will continue to cover how the Crunchyroll Manga app is received across North America. Be sure to stay tuned for updates later this year.
