At CES 2025, Crunchyroll announced the launch of their new manga app, Crunchyroll Manga, coming out later this year.
Crunchyroll has been rapidly becoming a one-stop app/website for all things anime and anime-related content. This year, the orange anime streamer is proud to announce their new manga app coming to the iOS and Android store in the U.S. and Canada later this year: Crunchyroll Manga. Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini came out with the announcement in Las Vegas, Nevada during CES 2025. He noted how this would expand on their evergrowing anime business, during Sony Group Corporation’s press conference.
“Crunchyroll Manga will be a premiere online manga app that carries catalogs from renowned publishers, offering fans unparalleled access to the visionary works that inspire the anime we love,” said Purini. “As we strengthen partnerships in this exciting new venture, we aim to add even more value to the Crunchyroll membership, complementing our vast anime library, Crunchyroll Game Vault, and extensive selection of products in the Crunchyroll Store.”
The hope seems to be that it will be a one-stop destination for fans and members alike to read brand-new manga titles and fan favourites. This could mean reading the latest chapter of One Piece without having to leave website, or it could be an easy solution for reading your favourite manga while commuting. Details about offline reading or what it will offer is yet to be discussed. Designed to complement Crunchyroll memberships, the app will be offered as a premium add-on, with web browser integration also planned for the future.
Crunchyroll launched its Game Vault on November 7, 2023, marking a new path for the largest anime library in the world. It is the biggest move since the merger of Funimation and the orange streamer back in 2021. In the past couple of years, the anime library also saw its music video/concert library expanded, and the merch store grew more and more too. Now, the natural progession for the streamer was to create a place for members who already take advantage of all its features to also have a place to read their favourite manga. It is also a convenient way for those who watch the anime, and want to read on.
There is also research that supports this next move for the streaming service, but I do not think it takes a genius to draw the parallels. However, I do know that some people only consume the anime format and do not bother to read the manga. Purini adds, “Research shows that nearly 70% of anime fans read digital manga at least once a month, highlighting the immense demand for this medium. Crunchyroll Manga will not only meet this growing interest but also fuel the continued global popularity of anime and manga alike.”
The new Manga app will debut in English but is expected to increase its language options as the app expands similarly to the streaming service. As Purini stated, they will working with top-tier publishers to bring these manga titles to the platform. I am curious which publishers they have already reached out to, and how that will change membership numbers for established publishers and their apps and websites. The VIZ Media or Kondansha’s K Manga apps come to mind. Also, I am wondering how much this will affect membership pricing. Be sure to check back in later this year. CGMagazine will be writing about how well the Crunchyroll Manga app rolls out across North America.