Cord Cutter News reports that as of January 1, 2026, Crunchyroll will discontinue its ad-supported service. Therefore, the only method to access shows from the platform will require an active paid subscription. Currently, Crunchyroll maintains the same three subscription tiers: the base plan at $7.99/month, Mega Fan at $11.99/month, and the premium Ultimate Fan at $15.99.
Although the service has not yet revealed any intentions to modify its pricing structure, it is now concentrating on growing its number of paying subscribers. This shift follows Crunchyroll’s merger with Funimation a few years ago, establishing the streaming service as the leading anime platform available. Nonetheless, if you’re seeking alternative avenues to stream anime without cost, here are three options that may appeal to you.
One of the most enduring anime series is Pokémon. Despite The Pokémon Company having closed the Pokémon TV app last year, it was revitalized as the Pokémon TV YouTube channel. The great news is that the channel consistently receives updates with fresh episodes and seasons featuring Ash and Pikachu in multiple languages. Conversely, those eager to watch the latest series must subscribe to Netflix.
Another excellent alternative is RetroCrush. This free, ad-supported service specializes in classic and vintage anime from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It’s a great choice for fans of older series that are often challenging to locate elsewhere.
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