The anime streaming giant is making a bold move into the digital manga space, but its pricing strategy has fans in an uproar. Is the convenience of a unified library worth the high cost?
Crunchyroll, the undisputed king of anime streaming, is expanding its empire. On October 9, 2025, the company will launch its highly anticipated Crunchyroll Manga app, a new platform that promises to bring titles from multiple major publishers under a single, convenient subscription. While the prospect of a unified manga library has fans excited, the app’s pricing and mandatory bundling with Crunchyroll’s anime service have sparked a significant controversy. Is this the future of digital manga, or a costly misstep for the streaming giant?
What is the Crunchyroll Manga App?
The Crunchyroll Manga app aims to solve a long-standing problem for Western manga readers: the fragmented digital market. Currently, fans have to juggle multiple apps and subscriptions to keep up with their favorite series from different publishers. Crunchyroll’s solution is a single platform that will launch with an impressive lineup of partners, including VIZ Media, Yen Press, and Square Enix. The app will be available on iOS and Android in the US and Canada, with a web version following on October 15.
Caption: Crunchyroll Manga promises “hundreds of digital manga titles” with unlimited anime streaming for Ultimate Fan subscribers Credit: Crunchyroll Source: https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/announcements/2025/9/25/crunchyroll-manga-sets-october-9-launch-one-piece-jujutsu-kaisen-more
The Price of Convenience: Why Fans are Furious
The biggest point of contention for fans is the app’s pricing structure. Unlike its competitors, the Crunchyroll Manga app will not be available as a standalone subscription. Instead, it’s an add-on to Crunchyroll’s existing anime streaming plans. For Ultimate Fan subscribers, the manga service is a free perk. However, Fan and Mega Fan subscribers will have to pay an additional monthly fee, bringing their total cost to $11.99 and $15.49, respectively.
This is a stark contrast to the pricing of VIZ Media’s highly popular Shonen Jump and VIZ Manga apps, which cost only $3.99 and $1.99 per month, respectively. This has led many fans to question the value proposition of Crunchyroll’s new service, especially for those who are primarily manga readers and have little interest in anime streaming.
Service | Price (USD) | Features |
|---|---|---|
Crunchyroll Manga (Fan Tier) | $11.99/month | Includes anime streaming + manga add-on |
Crunchyroll Manga (Mega Fan Tier) | $15.49/month | Includes anime streaming + manga add-on |
VIZ Shonen Jump | $3.99/month | 20,000+ manga chapters |
VIZ Manga | $1.99/month | 10,000+ manga chapters |
Caption: VIZ’s Shonen Jump app offers over 20,000 manga chapters for $3.99/month, significantly less than Crunchyroll’s pricing Credit: VIZ Media Source: https://www.viz.com/sj-offer
A Universe of Manga in One Place?
Despite the pricing controversy, the Crunchyroll Manga app has the potential to be a game-changer. The launch lineup is impressive, featuring major hits like One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Dress-Up Darling. The promise of a unified library from multiple publishers is a compelling one, and the app’s interface, powered by leading Japanese developer Link-U Group, appears clean and user-friendly. However, there is a notable absence of titles from Kodansha, the publisher of major series like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, which could be a significant drawback for some fans. As the evolution of comic book art continues, a comprehensive digital library is more important than ever.
Caption: The Crunchyroll Manga app interface showcases a clean design with personalized reading lists and curated recommendations Credit: Crunchyroll/Behance Source: https://www.behance.net/gallery/153151323/Crunchyroll-Manga-App-Design
The Bigger Picture: Crunchyroll’s Play for Market Domination
Crunchyroll’s move into the manga space is a clear bid to solidify its dominance in the anime and manga ecosystem. The global manga market is booming, with projections showing it could reach over $63 billion by 2033. By bundling its manga service with its anime streaming, Crunchyroll is leveraging its massive subscriber base of over 15 million to create a powerful, all-in-one platform. This strategy could be a major blow to competitors and a significant step towards curbing manga piracy, a long-standing issue in the industry. The impact of streaming services on the comics industry is undeniable, and Crunchyroll is making a major play.
Is the Crunchyroll Manga App Worth It?
For existing Crunchyroll Ultimate Fan subscribers, the new manga app is a fantastic, no-cost addition to their subscription. For anime fans on lower tiers, the add-on might be a worthwhile investment for the convenience of a unified library. However, for manga-only readers, the high price and mandatory bundling make it a tough sell. While the Crunchyroll Manga app has the potential to revolutionize the digital manga market, its success will ultimately depend on whether fans are willing to pay a premium for convenience. As the future of comics continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this new platform shapes the landscape.
References
- https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/announcements/2025/9/25/crunchyroll-manga-sets-october-9-launch-one-piece-jujutsu-kaisen-more
- https://screenrant.com/crunchyroll-manga-new-app-problem-backlash-subscription-cost/
- https://www.polygon.com/crunchyroll-new-manga-app-shueisha-kadokawa-square/
- https://www.viz.com/sj-offer
- https://www.viz.com/vm-offer
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/24/3155302/28124/en/14-97-Bn-Manga-Market-by-Type-Genre-Audience-Gender-Distribution-Channel-Countries-and-Companies-Analysis-2025-2033.html
