What you get with a Crunchyroll yearly plan

Crunchyroll offers a yearly subscription that lets you stream anime, manga, and related content for 12 months at a fixed price. You pay once upfront instead of monthly, which usually costs less per month than paying month-to-month. The yearly plan includes the same streaming library and features as the equivalent monthly tier — the difference is only the payment schedule and total cost.

Crunchyroll has three subscription tiers: Fan, Standard, and Premium. Each tier is available as a yearly option. The Fan tier is the cheapest; Standard adds simultaneous streams on multiple devices; Premium adds the highest video quality and removes ads. Your yearly plan renews automatically after 12 months unless you cancel before the renewal date.

Key Takeaways

  • Crunchyroll yearly plans cost less per month than paying monthly, but you pay the full year upfront.
  • The three tiers — Fan, Standard, and Premium — are each available as yearly subscriptions with the same features as their monthly versions.
  • Your yearly plan renews automatically after 12 months, so you must cancel before the renewal date if you do not want to be charged again.
  • You can change your plan tier or cancel anytime, though canceling mid-year does not refund the unused portion.

Yearly plan pricing and what changes by tier

Crunchyroll's yearly pricing varies by tier and changes periodically. As of early 2024, the Fan tier yearly plan costs around $60 per year, the Standard tier around $100 per year, and the Premium tier around $120 per year. These prices are not fixed — Crunchyroll adjusts them, and prices may differ based on promotions or your region. Check Crunchyroll's website directly for current pricing before you commit.

The Fan tier includes access to the full anime and manga library with ads in the video player. Standard removes ads and lets you stream on up to four devices at the same time. Premium adds 4K video quality where available and early access to new episodes. If you already have a monthly subscription, you can upgrade to yearly by paying the difference between what you have already paid and the yearly price.

How to set up a yearly subscription

To start a yearly subscription, go to Crunchyroll.com and create an account or sign in if you already have one. Click on your profile icon in the top right, select "Account," then go to "Membership." Choose the tier you want and select the yearly billing option. Enter your payment method — Crunchyroll takes credit cards, debit cards, and some digital payment services depending on your region.

After you complete payment, your subscription begins immediately. You will receive a confirmation email with your subscription details and renewal date. You can stream right away on any device where you sign in with your account. If you are switching from a monthly plan to yearly, the system will calculate a prorated credit for the time you have already paid for.

Canceling or changing your yearly plan

To cancel your yearly subscription, sign in to your account, go to "Account" and then "Membership," and select "Cancel Membership." Crunchyroll will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to keep you. Once you confirm cancellation, your access ends on your renewal date — you do not lose access immediately. If you cancel mid-year, you do not receive a refund for the unused months.

You can change your tier at any time without canceling. Go to "Membership" and select a different tier. If you upgrade to a more expensive tier, you pay the difference prorated for the remaining time on your current plan. If you downgrade to a cheaper tier, the change takes effect at your next renewal date.

Payment methods and billing dates

Crunchyroll charges your payment method on the same date each year. For example, if you start a yearly plan on March 15, you will be charged again on March 15 of the following year. You can update your payment method anytime in your account settings. If a charge fails — for instance, because your card expired — Crunchyroll will attempt to charge you again a few days later. If all attempts fail, your subscription pauses until you update your payment information.

Crunchyroll does not offer refunds for yearly plans once the subscription is active, even if you cancel before the year ends. Some payment methods, like certain credit cards, may offer purchase protection through your bank or card issuer — check with your financial institution if you believe a charge was unauthorized.

Sharing your account and device limits

Crunchyroll's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only and should not be shared. However, the Standard and Premium tiers allow multiple simultaneous streams, which means household members can watch at the same time on different devices. The Fan tier allows only one stream at a time, so only one person can watch at once.

Crunchyroll monitors for account sharing across distant locations and may restrict access if it detects unusual patterns. If you travel or move, you can usually continue using your account without issue. If you share your login with people outside your household, Crunchyroll may flag the activity and require you to verify your identity or change your password.

Free trial and promotional offers

Crunchyroll periodically offers free trial periods for new members, usually 7 to 14 days depending on the promotion. These trials let you test a tier before you pay. When the trial ends, you are charged for the plan you selected unless you cancel before the trial expires. Some promotions offer discounted yearly rates for the first year — watch for these during sales events or through partner offers.

If you have a promotional code, enter it during checkout. Codes typically apply a discount to your first payment or extend your trial. Read the terms carefully, because some codes apply only to specific tiers or are not stackable with other offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my yearly subscription instead of canceling?

Crunchyroll does not offer a pause feature for yearly subscriptions. You can cancel and restart later, but you will not receive a refund for unused time. Some users keep their subscription active but simply do not use it if they plan to return within a few months.

What happens if I upgrade from yearly to a higher tier mid-year?

You pay the prorated difference between your current plan and the new tier, calculated for the remaining months on your yearly subscription. The upgrade takes effect immediately, and your renewal date stays the same.

Do I need a payment method on file to watch with a free trial?

Yes. Crunchyroll requires a valid payment method to start a free trial. You will not be charged during the trial, but your card will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.

Can I use my yearly subscription in multiple countries?

Your subscription works in the country where you created your account. If you travel, you can usually continue watching. If you move permanently to a different country, contact Crunchyroll support — they may require you to update your billing address, and the content library and pricing may differ by region.

What if my payment fails on my renewal date?

Crunchyroll will attempt to charge your payment method again a few days later. If all attempts fail, your subscription pauses and you lose access until you update your payment information. Once you add a working payment method, your subscription resumes.