Thanks to streaming services, more people are discovering the magic of anime and its popularity is increasing. There are different options available to get your dose of anime, but choosing can be difficult. VRV, Crunchyroll and Funimation are three of the most popular options available and in this guide, we’ll take a look at them to help you decide which suits you best.
Can anybody access these services?
Before we compare VRV, Crunchyroll and Funimation, it is important to note that they come with certain restrictions. Due to licensing agreements, only people in the United States are able to fully enjoy all these services. VRV only works in the US and Funimation is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United kingdom and Ireland. While Crunchyroll allows you to stream content around the world, the selection of content is not the same in every country. There are more titles available in the United States than in other countries. Although Funimation and Crunchyroll have online stores that offer merchandise and Blu-Rays, usually the shipping costs outside the United States are very high.
It is possible to get around geographical blocks with the help of a VPN service. This technology allows you to bypass restrictions so that you can access the content that you want. When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address is disguised. Let’s say that you live in Mexico and you want to access a service that is only available in the United States, or you want to access a wider selection of content on a streaming platform. You can connect to a US VPN server, which will give you an IP address from the location. The site or service that you access will see that you have a US IP address and will grant you access to content that is available in the US.
Anime streaming solutions compatibility
VRV works on desktop browsers, Android, iOS, Roku and Xbox. They are working to offer support for other platforms such as Apple TV and Android TV. Crunchyroll and Funimation have apps for mobile devices and also desktop software. They also support Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV. In addition, gaming consoles like PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One are supported. Crunchyroll goes beyond as it also works with Windows Phone, Google Chromecast and Nintendo WiiU.
Difference between VRV, Funimation and Crynchyroll
VRV is similar to popular streaming services like Hulu. It offers a selection of content from different companies. VRV allows you to access content from both Funimation and Crunchyroll. The Funimation content that you can find on VRV is only available with English-dubbed soundtrack. If you prefer to access the original Japanese version, with English subtitles, you would need to go directly to Funimation. It is also worth noting that while Crunchyroll and VRV are part of the same corporate group, the content from Crunchyroll that you can find on VRV is only available in English. If you want to be able to switch between languages in the subtitles, you will need to use the Crunchyroll directed.
Community
Anime fans are very passionate about their favorite TV series and movies. These services are aware of how important it is to support the community of anime fans. This is why they offer online forums and they also attend conventions dedicated to anime. Crunchyroll even attends its own annual conference called Crunchyroll Expo, featuring pre-screenings and special guests.
VRV
VRV is focused on Anime, Sci-Fi, Animation, Tech and Fantasy. It offers exclusive content including its own productions through channels like Cartoon Hangover and Mondo. As previously mentioned, they offer content from Crunchyroll and Funimation. In addition, they offer content from Rooster Teeth, Tested, Nerdist and Geek & Sundry. They also offer an incredible selection of Horro movies through AMC Network’s Shudder channel. VRV offers the chance to access an incredible selection of specialized content. VRV offers a Combo Pack that costs $9.99 per month or less than $120 per year.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a highly popular option to access anime and it boasts over 20 million registered users and more than one millions subscribers. There is an extensive list of titles available and Crunchyroll can also stream or multicast the latest anime episodes just one hour after their broadcast in Japan. While the majority of the content available can be accessed for free, there are some restrictions. Free users can only watch standard definition streams and they get ads. In addition, they are unable to watch simulcasts. The paid subscriptions start at $6.95 per month or just under $84 per year. With a Premium subscription, you get access to high definition video content and can enjoy an ad-free experience, as well as the chance to watch the latest simulcasts.
Funimation
Funimation is recognized thanks to the fact that it introduced the Dragon Ball Franchise to the US in the 1990’s. It was recently acquired by Sony Pictures Television Network, which is likely to increase the service’s offer. Funimation created dubbed performances in English and it has a production studio in Texas where the English soundtracks are recorded. The service is available for $5.99 per month, or you can get the annual plan for $59.99, which reduces the monthly cost to around $5. There is also a free service that is supported by ads and that only provides access to standard definition. With a paid version of the service, you get access to content in high-definition, with no ads and can stream to two devices at the same time.
Best VPN to get around geo-blocks and stream anime from anywhere
ExpressVPN
Thanks to the fantastic speeds that it offers, ExpressVPN is an ideal solution for streaming. This provider has excellent software for multiple popular platforms. ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries, the United States so you will be able to access more content from Crunchyroll and unblock VRV. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities.
PureVPN
PureVPN is a popular provider based in Hong Kong. It has servers in over 140 countries, which gives you a lot of flexibility to stream international content. The speed of the service allows you to stream withouy issues. They don’t keep logs of your online activities and support a good selection of features like split tunneling and kill switch.
Private Internet Access
PIA is an affordable VPN service that offers all the necessary features to defeat blocks and secure your internet connection. For only $3.33 per month (when you subscribe for a full year), you can enjoy good speeds, high security and access to over 3,200 servers in 28 countries, including locations that will allow you to enjoy Funimation, Crunchyroll or VRV. No logs are kept of your activities.
NordVPN
NordVPN offers high security and great performance, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access the content you want. The network includes servers in over 50 countries and in the United States, they have ultra fast TV servers, which will allow you to stream anime without issues. NordVPN is also a good choice for users who are concerned about their privacy. They have a zero logs policy.
