Crunchyroll’s new streaming package reaches subscribers in the US

On July 29, 2026, Crunchyroll launched its first streaming package for US audiences. The service, which specializes in anime, is now available in conjunction with Starz for a monthly cost of US$16.99. However, access to this offer is exclusive through Prime Video, a strategy that aims to consolidate subscriptions and attract new users to both platforms in an increasingly competitive streaming market.

Crunchyroll offers three different plan options on its own website. According to an official statement from Amazon, the new package provides savings of 23%. This percentage suggests the combination is based on Crunchyroll’s standard “Fan” plan, which costs $9.99 per month. Starz, on the other hand, only has a single plan, costing US$11.99 per month.

Matt Huntley, director of Prime Video channels in the United States, commented on this partnership, which can be considered atypical among the services offered on Amazon. “Whether it’s high-profile dramas, blockbuster movies or world-class anime, Prime Video makes it easy for customers to access the entertainment they want, all in one place,” said Huntley, highlighting the convenience for consumers.

Currently, both services also have individual promotions for subscribers. Starz is offering three months for $5.99 to new customers, while Crunchyroll is offering a 17% discount on its annual plans through the end of July. These initiatives indicate an aggressive movement by both platforms, which are considered more niche, to boost the growth of their subscriber bases.

News in the world of anime for the summer 2026 season

A child with dark powers, an ancient shinigami and cybernetic elements mark the summer 2026 anime season. There are a number of new features to check out this period, including the return of “The Ghost in the Shell”, the visual beauty of “The World Is Dancing” and the highly anticipated finale of “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War”. In addition to Crunchyroll, platforms like HIDIVE, Hulu and Netflix also offer a wide range of titles for anime fans.

In “Sparks of Tomorrow”, set in an alternate reality where steam is the main source of energy, young Kihachi is fascinated by the power of electricity. He, along with Inako, explores the use of this forbidden new technology in hopes of creating a different future. The Kyoto Animation studio, known for “Violet Evergarden” and “Sound! Euphonium”, is responsible for the production, with impressive visuals ranging from painted backgrounds to various representations of electricity. The narrative is reminiscent of works such as “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth”, and promises an intriguing journey as the protagonists try to protect vital information for a new era.

“The World Is Dancing”, set in 14th century Japan, follows Oniyasha, the son of a theater troupe leader. He seeks his personal identity beyond his paternal teachings and finds inspiration in an unexpected encounter. Cypic, formerly known as CygamesPictures, which worked on series such as “The Summer Hikaru Died” and “Apocalypse Hotel”, signs the production. The visuals are immersive, portraying dance in a raw and abstract way, with subtle performances highlighted by changes in lighting and color, promising a vibrant journey of self-discovery for Oniyasha.

“Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You” is a lighthearted series that follows Sasaki, a dissatisfied employee who finds solace in visiting a young supermarket attendant at the end of his day. There, he ends up meeting a mysterious fellow smoker to let off some steam. Asahi Production, the studio behind “Heaven’s Design Team” and “A Galaxy Next Door”, handles the animation, offering a breather from this season’s darker, more action-packed series, as Sasaki communicates in a quirky way with her new friend.

On the polar opposite of lighthearted tone, “Chainsmoker Cat” features Yaniko, a disadvantaged catgirl whose smoking habit doesn’t help her at all. This production by Bibury Animation Studios, known for “Witch Watch” and “The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You”, has generated a lot of discussion this season, often for controversial reasons. The series can be quite disturbing for those with sensitivity, with some aspects even being censored. However, the opening is praised, imitating the style of “Chainsaw Man” by recreating popular scenes from the media.

Crunchyroll is currently the largest anime streaming service in North America, with over 21 million subscribers. Major transformations to the service have occurred since its acquisition and controversial merger with Funimation in 2021. Crunchyroll currently operates as a joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex Inc., both subsidiaries of the Tokyo-based Sony Group.

Under Sony’s management, Crunchyroll expanded its offerings beyond anime streaming. Crunchyroll Manga launched in late 2025, and the service has been ramping up the addition of new titles to its gaming platform, Crunchyroll Game Vault.

More recently, the service announced that it will restrict access to its store (Crunchyroll Store) only to subscribers of the most expensive plans. Considering the new streaming package appears to combine the “Fan” plan and is exclusive to Prime Video, it’s likely that subscribers to this particular offering won’t have access to these other Crunchyroll services.

Other recent changes at Crunchyroll include the discontinuation of its ad-supported free plan late last year, followed by a price increase in March. Interestingly, the service retained the option of a seven-day free trial.

Although it is Crunchyroll’s first streaming package available in the US, Starz is already participating in other combinations with services such as Hallmark+, HBO Max and MGM+. The platform recently reported more than 17.6 million subscribers and is known for original series like “Outlander” as well as film releases from Lionsgate Films and Universal Pictures.