No, One Piece is not leaving Crunchyroll entirely. Instead, hundreds of episodes of the beloved anime series are transitioning from Crunchyroll's free, ad-supported tier to its premium, subscription-based tiers in the coming months. This means that the full One Piece library will remain accessible to paying subscribers.
What's Changing for One Piece on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is adjusting how One Piece episodes are accessed. Previously, many episodes were available on the platform's free, ad-supported service. The upcoming change will move a significant number of these episodes exclusively to premium, paid memberships.
This strategic shift aims to enhance the value of Crunchyroll's subscription plans and encourage users to opt for a premium experience to continue watching One Piece without interruptions.
How to Keep Watching One Piece
To ensure uninterrupted access to One Piece episodes, viewers will need a Crunchyroll premium subscription. Crunchyroll offers several tiers, each providing different features and benefits:
| Tier Name | Starting Monthly Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | $7.99 | Ad-free viewing, unlimited access to Crunchyroll's library, new episodes 1 hour after Japan. |
| Mega Fan | (Price recently raised) | Includes all Fan benefits, plus offline viewing and up to 4 simultaneous streams. |
| Ultimate Fan | (Price recently raised) | Includes all Mega Fan benefits, plus even more simultaneous streams and an annual swag bag. |
Note: While the prices for the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers were increased earlier this year, the lowest-priced Fan tier's monthly cost remains unchanged at $7.99.
Implications for Viewers
This change means that viewers who have been watching One Piece on the free tier will now need to subscribe to a premium plan to continue their journey with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. Premium subscriptions offer an enhanced viewing experience, including:
- Ad-free streaming: Enjoy episodes without commercial interruptions.
- Immediate access: Watch new episodes shortly after they air in Japan.
- Offline viewing: Download episodes to watch them on the go (available with Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers).
- Multiple streams: Share your account with family or friends across various devices (more streams available with higher tiers).
This move solidifies One Piece's presence within Crunchyroll's paid content library, reinforcing the platform's commitment to offering a comprehensive anime experience for its subscribers.
