Anime has moved far beyond its niche roots—today, it's a global entertainment powerhouse. From chart-topping theme songs to cosplay on high-fashion runways, Japanese animated content has never been more visible in mainstream media. Now, a major development is expanding its reach even further: Crunchyroll is officially available on Vizio Smart TVs.
This integration positions Vizio alongside the latest wave of entertainment and tech synergy. The move not only strengthens Vizio's presence in the competitive smart TV ecosystem but also reflects the growing influence of OTT platforms shaping how viewers access serialized content. With the Crunchyroll app now native to Vizio’s SmartCast OS, anime fans can instantly dive into over 1,000 titles and 30,000 episodes—no extra devices or workarounds required.
Streaming trends are shifting. Smart TV apps are becoming the new norm in digital media distribution, where direct-to-screen access drives viewing habits. Curious how this changes the OTT landscape—or what it means for anime’s continuing cultural ascent? Keep reading.
Crunchyroll has officially landed on Vizio Smart TVs. As confirmed in an April 2025 press release, the streaming giant and the TV manufacturer have entered into a direct partnership, unlocking Crunchyroll’s vast anime catalog for Vizio SmartCast users without the need for additional hardware or casting from another device.
Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's SVP of Global Commerce, commented: “Anime is one of the fastest-growing entertainment mediums worldwide. Bringing our extensive library directly to VIZIO’s SmartCast platform immerses even more fans in the world of anime.” His statement reflects a broader strategy in digital media as platforms prioritize native content access over app downloads and sideloading hassles.
Vizio Smart TV owners now gain immediate access to:
As of Q1 2025 , Vizio reported over 18 million active SmartCast accounts (source), and the integration of Crunchyroll aligns with viewing trends outlined on IMDb.com, where anime titles routinely top popularity charts. The move also strengthens Crunchyroll’s standing among competitors such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, all of which have expanded their anime catalog in response to demand surges tracked in Nielsen’s 2023 State of Play report.
Ready to explore what this partnership offers? The next section explores why anime and Smart TVs are propelling each other into the spotlight.
Vizio Smart TVs are engineered to bridge high-end display technology with user-friendly streaming integration. Viewers watching anime on these devices experience sharper visuals, richer color contrasts, and fluid motion rendering—key elements when immersing in detail-rich animated worlds. The built-in SmartCast platform removes the need for external streaming devices, enabling direct access to apps like Crunchyroll with minimal setup and zero lag.
While Crunchyroll now headlines Vizio’s anime offering, the platform also supports other key players in the space. Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and HIDIVE are pre-installed or easily downloadable—giving fans access to co-licensed titles or exclusives across services. Additionally, the SmartCast platform uses built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 functionality, allowing viewers to cast episodes directly from their mobile apps or desktops without switching inputs or devices.
This ecosystem reduces friction between discovery and viewing. Anime enthusiasts can explore classics on Crunchyroll, jump to an OVA on Netflix, or stream simulcasts from multiple platforms without ever leaving the Smart TV environment.
In the fast-evolving world of over-the-top (OTT) media, partnerships between content platforms and connected devices play a defining role in distribution strategy. When Crunchyroll aligns with Vizio, the impact reaches beyond anime fandom—it creates a new benchmark in content availability within living rooms. These types of collaborations fuse curated content with direct access, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and putting viewers closer to niche genres.
The OTT industry has moved from siloed content ecosystems to a more integrated model. Brands no longer compete just on catalog size—they compete on seamless access and optimized experience. Drawing Crunchyroll directly into Vizio’s SmartCast platform reduces user friction, turns anime into a lean-back TV experience, and keeps viewers inside a single-device ecosystem longer.
Similar partnerships have already reshaped how audiences consume content. Consider Netflix’s early integration with smart TVs and gaming consoles in the early 2010s—this move drastically increased hours watched per subscriber. Another case: Roku's platform strategy, which allowed services like Disney+ and Apple TV+ to flourish by offering built-in previews, notification systems, and curated interface zones that elevated discovery.
These examples show that smart collaborations influence not only access, but also platform stickiness. They shift passive browsing into intentional engagement because the devices and services operate in sync.
Expect this Crunchyroll–Vizio synergy to spark broader investment in anime-centered or niche-content distribution. Original productions tailored for smart TV environments—think 4K remasters, Dolby-enhanced visuals, or live global simulcasts—are next in the innovation cycle. Not because the technology demands it, but because viewer behavior has proven it works.
These aren’t speculative trends—they’re extrapolations from what’s already been deployed in partnerships between services like HBO Max and Samsung, or Amazon Prime and LG. The road from experimentation to expectation is short in media innovation.
Crunchyroll began in 2006 as a small startup focused on East Asian content. Today, it operates as a leading force in global anime distribution, serving over 100 million registered users across more than 200 countries and territories. The platform’s catalog features over 1,300 titles and 44,000 episodes, making it one of the largest anime libraries available worldwide.
Accessing anime on Crunchyroll no longer means being tethered to a single device. The service supports a vast ecosystem of platforms, including:
This multi-platform presence enables seamless viewing experiences across home and personal devices, reinforcing Crunchyroll’s commitment to accessibility and convenience.
Crunchyroll holds the largest collection of licensed anime outside Japan, and its value lies not just in volume but in exclusivity. Simulcasts — episodes that release on Crunchyroll within an hour of their Japanese air dates — keep international fans aligned with Japanese broadcasting schedules. This includes headline titles such as My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Dr. Stone.
Exclusive titles elevate the offering further. Crunchyroll Originals, including Onyx Equinox and Fena: Pirate Princess, deliver unique narratives not found on any other platform. These investments in original works signal a shift toward platform-defining content similar to Netflix's approach with original series.
The platform serves as a cultural engine for anime phenomena that dominate global conversations. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba continues to break viewership records, with its second season drawing over 150 million streams globally. One Piece, now past 1,000 episodes, remains one of the most-watched anime series in the world. Then there’s Attack on Titan, whose final season attracted unprecedented simulcast demand, with Crunchyroll’s servers reaching peak loads on release days.
These titles aren’t just popular—they define anime’s march into mainstream global entertainment. Crunchyroll’s role in that trajectory is direct and measurable.
The Crunchyroll-Vizio partnership meets a clear and growing demand—immediate and flexible access to anime across subgenres. Viewership data from Parrot Analytics and other industry monitors show a 20-30% year-over-year increase in global anime consumption, particularly in North America and Europe. Fans want everything from high-octane shonen like My Hero Academia, to emotionally driven slice of life series such as Your Lie in April, and wildly imaginative isekai hits like Re:Zero. There is no one-size-fits-all.
Crunchyroll’s catalog—housing over 1,000 unique titles and 30,000 episodes as of Q1 2025 —caters directly to this diverse taste spectrum. With Vizio Smart TVs, this binge-worthy library becomes accessible directly from the home screen via the WatchFree+ platform or by downloading the Crunchyroll app from Vizio’s App Store.
Fans demand control over how they engage with anime. Some want to stay current with simulcasts; others dive into complete series at their own pace. Crunchyroll supports both behaviors by offering:
Whether a user wants to browse mellow storylines for relaxation or queue up multiple action-packed arcs, the experience scales to meet those needs.
The ongoing debate—Sub vs Dub—doesn’t have to end in compromise. Crunchyroll offers both options across thousands of episodes so viewers can choose their preferred language format. Popular dubs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German are consistently rolled out a few weeks after original premieres.
For those who follow industry trends, dubbed content isn’t just catching up—it’s becoming a release strategy. According to a January 2025 Crunchyroll panel at Anime NYC, over 50% of their top-viewed titles now receive same-month dubbed versions. Seasonal guides keep the experience fresh, mapping out new releases by month, genre, and staff favorites.
Thinking about discovering a new favorite this summer? Browse the curated Summer Anime Guide in Crunchyroll’s Explore section—fully optimized for the Vizio TV experience. Let the content find you.
Launching the Crunchyroll app directly on Vizio SmartCast TVs sweeps away extra devices and account juggling. Anime fans now jump from opening credits to series marathons with a few remote button presses. Vizio’s operating system handles the transition seamlessly, minimizing app load times and buffering delays. With no casting required and an intuitive interface, entire seasons become accessible in seconds.
Algorithmic intelligence enriches discovery. Crunchyroll's integration on Vizio TVs brings personalized recommendations to the living room by tracking watch history, favorited genres, and user behavior. Love cyberpunk thrillers or quiet slice-of-life stories? The app responds instantly, curating rows of titles tailored to your palette. Navigation is fluid—low-latency scrolling, responsive menus, and a clean layout remove friction from the search process.
Anime isn't just about solitary viewing anymore. Vizio’s large-format displays transform Crunchyroll episodes into communal events. Whether it’s a weekend binge of Demon Slayer with friends or family-night laughs over Spy x Family, 4K UHD and Dolby Vision support breathe new life into meticulously animated worlds. The clarity of dialogue, range of color, and scale of fight scenes intensify with cinematic screen dimensions, pulling everyone into the story at once.
Remote-control collaboration replaces group huddles around laptops—everyone sees, hears, and experiences each moment together. For multi-generational households or anime clubs, the shift from handheld screens to full-size panels rewires how narratives are shared.
The difference isn’t marginal. A 2023 report from Hub Entertainment Research found that 76% of Smart TV users say watching streaming content on a TV screen improves immersion compared to mobile devices. Crunchyroll's presence on Vizio builds directly on this behavioral insight. It doesn't just make content accessible—it repositions anime from a niche pastime to a shared centerpiece of home entertainment.
Movie nights aren’t just about blockbuster films anymore. As anime continues to surge in popularity, it's becoming a centerpiece for group viewing. Across living rooms in the U.S., anime like Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and My Hero Academia are powering themed nights full of cosplay snacks, collectible merchandise, and marathon sessions that go long past midnight. The integration of Crunchyroll into Vizio’s SmartCast platform makes it easy to turn a casual night in into a fully immersive anime gathering with friends or family.
Genres span everything from action-packed shonen titles to contemplative slice-of-life dramas, offering something for every kind of viewer. The shared experience of anime marathon sessions on a big-screen TV creates a communal mood that's difficult to recreate with other forms of on-demand content.
Watching anime on a smartphone or tablet gets the job done, but it doesn't compare to the impact of a 65-inch Ultra HD screen. Vizio TVs, especially models with 4K and OLED technology, elevate the visual detail in animation—from subtle facial expressions to striking background art. Bluish moonlight in Jujutsu Kaisen or the vibrant swordplay in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War takes on a new life at full scale.
Audio also shifts dramatically. Instead of relying on tinny phone speakers or wireless earbuds, pairing a Vizio TV with a built-in or connected soundbar lets spatialized soundtracks breathe. Directional effects, voice acting nuances, and anime's iconic soundscapes come through with clarity and power, bringing the home-theater feel into everyday use.
Movie night traditions evolve. With Crunchyroll now native on Vizio TVs, anime positions itself not just as a niche interest, but a shared cultural event—right from the couch.
Crunchyroll stepping onto Vizio’s SmartCast platform underscores a pivotal shift in entertainment distribution. Over-the-top (OTT) platforms have already surpassed cable in mainstream adoption—according to Nielsen’s 2023 “The Gauge” report, streaming captured 38.7% of total TV usage in the U.S., overtaking cable, which sat at 30.6%. This pattern highlights how digital-first strategies have moved from peripheral to foundational for content providers.
By integrating directly into smart TVs, services like Crunchyroll eliminate friction points. There's no need for external devices or app downloads. Viewers jump straight into their favorite worlds, which in turn increases engagement time and boosts retention metrics for Vizio’s operating system ecosystem.
The Crunchyroll-Vizio partnership doesn’t just serve anime fans—it signals targeted conquest of niche entertainment sectors. Anime, once a cult genre, has evolved into a global force. According to Parrot Analytics, global demand for anime grew over 118% between 2020 and 2022. Platforms that recognize and invest in these data-driven growth patterns gain not just subscribers, but communities.
What’s more, competitors aren't standing still. Netflix has poured millions into original anime production, while Amazon and Disney+ are acquiring popular licenses. Crunchyroll securing native placement on widely-used TVs strengthens its brand moat and increases mindshare without requiring users to change their hardware preferences.
Behind the scenes, cloud-based scalability enables this seamless user experience. Crunchyroll’s content is delivered via globally distributed CDNs, adapted for SmartCast’s UI through API integrations and containerized app architecture. The result: near-instant load times, adaptive streaming based on network conditions, and synchronized cross-device viewing experiences.
This level of integration isn't possible without cloud orchestration. Services are no longer self-contained apps—they are nodes in a multi-device, interconnected network, and Smart TVs are becoming the central relay system. The inclusion of Crunchyroll validates that TV manufacturers must support specialized catalogs and interactive elements to stay competitive in this environment.
The Crunchyroll-Vizio collaboration doesn't just distribute anime; it expands the canvas on which anime can be consumed—faster, smarter, and aligned with where media habits are heading.
Anime has long been a cultural force, but when Hollywood stars and digital creators rally behind it, reach and relevance shift dramatically. As Crunchyroll brings thousands of anime episodes to Vizio TVs, public enthusiasm from chart-topping artists, blockbuster actors, and gaming influencers adds distinct momentum.
Michael B. Jordan, no stranger to anime inspiration—his directorial debut “Creed III” pulls heavily from series like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z—has consistently showcased his passion for the genre. In multiple interviews, Jordan cites anime as a driving influence on his storytelling sensibilities and character development.
Megan Thee Stallion regularly integrates anime fashion and references into her performances and social media. Whether she’s cosplaying as Todoroki from My Hero Academia or referencing Sailor Moon in lyrics, her fandom is clear—and contagious.
Crunchyroll has amplified its cultural resonance by collaborating with streaming and cosplay influencers. For campaigns surrounding anime releases and con appearances, they’ve partnered with creators like:
With Crunchyroll now accessible directly from Vizio’s SmartCast, fans are watching their favorite titles on larger screens—and sharing that experience. Celebrities have taken to social media with images, reels, and snippets of what they’re watching at home.
By tapping into voices that echo across fandoms, Crunchyroll doesn’t just deliver anime episodes—it enters living rooms backed by advocates who live and breathe the medium.
Crunchyroll brings thousands of anime episodes to Vizio TVs, and with that, a digital entertainment shift locks into place. For anime fans who rely on seamless access, this integration does more than expand a library—it transforms how, where, and with whom they connect to anime culture. It meets audiences where they live: in their living rooms, through familiar interfaces, on a screen designed for immersive viewing.
Vizio users can now explore everything from trending anime shows to niche cinematic classics directly from their SmartCast interface. From action-packed arcs to introspective slow-burns, Crunchyroll’s vast catalog becomes instantly available—no external device, no complicated logins, just native binge access. This redesign of TV experience puts anime alongside mainstream content, not as an alternative, but as a central offering in premium digital living rooms.
This partnership stands as a clear inflection point for anime streaming platforms in 2025 . Integrations like this one—between a high-volume OTT anime content service and a prominent smart TV manufacturer—signal a broader wave of convergence across entertainment technologies. Content providers won’t only compete on exclusivity; they’ll win based on interoperability, speed, and fluidity.
Expect more alignments like this in coming quarters, where premium streaming apps—especially niche-focused ones—become pre-loaded features on smart devices. This allows deeper personalization and more predictable retention patterns, especially for communities like anime fans that value consistent access and curated discovery tools like the Crunchyroll watchlist.
Whether you're revisiting Studio Ghibli's poetry or exploring the latest cyberpunk saga, there's now a smarter way to watch anime on smart TV devices. Vizio owners bypass external hardware and enjoy what is arguably one of the best Smart TV apps for anime.
So what to watch first? Scan your Crunchyroll watchlist, dive into IMDb anime rankings, or take recommendations from celebrity anime fans flooding social platforms. With connected TV experiences improving year over year, Vizio users gain a curated launchpad that turns casual viewing into immersive fandom.
Ready to step into the world of anime? Power up your Vizio Smart TV and enter a whole new universe with Crunchyroll.
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