Crunchyroll to Launch Localized Services in Taiwan and South Korea

Crunchyroll announced plans to roll out fully localized streaming services in Taiwan this summer and in South Korea later in 2026. The news was delivered by Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini during the APOS media conference in Bali, Indonesia.

The company said it will pour resources into content acquisition, localization, marketing and community building for both markets. Taiwan will receive a Taiwanese‑language interface and a full catalogue of anime titles, including simulcasts, while South Korea will get a Korean‑language interface and a comparable library.

Crunchyroll is a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, subsidiaries of Sony Group. Sony bought the platform from AT&T in August 2021 for $1.175 billion in cash, bringing Crunchyroll under the same corporate umbrella that owns Funimation, which was rebranded as Crunchyroll in 2022.

The platform now counts 21 million paid subscribers worldwide as of a May 8 announcement. In February, Crunchyroll expanded into Thailand, adding a Thai‑language user interface and subtitles and dubs in Thai, and the Thai launch added more than 500 anime titles to the catalogue.

A March restructuring, which included layoffs, was explained by Crunchyroll as a shift in its e‑commerce strategy rather than cost cutting.

The Taiwan and South Korea launches fit into a broader Asian expansion strategy. In India, Crunchyroll rolled out One Piece dubs in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The company continues to add new titles each season and has increased its presence on smart‑TV platforms.

Sony Group’s push to deepen its anime footprint across the Asia‑Pacific region is reflected in these moves. The company said it would tailor its marketing and community initiatives to local audiences.

The APOS conference also highlighted Crunchyroll’s recent growth in other regions. The platform’s library now includes more than 1,000 anime series and over 200 East Asian dramas in more than 18 languages.

Sony Group has been investing heavily in anime content. In 2025, Sony released the Demon Slayer film “Infinity Castle” through Crunchyroll in select Asian markets, and the film became the highest‑grossing Japanese film of the year.

Crunchyroll’s strategy also involves partnerships with local distributors and content creators. For example, the company has partnered with Thai production companies to localize titles for the Thai market.

The expansion into Taiwan and South Korea will likely intensify competition with local streaming services such as Viu and KakaoTV. Crunchyroll’s focus on anime and East Asian dramas positions it as a niche competitor in markets where anime has a growing fan base.

The Taiwan launch will be the first time the platform offers a fully localized interface in a Chinese‑speaking market outside mainland China. The South Korean launch will follow a similar model.

Pricing for the new services has not yet been announced. It is expected that the subscription model will mirror existing plans in other markets.

The expansion is part of a larger trend of anime streaming services targeting Asian markets. Crunchyroll’s growth strategy includes adding new titles, localizing content and building community engagement.

The company’s next steps will involve finalizing licensing agreements, completing localization work and launching marketing campaigns in both Taiwan and South Korea. The Taiwan launch is scheduled for the summer of 2026, with the South Korean launch planned for later that year.

The expansion underscores Sony Group’s commitment to expanding its anime streaming presence in Asia, following earlier moves into Thailand, India and other markets.

The company’s investment in content and localization reflects the growing demand for anime in the Asia‑Pacific region.

The expansion will also provide Taiwanese and South Korean audiences with easier access to Crunchyroll’s extensive catalogue, including simulcasts of new anime series.

The company’s strategy is consistent with its broader goal of becoming a leading global anime platform.

The expansion into Taiwan and South Korea is expected to strengthen Crunchyroll’s position in the competitive Asian streaming market.

The company’s next steps will involve finalizing licensing agreements, completing localization work and launching marketing campaigns in both Taiwan and South Korea. The Taiwan launch is scheduled for the summer of 2026, with the South Korean launch planned for later in the year.