Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll has recently come under fire from its user base for consistently uploading new simulcast episodes, including both subtitled and dubbed versions, hours or even days later than their scheduled release times. This ongoing issue has left subscribers frustrated and questioning the platform’s reliability.
Latest Delays Affect Summer 2025 Titles
In August 2025, numerous Crunchyroll users reported significant delays for several highly anticipated summer simulcast titles. Episodes of shows such as Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (episode 7), Detective Conan (episode 1171), Rent-A-Girlfriend (episode 44), A Couple of Cuckoos Season 2 (episode 7), Detectives These Days Are Crazy! (episode 8), Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show (episode 8), Turkey!-Time to Strike- (episode 7), and Mr. Osomatsu Season 4 (episode 7) were uploaded hours or even a full day behind their usual weekly debut.
Compounding the frustration, some affected English simuldub versions were reportedly uploaded earlier than their English subtitled counterparts, or were available through the Crunchyroll channel on Prime Video even when inaccessible on Crunchyroll’s primary app or website.
A Pattern of Inconsistent Releases
While the recent wave of delays has drawn significant attention, this is not an isolated incident for Crunchyroll. The platform has faced similar issues previously, indicating a recurring problem rather than a one-off glitch. For instance, in January 2025, some major anime franchises saw delayed English dub releases attributed to severe weather in Dallas, Texas, which impacted voice acting recording sessions. Reports from July 2024 also highlighted consistent late uploads for dubbed episodes and a lack of announcements regarding such delays.
User Frustration Mounts Amidst Silence
A primary source of discontent among Crunchyroll subscribers is the apparent lack of transparent communication from the company regarding these delays. Despite widespread user complaints across social media and forums, Crunchyroll has not issued a public statement or provided specific reasons for the recent late uploads.
Users have expressed a desire for simple acknowledgments of delays and basic explanations, rather than being left to speculate. This silence stands in stark contrast to the platform’s official status page, which, as of recent checks, typically indicates that “All Services are Running.” This discrepancy between the reported service status and actual user experience further fuels subscriber dissatisfaction.
Speculation on Underlying Causes
Without official explanations, users and industry observers have engaged in speculation regarding the root causes of these ongoing delays. Theories range from technical issues, server overload due to high demand for popular new episodes, or internal organizational challenges. Some past discussions also touched upon potential censorship concerns, particularly after a specific anime’s episode delay in April 2025 led to speculation about content alterations, although Crunchyroll generally states it aims to present shows as broadcasted on Japanese TV.
The fact that some episodes appeared on third-party platforms like Prime Video’s Crunchyroll channel before the main Crunchyroll app or website suggests potential publishing or distribution pipeline issues.
Impact on Subscriber Loyalty
The continuous nature of these delayed releases and the perceived lack of communication from Crunchyroll are taking a toll on subscriber trust. Many paying users feel that they are not receiving the timely service they expect from a premium subscription. While anime fans are generally understanding of occasional technical hitches, the recurring nature of these problems and the absence of proactive communication risk eroding subscriber loyalty, with some users openly considering canceling their subscriptions. As a major player in the anime streaming market, maintaining a reliable service and clear communication is crucial for Crunchyroll to retain its dedicated fanbase.
