Anime streamer Crunchyroll is expanding into Taiwan and South Korea as part of a broader effort to grow its presence across Asia, president Rahul Plini announced Wednesday in a keynote address at APOS in Bali.
The expansion includes new investments in content, localization, marketing and fan engagement, with localized services expected to launch in Taiwan this summer and South Korea later this year. Fans in Taiwan will have access to the platform’s full catalog and simulcast lineup from launch.
While the market announcement made headlines, Plini framed Crunchyroll’s strategy around a major change in the way entertainment companies engage with their audiences.
“Fandom is no longer just about what people like,” Plini said. “For many fans, it’s become part of their identity and how they connect with others.”
Plini noted that anime currently reaches approximately 1.5 billion fans worldwide and is seeing particularly strong engagement among Gen Z and Gen Alpha viewers. Of its global fanbase, approximately 10% are classified as “fandom fans.” This is a very avid audience for whom anime is not just entertainment, but part of their cultural identity. Additionally, nearly 70% of fans said shared interests and community have a positive impact on their social lives.
Pliny argued that anime growth can no longer be measured solely by streaming metrics. Crunchyroll increasingly captures its business through a broad ecosystem that includes theatrical releases, merchandise, games, live events and online communities.
“Crunchyroll is at the intersection of entertainment and technology,” Plini said. “Our goal is to use storytelling to build deeper relationships.”
This expansion follows recent localization efforts in India and Thailand, both of which resulted in significant viewership growth. In India, Crunchyroll currently offers over 900 titles and over 180 dubbed series in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, with dubbed content accounting for over 65% of viewing. Total watch time has increased 3.5x, watch time per viewer has doubled, and users spend an average of more than 60 minutes on the platform per day.
Thailand is also emerging as an important growth region. Viewership has quadrupled since the fully localized service launched earlier this year. This market ranks fourth in the world for anime engagement, and its depth is evidenced by the performance of Demon Slayer: Mugen Castle, which became the highest-grossing anime film in Japanese and domestic history.
The company also plans to announce a new season soon, with around 40 new simulcast titles arriving from Japan.
The announcement reflects broader trends discussed across APOS, with media executives increasingly emphasizing audience engagement, community building and cultural affinity as key drivers of future growth across Asia’s entertainment industry.
