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Crunchyroll Came to Nintendo Switch in 2022—but It Doesn’t Work on Switch 2

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The anime service in the headline is Crunchyroll. Its app launched for the original Nintendo Switch on February 17, 2022, and supports docked, handheld, and tabletop play. The important 2026 caveat: Crunchyroll is not currently supported on Nintendo Switch 2, even if a transferred app icon appears on the console.

Which anime service came to Switch?

It was Crunchyroll, not Funimation. Funimation’s app arrived on Switch first, in December 2020, while Crunchyroll launched its own app on February 17, 2022. Crunchyroll announced the release as available through the Nintendo eShop that day. Crunchyroll’s launch announcement

The two services are also part of the same history: in March 2022, Crunchyroll announced that Funimation content would move to Crunchyroll. That makes Crunchyroll the more relevant name for readers looking for the current dedicated anime service, rather than treating Funimation as a separate equivalent option. Crunchyroll’s Funimation content announcement

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Calling it “the best” is a judgment, not a technical ranking. Crunchyroll is a strong choice for viewers prioritizing a dedicated anime catalog and seasonal releases; it is not automatically best for someone who wants general entertainment, needs a particular exclusive, or owns only a Switch 2.

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What hardware does Crunchyroll support?

Device Crunchyroll status What to know
Original Nintendo Switch Supported Use the original Switch software environment and keep the system updated as required by the app.
Nintendo Switch Lite Supported as part of the original Switch family Handheld viewing; no television docking.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model Supported as part of the original Switch family The app supports the original Switch platform, including its handheld and docked use where available.
Nintendo Switch 2 Not currently supported A transferred app icon may appear, but Crunchyroll says it will not launch.

Crunchyroll’s support information lists the original Nintendo Switch among supported devices and says the app is not currently supported on Switch 2. The company says it has no current announcement about Switch 2 support. Check Crunchyroll’s Switch 2 compatibility page and supported-device list for the latest status.

On an original Switch, the app can be used in docked, handheld, or tabletop mode. Crunchyroll’s 2024 device guide describes a catalog of more than 50,000 episodes and over 25,000 hours of anime series, music, and movies; those figures are dated, and the actual lineup varies by territory and changes over time.

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How to install Crunchyroll on the original Switch

  1. Connect the original Nintendo Switch to the internet.
  2. From the HOME Menu, open Nintendo eShop.
  3. Search for Crunchyroll and select the official application.
  4. Choose the download or free-download option shown in your eShop.
  5. After installation, launch Crunchyroll from the HOME Menu.
  6. Sign in to an existing Crunchyroll account or create one, then choose a title to watch.

The app is free to download; a Premium subscription is not required just to install it. eShop labels and app availability can vary by country or Nintendo Account region, and Crunchyroll’s catalog is subject to territory-based licensing. If you cannot find the app, first confirm you are using an original Switch rather than Switch 2, then check the console’s software update, restart it, search the eShop again, and verify the country or region associated with the Nintendo Account.

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What is free, and what requires Premium?

Downloading the app and watching content are different questions. Some Crunchyroll content may be available with a free account, depending on current policy, title, and territory. Premium benefits include ad-free viewing and access to much of the newer or otherwise restricted catalog, but access is not identical for every series, episode, dub, or simulcast.

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Feature Free account Premium
Download the Switch app Yes Yes
Watch some catalog content May be available; depends on title, territory, and current policy Broader access, subject to licensing and plan rules
Ad-free viewing Not a general free-account benefit Included as a Premium benefit; plan terms apply
Offline viewing on Switch Not identified as a free-account feature Crunchyroll’s 2022 announcement identified Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers as eligible

Crunchyroll’s launch announcement specifically named Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan for Switch offline viewing. Plan names, benefits, and prices can change; see the current Crunchyroll Premium page rather than relying on old subscription prices.

Can you watch anime offline?

Yes, eligible subscribers can download supported titles for offline viewing on the original Switch. The launch announcement identified Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers as eligible. Downloads are not permanent ownership: availability depends on the plan, the specific title, available console storage, account status, and service or licensing restrictions. The announcement does not establish that every title can be downloaded or that an episode will remain playable indefinitely without account validation.

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If a download fails, check that the account has an eligible plan, that the title offers downloads, and that the console has enough free space. A microSD card can help with storage, but no universal per-episode storage requirement is established here.

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Is Crunchyroll the best anime service for you?

  • Choose Crunchyroll if anime is the main draw, you want a dedicated anime service, and you watch on an original Switch or another supported device. Its appeal is breadth, seasonal releases, subtitles and dubs, films, and related catalog material, with availability varying by region.
  • Consider a general streaming service you already pay for if you mainly watch non-anime television and films or only need a few anime titles. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video may have relevant anime, but licensing and catalog depth differ; they are not interchangeable with Crunchyroll.
  • Check the specific title first if you need an exclusive, a particular dub, or a show licensed by another service. A larger overall anime focus does not mean every title is on Crunchyroll.
  • Consider another anime-focused service if a desired title is elsewhere. HIDIVE may carry titles unavailable on Crunchyroll, but verify the current lineup and regional availability before subscribing.
  • If you own only Switch 2, Crunchyroll is not currently a native console option. Watch through another supported device, such as a phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku, or Fire TV, as listed in Crunchyroll’s supported-device information.

What to do when playback or downloads fail

The app is missing from the eShop

  • Confirm the console is an original Switch family model, not Switch 2.
  • Update the system software and restart the console.
  • Search the eShop for “Crunchyroll” while signed into the intended Nintendo Account.
  • Check whether the account’s country or region affects availability.
  • If the app was installed previously but is missing from the HOME Menu, check whether it remains installed or needs to be downloaded again.

A video will not play

Test another title, restart the app and console, and check the network connection. A specific episode may be unavailable in your territory or restricted by your account, or the app or system software may need an update. Signing out and back in can help with account-related issues. If the issue persists, try another supported device and consult Crunchyroll’s current help information for title-specific restrictions.

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An offline episode will not play

Check the subscription, download eligibility, remaining storage, and whether the console has been offline long enough to require account or service validation. Subscription expiration can affect access to downloads; offline viewing should not be treated as a way to keep episodes permanently.

What this means for Switch 2 owners

Do not download or subscribe expecting Crunchyroll to work natively on Switch 2. The icon may transfer from an original Switch, but Crunchyroll says it will not launch on the newer console. Use another supported device until the company announces a change. A Switch 2 purchase is a gaming decision, not a Crunchyroll streaming upgrade.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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