As anime streaming platforms strive to enhance accessibility for fans in various languages, two of the most influential services, Crunchyroll and Netflix, have uncovered some intriguing insights about viewer preferences. Recent data indicates that a significant portion of anime fans prefer dubbed versions over subtitles, a fact that Netflix highlighted during the Anime Expo 2025. According to their findings, around half of their subscribers—over 150 million households—engage with anime content. More strikingly, they noted that a staggering 80 to 90 percent of their users choose to watch anime in dubbed formats.
In contrast, during a recent tour in the UK, Rahul Purini, the president of Crunchyroll, shared that fans in that region represent the highest percentage of viewers who prefer watching anime with subtitles. Specifically, 48% of users in the UK opted for subtitled anime. This statistic implies that in every other region around the globe, at least 52% of Crunchyroll users are consuming anime without subtitles. While a small fraction of these viewers might be watching the original Japanese versions, these figures certainly underline the global trend leaning towards dubbed anime.
Diving deeper into the statistics, a report from Dentsu highlighted that Crunchyroll is not the leading platform for anime streaming in the United States, ranking as the 10th most popular choice. However, during his discussions, Purini provided valuable insights that illustrated the strong connection Crunchyroll users have with the platform compared to others. Despite having a significantly smaller subscriber base—Crunchyroll boasts over 17 million subscribers, while Netflix has upwards of 300 million—viewers in the UK alone consumed an impressive 5.5 billion hours of anime on Crunchyroll in the past year. Purini indicated that the UK is now among Crunchyroll’s top 10 markets.
If we extrapolate from this data and assume the UK holds the 10th position, it suggests that globally, Crunchyroll viewers collectively watched over 55 billion hours of anime. This calculation likely underestimates actual viewing time, as it assumes minimal differences between the 10th and 1st ranked markets and does not take into account regions that fall outside the top ten. For context, Netflix, which has 17 times more subscribers and a broader content library, confirmed a staggering 188 billion hours of viewing across all its offerings in 2024. This means that Crunchyroll users individually spent at least five times more time watching content compared to their Netflix counterparts, a metric that could increase with more precise data.
Crunchyroll has yet to disclose the specific rankings of its top 10 markets, so it is essential to regard these figures as estimates. Nonetheless, Purini emphasized that the UK market is “relatively nascent” when compared to other regions, with a considerable number of fans joining the platform only in the last three to five years. Meanwhile, North America, Western Europe, and Latin America have been identified as crucial markets for Crunchyroll.
The preferences for dubbed versus subtitled anime resonate with a broader trend in the anime industry. As more viewers seek accessibility and convenience, dubbed content often provides a more straightforward viewing experience, especially for those new to anime or those who may not be fluent in Japanese. This trend highlights the importance of catering to diverse audiences and ensuring that anime remains an inclusive experience for fans around the world.
As streaming services continue to evolve, the competition between platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix will likely intensify. Each platform is working to enhance the anime viewing experience, investing in original content and expanding their libraries. This competition can ultimately benefit fans, providing them with more options to enjoy their favorite series and films in a manner that suits their preferences.
In addition to the viewer preferences for dubbed content, the growth of anime’s popularity cannot be overlooked. The genre has seen a significant surge in interest, with more individuals tuning in to series and films than ever before. This trend is not just limited to established fans; newer viewers are discovering and embracing anime, drawn in by the unique storytelling, vibrant animation, and diverse genres available.
The role of social media and online communities in promoting anime cannot be understated. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok have become hubs for discussion and promotion of anime content, allowing fans to share their thoughts, fan art, and recommendations. This organic growth and community engagement contribute to the rising popularity of anime as a mainstream form of entertainment.
As the anime landscape continues to shift, streaming platforms are adapting to meet the needs of their audiences. Netflix, Crunchyroll, and other services are not only expanding their existing libraries but also investing in new content creation. This effort includes producing original anime series and films, which can help to attract new viewers and retain existing subscribers.
The conversation surrounding dubbed versus subtitled anime is likely to persist as more fans engage with the medium. While some viewers will always prefer the authenticity of the original language, others will seek out the convenience of dubbed content. As these preferences evolve, platforms will need to remain agile and responsive to ensure they meet the demands of their diverse audience base.
In conclusion, the anime streaming landscape is characterized by a dynamic interplay between viewer preferences, platform capabilities, and market trends. With platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix leading the charge, the future of anime consumption looks promising. The ongoing dialogue surrounding how fans choose to engage with content—whether through dubbing or subtitling—will shape the direction of the industry and influence how anime is produced and distributed in the years to come. As the popularity of anime continues to rise globally, a more expansive, inclusive, and engaging viewing experience is on the horizon for fans everywhere.
