Anime streaming service Crunchyroll, which offers shows such as My Hero Academia and One Piece, announced on Tuesday that it will shut down its ad-supported tier on Dec. 31. Viewers will now have to pay for a subscription if they want to keep streaming shows.

For years, Crunchyroll offered a rotating catalog of episodes, mostly older seasons and select shows, available for free with ads. But recent in-service messages alerted viewers that "Ad-supported streaming ends December 31, 2025." After that date, anyone wishing to access the service will need a paid plan.

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The existing subscription tiers remain unchanged. The entry-level Fan plan starts at $8 per month, while the

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