I was scrolling through the latest anime news today, May 3, 2025, when I stumbled across a bombshell from Crunchyroll that’s got me rethinking how we all watch anime. Crunchyroll’s CEO Rahul Purini revealed that, globally, more fans are streaming anime unsubbed—either dubbed or in raw Japanese audio—than with subtitles. This caught me off guard, especially since the UK, at 48% subtitle viewers, has the highest proportion of subbed watchers worldwide, meaning even there, the majority (52%) prefer it unsubbed. Let’s unpack this surprising trend, what it means for the anime community, and why I’m not entirely shocked by the shift!
The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They’re Eye-Opening
Crunchyroll’s data comes straight from the top, with Purini sharing the stats in an interview with C21 Media. The UK’s 48% subbed viewership is the highest globally, which means in every other market—like North America, Latin America, Brazil, and India—more fans are opting for dubbed versions or raw Japanese audio over subtitles. If the UK, the subtitle stronghold, is still majority unsubbed at 52%, then the global trend must lean even harder in that direction. Crunchyroll didn’t break down the exact global split between dubbed and raw, but the fact that unsubbed viewing dominates is a big deal.
I’ve always thought of subtitles as the go-to for most anime fans, especially since anime is so rooted in Japanese culture, and subs let you experience the original voice acting. But this data flips that idea on its head. It’s not just a niche group skipping subs—it’s the majority of Crunchyroll’s global audience! The platform’s UK subscribers alone streamed 5.5 billion hours of anime last year, and with the region now in Crunchyroll’s top 10 markets, these viewing habits carry some serious weight.
Why Are Fans Ditching Subtitles?
At first, I was surprised, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. For one, dubbed anime has come a long way. Back in the early 2000s, dubs often got a bad rap for awkward voice acting or overly localized scripts, but today, companies like Crunchyroll and Funimation (whose library merged with Crunchyroll in 2022) have upped their game. Dubs are now available in multiple languages—English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and more—and thanks to Crunchyroll’s simulcast feature, you can often watch dubbed episodes as they air, not weeks later. For fans who don’t want to read subtitles or just prefer hearing the story in their native language, this is a game-changer.\
Then there’s the raw Japanese audio crowd. I’ve seen posts on platforms like X where fans say they watch unsubbed to improve their Japanese or because they love the authenticity of the original performances without any text on screen. With anime’s global fanbase growing—85% of Crunchyroll’s subscribers are Gen Y and Gen Z, according to marketing director Roberta Fraissat—more viewers might be comfortable skipping subs entirely, especially if they’re already familiar with anime tropes or don’t mind missing some dialogue nuances.
Accessibility plays a role, too. Reading subtitles can be tough for some people, especially during fast-paced action scenes or emotional moments where you don’t want to take your eyes off the animation. I’ve had moments where I missed a key visual because I was too focused on the text at the bottom of the screen. For fans who just want to sit back and enjoy the show, dubbed or raw viewing makes total sense.
The UK’s Love for Subs—And What It Says About Global Trends
The UK being the global leader in subtitle viewership at 48% is fascinating. Purini noted that the UK’s anime fandom is “relatively nascent,” with most fans joining in the last three to five years. Maybe that’s why they’re more likely to stick with subs—they’re still getting used to anime and want to experience it as close to the original as possible. But even then, 52% of UK fans are watching unsubbed, which aligns with the global trend. It makes me wonder if, as fandoms mature in places like Brazil or India, we’ll see even more fans shifting away from subtitles over time.
Crunchyroll’s push for localization might be fueling this, too. Purini emphasized that “since anime is rooted in Japan, localization has always been key,” and the platform is investing heavily in dubs to make anime feel “right at home” for fans worldwide. Just this spring, Crunchyroll rolled out English dubs for big titles like The Beginning After the End, Wind Breaker Season 2, and Fire Force Season 3, showing they’re doubling down on dubbed content. If more fans are choosing dubs, it could be because the quality and availability have never been better.
What Does This Mean for the Anime Community?
This trend has me thinking about the sub vs. dub debate that’s been raging in the anime community for years. I’ve always leaned toward subs because I love hearing the original Japanese voice acting—it feels more authentic to me, and I don’t mind reading. But I know plenty of fans who swear by dubs, saying they can focus more on the story and visuals without the distraction of subtitles. The fact that unsubbed viewing is now the global majority suggests that the community might be moving past the old “subs are better” mindset and embracing whatever format works best for them.
It’s also a win for accessibility. Not everyone can or wants to read subtitles, and having high-quality dubbed options—or the choice to watch raw—means more people can enjoy anime their way. Crunchyroll’s massive library, now bolstered by Funimation’s dubbed catalog, gives fans options like never before. Whether you’re watching Attack on Titan in English, Jujutsu Kaisen in Spanish, or Chainsaw Man in raw Japanese, there’s something for everyone.
That said, I do wonder about the fans who still crave subs, especially for older or niche series. Some threads on forums like MyAnimeList point out that a lot of anime—especially from decades past—still doesn’t have English subtitles, and the further back you go, the harder it is to find subbed versions. If Crunchyroll is focusing more on dubs to meet this global demand, I hope they don’t leave sub fans in the dust. There’s still a huge audience (like me!) who loves the subbed experience, and I’d hate to see that get sidelined.
My Take—And What’s Next
Honestly, I’m not shocked that more fans are watching unsubbed. Between the rise of quality dubs and the growing number of fans who are either fluent in Japanese or just don’t need subs to enjoy the story, it makes sense. Sundays at 9 PM are apparently the most popular time for Crunchyroll users to watch anime (thanks for the stat, Roberta Fraissat!), and I can picture fans around the world settling in for a dubbed episode of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle or raw Solo Leveling Season 3 without a subtitle in sight.
For me, I’ll probably stick to subs for now—I just love the original voice acting too much. But I might give a dubbed show a shot, especially with Crunchyroll’s new releases this spring. This trend is a reminder that anime’s global fandom is more diverse than ever, and there’s no “right” way to watch. Whether you’re Team Subbed, Team Dubbed, or Team Raw, Crunchyroll’s got you covered.
Source: C21Media
