
Crunchyroll is an amazing online streaming platform for anime that’s unfortunately blocked in Japan. However, you can unblock Crunchyroll with a VPN in Japan that offers US servers. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan offering 23+ US servers. Just connect to a US server and watch amazing anime like Tokyo Avengers, Black Cover, and more.
Crunchyroll is your one-stop destination for streaming any Anime of your choice in Japan from its extensive anime library. However, if you live in Japan, you might need to use a Crunchyroll VPN to access its full library.
This site restricts most of its contents in US jurisdiction. This is mainly due to the limitations of copyright licenses. But by using a good VPN in Japan, you’ll be able to get past geo-restrictions like they never even existed!
Keeping this in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the most reliable working Crunchyroll US VPNs just for you. Before we get started, I highly recommend getting ExpressVPN for Crunchyroll in Japan. It is the best option out there.
Quick Overview: 5 Best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023
In a hurry? Here’s a quick overview of the Best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023:
- ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan. Offers 23+ servers in the US, 3000+ servers overall. Best for bufferless Ultra HD streaming with a fantastic download speed of 88 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection. Excellent unblocking ability with free MediaStreamer feature. Available for just JPY986.8/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 3 months free subscription on its 12 month plan.
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Crunchyroll. Costing only JPY 340.27/mo (US$ 2.30/mo) in Japan. Offers 600+ servers in the US. Fast download speeds of 75 Mbps on 100 Mbps base connection for bufferless HD streaming. Topped off with unlimited simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN – Fastest VPN for Crunchyroll. Offers fast streaming speed of 91 Mbps on 100 Mbps connection for 4K, Ultra HD Crunchyroll streaming in Japan. Offers 1970+ servers in the US for streaming Crunchyroll in Japan, and other streaming services. Supports 6 simultaneous connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for just JPY 590.3/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) .
- CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Crunchyroll. Offers a dedicated mode for streaming with optimized servers for Crunchyroll and other streaming services. Comes with 7000+ servers worldwide with 1353 servers in the US. Capable of offering super-fast speeds of 75.47 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Available at JPY312.16/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) and comes with a risk-free 45-day money-back guarantee and 7 multi-logins.
- PIA – Reliable VPN for Crunchyroll. Offers 35000+ servers worldwide with 50+ servers in the US. Capable of offering super-fast speeds of 64.3 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Available at JPY 492.66/mo (US$ 3.33/mo) and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited multi-logins.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Top VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023
Here is a quick comparison between the best VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023:
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Servers | 3000+ in 94 countries, 23 in the US | 3200 in 65 countries, 500 in the US | 5200 in 59 countries, 1970 in the US | 7000+ in 90 countries, 1200 in the US | 35500 in 78 countries, 15000 in the US |
Works with | PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, routers, and more | PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, routers, and more | PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, routers, and more | PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, routers, and more | PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, routers, and more |
Unblocks Streaming Sites | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more. | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, and more | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, CBS, and more. | Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ABC, Sling TV, TF1, and more |
Simultaneous Device Connections | 5 | Unlimited | 6 | 7 | 10 |
SmartDNS Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days |
More Info | ExpressVPN Review | Surfshark Review | NordVPN Review | CyberGhost Review | PIA Review |
Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site |
5 Best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023 [In-Depth Analysis]
Although there are literally hundreds of VPN providers on the internet, not all will work reliably with Crunchyroll in Japan. Fortunately for you, I have covered some of the absolute best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan.
Here are 5 best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan 2023:
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries, 23 in US
- 88.2 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base connection
- 5 simultaneous connections
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, CBC, and more.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Smart TVs, Roku, Kodi, etc.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching Crunchyroll in Japan. It offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries and among these, 23+ are located in 14 US cities, making it a perfect choice for unblocking Crunchyroll in Japan.
ExpressVPN has a very strong unblocking capability, you can easily unblock Crunchyroll with ExpressVPN in Japan on its US server. It also offers fast speeds for streaming in HD without buffering or lag. We even got good speeds on ExpressVPNs long-distance servers.
Their client is compatible with multiple devices, including mobile and desktop. Therefore compatibility should not be an issue. You can use ExpressVPN on Fire Stick in Japan , iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, and more and stream on any device you want.
Apart from Crunchyroll, ExpressVPN can unblock Netflix, and all the best streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock TV, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more in HD quality in Japan.
ExpressVPN is available for JPY986.8/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try it risk-free for 30 days and if you like the service, it is offering a 3 Months Free subscription on its 12-monthly plan.
You can read our ExpressVPN review in Japan for more information.
2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries, 500 in the US
- Infinite simultaneous connections
- 78.1 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks: Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, CBC, and more.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Samsung Smart TV, Fire Stick, Roku, etc.
Surfshark is one of the most budget-friendly VPN for watching Crunchyroll from abroad. It has a decent server base with 3200+ servers in 100 countries and more than 500+ servers in US. With so many servers, you can easily unblock Crunchyroll in Japan.
Surfshark offers limitless bandwidth in terms of performance, and you can always change to a different server if you experience slow speeds, thanks to their unlimited server switching freedom.
Surfshark offers HD quality streaming and unblocks all popular streaming services like Crunchyroll from anywhere across the world. These include BBC iPlayer, Netflix, NOS TV, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more.
Surfshark offers user-friendly apps for multiple devices including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, Fire Stick, Roku, Kodi, and many more. Furthermore, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections so you can stream on any device they like or share their accounts with their friends and family.
Learn more about this VPN through our Surfshark review in Japan.
3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan
- 5500+ servers in 60 countries, 1970 in the US
- 6 simultaneous connections
- 91 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks: Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, CBC, Oxygen TV, Disney+, Hulu, and more.
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Samsung Smart TV, Fire Stick, PS4, etc.
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs for watching Crunchyroll with excellent unblocking ability. NordVPN is great when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content in Japan.
It offers 5500+ servers in 60 countries including 1970+ servers in the United States alone. So, with NordVPN you will never have to face any issue unblocking Crunchyroll in Japan.
During testing, with NordVPN we got the fastest download speeds. Its Chicago server gave a fast speed of 91 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base connection. With zero bandwidth throttling, you can enjoy a high-quality video stream without any buffering.
Apart from Crunchyroll, NordVPN also works with other popular streaming platforms in Japan such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
With one NordVPN account, you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. It also offers apps for all popular streaming devices such as Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Amazon FireStick, and more.
Learn more about this provider through our NordVPN review in Japan.
4. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan
- 9700+ servers in 91 countries, 1270 in the US
- 7 simultaneous connections
- AES-256-bit military-grade encryption
- 75.4 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks: Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Crave TV, Channel 4, and more.
- Compatible with: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Samsung Smart TV, Fire Stick, Xbox, etc.
CyberGhost is the most user-friendly VPN for Crunchyroll. It offers 9700+ servers in 91 countries, including 1270+ servers in the United States. So, you can choose from multiple servers to unblock Crunchyroll in Japan.
What’s best about CyberGhost is that it offers optimized servers for various streaming platforms in Japan like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney+, etc. So, in order to unblock Hulu, you can simply connect to its Crunchyroll-optimized server.
Best of all, this provider can bypass all sorts of firewalls and can easily handle the annoying “Crunchyroll access denied” error in Japan.
CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps for all devices including Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, Fire Stick, Smart TVs, routers, and more. And, with a single CyberGhost account, you can connect up to 7 devices at the same time. There is also 24/7 live chat support in case you face any connectivity issues.
All in all, the JPY312.16/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) pricing package is reasonable enough to warrant the use of this service to enjoy streaming Crunchyroll in Japan.
Of course, there are plenty of other amazing features, which you can learn about through our CyberGhost review.
5. PIA – Reliable VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan
- 35000+ servers in 35000+ countries, 15000 in the US
- 10 simultaneous connections
- live chat support
- 67.3 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks: Netflix US, Disney+, Hulu, Crave TV, Amazon Prime, Sky Sport, and more.
- Compatible with: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire Stick, Xbox, Roku, etc.
Private Internet Access is a reliable VPN to watch Crunchyroll from anywhere outside the US with its powerful unblocking capabilities in Japan. It features over 35000+ servers in + countries and 15000+ servers in the US.
PIA VPN is a reliable option for streaming Crunchyroll in Japan as it consistently unblocks geo-restricted platforms in Japan. It has one of the largest server networks in the US, so you can choose any server you want, and connect with the fastest VPN server for streaming Crunchyroll in Japan.
Apart from Crunchyroll, PIA works with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more.
Another great thing is that PIA allows 10 simultaneous connections so you can enjoy Crunchyroll on multiple devices at the same time in Japan. It is also compatible with all major streaming devices like iOS, Windows, Android, macOS, FireStick, and more.
Despite all the amazing features that it comes with, it only costs JPY 312.16/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) and is covered by a full 30-day refund policy.
For more information about this VPN, read our PIA VPN review in Japan.
How to choose the best VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan?
Now there is no hard and fast rule for choosing the right VPN for viewing Crunchyroll in Japan, as any premium VPN service will allow you to watch your favorite content without any restrictions in Japan.
However, to make it easier for you, I’m going to list some of the features you might want to look for in any VPN client.
- A wide server network with multiple servers in the US.
- Unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds for streaming in Japan.
- Variety of encryption protocols
- Kill switch
- Mobile and desktop applications
- Easy-to-use apps
Can I use a VPN to unblock a premium Crunchyroll subscription in Japan?
Yes, you can use a VPN to unblock Crunchyroll premium subscriptions in Japan, provided that you have already subscribed to either one of them. Right now, Crunchyroll premium subscriptions are divided into three different categories.
- Fan Subscription – A Fan subscription account will eliminate all ads and give you access to simulcast series on their Japanese release date. This subscription will cost you $7.99 per month.
- Mega Fan Subscription – A Mega Fan subscription gives you a license to download and watch content while offline. You can also use this subscription on three devices simultaneously. A Mega Fan account will cost you $9.99 per month, which is pretty good value if you do share the cost with a few friends.
- Ultimate Fan Subscription – The Ultimate Fan subscription will cost you $14.99 per month, and it will increase your add free viewing capacity to six concurrent streams. In addition, it will come with an annual member swag bag, member-only access to exclusive merch, and various discounts.
If you wish to subscribe to any of the above Crunchyroll subscriptions or any other US-based streaming service subscription in Japan, we highly recommend doing that with US Unlocked. It will provide you with a US virtual card that you can use to register for US exclusive services from outside the United States.
How to Stream Crunchyroll with a VPN in Japan? [Quick Steps]
Simply using a VPN service will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and get unprecedented access to the Crunchyroll content library in Japan. If you are new to using Crunchyroll VPN in Japan, I’m listing some steps to help you out.
- Choose a VPN provider of your choice, preferably ExpressVPN in Japan, as it offers 23+ servers in the US.
- Now download your VPN provider’s client on either your phone or a computer, whichever one you prefer.
- Delete all your stored cache and cookies from your browser and restart your device.
- Enter your credentials in the VPN client and choose a US-based server.
- Make sure your connection is successful, which is usually indicated by a green light somewhere on the screen.
- Now open up your browser and start enjoying unrestricted Crunchyroll.
What free VPN works with Crunchyroll in Japan?
Free VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan are not worth it. Most often than not, free VPNs are associated with selling your data to third parties in exchange for monetary returns. Other than that, free VPNs come with data caps and won’t let you consume too much bandwidth in Japan.
Due to these reasons, I do not recommend users to use free VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan.
To enjoy unhindered streaming for hours, make sure you use a premium VPN for Crunchyroll in Japan.
However, few free VPNs might work with Crunchyroll. If you wish to know more about them, I recommend checking out our recommended free VPNs list. You may likely find one of the best free VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan.
Geographical Restrictions of Crunchyroll
Geo-restrictions are nothing new, as most mainstream streaming services often have to follow strict licensing policies, which restrict certain content in Japan. Hulu, Netflix, and amazon do not offer their service in many countries, which is disappointing for many users.
It is the same situation with Crunchyroll since it is a US-based company. Therefore, most of their popular anime titles are only available for people residing in the US. If you try to access it in Japan, this message is displayed.
“Sorry, due to licensing limitations, videos are unavailable in your region.”
However, there is a workaround to this geo-restricted dilemma, using a premium VPN.
If you are residing out of US territory and want full access to the Crunchyroll library, then definitely go for a Crunchyroll VPN in Japan to get Crunchyroll unblocked.
What can you watch on Crunchyroll in Japan?
Crunchyroll has all the content that any anime fan would appreciate. The site offers more than 25,000 episodes spanning upwards of 15,000 viewing hours of the latest anime, manga, and Asian content in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Spanish, French, etc.
Here’s a list of some of the most trending shows that should definitely watch.
- Attack on Titan
- Theatre of Darkness
- EX-ARM
- Non-Non Biyori
- Digimon Adventure
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generation
- One Piece
- World Trigger
- Cells at Work
- Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
- Strike Witches
- Black Clover
- Shadowverse
- Tetsujin 28
- Fatal Fury OVA
- So I’m a Spider, So What?
What is the best Anime on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll offers hundreds of anime shows, and it’s clearly a matter of opinion as to which is the best. However, some animes prove to be much more famous than others. With this in mind, here’s a short list of what we feel are the best anime on Crunchyroll:
- My Hero Academia
- Naruto
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- Fire Force
- Hunter x Hunter
Crunchyroll VPN in Japan on Reddit
As we discussed earlier, Crunchyroll restricts most of the good content in Japan. Therefore you must read the fine print before you make the purchase. I stumbled upon a Reddit user comment that I thought I should add to this blog.
Reddit user “JosephLuster76,” in response to a question, providers his suggestions about using ExpressVPN for Crunchyroll and Netflix. By looking at the user comments, he is quite satisfied with ExpressVPN performance concerning Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Will a VPN unblock the Crunchyroll app in Japan?
Yes, a VPN can easily unblock the Crunchyroll app in Japan. In fact, all of our suggested VPN providers are fully capable of granting you access to Crunchyroll in Japan via its browser website or official application.
All you have to do is to subscribe to any of the VPN providers listed above, and the limitless world of Crunchyroll will be opened for you on your Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS devices.
My VPN isn’t working with Crunchyroll in Japan – what should I do?
If you find that your VPN isn’t working with Crunchyroll in Japan, then you are advised to perform the following steps.
- Make sure to clear your browser cache, cookies, and history, and then try again.
- Disable your handheld device’s location service or GPS feature.
- Disconnect and reconnect to a different VPN server.
- Contact your VPN provider’s customer support.
Crunchyroll VPN errors codes
Below, you’ll find some common error codes that you might face when using a VPN with Crunchyroll in Japan.
Error 403 – This error message occurs when you try to access Crunchyroll with a VPN IP that is already blocked. The solution to this problem includes disconnecting the VPN and reconnecting it again to a different server location.
Error 1015 – Cloudflare causes this Crunchyroll error. Users suffering from this issue should be able to fix it by updating their passwords for the service.
Error 1005 – The users using a banned IP address from a non-recommended VPN service receive this error message. A simple solution to this problem is to always use a reliable and top-notch VPN provider.
Geographical Restrictions of Crunchyroll in Japan
Geo-restrictions are nothing new, as most mainstream streaming services often have to follow strict licensing policies, which restrict certain content in Japan. Hulu, Netflix, and amazon do not offer their service in many countries, which is disappointing for many users.
It is the same situation with Crunchyroll since it is a US-based company. Therefore, most of their popular anime titles are only available for people residing in the US. If you try to access in Japan, this message is displayed.
“Sorry, due to licensing limitations, videos are unavailable in your region.”
However, there is a workaround to this geo-restricted dilemma, using a premium VPN.
If you are residing out of US territory and want full access to the Crunchyroll library, then definitely go for a Crunchyroll VPN in Japan service to get Crunchyroll unblocked.
VPN to avoid Crunchyroll in Japan
A VPN provider’s primary purpose is to guard their users’ data and privacy. Unfortunately, not all providers are equal.
Below you will find a VPN provider that you should avoid at every cost in Japan.
HolaVPN
Hola is an Israeli-based VPN company that operates a peer-to-peer VPN extension for Chrome. It used to had a 50 million user community, but it turned them into a massive botnet army.
If you were a Hola user, then it’s likely that a part of your bandwidth was used for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, promoting copyrighted content, and pornography.
FAQs – Best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan
Is Crunchyroll legal in Japan?
Yes, Crunchyroll is completely legal in Japan. Since the service host licensing and copyright restrictions, it can only be accessed from certain geographic locations. This means you’ll need a VPN to pretend to be in the US to access the most extensive Crunchryoll library in Japan.
Can you get banned from Crunchyroll for using a VPN in Japan?
Crunchyroll tends to not work with VPNs from time to time. That’s because Crunchyroll actually blocks VPN traffic like Netflix and other VoD services. Seeing the “Crunchyroll VPN not working error” or “Crunchyroll access denied error” can be quite frustrating if you ask me. That said, the VPNs I’ve listed above are tried and tested to work with Crunchyroll.
Here’s how to resolve Crunchyroll not working issue.
- Try switching to a different VPN server with a different IP address.
- Try accessing Crunchyroll on a different device.
- Third and last option that you can try is to contact your VPN service provider and ask them to resolve the issue.
Can proxy servers unblock Crunchyroll in Japan?
No, proxy servers can not unblock Crunchyroll in Japan. As proxy services don’t possess the required level of technology to unblock streaming services in Japan, it is better to stick with the VPN to unblock Crunchyroll in Japan.
Can you unblock Crunchyroll in Japan with a Chrome VPN subscription?
No, Chrome VPNs can not unblock Crunchyroll in Japan. Since Chrome VPNs are also proxies, their IP addresses are mostly used for routing internet traffic through different nodes and aren’t good against unblocking streaming services in Japan.
Will a VPN slow my Crunchyroll streaming in Japan?
Only with a top-tier VPN service in Japan, you’re unlikely to feel any difference in speed. The best VPNs for Crunchyroll in Japan offer fast servers as well as unlimited bandwidth. This means you can stream as much as you like without having to worry about performance issues such as lag or buffering.
Why Is Crunchyroll difficult to unblock in Japan?
Crunchyroll has tried to actively block many VPNs on the market with the Crunchyroll VPN ban. That is why it can be hard to unblock in Japan without a reliable and top-notch VPN provider from the industry.
Why do you need a VPN to watch Crunchyroll in Japan?
Crunchyroll is accessible from some specific regions. Therefore, watching Crunchyroll regions is only possible with a VPN in Japan. Also, you can get access to different Crunchyroll regional content libraries, just like in the case of Netflix.
Can I use a VPN to watch Crunchyroll in Japan on multiple devices?
Yes, you can watch Crunchyroll on multiple devices with a VPN in Japan:
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iOS
- Linux
- Apple TV
- Fire TV Stick
- Play Station
- Xbox
Wrapping Up!
Most mainstream streaming service providers often restrict their content to specific regions, and Crunchyroll is no exception. However, these restrictions are based on geographical location, which can be easily bypassed using a VPN service.
So get a good look at the best VPN for Crunchyroll from the list above and enjoy lag-free anime streaming from anywhere in the world!