How to Unblock Crunchyroll in 2026

Crunchyroll is my go-to streaming service for anime. It’s where I keep up with new releases, rewatch old favorites like Hero Academia, and discover shows I’d never find anywhere else.

The only downside is that its library changes depending on where you are, which makes keeping up with all your favorite anime tough for world travellers.

That’s why I use a virtual private network (VPN) to unblock Crunchyroll and get consistent access to the shows I want, no matter my location.

In this guide, I’ll break down why and how using a VPN is the easiest way to watch Crunchyroll without geographic restrictions getting in your way.

Key takeaways

1. Crunchyroll has a great selection of anime to enjoy.
2. Different countries have different content libraries due to licensing agreements, with the US having the most titles.
3. With a premium VPN, you can begin streaming Crunchyroll content from anywhere in the world.

Why you need a VPN to unblock Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll’s anime library changes by country because of licensing agreements. That means some shows are only available in certain regions, and new episodes may be released earlier in one country than another.

Using a VPN lets you connect to a server in another country. If your VPN is strong enough to hide your real IP address and VPN usage, Crunchyroll will only see your new VPN IP address. That will trick Crunchyroll into thinking you are actually in that country, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the anime titles available in your virtual location.

3 best VPNs for Crunchyroll

Here’s everything you need to know about my 3 favorite VPNs for streaming Crunchyroll.

1. ExpressVPN

Using a VPN is easy with ExpressVPN, providing smooth, unrestricted access to Crunchyroll with the click of a button.

Features: Some of my favorite ExpressVPN features are the ad blocking, malware protection, split tunneling, and parental controls. It’s also got a network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, and you can get a VPN IP address in every US state, for easy access to Crunchyroll’s largest selection of anime titles.

Speed: The fast and stable connections you get with ExpressVPN support flawless HD streaming. It’s even fast enough for lag-free gaming and quick torrenting.

Streaming: You can use ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other streaming services.

Compatibility: The best part about Express is how easy it is to use. There are beginner-friendly apps for Android, macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux. You can connect 10,12, or 14 devices simultaneously, depending on your plan.

Pricing: You’ll get the best pricing by signing up for the 2-year basic plan at $3.49 per month. Every plan includes round-the-clock customer support and 30-days to try it out risk-free.

2. NordVPN

With blazing-fast streaming speeds, reliable service, and a large selection of features, NordVPN is a great way to watch your favorite anime on Crunchyroll.

Features: I love all the extras you get when you sign up for NordVPN, including split tunneling, ad blocking, malware protection, dedicated IP addresses, dark web monitoring, and more. You also get a huge network of 7,400+ servers in 120+ countries, including multiple US servers.

Speed: With NordVPN’s blazing-fast speeds, you can watch all your favorite anime on Crunchyroll without interruptions. You can also count on it for quick torrenting and lag-free gaming.

Streaming: In addition to accessing geo-blocked content on the Crunchyroll app, you can unblock other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Compatibility: The NordVPN apps have a bit more info to process than some other providers, but they are still relatively easy to use. They are compatible with macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux operating systems, and each account allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Pricing: You’ll get the best deal signing up for the basic 2-year plan, which starts at $3.39/month. It comes with 24/7 customer support and a 30-day trial period, so there’s no risk in giving it a try.

3. Surfshark

You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy streaming anime on Crunchyroll. Surfshark gives you affordable, quality access to Crunchyroll libraries worldwide.

Features: Low cost doesn’t have to mean fewer features. Surfshark comes with split tunneling, ad blocking, malware protection, static IP addresses, dedicated IP addresses, and more. It’s also got 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, including multiple US servers.

Speed: Overall, you can expect a good streaming speed with Surfshark. You may experience occasional buffering during HD streaming if there’s a lot of internet traffic, but if that happens, the 24/7 customer support team can help you find a faster server in the region you want.

Streaming: With Surfshark, you can access geo-blocked content on Crunchyroll, as well as other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more, without a hitch.

Compatibility: With unlimited devices on each account and intuitive apps for everything from smartphones and smart TVs to PCs and tablets, Surfshark ranks high for compatibility.

Pricing: Surfshark is a great value for what you get, with pricing beginning as low as $1.99/month on a long-term plan, which you can try out risk-free for 30 days.

How we picked the best VPNs for Crunchyroll

Our team of experts wants to make sure you enjoy reliable access to Crunchyroll and a smooth streaming experience, so we picked out VPNs with these key features:

• Geo-spoofing. We made sure the VPN could access content on a variety of geo-restricted streaming services, including Crunchyroll, Netflix, and others.
• Speed. We chose VPNs with fast streaming speeds so you don’t have to deal with any buffering or dropped connections.
• Server network. A large server network lets you easily obtain an IP address in the country of your choice and prevents slowdowns from heavy internet traffic.
• Compatibility. We want using a VPN to be easy, so we selected ones with intuitively designed apps for all common devices.
• Support. Our recommended services offer round-the-clock customer assistance, so you never have to wait to get the help you need if you run into any issues using your VPN.
• Trial period. All our recommended VPNs come with a money-back guarantee, so you can decide for yourself if it’s a good fit, risk-free.

Should I use a free VPN for Crunchyroll?

Using a free VPN isn’t the most reliable or secure way to stream Crunchyroll. Most free VPNs have an unusually high volume of users on their servers, making it easy for Crunchyroll to spot it’s a VPN and block your access.

If you do find a free VPN that lets you bypass Crunchyroll’s geo-restrictions, limits on speed and bandwidth often lead to buffering or dropped connections.

Free VPNs also need to make a profit, and it could be at the expense of your privacy. Many free VPNs have been known to sell their users’ browser history to the highest bidder, putting you at risk from hackers and phishing attempts.

FAQ

How to unblock Crunchyroll at school?

Connecting to a VPN server will give you a brand new IP address that should get you past your school’s firewall so you can watch Crunchyroll.

How do I bypass a region block on Crunchyroll?

You can bypass geographic restrictions by connecting to a VPN server in the country that offers the show you want to watch. You’ll get a new IP address in that country, which should get you past the site’s geo-blocks.

Does Crunchyroll ban you for using a VPN?

No, Crunchyroll doesn’t generally ban users for using a VPN. Using a VPN to access content not available in your region, however, is against Crunchyroll’s terms of service.

Bans are very rare, but could occur if you repeatedly violate the Crunchyroll Terms of Service clauses, engage in account sharing, commit credential abuse, or exhibit suspicious behavior beyond just using a VPN.

How to get unbanned from Crunchyroll?

You can get unbanned from Crunchyroll by getting a new IP address, and the easiest way to do that is with a quality VPN.

Conclusion

If you like streaming anime, a quality VPN is an absolute must. It lets you access all of the great content Crunchyroll has to offer, including fan favorites like Hero Academia, without regional restrictions holding you back.

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are hands down the best VPNs for streaming Crunchyroll, and they all come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try them out with the Crunchyroll app totally risk-free!