Crunchyroll’s Tumultuous 2021 Is Ending On An Even Harsher Note

When we look back on 2021, probably the company that has been put through the ringers the most is Crunchyroll. The longest-standing anime streamer started off 2021 with the notion that a number of originals were on the way in the areas of adult animation. While that has happened, the former lead developer on those series, Marisa Balkus has long left the streamer in favor of the greener pastures of Netflix. The results of the departure has given way to a middling mix of originals with no real separation including Adult Swim co-productions Fena: Pirate Princess and Blade Runner: Black Lotus, possibly leading to this next bit of news…

Crunchyroll, a one-time asset for the value of subscribing to HBO MAX before AT&T sold parent company WarnerMedia to Discovery, will be departing the aforementioned streamer starting on January 1st. Worst yet, sister streaming service, VRV, recently saw the departure of HiDive and will soon be saying goodbye to Rooster Teeth starting on Dec 13th, effectively ending any value of  the standalone VRV service.

Last, but not least, reports this week that the Crunchyroll-sponsored AnimeNYC event held at Jacob Javits Center became the focal point of national news. Anime NYC returned to an in-person event just a few weeks ago. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination was required to attend and face coverings were mandatory, but the convention did allow those who were partially-vaccinated (including those who had only recently received their first dose of a two-dose vaccine; studies have indicated that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines do not reach their full effectiveness until at least 14 days after the second dose).The convention was also reported to have issues with crowding. On December 2, 2021, health officials stated that an attendee of the convention was a carrier of Omicron variant, and Governor Kathy Hochul urged all attendees to be tested for COVID-19.

When Crunchyroll remembers 2021, it won’t be so fondly.