Anime streamer Crunchyroll is set to expand into Taiwan and South Korea as part of a broader effort to deepen its presence across Asia, president Rahul Purini revealed during a keynote conversation at APOS in Bali on Wednesday.
The expansion includes new investments in content, localization, marketing and fan engagement, with a localized service scheduled to launch in Taiwan this summer and in South Korea later this year. Taiwanese fans will have access to the platform’s full catalogue and simulcast lineup from launch.
While the market announcement was the headline news, Purini framed Crunchyroll’s strategy around a larger shift in how entertainment companies engage with audiences.
“Fandom is no longer just about what people like,” Purini said. “For many fans, it has become part of their identity and how they connect with others.”
Purini noted that anime now reaches approximately 1.5 billion fans globally, with particularly strong engagement among Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. Of that global fan base, around 10% are categorized as “fandom fans” – highly engaged viewers for whom anime is not just entertainment, but part of their cultural identity. Nearly 70% of fans also said shared interests and communities have a positive impact on their social lives.
