Crunchyroll is one of the most popular anime streaming services, with over 5 million subscribers enjoying its massive collection of subbed and dubbed series. If you own an LG smart TV, you may be wondering how you can access all that great anime content right from your television.
The bad news is that Crunchyroll does not have an official LG TV app. But the good news is that you still have options to watch by using the built-in web browser, casting from a mobile device, or adding a streaming device.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best methods for watching Crunchyroll on your LG smart TV, along with tips for getting the optimal viewing experience.
An Overview of Ways to Watch Crunchyroll on an LG Smart TV
While an official Crunchyroll app would be ideal, there are still great workarounds using features already available on your LG TV or by adding an affordable streaming device:
Use the built-in web browser: Navigate to Crunchyroll.com directly on your TV to watch shows. Simple but has drawbacks like frequent sign-ins.
Cast from a mobile device: Send the video feed from the Crunchyroll mobile app to your TV using Apple AirPlay. Lets you leverage the app but ties up your phone.
Add a streaming device: Connect an external streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire stick, which have Crunchyroll apps. Provides the best experience.
Next, let‘s look at the specifics of setting up each method.
Method 1: Using the LG Web Browser App
All modern LG smart TVs come equipped with a web browser app that lets you access websites directly on your television. Here are the quick steps to watch Crunchyroll using this method:
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From your LG TV’s home screen, select the "Web Browser" app icon to launch it.
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In the URL bar at the top, enter www.crunchyroll.com and hit enter to navigate directly to Crunchyroll‘s website.
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In the top right corner of the webpage, click "Log In" and enter your Crunchyroll account credentials to sign in.
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You can now browse and play anime series or movies directly in your TV’s web browser.
The built-in web browser works perfectly well for watching Crunchyroll in a pinch. However, there are some downsides to this method:
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You may have to log in frequently as browser sessions can be short-lived.
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No ability to download videos for offline viewing.
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Lacking some features only available in the mobile apps.
So while the web browser is the easiest option, it‘s not quite as seamless as having a dedicated app. Next we‘ll look at casting from mobile as an alternative.
Method 2: Casting Crunchyroll from Your Mobile Device
If you have an iPhone or iPad handy with the Crunchyroll app installed, AirPlay makes it easy to cast shows and movies directly to your LG TV.
Step 1: Download the Crunchyroll App
On your iPhone or iPad, download the Crunchyroll app from the App Store and log into your account:
Step 2: Start Playing a Video
Browse the Crunchyroll app and select an anime episode or film to start playing a video.
Step 3. Tap the AirPlay Icon
In the player toolbar along the bottom, tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle pointing up).
Step 4. Select Your LG TV
In the list of available devices, choose your LG TV‘s name to connect and begin casting.
That‘s all there is to it! Casting from mobile can sometimes be more reliable than using a browser. However, it does mean keeping your phone or tablet occupied to stream the video.
Next, let‘s look at a dedicated streaming device as the best overall approach.
Method 3: Add a Streaming Device
For the optimal Crunchyroll viewing experience on your LG TV, your best bet is adding an external streaming device with the Crunchyroll app built-in. Top options include:
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Roku: Budget-friendly sticks and boxes have a slick Crunchyroll app.
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Amazon Fire TV Stick: Affordable plug-in devices provide access to Crunchyroll.
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PlayStation and Xbox: If you already have these gaming consoles, download the Crunchyroll app.
Here are the advantages a dedicated streaming device offers compared to the other methods:
✅ Full-featured app with all functionality
✅ Fewer technical issues or buffering
✅ Stream to multiple devices simultaneously
✅ Parental controls and profiles
✅ Download videos for offline viewing
✅ Keep mobile device free for other uses
For amazing picture quality, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, plus Apple ecosystem integration, the 2021 Apple TV 4K is the premium choice. But Amazon and Roku alternatives cost far less while providing all the essentials for Crunchyroll streaming.
And that sums up your best options for accessing Crunchyroll on LG smart TV models. While the lack of an official app is disappointing, the workarounds do the job nearly as well.
Now let‘s move on to breaking down Crunchyroll membership options.
Crunchyroll Pricing and Subscription Plans
Crunchyroll offers three main premium membership tiers:
Fan ($7.99/month):
Ad-free streaming on 1 device
Mega Fan ($9.99/month):
Ad-free on 4 devices, offline viewing
Ultimate Fan ($14.99/month):
Ad-free on 6 devices + merch discounts
The base Fan plan with one simultaneous stream is likely sufficient for most households. But anime super-fans may appreciate the Mega or Ultimate Fan upgrades for additional supported devices and bonuses.
You can try any subscription free for 14 days to decide if it‘s worth it for you. On all paid tiers, you‘ll enjoy:
- New episode simulcasts one hour after Japan
- HD and even some UHD streaming
- Over 1,500 anime series and 15,000+ episodes
- New premieres every season
- Ofline viewing on mobile (excludes Fan tier)
Next up are some frequently asked questions about getting up and running with Crunchyroll.
FAQs About Watching Crunchyroll on an LG Smart TV
Does the Crunchyroll app work on LG TV or Samsung Smart TV models?
Unfortunately, Crunchyroll does not offer an official app for LG, Samsung, or other smart TV brands yet. The workarounds in this guide allow you to access Crunchyroll using just the built-in web browser, casting from iPhone/iPad, or adding a streaming device.
What‘s the best Crunchyroll device to buy for watching on my TV?
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max both provide an excellent Crunchyroll viewing experience on LG smart TVs for less than $50. Apple TV 4K is fantastic too if budget allows.
Can I get subtitles on Crunchyroll?
Yes! On both subbed anime with Japanese dialogue and select dubbed series, Crunchyroll provides subtitles in English and many other languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and more. Enable these closed captions in the playback toolbar.
How do parental controls work on Crunchyroll?
The Crunchyroll app allows you to set up distinct viewer profiles with individual watch histories and queues. There is also mature content filtering requiring a 4-digit PIN. These features make it easy for parents to manage what content their kids see.
And there you have it – everything you need to know about getting Crunchyroll streaming on your LG smart TV. Now it‘s time to start binging those new anime episodes! Feel free to reach out via email or social if you have any other questions.