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Have a Honda? The Crunchyroll anime streaming service is coming to cars like yours soon (or could be there already)

It marks the first time Crunchyroll has been available in a vehicle's onboard entertainment system.

Dragon Ball Z Driving Episode screenshot — Image credit: Toei Animation

News by Trent Cannon, Contributing writer

Published on Fri Sep 27 2024

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Did you know that there are more than 70 anime series coming out in the Fall 2024 season alone? That doesn’t even include the movies and OVAs coming out, so it is easy to see why watching anime feels like a full-time job. You can’t waste a single second if you want to watch it all, which might be why Honda is teaming up with Crunchyroll to allow us to take our anime-viewing habit on the go.

Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between the two massive Japanese companies, announced that they were bringing the Crunchyroll app to the AFEELA, the venture’s prototype on-board sensors and entertainment console. It marks the first time that Crunchyroll has been available in vehicles in North America, meaning that anime fans can take their ever-growing backlog with them on the road.

Sony’s involvement in the venture certainly must have paved the way for Crunchyroll to join the AFEELA on-board entertainment system. The tech giant purchased the streaming service as part of a $1.175 billion acquisition back in 2021, giving Crunchyroll the chance to reach out to even more potential anime fans. “By bringing Crunchyroll to AFEELA vehicles,” explained Terry Li, EVP of Emerging Business at Crunchyroll. “We’re not only expanding accessibility for dedicated fans but also inviting new viewers to explore the world of anime in a unique way.”

Obviously, we don’t recommend watching anime (or anything else) while driving, but this deal represents another small step toward anime’s steady march into the mainstream. Most TVs have a Crunchyroll app available now. Luffy looms over NYC every year during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Why wouldn’t we put our anime in our cars as well?

Where can you meet the voices behind your favorite anime characters from Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia, One Piece, and Fairy Tale? At New York Comic Con, of course! Come for the Anime guests, stay for the weebs – plus have access to hundreds of exhibitors with anime and manga merch, exclusives, and giveaways. Limited Thursday NYCC 2024 tickets are still on sale.

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Trent Cannon: Trent is a freelance writer who has been covering anime, video games, and pop culture for a decade. (He/Him)