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Crunchyroll faces backlash over AI subtitles

Fans are upset with AI-generated subtitles in the new series Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show.

July 2, 2025 at 02:56 PM

Crunchyroll's lazy AI subtitles have anime fans furious

Fans are outraged after discovering AI was used for subtitles in Crunchyroll's latest series.

Crunchyroll faces backlash over AI-generated subtitles

Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, is facing intense criticism after fans found out that the subtitles for its new show, Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show, seem to be generated by ChatGPT. Early this year, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini expressed interest in using generative AI for subtitling. However, complaints about poor translations arose again after the debut episode featured nonsensical subtitles. A user on Bluesky pointed out that the subtitles included the phrase "ChatGPT said..." during an important scene, raising questions about the quality and reliability of AI translations. Many subscribers are now expressing disappointment, calling the translations "unwatchable," and some are even turning to pirated fansubs for a better viewing experience. Crunchyroll has not yet responded to these allegations.

Key Takeaways

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Fans discover AI used in subtitles for new anime series.

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Quality of translations is deemed unacceptable by viewers.

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Many subscribers are considering switching to pirated versions.

"This is not acceptable. How can we be expected to pay for a service that clearly doesn't care about the quality of its products?"

A fan expressing frustration with the poor subtitle quality, highlighting subscriber expectations.

"The AI translations are unwatchable and we are going back to fansubs."

Many fans are dissatisfied enough to seek better alternatives through unofficial channels.

The backlash against Crunchyroll highlights a growing concern about the quality of content in an increasingly automated world. Although AI can streamline processes, it cannot replicate the nuanced understanding that human translators provide. Fans expect high-quality translations, and using AI in this context risks alienating dedicated viewers. Users have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, indicating that the company may be jeopardizing its subscriber base as more fans choose to seek unofficial alternatives over AI-generated content.

Highlights

Fans expected better than AI-generated mess.
How can Crunchyroll charge for such poor quality?
Turning to pirated fansubs shows how bad it is.
This is not acceptable for a paid service.

Risk of subscriber loss due to poor quality

The use of AI for subtitling has led to outrage among fans, risking Crunchyroll's subscriber base. Many feel that the service does not provide value for its subscription fees, potentially driving users to compete with pirated versions.

The situation reflects larger trends in content quality and audience expectations in streaming services.

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anime subtitles AI Crunchyroll streaming anime technology streaming

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