Crunchyroll expands reach to in-car infotainment systems via Appning
The anime streaming service is rolling out to connected vehicles across six major regions, with access limited to parked cars for safety.
Crunchyroll has begun appearing on the Appning app store, marking a significant expansion of the anime streaming service into connected car environments. The move allows users to access content directly through their vehicle’s infotainment systems, joining a growing list of streaming video applications that have become commonplace in modern automobiles.
Appning supports vehicles from more than 40 brands, including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen Group, Mini, Lotus, and SAIC Motor. While Crunchyroll is already accessible in BMW cars, the company noted that the service is coming to more vehicles later. The rollout is described as phased, with the app "started appearing" on the platform rather than being universally available to all compatible models immediately.
According to an announcement made on LinkedIn, the service will be available directly within connected car environments across Asia, Australia, Europe, India, Latin America, and North America. This global reach positions the streaming platform to capture a broader audience of commuters and drivers who rely on in-car entertainment during stops or travel.
Notably, the service will not appear in the Afeela 1, a vehicle developed by Crunchyroll parent Sony and Honda. The exclusion is due to the fact that the companies scrapped the car model a few months ago, removing it from the active lineup of supported vehicles.
As a standard safety measure, video streaming on infotainment systems typically functions only while the vehicle is parked. This limitation is a practical necessity for drivers, preventing the distraction of watching complex anime series while navigating highways or city streets.
The integration highlights the increasing convergence of digital media and automotive technology, where in-car screens are becoming primary destinations for streaming content. For investors and industry observers, the partnership underscores the strategic importance of securing distribution channels beyond traditional home entertainment devices.
