Crunchyroll has released the entire run of Yuri!!! on Ice on YouTube as a free, continuous marathon to mark the anime’s 10th anniversary. No subscription is required!
You can now watch all 12 episodes of this figure skating drama on Crunchyroll’s official YouTube channel. They’ve formatted it as one long video, allowing you to enjoy it all at once. It’s like binge-watching on Netflix, but without any cost and available on YouTube.
What Is Yuri!!! on Ice?
Yuri!!! on Ice first aired in fall 2016 and quickly became a hot topic among anime fans. The story follows Yuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater who gets a chance to reclaim his competitive glory when Russian skating star Victor Nikiforov arrives at his family’s inn and offers to coach him. The series gained a passionate global following due to its heartfelt storytelling, stunning skating animation, and a candid relationship between Yuri and Victor that was rare for anime at the time.
The show consists of 12 episodes and hasn’t had a second season, although a film has been in development for several years.
How to Watch It
No Crunchyroll account or credit card is necessary. Just visit Crunchyroll’s YouTube channel and look for the anniversary marathon upload. Since it’s one continuous video instead of separate episodes, you can start watching from any point or let it play from the beginning. It’s similar to how some networks upload full movies on YouTube—one long video with ads, and no paywall.
This kind of offer usually doesn’t last long, so if you’ve been planning to watch the show after hearing about it for years, now’s your chance!
Why Crunchyroll Is Doing This
This free release serves as a marketing strategy tied to the 10th anniversary. It also aligns with Crunchyroll’s goal of expanding its audience beyond its subscription base. The company has been looking for new ways to make its content accessible, including a recent bundle deal with Starz available through Amazon Prime Video—Crunchyroll’s first partnership of this kind.
Putting a beloved series on YouTube for free is a smart way to attract new viewers to the Crunchyroll brand. If someone enjoys watching Yuri!!! on Ice for free, they’re likely to subscribe for newer anime.
| By The Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Episodes in Yuri!!! on Ice | 12 |
| Original air year | 2016 |
| Anniversary being celebrated | 10th |
| Cost to watch on YouTube | Free (ad-supported) |
| Crunchyroll + Starz bundle availability | Amazon Prime Video |
What This Means
For casual viewers, this is a great opportunity to watch one of the most acclaimed anime series of the 2010s without having to sign up for anything. If you’ve got a YouTube account, you’re all set!
If you’re already a Crunchyroll subscriber, this doesn’t change anything about your access or plan. The free YouTube upload exists alongside the show’s availability on the paid platform.
On a larger scale, this indicates that anime streaming services are starting to see YouTube as a tool for discovery instead of just a competitor. Free samples like this can lead to more subscriptions, and a 12-episode series is a substantial taste.
What Fans Are Saying
“I’ve watched this show three times already and I’m still clicking play. Crunchyroll said free therapy and I said thank you.”
“10 years and we still don’t have season 2. But sure, free rewatch, I’ll take it.”
What To Watch
- The movie situation: A Yuri!!! on Ice film called Ice Adolescence has been announced and delayed multiple times since 2019. With the anniversary, we might hear news about it soon, but nothing’s confirmed yet.
- Crunchyroll’s bundle expansion: The Crunchyroll and Starz bundle on Prime Video is new. CNET reports it’s the first deal of this type for the service. More bundle partnerships could follow.
- How long the free upload stays up: Crunchyroll hasn’t announced an end date for the YouTube marathon. Mashable notes the upload is currently live, but promotions like this typically don’t last long. So, watch it soon if you’re interested!
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
