Crunchyroll caught red-handed using ChatGPT for subtitles
Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll is currently at the center of a fresh controversy, with fans accusing the platform of utilizing ChatGPT for subtitle translations.
The allegations gained significant traction after a new Summer 2025 anime, Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show, premiered on July 1st, reportedly displaying a direct “ChatGPT said:” line within its German subtitles.
This incident has reignited long-standing concerns among the anime community regarding the quality and origin of Crunchyroll’s translations.
While Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini reportedly stated in April 2025 that the company would not be using AI in their creative process for anime production, including voice acting, this recent discovery directly contradicts that assertion for subtitles.
This comes after earlier reports in 2024 indicated Crunchyroll was exploring generative AI for subtitle translations to streamline processes and achieve faster simulcast releases.
The infamous line, appearing at the 19:12 mark of the first episode of Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show in German subtitles, read “ChatGPT said:Wenn ich die Welt von hier an weiter genießen kann.”
While this specific credit did not appear in other language subtitles for the same scene, fans quickly pointed out numerous translation errors in the English subtitles for the episode, further fueling speculation that AI tools are being widely employed with minimal human oversight.
This isn’t the first time Crunchyroll’s subtitle quality has drawn criticism.
In October 2024, the highly anticipated premiere of Re:Zero Season 3 was marred by a significant number of inaccuracies in its subtitles, though Crunchyroll swiftly corrected them.
There have also been past discussions on platforms like Reddit suggesting the use of automated speech-to-text services for closed captions on older titles, leading to nonsensical translations in popular series like One Piece and Solo Leveling.
Crunchyroll, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, boasts a vast library of over 1,300 anime series, movies, and dramas, with many titles available as simulcasts shortly after their Japanese airing.
The platform offers various premium tiers (Fan, Mega Fan, Ultimate Fan) that provide ad-free viewing, offline downloads, access to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, and store discounts.
Despite its extensive offerings and role as a dominant force in anime streaming, this recent alleged use of AI for subtitles has sparked a fresh wave of disappointment and distrust among its dedicated fanbase.
The company has yet to release an official statement addressing the “ChatGPT” credit or the broader allegations of AI-generated subtitles.
As the Summer 2025 anime season gets into full swing with highly anticipated titles like My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4, and Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 dropping on the platform, fans will undoubtedly be scrutinizing Crunchyroll’s translations more closely than ever.
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