Disclosure: VPNFin is reader-supported. If you buy a VPN through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our ratings — here’s our full disclosure.
Crunchyroll Surfshark access worked in 2026 tests. PrivacyJournal unblocked the US library after one server switch, and TechNadu reports smooth HD and 4K streaming. Gizmodo adds that Surfshark’s single Tokyo location works well for anime. The US library is the main draw: NAT Checker counted more than 1,320 series there in September 2026, against about 720 in Germany or France.
This guide covers which library to target, the setup, the common errors and the fixes.
Which Library to Target
Crunchyroll’s catalogue differs by country. NAT Checker’s September 2026 count shows the US library is far larger than European ones, and Gizmodo and Cloudwards both describe it as the biggest. SpeedTestHQ notes some titles appear only in Japan’s library, reached through Tokyo servers.
SpeedTestHQ also notes Crunchyroll is not available in every country, so a VPN can matter even for basic access.
Crunchyroll Surfshark Setup
Install Surfshark on the device you watch on and sign in. Connect to a US server for the largest library, or Tokyo for Japan’s. Then open Crunchyroll and sign in.
Comparitech found browsers more reliable than apps for Crunchyroll with a VPN. If an app shows your home library, try the website in a private window. If the first server fails, switch to another US city, as PrivacyJournal had to.
Common Errors
Comparitech and NAT Checker list 403 Forbidden and error 1005, which comes from Cloudflare, as signs a server is blocked. TechNadu describes a Restricted Content message and temporary IP bans. In each case, switch server first.
DNS and WebRTC leaks can reveal your location even on a working server. Test once with our DNS leak guide and IPv6 leak guide.
Crunchyroll on TVs and Sticks
On Fire TV and Android TV, run Surfshark on the same device as Crunchyroll, as our Surfshark Firestick guide and Android TV guide explain. Close the Crunchyroll app fully after connecting so it checks the location again.
Surfshark closed its Smart DNS in February 2026, so older guides suggesting it for TVs no longer apply.
Speed for Anime Streaming
A US server from Europe or Asia adds distance. Pick the US city closest to you, and use WireGuard, which Surfshark recommends on Windows and Mac. If streams buffer at peak times, our Surfshark speed guide lists fixes.
Why the US Library Matters
Licensing explains the gap between libraries. Crunchyroll licenses shows country by country, which is why NAT Checker’s counts differ so much between regions. A US server through Crunchyroll Surfshark setups opens that catalogue for subscribers travelling abroad, and Tokyo opens titles that never leave Japan.
Check Crunchyroll’s terms on access from other regions, since services set their own rules for travellers and subscribers in different countries, and those rules can change over time.
Picking a US City
Surfshark has servers in many US cities. From Europe, an East Coast city is usually closer; from Asia or Australia, a West Coast one. Distance shows up as buffering rather than errors, so if streams stutter, move closer before changing anything else. Keep two working cities saved, since the one you use most may be blocked on a given day. Note the date when a city stops working, so you can spot a pattern.
Temporary IP Bans
TechNadu describes Crunchyroll temporarily banning IP addresses it links to unusual activity. If one server suddenly stops working after it worked earlier, wait or move to another US city. Avoid hammering the same server with repeated sign-ins, which can make a ban more likely.
Phones and Tablets
On phones, connect Surfshark first, then open the Crunchyroll app. If the app shows your home library, try the mobile website in a private tab, which Comparitech found more reliable. Our Surfshark iPhone guide covers the iOS app.
Testing Before You Commit
Library access changes as Crunchyroll updates its blocks. Test the US and Tokyo servers on the devices you actually use within Surfshark’s 30-day refund window, and note which servers work. Confirm the address first with our VPN test page.
Netflix Anime Too
Netflix carries anime as well, and its libraries differ by country. Gizmodo’s tests found Surfshark reaching Netflix in Japan, among others. Our Surfshark Netflix guide covers which libraries work.
What Surfshark Costs
On 25 September 2026, the Starter 2-year plan cost $67.23 for the first 27 months. Renewal sits at about $79 a year, according to Security.org and VPNOverview. Our Surfshark price breakdown covers the plans, and our Surfshark refund guide explains the 30 days.
| Provider | Renewal price | Per month | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $139.08/yr | ~$11.59 | Basic |
| Surfshark | ~$79/yr | ~$6.58 | Starter |
| ExpressVPN | $99.95/yr | ~$8.33 | Basic |
| CyberGhost | $56.94/yr | ~$4.75 | 2-year |
| PureVPN | $47.95/yr | ~$4.00 | Standard, 2-year (1-year renews $57.95) |
| IPVanish | $89.99/yr | ~$7.50 | Essential |
| Windscribe | ~$69/yr | ~$5.75 | Pro |
| Proton VPN | ~$83.88/yr | ~$6.99 | VPN Plus |
| Mullvad | ~$65/yr | ~$5.40 | flat, no tiers |
| Norton VPN | $79.99/yr | ~$6.67 | Standard |
| Hotspot Shield | ~$95.99/yr | ~$8.00 | Premium annual |
| Astrill | $300 every 2 yrs | ~$12.50 | 2-year, same at renewal |
Related Guides
Our Crunchyroll VPN guide compares providers, and our NordVPN Crunchyroll guide covers the sister brand. Surfshark belongs to Nord Security, which also owns NordVPN.
How We Research
This page draws on PrivacyJournal’s and TechNadu’s 2026 Crunchyroll VPN tests, Gizmodo’s Surfshark Netflix guide, NAT Checker’s September 2026 library count, Comparitech, SpeedTestHQ, Cloudwards and pricing from Surfshark, Security.org and VPNOverview. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 6 October 2026. Surfshark’s renewal table did not load, so renewal figures come from Security.org and VPNOverview. The main source we relied on is PrivacyJournal’s Crunchyroll VPN guide. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Crunchyroll Surfshark FAQ
Yes. PrivacyJournal unblocked the US library after a server switch in 2026.
The US, with more than 1,320 series in NAT Checker’s September 2026 count.
A blocked server, often through Cloudflare. Switch server first.
Comparitech found browsers more reliable with a VPN.
Through a Tokyo server, which Gizmodo found works well for anime.
The Verdict
Crunchyroll Surfshark access works for the US library, with Tokyo for Japan-only titles. Switch servers on errors, prefer the browser, and test for leaks once.