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Starting soon, anime-lovers who just happen to be PlayStation 3 owners will no longer have to search anime stores or surf the web to find their shows. Soon, they will be able to get their fix directly from their console.

In a move to better meet the Asian-based entertainment needs of its gamers, Sony recently revealed that it would be bringing the popular, anime-viewing site Crunchyroll to the PlayStation Network, allowing fans to view their favorite anime shows, as well as Korean dramas and more. Even if they're not subscribed to Crunchyroll, gamers can sign up for a 30-day free trial directly from their PS3.

In terms of pricing, subscribers (and potential subscribers) will have to pay a monthly price of $6.95 for either an Anime membership (which is limited to just anime-viewing) or a Drama membership (which is limited to… you get the picture). Or, if they're willing to pay a bit extra, they can get an All-Access membership, allowing them to view everything Crunchyroll has to offer for $11.95 a month.

But wait, there's more anime goodness. Along with Crunchyroll, Sony announced, at Comic Con, that it has formed an exclusive partnership with VIZ Media to bring their new, subscription-based Neon Alley channel to PSN this fall.

Available to all PS3 owners living in the U.S. and Canada for a monthly price of $6.99, Neon Alley will provide anime fans with 24 hours of anime goodness, all uncut, dubbed in English, and presented in HD whenever possible. Aside from including popular series (like Naruto Shippuden, Inuyasha: The Final Act, and Death Note) the service will also feature newer anime (such as Tiger & Bunny, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc, Zetman, and Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan), in addition to original content for fans like news and behind-the-scenes access.

To sum up, the PlayStation 3 will be where it's at for anime fans/gamers a few months from now.

Source: PlayStation Blog

Peter Grimm A writer, journalist, and aspiring storyteller, Peter Grimm has been gaming since the days of the Nintendo 64, and reporting on the goings-on in the World of Gaming since late 2011. His base of writing operations is located within the void between Here and There, or so he would have you think.

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