Crunchyroll is destroying its subtitles

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overview of the issue

  • Crunchyroll is reportedly replacing older, well-crafted ASS subtitles (with rich typesetting) in its catalog with simplified, lower-quality tracks.
  • This affects not just new shows but also back catalog, suggesting a deliberate transition away from the old system rather than a one-off regression.
  • Viewers report that on Amazon Prime, where CR content is sublicensed, the subtitles are often “unusable” compared to Netflix or fansubs.

Technical and workflow motivations

  • CR currently uses an ASS-based rendering stack, which is powerful but unusual in the broader streaming industry.
  • General streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, many TVs) expect simpler formats like TTML/WebVTT and disallow burned‑in dialogue subtitles in delivery specs.
  • Several commenters argue the move is about:
    • Aligning with “industry standard” subtitle formats.
    • Reducing storage and distribution complexity (no per‑language hardsubbed encodes, easier CDN usage).
    • Using commodity subtitling vendors and making sublicensing easier.
  • Others counter that:
    • Subtitle text files are tiny; storage is a weak justification.
    • ASS tracks can be stored separately and many devices are already capable.
    • Segment-based partial hardsubs or image-based overlays (like Netflix’s “imgsub”) could preserve quality without massive cost.

Impact on viewing experience

  • Main degradation: loss of precise positioning, overlaps, styling, and typesetting of on‑screen text (signs, labels, info boxes, dense infographics).
  • Translations for dialogue and on‑screen text are now often merged into 1–2 lines at top/bottom, making it unclear what corresponds to what and hurting immersion.
  • Dub + subtitle combinations are inconsistent:
    • Often no English subtitles with English audio.
    • Or subtitles reflect the sub script, not the dub script.
    • Deaf/hard‑of‑hearing viewers are especially affected; CC and “dubtitles” are unreliable or missing.
  • Users also complain about a rise in machine‑like errors on Netflix/CR captions (misheard words, fantasy terms mangled).

Business incentives, culture, and piracy

  • Several see this as classic “enshittification”: once anime is mainstream and CR has quasi‑monopoly power, they optimize for cost and reach, not quality.
  • Some argue most of the mass market prefers dubs, so high‑end subtitling is no longer prioritized; others note sub watchers remain a large, loyal segment.
  • Many say this pushes them back to piracy, where dual‑audio, ASS typesetting, and fan translation notes are often better.

Broader localization concerns

  • Parallel drawn to manga: official translations and Viz-style localizations often drop puns, kanji wordplay, sign translations, and author notes that fan scanlations used to explain.
  • Debate over philosophy: “smooth, invisible” translations vs. more literal or annotated ones that preserve nuance and cultural flavor.