When anime, fantasy, and gaming content is your pocket, finding the right streaming service can be difficult, especially if you want a one-stop shop for all of your streaming needs. VRV is up to the challenge.
The geeky streaming service has a pretty niche appeal. It’s likely either exactly what you’re looking for or it doesn’t have anything for you.
However, if you’re on the fence, check out our breakdown. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about VRV and if it’s the streaming site you’ve been looking for.
What is VRV?
VRV (pronounced “Verve”) is a standalone streaming service that focuses on anime, animation, games, comedy, fantasy, and technology. The service was introduced in 2016 and has since expanded.
The service bundles similar content in dedicated “channels” so that you can organize your ad according to sub-genres and interests.
Is VRV worth it?
Whether or not VRV is worth it really depends on your visual taste. For example, if you only need romcoms, horror films, or reality TV for a streaming service, go ahead. This service just isn’t giving you what you’re looking for.
If you want to know if there is enough content to warrant paid membership, the answer is yes. You get a solid amount of things to see without breaking the bank, and the more of them you want to see, the more that value goes up.
How does VRV work?
VRV works similarly to other streaming services in that you sign up and have full access to a premium library. Stream whatever you want, whenever you want. However, it has a great advantage that the library (or libraries) you sign up for can be customized to some extent.
When you sign up for Netflix, it doesn’t matter whether you just want to watch UK crime shows, nature documentaries or Netflix original movies. Most streamers work this way. It’s like getting a package of cables. You pay for everything that’s included. If the package with your favorite movie channel also includes ESPN, it doesn’t matter whether you like sports or not. You get exercise.
VRV gives you the opportunity to cut the service down to what you want – basically, you can get your movie channel without sports. It’s still like a cable package where “channels” don’t just have one thing, but are tailored to your exact needs.
For example, you can subscribe to Crunchyroll and Rooster Teeth as standalone services, or get them as part of your premium package if you’re a fan of both. However, getting the bundle has benefits like early access, an ad-free experience, and exclusive channels.
What does VRV cost?
VRV is offered at an average subscription price of $ 10 per month, but this applies to access to the entire library. If you want to focus on the channels you like, cut down on your subscription instead of paying for add-ons (this is how Amazon Prime offers customization).
Can I get VRV for free?
VRV Premium is a paid subscription service, but you have a few options if you want it to be free.
First, there’s the free trial, which by definition is a time-limited option. When you sign up, you can click on the free 30-day trial and use the service for free for about a month. Just make sure to cancel your subscription before the trial period ends to avoid being charged.
VRV also offers over 20,000 hours of free content that is varied and updated regularly. Some channels offer exclusive series for members with a premium account. So you cannot access everything even on “free” channels.
The downside to watching your favorite content for free using this method is that once you would do so with a premium account, you would have to look through ads and not get all of the content.
How do I register for VRV?
If you enjoy this type of service, visit the VRV website to sign up and start watching.
You can check out the free content first or download a free trial before committing to a paid membership.
What channels do I get with VRV?
Current VRV Premium channels are:
- Cartoon hangover
- Crunchyroll
- HIDIVE
- MONDO
- Rooster teeth
- VRV selection
You might be wondering why you’d want to sign up for VRV for something like Crunchyroll, which is available as a standalone streamer. This is a fair question, especially if you already have a free Crunchyroll account. With VRV you can keep everything in one place. As a VRV Premium subscriber, your Crunchyroll membership will be upgraded to Premium so you can access more content, simulcasts for faster access, no ads, discounts in the Crunchyroll Store and much more.
However, VRV offers more than just the ability to bring your existing services together with additional benefits. As a premium member, you also receive exclusive channels such as Cartoon Hangover, MONDO and VRV Select.
What can I watch on VRV?
So a list of channels is all well and good, but what’s on those channels? And how do you choose the right ones for you?
Some canals cast a wide web. The exclusive VRV Select channel contains a wide, curated selection of popular films and series. These include:
- HarmonQuest
- Cyanide and happiness
- My brother, my brother and me
- Hidden America!
Crunchyroll, which is also available as a standalone service, has a huge selection of anime. With a Premium membership, some of these titles will even broadcast at the same time, so you can see them airing in Japan. Popular titles are:
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Dr. Stone
- attack on Titan
- One hit man
- Naruto
- Black clover
- Hunter X Hunter
The Rooster Teeth gaming channel focuses on gaming livestreams so you can keep up with your favorite players in one place.
If you want adult-oriented animation, Cartoon Hangover is the channel for you! You can find all kinds of titles there including:
- Super fuckers
- The bravest warriors
- Bee and PuppyCat
- Snail Rebellion
- Too cool! Cartoons
- Fin punch
Check out VRV to find your favorite channels.
Which devices does VRV support?
VRV is available on most of the major devices you’ve come to expect. You can watch with your web browser, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Chromecast, iOS phones / iPads, Android devices from OS 5.0 as well as Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV and newer Roku devices.
Can I download videos from VRV?
While VRV is an online streamer, there are times when you probably want to watch your favorite content when you don’t have internet access. For example, let’s say you take a spotty wifi train over the holidays to see your people. Now is the perfect time to queue up an anime. Do not worry. VRV is set up for this as long as you have a premium account.
You can download content to the device of your choice via the VRV app on iOS and Android. Tap the arrow icon next to the episode you want. This is synchronized with your device and is available in your “Offline viewing” list.
Unlike some other streamers, VRV limits the functionality of your offline downloads. You have offline access for a limited, set period of time (usually seven days) and 48 hours from the time it is played to watch a particular track. Due to some licensing agreements, there are some titles that cannot be downloaded, but most of them, and VRV is working to expand offline availability everywhere.
How does VRV hold up against the competition?
My brother, my brother and me
VRV’s main strength is its niche appeal. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and similar websites offer a wide network in hopes of reaching a wide audience. These can go up to nearly $ 20 per month in price, and Amazon offers additional channels on top of that.
Also read: The best anime on Amazon Prime Video
On the flip side, VRV keeps prices relatively low while bundling a fairly carefully curated range of content for a more engaging audience of game and anime fans.
Streaming is a crowded field, and the “streaming wars” have only intensified since the early days of Netflix. The space includes the above services as well as Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Mubi, Peacock, Shudder, Britbox, the Criterion Channel, and more new options seemingly every day. VRV is not so much a big tent as a targeted niche service for a very specific clientele. Just like Shudder knows its horror crowd, VRV knows who it’s talking to.
Scrolling through the listing will either get you what it’s about right away or it probably isn’t for you.
Other FAQs
Q: Who owns VRV?
A: VRV is 100% owned by Otter Media. Otter Media is a subsidiary of Warner Media from AT&T, which includes Warner Bros., HBO, and HBO Max.
Q: is VRV available in 4K?
A: Unfortunately not. While the streaming quality is perfect at 1080p, much of the content on VRV is nowhere available in 4K.
Q: Where is VRV available?
A: VRV is available in the US, but is currently not available anywhere else due to licensing agreements. The company is hoping to expand into other countries but currently has no timeline for launching elsewhere.
Q: Can I use VRV on a Roku device?
A: Yes, but you need to make sure you have a newer device. Unfortunately, VRV does not state how new.
Q: Does VRV have ads?
A: VRV Premium is ad-free. However, if you use the more limited free service, you will need to accept commercial breaks.