So the big news today is word that VIZ is hooking up with CrunchyRoll to host

Via Anime News Network

Although NARUTO SHIPPUDEN will be unavailable on the night of March 19 due to TX Network’s programming schedule, the hit show will return on March 26 with two (2) brand-new episodes in a special double-header event on the night of March 26 at 7:59pm Japan Standard Time (JST). Crunchyroll is taking this unique opportunity to let NARUTO fans experience NARUTO SHIPPUDEN for free online within one hour of its Japanese broadcast.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episode 102 will be available on March 26 within one hour of its Japanese broadcast exclusively to Crunchyroll’s Anime Members, and the following week for free to the general public.

CrunchyRoll later released an update and said:

Because of the weird scheduling, we can show Episode 101 to EVERYONE on March 26, not just Anime Members! This will let everyone experience what a Crunchyroll Simulcast is like =) However, Episode 102 (the 2nd half of the double-header) will only be available to Anime Members on March 26, and April 2 for everyone else

CR is also celebrating Naruto-related events like Sakura and Kisame’s birthdays. Say what you will about CR, but they sure know how to get the good stuff to the fans.

But the big news here is VIZ doing near-simultaneous release. Anime bloggers and industry pundits like myself have been begging anime companies to do this for YEARS. And finally, they got the damn picture…at least, it seems that way. There’s no solid indication that VIZ plans to do this for all the remaining episodes of Shippuden, but one would guess that it’s something they’re at least seriously looking into.

Popularity: 18% [?]