A recent Sony merger is poised to dominate the anime streaming landscape, consolidating Funimation and Crunchyroll under one umbrella.
Previously operating as separate entities, both Funimation and Crunchyroll boasted robust catalogs of beloved anime titles. However, with Sony’s acquisition of Funimation in 2017 followed by Crunchyroll in 2021, the media conglomerate has been diligently integrating the two services into a unified anime platform.
This integration process is nearing completion, with Funimation slated to dissolve in April 2024. Subsequently, its former subscribers will transition to the revamped Crunchyroll platform, which will absorb most of Funimation’s offerings. While users will retain access to their watch history, digital downloads will no longer be available, impacting those who invested in permanent copies of their favorite series.
Despite some benefits, such as continued access to content, the consolidation comes with drawbacks. Notably, the merged Crunchyroll is undergoing a significant price increase compared to Funimation’s previous subscription rates.
Former Funimation subscribers have expressed concern over the substantial price disparity between their previous subscriptions and the new Crunchyroll rates. Although the higher prices are not scheduled to take effect until early 2025, anime enthusiasts are grappling with the impending cost hike.
In anticipation of these changes, anime fans are evaluating their subscription options. Crunchyroll offers various tiers, starting with a 14-day free trial and a basic subscription priced at $7.99 per month or approximately $96 annually. Higher tiers include additional perks such as access to the Crunchyroll game vault, discounts at the Crunchyroll store, offline viewing, and multi-device streaming capabilities.
Meanwhile, long-time Funimation subscribers face a significant jump in subscription costs come 2025, with prices nearly doubling to $99.99 per year. This increase places Crunchyroll subscriptions on par with or even exceeding the costs of other mainstream streaming platforms like Paramount Plus and Hulu, posing a financial challenge for anime enthusiasts accustomed to the relatively affordable rates of Funimation.
Ultimately, the Sony merger reshapes the anime streaming landscape, offering a comprehensive yet costlier viewing experience for fans. As the industry evolves, subscribers must weigh the benefits against the increased financial investment required to access their favorite anime content.
