In early 2022, the anime streaming world underwent a seismic shift when Crunchyroll and Funimation officially merged under Sony’s umbrella. What was once two competing giants—each with dedicated fanbases, exclusive titles, and distinct viewing experiences—has now become a unified force in anime distribution. For subscribers, this consolidation raises pressing questions: How does the merger affect your current subscription? Will your favorite shows disappear or move platforms? And what does the future hold for anime accessibility, pricing, and content availability?
The integration of these services isn’t just corporate reshuffling—it directly impacts how fans watch, discover, and pay for anime. Understanding the implications helps viewers make informed decisions about their subscriptions and ensures they don’t lose access to beloved series during the transition.
The Background: Why Did Crunchyroll and Funimation Merge?
The roots of this merger trace back to Sony’s strategic vision for global anime dominance. In 2017, Sony acquired Funimation, already a major player in North American anime licensing. Then, in 2019, Sony purchased Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion, effectively bringing both platforms under one corporate roof. The official announcement of their full operational merger came in August 2021, with plans to consolidate libraries, teams, and technology onto a single platform by 2024.
The goal? To create a centralized hub for anime fans worldwide—streamlining content acquisition, reducing internal competition, and improving user experience. As Chris Beecher, former President of Crunchyroll, stated:
“Uniting Crunchyroll and Funimation allows us to deliver a more seamless experience for fans while strengthening our ability to support creators and grow the global anime community.” — Chris Beecher, Former President, Crunchyroll
This unification aims to eliminate redundancies, such as bidding against themselves for streaming rights, and instead focus on expanding the reach of Japanese animation across new markets and demographics.
What Happened to Funimation’s Subscription Service?
As part of the merger, Funimation’s standalone subscription service has been phased out. Existing Funimation subscribers were automatically migrated to Crunchyroll accounts, preserving their subscription tiers (Premium Plus, Simulcast, etc.) and billing information. By April 2024, Funimation’s website redirected entirely to Crunchyroll, marking the end of its independent operation.
If you were a paying Funimation member, you likely received email notifications guiding you through account linking. Your watch history, favorites, and playlists may not have transferred perfectly due to technical differences between databases, but most core features—including ad-free viewing and simulcast access—are now available within the Crunchyroll app and website.
How the Merger Affects Your Anime Library Access
One of the most anticipated benefits of the merger is the unification of content libraries. Previously, fans often needed multiple subscriptions to access all desired titles—some exclusives lived on Crunchyroll (e.g., *Jujutsu Kaisen*, *Demon Slayer*), while others resided on Funimation (*Attack on Titan*, *My Hero Academia* pre-season 6). Now, nearly all previously licensed titles are being consolidated under Crunchyroll.
However, the process hasn't been flawless. Some older dubs and niche titles disappeared temporarily during migration due to expiring voice actor contracts or music licensing issues. While many have since returned, a few remain unavailable. This highlights a critical reality: consolidation doesn’t guarantee permanent retention of every past release.
Key Changes in Content Availability
- Expanded catalog: Over 1,000 additional titles became accessible to Crunchyroll subscribers post-merger.
- Dub availability improved: Funimation’s strong English dub library is now integrated, enhancing multilingual access.
- Regional restrictions persist: Licensing agreements still limit certain titles in specific countries.
- Some deletions occurred: Titles like *Fate/Zero* and select Sentai Filmworks dubs vanished briefly before partial restoration.
Timeline of the Transition Process
- 2021: Sony announces full integration of Crunchyroll and Funimation operations.
- 2022: Account linking begins; users can merge profiles manually.
- 2023: Simultaneous season rollouts start appearing exclusively on Crunchyroll.
- Early 2024: Funimation app shuts down; web traffic redirects to Crunchyroll.
- Ongoing: Back catalog migration continues, with periodic updates on restored titles.
Comparison: Crunchyroll Before vs After the Merger
| Feature | Pre-Merger Crunchyroll | Post-Merger Crunchyroll |
|---|---|---|
| Total Titles Available | ~700 | ~1,800+ |
| Simulcasts per Season | 30–40 | 60+ |
| English Dubs Offered | Limited; growing slowly | Extensive, including legacy Funimation dubs |
| Subscription Options | Ad-supported free tier, Premium, Premium+ (simulcast) | Same tiers, but includes former Funimation premium perks |
| Global Availability | Over 200 countries | Slightly reduced due to licensing harmonization |
| User Interface Experience | Clean, modern design | Improved search, better genre filtering, unified watchlist |
This table illustrates the scale of change. While the expanded library and enhanced dub offerings represent clear wins, some users report frustration with regional availability drops, particularly in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where localized licensing deals didn’t seamlessly transfer.
Real-World Example: A Subscriber’s Journey Through the Transition
Take the case of Maria Lopez, a long-time anime fan from Texas who subscribed to both services before the merger. She paid $15/month for Crunchyroll Premium and $8 for Funimation Simulcast to ensure she never missed a new episode of *Chainsaw Man* or *Blue Lock*. When the merger was announced, she worried about price hikes and losing access to dubbed episodes.
By late 2023, her Funimation account prompted her to link to Crunchyroll. After doing so, she found that her subscription had automatically upgraded to Crunchyroll Premium+, giving her simultaneous access to all simulcasts without an additional fee. Her watch history didn’t fully transfer, but she regained access to her favorite dubs, including *Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood*, which had been exclusive to Funimation.
Still, she noticed that *Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night* was missing for several months before reappearing. “It was confusing at first,” Maria said. “But overall, having everything in one place makes life easier—even if I had to reorganize my list.”
Actionable Tips for Navigating the New Streaming Landscape
To get the most out of the merged service and protect your viewing experience, consider the following checklist:
- Verify your account status: Log in to Crunchyroll and confirm your subscription level matches what you paid for on Funimation.
- Rebuild your watchlists: Re-add any lost favorites using the search function; many migrated titles retain similar metadata.
- Check regional availability: If a title isn’t showing up, verify whether it's geo-blocked in your country via Crunchyroll’s help center.
- Download offline content: Utilize the mobile app’s download feature to keep access to key episodes during potential outages or takedowns.
- Monitor renewal dates: Ensure billing continues smoothly after migration—some users reported duplicate charges during early phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to pay more after the merger?
No. Pricing remains unchanged: $7.99/month for ad-supported Premium, $9.99 for ad-free, and $14.99 for Premium+. There has been no mandatory price increase tied to the merger, though future adjustments are possible as with any subscription service.
Are all Funimation-exclusive dubs now on Crunchyroll?
Most are, but not all. Due to ongoing licensing constraints—especially around music rights and voice talent agreements—a small number of dubs remain unavailable. However, Crunchyroll has committed to restoring as many as possible, with regular updates posted on their blog.
Can I still use my Funimation account?
No. As of April 2024, Funimation’s platform no longer operates independently. You must access your content through Crunchyroll using the same login credentials. If you encounter issues, contact Crunchyroll support with your original Funimation email.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Anime Streaming Under One Roof
The Crunchyroll-Funimation merger marks a turning point in how anime is distributed globally. With a combined library exceeding 1,800 titles and partnerships with studios like Aniplex, Toho, and Bandai Namco, the platform is positioned to dominate the legal streaming space for years to come.
Future developments may include:
- Increased investment in original anime productions (e.g., *High Guardian Spice*, *Tower of God*)
- Better subtitle accuracy and localization through AI-assisted tools
- Enhanced offline viewing and cross-device syncing
- Potential bundling with other Sony services like PlayStation Plus or Crunchyroll Channel on FAST platforms
Yet challenges remain. Monopolistic concerns have emerged among critics who fear reduced competition could lead to higher prices or lower quality control. Independent licensors also worry about diminished bargaining power when dealing with a single dominant buyer.
“The concentration of anime rights in one company changes the ecosystem. We hope transparency and fan input remain priorities.” — Dr. Akiko Tamagawa, Media Studies Professor at USC
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of the Unified Platform
The Crunchyroll and Funimation merger ultimately simplifies life for most anime fans. Gone are the days of juggling multiple subscriptions to catch every seasonal premiere. Instead, viewers benefit from a richer, more cohesive library with broader language options and improved functionality.
That said, vigilance matters. Subscribers should actively manage their accounts, stay informed about content rotations, and advocate for fair access when titles vanish unexpectedly. The strength of this new era depends not just on corporate strategy, but on an engaged, vocal fanbase that values preservation, diversity, and affordability.
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