Crunchyroll Vs Funimation Merger What Happens To My Digital Library

In March 2022, Sony finalized the long-anticipated merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll, bringing together two of the most influential anime streaming platforms under a single brand: Crunchyroll. For millions of fans who built digital libraries across both services—purchasing or renting individual episodes, seasons, or exclusive releases—the consolidation raised urgent questions. What happens to those purchased titles? Are they safe? Will access continue uninterrupted? This article provides a comprehensive look at how the merger impacts your personal anime collection, what’s changed since the transition, and what you can do to protect your investment.

The Merger: A Unified Anime Streaming Future

Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2021 set the stage for merging its existing Funimation Global Group operations into a singular, global anime hub. The goal was clear: streamline licensing, production, and distribution while offering fans a more cohesive viewing experience. By consolidating Funimation’s extensive dubbing legacy with Crunchyroll’s vast simulcast catalog, the new Crunchyroll aims to become the definitive destination for anime worldwide.

However, integration doesn’t happen overnight. While subscription-based content has largely been migrated, the status of individually purchased digital content—such as SD/HD purchases, special editions, or bundled box sets—has been less transparent. Many users discovered their previously bought shows no longer appeared in their accounts after the shutdown of the Funimation app and website in April 2024.

What “Merger” Really Means for Users

Despite being called a “merger,” the reality is that Funimation was effectively absorbed into Crunchyroll. The Funimation brand was retired, its apps discontinued, and all active subscribers automatically transitioned to Crunchyroll. But unlike subscriptions, which could be ported over through account linking, purchased digital content does not automatically transfer due to technical, licensing, and DRM (Digital Rights Management) constraints.

This distinction is critical: your subscription moves seamlessly; your digital purchases may not.

Tip: If you purchased anime through Funimation, check your email history for transaction receipts. These serve as proof of ownership and may help in recovery efforts.

Your Digital Library: What Survived the Transition?

Digital purchases are fundamentally different from subscription access. When you buy an episode or season, you’re typically granted a license to stream or download it under specific conditions—not outright ownership. These licenses are tied to the platform’s infrastructure, user account, and content partners. During a corporate merger, especially one involving complex international rights, those licenses don’t always carry over.

Current Status of Funimation Purchases

As of mid-2024, Crunchyroll has not implemented a system to import or restore previously purchased content from Funimation. Users who accessed their digital libraries via the Funimation app or website lost access when those platforms were decommissioned. There is currently no official portal or tool to re-link purchase histories between the two services.

Some users reported limited success by contacting customer support with order numbers and email confirmations, but responses have been inconsistent. In most cases, support representatives confirm that purchased content cannot be restored unless it is available for purchase again on Crunchyroll.

What About Crunchyroll Purchases?

If you made purchases directly through the Crunchyroll store—either via the website or app—those remain accessible. As the surviving platform, Crunchyroll continues to honor its own transaction history. However, even here, availability depends on ongoing licensing agreements. Some older titles have been removed from sale or streaming due to expired contracts, meaning access may eventually expire even for purchased content.

“Digital purchases in streaming are often misunderstood as permanent, but they’re really long-term rentals governed by licensing terms.” — David Lee, Media Industry Analyst at StreamWatch Insights

Content Migration: What Was Moved and What Wasn’t

While the focus has been on unifying subscription catalogs, the migration of transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) content—i.e., paid digital purchases—has received far less attention. Here's a breakdown of what moved and what didn't:

Content Type	Migrated to Crunchyroll?	Notes
Subscription-exclusive series (e.g., exclusives)	Yes	All former Funimation exclusives now stream on Crunchyroll with subscription.
Purchased HD episodes (Funimation)	No	No automated import; no current restoration path.
Purchased box sets (Funimation)	No	Even physical-digital combo redemptions may be inaccessible.
Crunchyroll store purchases	Yes	Remain visible and streamable in your library.
Digital pre-orders (Funimation)	Partially	Some were honored if the title launched on Crunchyroll; others canceled.

Licensing Limitations Behind the Scenes

The reason for this disparity lies in content licensing. Anime studios and Japanese rights holders grant distribution rights on a per-platform basis. When Funimation shut down, those rights reverted or were renegotiated under Crunchyroll’s umbrella—but only for subscription streaming. Transactional rights (for sales/rentals) require separate agreements, and many were not renewed or transferred due to cost, complexity, or lack of demand.

This means even if you legally bought *My Hero Academia* Season 5 on Funimation, there’s no guarantee it will ever be available for redemption on Crunchyroll—even if the same season is for sale today.

What You Can Do Now: Protecting Your Digital Collection

If you’re concerned about losing access to anime you paid for, there are practical steps you can take to preserve what you can and advocate for better solutions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Your Content

1. Locate Your Purchase History: Search your email for receipts from \"Funimation,\" \"FUNI,\" or \"[e-mail].\" Note order numbers, dates, and titles.
2. Check Crunchyroll Account: Log in and review your \"Purchases\" or \"Library\" section. Some overlapping purchases may have carried over.
3. Contact Support with Evidence: Use the receipt information to file a detailed inquiry with Crunchyroll Support. Be polite but persistent.
4. Download What You Can: If any purchased content is still accessible via the Crunchyroll app, download it locally before potential removal.
5. Consider Physical Media: For long-term preservation, invest in Blu-ray or DVD versions, which include digital copies and aren’t subject to service shutdowns.

Tip: Use a dedicated folder to archive all anime purchase emails. Label them by series and date for easy reference.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Lost Library

Sarah, a longtime anime fan from Texas, spent over $200 building her Funimation digital library between 2018 and 2022. She purchased complete seasons of *Demon Slayer*, *Jujutsu Kaisen*, and several classic OVAs. When she received the notification about the Funimation shutdown, she assumed her purchases would move to Crunchyroll.

After the app deactivated, she logged into Crunchyroll and found none of her purchases listed. She contacted support with multiple receipts, but the response stated: “We regret that we cannot restore transactional content from Funimation at this time.” Disappointed, Sarah eventually repurchased select titles on Crunchyroll and invested in physical editions of her favorites. Her experience highlights the vulnerability of relying solely on digital storefronts during platform transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Funimation purchases ever come back to Crunchyroll?

There is no official timeline or commitment from Crunchyroll to restore past purchases. While some speculate that a future import tool could be developed, company statements have not confirmed this. Fans should not assume lost purchases will return.

Can I get a refund for my Funimation purchases?

Refunds are generally not offered for content that was previously accessible, even after platform shutdowns. However, if a purchased title was never delivered or became unavailable immediately after purchase, you may have grounds to request reimbursement through your payment provider or by contacting support with documentation.

Is Crunchyroll planning to sell digital downloads again?

Crunchyroll currently offers digital purchases for select new and catalog titles, primarily in North America. However, the selection is smaller than Funimation’s once was. The company has not announced plans to expand its digital store significantly, focusing instead on subscription growth and ad-supported tiers.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Anime Ownership

The Crunchyroll-Funimation merger underscores a broader shift in media consumption: the decline of ownership in favor of access. As streaming dominates, consumers increasingly trade permanence for convenience. But when platforms merge or shutter, the lack of true ownership becomes a real risk.

Industry trends suggest that transactional models (buy-to-own) will continue shrinking in favor of subscription bundling. Services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu prioritize recurring revenue over one-time sales. This benefits studios and distributors but leaves fans vulnerable when changes occur.

Until standardized digital asset portability exists across platforms—similar to music libraries moving between Apple Music and Spotify—consumers must remain vigilant. Treat digital purchases as temporary licenses, not permanent collections.

Checklist: Preserving Your Anime Access

• ✅ Archive all purchase confirmation emails
• ✅ Download available content while accessible
• ✅ Link your Funimation account to Crunchyroll (if not done)
• ✅ Monitor Crunchyroll’s announcements for potential import tools
• ✅ Invest in physical media for essential titles
• ✅ Avoid relying solely on digital-only purchases for favorite series

“The idea of 'owning' digital content is fragile. Always have a backup plan.” — Lina Park, Digital Media Archivist and Founder of PreserveAnime.org

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Anime Experience

The Crunchyroll and Funimation merger marks a new era for anime fans—one with richer content and broader access, but also greater uncertainty around personal libraries. If you purchased anime through Funimation, there’s a strong chance that content is no longer accessible, and there’s no guarantee it will return.

While you can’t undo the shutdown, you can take meaningful steps today. Secure your records, explore downloading options, and consider shifting toward formats that offer real ownership. Support studios through physical releases when possible, and stay informed about how streaming policies evolve.

💬 Your voice matters. Share your experience with the merger in the comments or on social media. The more fans speak up about digital ownership, the more likely companies will respond with fairer solutions.