Crunchyroll Vs Funimation Merger What It Means For Your Subscription Library

In March 2022, the anime streaming world underwent a seismic shift when Crunchyroll officially absorbed Funimation in a full merger. What began as a gradual integration of services culminated in the shutdown of the Funimation app and website by April 2024. For millions of anime fans who relied on either platform for dubs, exclusives, or simulcasts, this transition has had real consequences—both positive and disruptive. Understanding what this merger means for your subscription, access to content, and long-term viewing habits is essential for navigating the new anime streaming landscape.

The Road to Merger: A Brief Timeline

The Crunchyroll-Funimation merger wasn’t sudden. It was the result of years of corporate maneuvering under Sony’s ownership. Sony acquired Funimation in 2017 and later purchased Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2021 for $1.175 billion. With both platforms under one corporate umbrella, consolidation became inevitable. The goal? To create a single, dominant anime streaming service with global reach, unified licensing, and streamlined operations.

The transition started with content sharing—Funimation titles appearing on Crunchyroll and vice versa—but eventually led to full integration. By early 2024, Funimation users were migrated to Crunchyroll accounts, and the standalone Funimation service ceased operation. This marks the end of an era where fans had to choose between two major platforms.

What Happened to My Funimation Subscription?

If you were a paying Funimation subscriber, your account was automatically transitioned to Crunchyroll. Depending on your plan, you likely received an equivalent Crunchyroll subscription tier. For example:

• Funimation Premium (SimulDub) → Crunchyroll Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan
• Funimation Basic → Crunchyroll Fan plan

Refunds were issued for any overlapping billing cycles, and promotional credits were applied in some regions. However, discrepancies in regional availability and plan structures caused confusion for international users, particularly in Europe and Latin America.

Tip: If you’re unsure about your migrated subscription status, check your email for official communication from Crunchyroll or log into your account to verify your current plan.

How the Merger Affects Your Anime Library

One of the most immediate impacts of the merger is the expansion—and in some cases, reduction—of accessible content. While Crunchyroll now hosts nearly all former Funimation titles, not everything made the cut. Licensing agreements, regional restrictions, and content duplication played a role in what was retained.

On paper, the combined library exceeds 1,500 anime series and 300+ films, making it the largest legal anime catalog globally. But reality is more nuanced. Some older dubs, especially niche or legacy titles, were quietly removed due to expired voice actor contracts or music rights issues.

“Mergers often lead to content pruning. Just because a show existed on one platform doesn’t guarantee its permanence on the merged service.” — Lena Park, Digital Media Analyst at StreamWatch Insights

Content Gains and Losses

Subscribers gained access to major Funimation-exclusive series such as:

• Attack on Titan (Final Seasons Dub)
• My Hero Academia (Full Dub Collection)
• Black Clover
• Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
• Sword Art Online (Early Seasons)

However, some titles disappeared post-migration, including:

• Baby Steps (Seasons 1–2)
• Coppelion
• Hybrid Child
• Trinity Seven (some OVAs)

These removals were largely due to expiring distribution rights, not corporate decisions. Still, they highlight a key risk: even large libraries are subject to licensing volatility.

Subscription Tiers and Pricing Changes

With the merger, Crunchyroll simplified its subscription model. Formerly, fans juggled different plans across two platforms. Now, there’s a single structure:

Plan	Price (USD)	Ads	Simulcasts	Dub Access	Offline Viewing
Free	$0	Yes	Limited	Selected Titles	No
Fan	$7.99/month	No	Yes	Most Dubs	No
Mega Fan	$9.99/month	No	Yes	All Dubs + Early Access	Yes (Mobile Only)
Ultimate Fan	$14.99/month	No	Yes	All Dubs + 48-Hour Early Access	Yes (All Devices)

Former Funimation SimulDub subscribers now fall into Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan, depending on region and timing of migration. While the top-tier plan offers early episode access—a feature previously exclusive to Funimation—it comes at a higher monthly cost than before.

Tip: Use Crunchyroll’s “Continue Watching” list to track shows that may have changed categories or been reorganized after the merger.

Is It Worth More Now?

The value proposition has improved for most users. Having both sub and dub content in one place, along with a larger back catalog, justifies the price for many. However, casual viewers who only watched a few Funimation dubs may find the jump from a $5.99 plan to $7.99 or more difficult to swallow—especially if their favorite shows didn’t transfer.

Impact on Dub Production and Localization

One of the biggest fears among fans was whether English dubs would continue at the same pace. Funimation was renowned for its in-house dubbing studio and prolific output. Crunchyroll, historically sub-focused, had fewer original dubs.

Post-merger, Crunchyroll has maintained—or even increased—dub production. Using Funimation’s voice talent pool and recording infrastructure, new dubs are being released for major titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Oshi no Ko. The “SimulDub” model—releasing dubbed episodes shortly after Japanese broadcast—has been preserved for flagship series.

However, not all dubs are created equally. Budget constraints and shifting priorities mean mid-tier or genre-specific anime (e.g., older magical girl or sports series) are less likely to receive dubs unless they gain significant fan traction.

What Fans Should Expect Going Forward

• Fewer duplicate dubs: Previously, some shows had competing dubs on each platform. Now, one version is selected as canonical.
• Streamlined voice casting: Actors may be reused across franchises for consistency.
• Delayed dubs for niche titles: Priority goes to high-demand series.

“We’re not cutting dubs—we’re focusing them where fans want them most.” — Colin Decker, Crunchyroll Content Strategy Lead (2023 Interview)

Step-by-Step Guide: Transitioning Smoothly to the New Crunchyroll

If you're adjusting to the post-merger environment, follow this timeline to ensure you don’t lose access to your favorite content or pay unnecessarily.

1. Check Your Account Status (Week 1): Log into Crunchyroll using your Funimation email. Verify your subscription level and billing details.
2. Rebuild Your Watchlist (Week 2): Search for previously watched Funimation titles and add them to your Crunchyroll list. Note any missing shows.
3. Explore the New Categories (Week 3): Navigate sections like “Formerly on Funimation,” “Crunchyroll Originals,” and “Complete Series” to rediscover content.
4. Download for Offline Viewing (Ongoing): If you have Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan, download episodes before traveling or during spotty internet.
5. Cancel Redundant Subscriptions (Month 1): If you had both services, ensure you’re not being billed twice. Refunds may apply.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Migration Experience

Sarah, a long-time Funimation subscriber from Texas, used the Premium plan primarily for dubbed shonen series like My Hero Academia and Black Clover. When she heard about the merger, she worried her dubs wouldn’t transfer and that she’d lose progress.

She logged in two weeks before the shutdown and found her account already migrated. Her watch history carried over, and all her core shows were available. However, Baby Steps, a tennis anime she followed, was gone. After contacting support, she learned it was removed due to licensing expiration—not the merger itself.

She upgraded to Crunchyroll’s Ultimate Fan plan to keep early access and now uses offline downloads during her commute. “It took a week to adjust,” she says, “but I actually prefer having everything in one app now.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Funimation watch history and favorites carry over?

Yes, in most cases. Crunchyroll imported user data including watch progress, lists, and ratings. However, some metadata (like custom notes or community reviews) may not have transferred.

Are there still region-specific restrictions?

Unfortunately, yes. Despite the merger, licensing varies by country. Some former Funimation titles remain unavailable in certain regions on Crunchyroll due to existing broadcast deals.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the new service?

Refunds are available within 30 days of billing for subscription changes. Contact Crunchyroll support directly with your request. Note that content availability is not typically grounds for automatic refunds.

Checklist: Maximizing Your Post-Merger Experience

Use this checklist to optimize your Crunchyroll experience after the Funimation integration:

• ✅ Confirm your account migration and active subscription tier
• ✅ Search for your favorite Funimation-exclusive shows
• ✅ Update your watchlists and resume unfinished series
• ✅ Explore Crunchyroll’s dub schedule and SimulDub releases
• ✅ Enable notifications for returning series
• ✅ Cancel any duplicate subscriptions
• ✅ Download episodes for offline viewing if on a paid plan

What This Means for the Future of Anime Streaming

The Crunchyroll-Funimation merger signals a broader trend: consolidation in niche streaming markets. As production costs rise and licensing becomes more complex, smaller platforms struggle to compete. This creates a more stable ecosystem for studios but reduces consumer choice.

For viewers, the trade-off is clear: convenience and breadth versus autonomy and variety. Having one dominant anime hub simplifies access but also centralizes control. Future price hikes, reduced localization diversity, or algorithm-driven content curation could become concerns if competition fades entirely.

Still, the merger has strengthened Crunchyroll’s ability to fund original productions, license rare titles, and expand into new markets like Southeast Asia and Africa. International dubs in Spanish, German, and Brazilian Portuguese are expanding—something Funimation alone couldn’t sustain.

Conclusion: Embracing the New Era of Anime Streaming

The Crunchyroll-Funimation merger is more than a corporate reshuffle—it’s a transformation of how anime fans access, enjoy, and engage with their favorite content. While some beloved titles have disappeared and pricing has shifted upward, the overall library is richer, more unified, and better positioned for the future.

Your subscription now offers deeper access than ever before, but it also demands more attention. Stay informed about content changes, manage your watchlists proactively, and advocate for the kind of anime experience you want. The era of dual-platform hopping is over. Welcome to the age of the anime superstreamer.

💬 What do you think about the merger? Did you gain or lose access to key shows? Share your experience and help others navigate the evolving anime landscape.