Is Crunchyroll Better Than Funimation For Dub Availability In 2025

As anime’s global popularity continues to surge, access to high-quality English dubs has become a major factor for fans who prefer watching without subtitles. In 2025, the landscape of anime streaming has shifted significantly since the full integration of Funimation into Crunchyroll under Sony’s umbrella. While both platforms once operated as fierce competitors, today Crunchyroll stands as the dominant hub for anime content — including dubbed releases. But is it truly better than Funimation ever was when it comes to dub availability?

The answer isn’t just about numbers. It involves understanding production timelines, regional accessibility, legacy content, and strategic shifts in localization efforts. This article breaks down the current state of English dubbing on Crunchyroll compared to what Funimation offered historically, evaluates key performance metrics, and provides actionable insights for fans navigating the modern anime ecosystem.

Dub Availability: The State of Play in 2025

By 2025, Crunchyroll has effectively absorbed Funimation’s operations, retiring the standalone Funimation app and website outside Japan. All previously exclusive Funimation content, including its vast library of English dubs, has been migrated to Crunchyroll. This consolidation means that technically, Crunchyroll now hosts every dub that Funimation ever produced — from classics like *Dragon Ball Z Kai* to newer hits such as *My Hero Academia* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*.

However, ownership doesn’t automatically equate to superior availability. What matters more to viewers is how quickly new dubs are released, how many titles receive dubs at all, and whether regional restrictions limit access.

In recent years, Crunchyroll has expanded its dubbing output through partnerships with studios like Studiopolis, Sound Cadence, and Bang Zoom! While the volume remains lower than subbed simulcasts, there’s been a noticeable increase in the percentage of seasonal shows receiving English dubs — especially for titles with strong international appeal.

Tip: Enable notifications for dubbed episodes on Crunchyroll — dubs often drop weeks after subs, and alerts ensure you don’t miss them.

Comparing Dub Libraries: Quantity vs. Quality

To assess which service offers better dub availability, we must compare not only historical data but also current curation strategies.

Funimation, prior to its merger, was renowned for aggressive dubbing. At its peak, it localized over 70% of its simulcast lineup each season. Its in-house voice acting teams and long-standing relationships with talent gave it consistency across franchises. However, this came at the cost of slower release schedules — sometimes months behind the original Japanese broadcast.

Crunchyroll, traditionally more focused on subtitled content, initially lagged in dub production. But post-merger, it has adopted a hybrid model: leveraging Funimation’s infrastructure while streamlining workflows. As of 2025, Crunchyroll dubs approximately 50–60% of its flagship seasonal titles, prioritizing series with proven fan engagement or cross-media potential (e.g., video game tie-ins or merchandise lines).

Where Crunchyroll excels is in global coordination. Unlike Funimation, which often restricted dubs to North America, Crunchyroll makes dubbed versions available simultaneously in multiple regions — including the UK, Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe — reducing geographic disparities.

“Localization isn’t just translation — it’s cultural adaptation. The goal now is consistent, scalable dubbing without sacrificing vocal authenticity.” — Daniel Sánchez, ADR Director at Studiopolis

Dub Release Speed and Simulcast Integration

One of the most criticized aspects of Funimation’s model was delay. Fans frequently waited six months or longer for full dub seasons to catch up with subs. In contrast, Crunchyroll has invested heavily in accelerating dub production cycles.

In 2025, Crunchyroll employs a “simuldub” strategy for select titles — releasing dubbed episodes weekly, typically 1–3 months after the Japanese premiere. For example, *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc* launched with simuldubs just eight weeks after the original aired in Japan, a significant improvement over past delays.

This acceleration stems from early involvement in production. Crunchyroll now participates in licensing negotiations with Japanese studios that include provisions for concurrent script translation and casting, allowing ADR direction to begin before animation is finalized.

Still, not all titles receive this treatment. Mid-tier or niche series may see dubs released months later, or not at all. The decision hinges on projected viewership, merchandising synergy, and platform exclusivity agreements.

Timeline: How Long Dubs Take to Release (2025 Average)

Service	Average Delay (After Sub Premiere)	Simuldub Titles per Season	Global Dub Access
Crunchyroll (2025)	6–10 weeks (major titles), 4+ months (others)	8–12	Yes (most regions)
Funimation (2022 peak)	12–26 weeks	4–6	No (U.S.-focused)

Content Coverage: Which Platform Offers More Dubs?

While Crunchyroll now hosts all former Funimation dubs, some fans report difficulty locating older or obscure titles due to inconsistent metadata tagging. Searching for “Dubbed” under filters sometimes excludes shows that were dubbed pre-merger.

Additionally, not all Funimation-exclusive dubs have been re-uploaded with updated audio quality. Some legacy recordings remain in 480p or lack surround sound options, whereas Crunchyroll remasters select classics like *Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood* and *Cowboy Bebop* for premium presentation.

On the flip side, Crunchyroll has discontinued dubbing certain genres entirely — notably yuri, boys’ love, and experimental art-house anime — citing limited market demand. This contrasts with Funimation’s more inclusive approach during its independent era.

For mainstream action, shonen, and isekai titles, however, Crunchyroll outperforms its predecessor. In Q1 2025 alone, it released English dubs for 11 out of 15 featured simulcasts, including *Chainsaw Man Part 2*, *Blue Lock Season 2*, and *Mashle: Magic and Muscles*. Funimation, by comparison, averaged 7–9 dubs per quarter before integration.

Dub Availability Checklist (What to Look For in 2025)

• Check if the show has a “Simuldub” label in the season description
• Verify regional availability — some dubs still geo-restrict outside North America
• Look for remastered editions of classic series with improved audio fidelity
• Confirm voice actor continuity — recasts happen post-merger (e.g., *My Hero Academia* S7+)
• Use the “Languages” filter to isolate dubbed-only viewing modes

Real Viewer Experience: A Case Study

Take Sarah Kim, a longtime anime fan from Toronto who primarily watches dubs during her commute. Before 2023, she maintained subscriptions to both Funimation and Crunchyroll to ensure full access. After the platforms merged, she canceled her Funimation subscription, expecting seamless transition.

Initially frustrated by missing dubs and confusing navigation, Sarah discovered that using specific search terms — like “[Title] + English Dub” — yielded better results than relying on filters. She also joined a Reddit community where users crowdsource direct links to newly added dubs.

Over time, she noticed improvements: faster dub rollouts, fewer gaps between episodes, and broader device compatibility. By early 2025, she found herself watching nearly all her favorite series in English audio within two months of their Japanese debut — something unimaginable five years earlier.

Sarah’s experience reflects a common trajectory among bilingual anime consumers: initial friction during platform consolidation, followed by gradual satisfaction as systems mature.

Tip: Bookmark your favorite dubbed series and check back monthly — dubs are often added retroactively even if not available at launch.

Production Quality and Voice Talent Retention

Beyond availability, fans care deeply about consistency and performance. One concern following the merger was whether iconic voice actors would retain their roles.

In several cases, they did. Cristina Vee remains the voice of Killua (*Hunter x Hunter*), and Justin Briner continues as Tanjiro (*Demon Slayer*). However, budget realignments led to recasting in later seasons of long-running shows. For instance, the role of Bakugo in *My Hero Academia* was reassigned starting Season 7 due to union contract disputes.

Crunchyroll has responded by increasing investment in SAG-AFTRA-compliant productions and offering multi-season contracts to core cast members. It has also launched an internal talent development program to train new English-language voice actors, aiming to reduce dependency on a small pool of veterans.

Audio engineering standards have also improved. Most new dubs are recorded in 5.1 surround sound and optimized for Dolby Atmos on compatible devices — a step up from Funimation’s stereo-centric legacy format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Funimation dubs stay on Crunchyroll permanently?

Yes. Sony has confirmed that all licensed Funimation content, including dubs, will remain accessible via Crunchyroll indefinitely. There are no plans to remove legacy dubs, though some may be archived or re-released in remastered form.

Why aren’t all anime getting English dubs anymore?

Dubbing is expensive — costing $5,000 to $10,000 per episode. With thousands of anime produced annually, platforms must prioritize titles with the highest return on investment. Niche or short-form anime are less likely to be dubbed unless fan demand spikes.

Can I request a dub for a specific show?

Crunchyroll does not accept public dub requests, but viewer engagement metrics (watch time, completion rates, region-specific traffic) influence dubbing decisions. High viewership in English-speaking markets increases the likelihood of a dub being commissioned.

Final Verdict: Is Crunchyroll Better Than Funimation for Dubs in 2025?

In terms of sheer volume and legacy content, Crunchyroll now surpasses what Funimation could offer independently. It hosts every major dub from the past two decades while accelerating release timelines and expanding global access.

Yet qualitative trade-offs exist. Some fans miss Funimation’s deeper genre diversity and more predictable dub pipelines. Others appreciate Crunchyroll’s cleaner interface, faster updates, and unified experience — even if it means fewer experimental dubs.

Ultimately, Crunchyroll is objectively better for most users seeking convenient, timely access to mainstream dubbed anime. Its technological integration, production efficiency, and international reach represent a clear evolution over Funimation’s fragmented, region-locked model.

But the true measure of “better” depends on individual preferences. Casual viewers who enjoy big-name series will find more value than ever. Hardcore collectors and niche genre enthusiasts may need to supplement with physical media or third-party distributors for complete coverage.

“The merger wasn’t just about convenience — it was about sustainability. Centralized dubbing allows us to invest more in quality and reach wider audiences.” — Hiroshi Yamamoto, VP of Global Content at Crunchyroll

Take Action: Maximize Your Dub Viewing Experience

Don’t wait for algorithms to catch up. Proactively manage your watchlist, enable dub alerts, and engage with community forums to stay ahead of release schedules. Support official dubs by completing episodes and sharing feedback — these behaviors signal demand and encourage further investment.

💬 Have thoughts on the best and worst dub transitions since the Crunchyroll-Funimation merge? Share your experiences below and help shape the future of anime localization!