Funimation Shutdown and Merger with Crunchyroll: What Anime Fans Need to Know
Learn about the recent shutdown of Funimation and its merger with Crunchyroll, including details about the transfer process, price changes, and the impact on anime streaming. Discover how this merger solidifies Crunchyroll’s dominance in the anime streaming industry.
Funimation Shutdown: A Nostalgic Farewell to a Beloved Anime App
Anime fans were hit with sad news as Funimation, the popular anime app, announced its shutdown and merger with Crunchyroll in April. This decision, which had been anticipated for some time, left many fans feeling nostalgic and disappointed.
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Funimation’s official website provided details about the shutdown, reassuring users that they could still enjoy their favorite anime through Crunchyroll, its sister app. The shutdown is scheduled for April 2nd, 2024, and Funimation users will have the option to transfer their viewing history to Crunchyroll.
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The Merger: Funimation and Crunchyroll Join Forces
The merger between Funimation and Crunchyroll came after Sony, Funimation’s parent company, acquired Crunchyroll. This acquisition reshaped the anime streaming landscape, bringing the two major providers under one umbrella. As a result, Funimation’s licensed anime became available on Crunchyroll, offering fans a centralized platform to access a wide range of series.
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The transition for Funimation subscribers to Crunchyroll is expected to be smooth, with the ability to transfer their subscriptions. However, there is a significant price increase, with the subscription now costing $99 per year instead of the previous $55 on Funimation. This nearly doubling of the price has caused some concern among fans. Additionally, any digital products purchased on Funimation will not be supported on the Crunchyroll platform, leaving users uncertain about the fate of their purchased content. It remains unclear whether refunds will be offered for these digital purchases.
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The Downsides: Exclusives and Concerns
While the merger brings together two major players in the anime streaming industry, there are still some downsides. Certain series, such as the Dragon Ball dubs and older anime films, remain exclusive to Funimation. This leaves fans who enjoy these specific shows without a clear alternative on Crunchyroll.
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With the merger, Crunchyroll solidifies its position as the dominant force in anime streaming. Despite facing competition from other anime streamers like HIDIVE and larger streaming services like Netflix, Crunchyroll maintains its status as the go-to platform for streaming anime.
Crunchyroll has also taken steps to expand its offerings of anime and manga, making it easier for fans to access content hassle-free. Furthermore, Crunchyroll has a wider global reach compared to Funimation, being available in almost all countries except for a select few. Funimation, on the other hand, is only available in 11 countries, with limited access through Wakanim.
While the merger and transition to Crunchyroll offer many benefits, such as a larger library of anime and global availability, the price increase and lack of support for digitally purchased goods have stirred controversy among anime fans. It remains to be seen how the merger will ultimately impact the anime streaming landscape and the experiences of fans.