Funimation’s Library on Crunchyroll: Everything You Need to Know

The anime world braced itself on April 2, 2024, as Funimation officially closed its doors for good, marking the end of an era that had captivated fans for years. Even though the date had been announced for a while, it was still bittersweet. The closure was the culmination of the merger between Funimation and Crunchyroll, a move that has reshaped the landscape of anime streaming.

As a fan, you’re probably wondering about the fate of your favorite anime title and whether Crunchyroll has integrated the entire collection. Let’s shed some light on the current status of the library integration and what the future holds for anime fans. 

The Crunchyroll and Funimation Merger

Crunchyroll and Funimation have been the go-to destinations for anime fans for years, each offering a vast and diverse library of titles. However, in a move that shook the industry, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of Funimation, acquired Crunchyroll in a deal worth $1.175 billion in 2021. This merger aimed to create a powerhouse in the anime streaming market, combining the strengths of both platforms. Nevertheless, it raised some concerns among Funimation subscribers. 

Impact on Anime Fans

Excited About the Expanded Library

Many fans have been excited about the integration of Funimation’s library on Crunchyroll. With a more comprehensive and diverse selection of titles available on a single platform, fans look forward to easier access to their favorite shows and the opportunity to discover new ones. The merger is a game-changer for the anime community, as it brings together two of the biggest names in the industry. 

Even so, quite a few people are not happy about this merger. 

Concerned About Temporary Title Unavailability

However, the integration process has not been without its challenges. Certain titles may temporarily become unavailable during the transition as the rights and licensing are being transferred. This has caused some fans to express concern about the stability of the platform and the availability of their preferred shows. Moreover, since Funimation closed down on April 2, 2024, quite a few titles have not made it to the Crunchyroll library. More on that later.

Disappointed by the Loss of Digital Copies

One of the most significant sources of frustration for fans has been the loss of Funimation’s digital library. Funimation’s digital library refers to the free digital copies of anime series that were bundled with eligible physical DVD or Blu-ray purchases. These digital copies allowed fans to stream the shows without a subscription as long as they had a Funimation account.

However, with Funimation’s shutdown and merger into Crunchyroll, fans are furious that these digital copies will not transfer to the new platform. Crunchyroll has confirmed they “do not currently support Funimation digital copies.”

This has sparked outrage from fans who built digital libraries over the years, believing they would have access forever. Many feel betrayed by Funimation’s “forever” access promise, which was subject to their terms of use.

Losing these digital libraries is particularly frustrating because Funimation’s system did not allow direct digital purchases. The only way to obtain digital copies was through physical media purchases, which fans now feel was a waste.

This controversy highlights the limitations of digital ownership in streaming and the transient nature of content access. It has prompted many fans to prioritize physical copies of anime series going forward.

Compensation for Lost Digital Libraries

During an interview on the Decoder Podcast with Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel, Rahul Purini, the president of Crunchyroll, addressed the backlash by announcing the company’s commitment to compensating customers who will lose their digital libraries when Funimation shuts down. However, specific details regarding the compensation plan remain scarce.

Listen to the podcast:

Price Increases

On May 1, 2024, Crunchyroll announced price increases for its Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscription tiers, effective immediately. The Premium tier remained unchanged, but the free trial period was reduced from 14 days to seven days of free viewing.

The price hikes for the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers have left some subscribers concerned about the affordability and value of Crunchyroll’s service.

The addition of Funimation’s content and infrastructure to Crunchyroll’s platform has raised concerns about the long-term impact on subscription prices. Some fans fear that the merger could lead to even more price increases in the future, making it more difficult for them to justify the cost of the service.

Despite these concerns, Crunchyroll has remained committed to ensuring a smooth transition for users. The company has assured fans that they are working to expand their content offerings and provide a seamless viewing experience. But that remains to be seen how the merger will ultimately impact the anime streaming landscape and the fan experience.

Current Status of the Funimation Library on Crunchyroll

As of May 2024, a significant portion of Funimation’s anime library has been integrated into Crunchyroll, with popular titles such as Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer now available on the platform. It’s important to note that the integration process is ongoing, and not all of Funimation’s titles have been made available on Crunchyroll yet.

Titles Transferred from Funimation to Crunchyroll

Since the merger, Crunchyroll has gradually integrated Funimation’s titles into its library. As of May 2024, the following popular shows have been made available on Crunchyroll:

*This is a selection. You can find the entire library here. 

Titles Still Missing from Funimation to Crunchyroll

While a significant portion of Funimation’s library has been integrated, some notable titles are still missing from Crunchyroll’s catalog as of May 2024:

It’s important to note that while Crunchyroll has stated that most of Funimation’s catalog has already been migrated, countless titles or their English dubbed version are still awaiting transfer, like Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.

Fans have compiled lists of the missing titles on social media platforms, and Crunchyroll has assured that they are working to expand their content offerings.

*X user Big On Anime provided a list of titles that have not been transferred, which you can find here. 

Factors Affecting the Library Integration

Several factors are influencing the pace and scope of the Funimation library integration on Crunchyroll:

• Licensing agreements and rights management: Navigating the complex web of licensing agreements and ensuring the rights to stream certain titles on Crunchyroll is a time-consuming process.
• Technical challenges: Migrating a vast library of content from one platform to another requires careful planning and execution to maintain the quality and accessibility of the titles.
• Prioritization of popular titles: Crunchyroll has prioritized the integration of the most popular and in-demand titles from Funimation’s library, ensuring that fans have access to their favorite shows first.

Staying Informed and Engaged

Fans should follow official announcements from Crunchyroll on its website and social media channels to stay informed about the latest updates on the Funimation library integration and the fate of digital copies.

The Fate of Funimation’s Digital Library in the Crunchyroll Merger

The Crunchyroll and Funimation merger officially closed on April 2, 2024, marking a significant event in the anime industry. The integration of Funimation’s library into Crunchyroll’s platform was a highly anticipated development, but it has left many fans disappointed due to the fate of Funimation’s digital library.

Even so, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments and seek assistance from Crunchyroll’s support team if needed. However you look at it, the combined Crunchyroll and Funimation library is a game-changer for anime fans worldwide.

All You Need to Know About the Funimation’s Library on Crunchyroll

Will everything from Funimation transfer to Crunchyroll?
As of May 2024, a significant portion of Funimation’s anime library has been integrated into Crunchyroll, with popular titles now available on the platform. However, not all titles (also dubbed versions) have been made available on Crunchyroll.

Is my Funimation account linked to Crunchyroll?
Yes, your Funimation subscription will automatically transfer, and you can access it by logging into Crunchyroll with your Funimation credentials before April 2, 2024, when Funimation services end.

What will happen to Funimation digital copies?
Anime fans expressed frustration following Crunchyroll’s announcement that users won’t have access to Funimation digital copies once the two streaming services fully merge. In response, Crunchyroll’s president, Rahul Purini, assured the company would compensate customers who lost their digital libraries due to Funimation’s shutdown. However, specific details about the compensation plan are still not available.