With new anime releasing on streaming platforms weekly, it’s often difficult to pick and choose which subscription service fits into your monthly budget. Luckily, Crunchyroll and Funimation have made that choice a little easier. Starting March 1st 2022, Crunchyroll and Funimation’s libraries have merged!
What this means is that those currently subscribed to Crunchyroll will now have access to content previously exclusive to Funimation and Wakanim — a subsidiary of Funimation. This includes classics such as Yu Yu Hakusho and Cowboy Bebop alongside new releases like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
For Funimation subscribers, while you won’t be able to access Crunchyroll through your Funimation login, you will receive 60 days of Crunchyroll Premium for free! This applies to all Funimation, Wakanim, and VRV subscribers.
Industry leaders have spoken positively of the merger — applauding both companies for making more great anime available for the masses at one subscription cost:
I am glad to learn that Sony’s anime-related consumer services will be all unified under the Crunchyroll brand. Crunchyroll is already one of the best-known names (if not the best-known) in the fandom. I am sure this move will further elevate Crunchyroll’s unique position as a 360-degree marketer of all things anime and hope it will eventually become a household name like Sony is.
Yukio Kawasaki, Managing Director of TV TOKYO Corporation
How much will a new Crunchyroll subscription cost?
Those fearing that a merger means increased subscription fees have had their worries pacified. Crunchyroll will continue to offer three premium plans at the same prices. All plans, regardless of the tier, will include Funimation content.
At $7.99, the Fan plan allows unlimited access to the new extended library ad-free on one device. This includes digital manga as well available in English.
Fans can also upgrade to the Mega Fan plan at $9.99 which allows streaming on four devices, offline viewing, access to Crunchyroll Expo events and lotteries, and a $15 off coupon in the Crunchyroll store on orders over $100 (this coupon is only available every three months).
For those wanting even more, the Ultimate Fan plan at $14.99 provides everything from the previous plans plus an annual swag bag and access to exclusive Hime Nendroid figures.
Given that all of Funimation’s content will be available on Crunchyroll’s platform by the end of March, it’s advised to plan switching platforms. Luckily, Funimation makes the cancellation process easy. Head over to their website to learn more after claiming your free 60 days from Crunchyroll.
What Simulcast content is currently on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll and Funimation’s merger means that fans get to enjoy their favorite anime releases all in one place. Anyone who wants to watch their favorite anime the same day it releases in Japan can now do so with a single Crunchyroll subscription plan. No matter which one you pick, you’ll have both Crunchyroll and Funimation’s libraries in one place.
This includes Ranking of Kings releasing new episodes every Thursday and the final season of Attack on Titan with new episodes every Sunday. And now following the merger, more is soon to come!
As industry leaders have put it, this is an exciting day for anime fans:
Today we celebrate a historic day for anime fans worldwide with the integration of two trailblazing entities under one brand. Our goal at Aniplex is to always put the creators and fans first, so we have high hopes that our continued partnership with Crunchyroll will allow us to strengthen and uphold this motto.
Atsuhiro Iwakami, CEO of Aniplex Inc.