With new anime released weekly on streaming platforms, it is often difficult to choose which subscription service fits into your monthly budget. Thankfully, Crunchyroll and Funimation have made that choice a little easier. As of March 1, 2022, the Crunchyroll and Funimation libraries have been merged!
What this means is that those who are currently subscribed to Crunchyroll now has 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 such as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
For Funimation subscribers, although you cannot access Crunchyroll through your Funimation login, you will receive 60 days of free Crunchyroll Premium! This applies to all Funimation, Wakanim and VRV subscribers.
Industry leaders have spoken positively about the merger, applauding both companies for making more great anime available to the masses at one subscription price:
I’m happy to hear that Sony’s anime-related consumer services will all be united under the Crunchyroll brand. Crunchyroll is already one of the most famous names (if not the most famous) in fandom. I’m sure this move will further elevate Crunchyroll’s unique position as a 360-degree marketer of all things anime and I hope it eventually becomes a household name like Sony is.
Yukio Kawasaki, General Manager of TV TOKYO Corporation
How much does a new Crunchyroll subscription cost?
Those who feared that a merger would entail higher subscription costs have allayed their concerns. Crunchyroll continues to offer three premium plans at the same prices. All plans, regardless of level, contain Funimation content.
For $7.99, the Fan plan offers unlimited access to the new expanded library with no ads on a single device. This includes both digital manga and available in English.
Fans can also upgrade to the Mega Fan plan for $9.99 that includes streaming on four devices, offline viewing, access to Crunchyroll Expo events and raffles, and a $15 coupon in the Crunchyroll store on orders over $ 100 (this coupon is only every three months).
For those wanting even more, the Ultimate Fan plan for $14.99 includes everything from the previous plans plus an annual swag bag and access to exclusive Hime Nendroid figures.
Since all of Funimation’s content will be available on the Crunchyroll platform by the end of March, it is recommended that you switch platforms. Fortunately, Funimation makes the cancellation process easy. Go to their website for more information after claiming your free 60 days of Crunchyroll.
What Simulcast content is currently on Crunchyroll?
The merger of Crunchyroll and Funimation means fans can enjoy their favorite anime releases in one place. Anyone who wants to watch their favorite anime, the same day it will be released in Japan can now do this with a single Crunchyroll subscription. Whichever you choose, you’ll have the libraries of both Crunchyroll and Funimation in one place.
This includes Ranking of Kings which releases new episodes every Thursday and the final season of Attack on Titan with new episodes every Sunday. And now, after the merger, more is coming soon!
As industry leaders have said, this is an exciting day for anime fans:
Today we celebrate a historic day for anime fans around the world with the integration of two pioneering entities under one brand. Our goal at Aniplex is to always put creators and fans first, so we’re hopeful that our continued partnership with Crunchyroll will enable us to strengthen and uphold this motto.
Atsuhiro Iwakami, CEO of Aniplex Inc.
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