Crunchyroll Adds All Funimation Anime Content, Sony Starts to Phase Out Funimation Brand
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital EditorSony is effectively merging its two anime streaming services, announcing that Crunchyroll subscribers will have access to library and simulcast content previously available exclusively on Funimation starting March 1.The move brings more than 1,600 hours from more than 50 newly added titles in Funimation’s lineup to Crunchyroll, while Sony said it won’t be raising prices on Crunchyroll’s packages (for now).
The company said future new series will be exclusive to Crunchyroll starting April 1, and Funimation will only continue to add new episodes of current series.Sony’s Funimation Global Group bought Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion in cash from AT&T, a deal that closed in August 2021 — bringing together to former rivals.
Under Sony’s ownership, the anime division has now been redubbed Crunchyroll LLC, operated as a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
Sony said merging Funimation content into Crunchyroll will create “a huge benefit for new and existing subscribers who will no longer have to pay for two services.” Crunchyroll’s pricing of ad-free subscriptions plans remains unchanged at $7.99/month for the Fan tier; $9.99/month for Mega Fan; and $14.99/month for Ultimate Fan.As of March 1, Crunchyroll offers over 40,000 sub and dub episodes.
Read more on variety.com