It’s the news that anime fans hoped wouldn’t come knocking on their screens, but alas, Crunchyroll has joined the ranks of streaming services hiking up their prices.
It was perhaps inevitable with Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video paving the way, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow for the anime aficionados out there. So, what’s the deal with Crunchyroll’s price increase?
Crunchyroll faces community uproar with its yearly subscription hike to $99.99 after acquiring Funimation. However, subscribers can enjoy the ongoing rate until January 28, 2025. To make problems worse, former Funimation subscribers will lose access to their purchased digital content because Crunchyroll doesn’t support Funimation digital copies.
What Is the New Crunchyroll Price Increase? What Are Its Pros and Cons?
In the realm of anime streaming, Crunchyroll has long been a dominant force. With the acquisitions of VRV, Funimation, and Wakanim under its belt, it seemed like the go-to platform for all things anime.
However, with great power comes great price hikes, and the recent announcement of a hefty increase in yearly subscription fees has sent shockwaves through the community.
To truly grasp the magnitude of this change, let’s break it down. As of now, Crunchyroll currently offers three subscription tiers:
- Fan for $7.99 per month
- Mega Fan for $9.99 per month
- Ultimate Fan for $14.99 per month
A statement from Crunchyroll reads:
“Each of these plans streams in HD (1080p), with the two higher-tiered plans offering multiple-device viewing, discounts on merchandise, and first access to events.”
But the plot thickens with the news of Funimation’s integration into Crunchyroll’s ecosystem. As Funimation subscribers brace themselves for the impending shutdown of the app and website by April 2, 2024, the fate of their subscriptions hangs in the balance.
In a move that has left many feeling like they’ve been hit with a surprise attack from a titan, Crunchyroll announced that the yearly subscription fee will skyrocket to $99.99.
However, current subscribers can enjoy the lower rate until the end of 2024, as the changes will occur starting from January 28, 2025. But the looming prospect of shelling out nearly a hundred bucks a year is enough to make any anime fan break into a cold sweat.
Users will access Crunchyroll using their existing Funimation credentials. However, amidst this transition, a wave of discontent has emerged regarding digital content.
Former Funimation subscribers won’t retain their purchased content, as Crunchyroll doesn’t support Funimation digital copies. This means users will lose access to previously owned digital content, sparking frustration among the community.
The email notification from Crunchyroll underscores this reality, alerting subscribers to losing access to their digital libraries.
As the merger progresses, subscribers are left grappling with the implications of these changes, particularly concerning the loss of cherished content and the adjustment to new billing processes.
But fear not, fellow otakus, for there is still hope amidst the chaos.
While the price hike primarily affects former Funimation subscribers, Crunchyroll enthusiasts can take solace in the fact that their wallets are safe — for now.
So, with no news of any impending price increases for existing Crunchyroll subscribers, it seems that the storm clouds may have a silver lining after all.
However, as the dust settles and the reality of the situation sinks in, questions linger in the minds of anime lovers everywhere.
Will the merger with Funimation ultimately benefit subscribers in the long run, or are we witnessing the beginning of the end for affordable anime streaming?
And perhaps most importantly, is the $100 price tag worth the unparalleled access to over 1300 anime titles that Crunchyroll provides?
Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
Source: Crunchyroll
