FUNimation, the Pioneering Anime Streaming Service, Officially Closes Its Doors.
FUNimation, a pioneer in the world of anime streaming, has officially shut down its website as of April 2nd, 2024. The streaming platforms website now redirects to Crunchyroll’s homepage. The closure comes in the wake of Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll, another major player in the anime industry, for a whopping $1.175 billion in August 2021.
This move followed Sony’s earlier purchase of FUNimation in 2017 for $143 million, setting the stage for the eventual merger of the two platforms.
“Thanks for everything. It’s time to go to sleep forever. Please don’t forget about me, okay?”
— Jonathan Castleman – Commissions 0pen! (@kurumilover) April 3, 2024
Thought I’d visit the little logo girl I designed and drew for Funimation back in 2016 now that that the platform has sunset, destroying the last remnant of Funi. pic.twitter.com/KAVsPBvZk7
For those unfamiliar with FUNimation, the company was founded in 1994 and quickly established itself as a leading distributor of anime in North America. Over the years, FUNimation played a crucial role in bringing countless beloved anime series and films to Western audiences, including popular titles such as “Dragon Ball Z,” “Attack on Titan,” and “My Hero Academia.”
The platform’s success was built on its dedication to providing high-quality dubbed and subbed versions of anime, as well as its commitment to supporting the industry through licensing and distribution deals.
The consolidation of FUNimation and Crunchyroll under Sony’s umbrella promises to bring together an unparalleled collection of anime content for fans to enjoy. However, the merger also presents some challenges for long-time FUNimation users.
In a statement, Crunchyroll confirmed that “access to previously available digital copies will not be supported,” effectively rendering digital copies of DVD or Blu-ray content purchased through FUNimation inaccessible.
Furthermore, anime fans may need to brace themselves for a price hike in the near future. Crunchyroll announced on X (formerly Twitter) that “as a part of our transition to Crunchyroll, the price of your new Crunchyroll plan will increase from USD $54.95/year to USD $99.99/year beginning January 28, 2025.”
This significant increase in subscription costs could be a bitter pill to swallow for users who have grown accustomed to FUNimation’s more budget-friendly pricing.
While the consolidation of these two industry giants under Sony’s ownership has the potential to provide subscribers with access to an unrivaled library of anime content, it also raises questions about the impact on competition and consumer choice within the market.
Fans of FUNimation may find the platform’s closure bittersweet, as it marks the end of an era for a company that has played such a significant role in bringing anime to Western audiences.
However, there is hope that the combined strengths of FUNimation and Crunchyroll will ultimately lead to a more comprehensive and streamlined streaming experience for anime enthusiasts worldwide.
