FUNimation, the Pioneering Anime Streaming Service, Is Officially Shutting Down.
FUNimation, a pioneer in the world of anime streaming, has officially shut down its website as of April 2, 2024. The website streaming platforms now redirects to Crunchyroll's homepage. The closure comes after Sony acquired Crunchyroll, another major player in the anime industry, for a whopping $1.175 billion in August 2021.
The move follows Sony's previous purchase of FUNimation in 2017 for $143 million, which set the stage for the eventual merger of the two platforms.
“Thank you for everything. It's time to go to sleep forever. Please don't forget me, okay?”
I thought I'd pay a visit to the little icon girl I designed and drew for Funimation in 2016 as the train platform went sunset, destroying the last remnants of Funi. pic.twitter.com/KAVsPBvZk7
— Jonathan Castleman – 0pen commission! (@kurumilover) April 3, 2024
For those unfamiliar with FUNimation, the company was founded in 1994 and quickly established itself as the leading anime distributor in North America. Over the years, FUNimation has played a key role in bringing countless beloved films and anime series to Western audiences, including popular titles like “Dragon Ball Z,” “Attack on Titan” and “My Hero AcadeKaren”.
The platform's success is built on its dedication to delivering high-quality dubbed and subtitled versions of anime, as well as its commitment to supporting the industry through licensing and distribution agreements.
The merger of FUNimation and Crunchyroll under the Sony umbrella promises to deliver an unparalleled collection of anime content for fans to enjoy. However, the merger also poses 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 via FUNimation is not accessible.
Furthermore, anime fans may need to brace themselves for price increases in the near future. Crunchyroll announced on X (formerly Twitter) that “as part of our transition to Crunchyroll, the price of your new Crunchyroll plan will increase from $54.95/year to $99.99/year starting January 28, 2025.”
This significant increase in subscription costs may be a bitter pill to swallow for users accustomed to FUNimation's more budget-friendly prices.
While the merger of these two industry giants under Sony's ownership has the potential to give subscribers access to an unrivaled library of anime content, it also raises questions about the creator's reputation. impact on competition and consumer choice in the market.
FUNimation fans may feel bittersweet about the platform's closure, as it marks the end of FUNimation. the end of an era for a company that played a key role in bringing anime to Western audiences.
However, there is hope that the combined power of FUNimation and Crunchyroll will eventually lead to a more comprehensive and streamlined streaming experience for anime enthusiasts around the world.