Funimation Shuts Down as Crunchyroll Hikes Prices, Erases Digital Libraries

The merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll finalizes on April 2, leaving fans without their purchased digital content and facing higher subscription fees.

Funimation's shutdown on April 2 marks the end of its service as it merges with Crunchyroll, leading to a significant price increase for subscribers.
Crunchyroll announces a price hike from $54.95 to $99.99 a year, nearly doubling the cost for anime fans.
Digital purchases made on Funimation, including movies and series, will not be supported or transferred to Crunchyroll, effectively erasing digital libraries.
The merger and subsequent changes have sparked widespread criticism from the anime community, with many expressing concerns over digital ownership and the future of streaming services.
Sony's consolidation of anime streaming services under Crunchyroll raises antitrust concerns and debates over the impact on consumer choice and content accessibility.