Overview

• 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.