Sony closes ``Funimation,'' an anime library that was advertised as ``permanently accessible.''



Funimation , a video distribution service that mainly distributes Japanese anime overseas, will be completely shut down on April 2, 2024. Funimation, along with video distribution service Crunchyroll , is under Sony, and it was decided that the brand would be integrated into Crunchyroll in March 2022. Funimation will permanently shut down on April 2, 2024, and existing subscribers will be migrated to Crunchyroll.

Funimation End of services – Funimation | Help
https://help.funimation.com/hc/en-us/articles/23103586580244-Funimation-End-of-services

Funimation is shutting down — and taking your digital library with it - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/8/24065940/funimation-shutdown-crunchyroll-digital-library



Sony is erasing digital libraries that were supposed to be accessible “forever” | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/

Funimation Anime Streaming Service Is Shutting Down And Crunchyroll Is Raising Its Prices - Game Informer
https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2024/02/08/funimation-anime-streaming-service-is-shutting-down-and-crunchyroll-is

According to the support page , Funimation users will automatically have an account created on Crunchyroll. It seems that the rank of an account varies depending on the payment platform, type of subscription, and region where you live, but on Funimation's support page, there is a question about ``How much will existing Funimation users have to pay each month for a Crunchyroll account?'' Details are not listed, and it seems that the amount needs to be confirmed on the email sent to each user.



Emma Ross, a writer for the overseas media The Verge, previously subscribed to a plan called 'Funimation Premium Plus' that cost $5.99 per month (approximately 890 yen), but with this service integration, the monthly plan will cost $9.99. It has been reported that the price will increase as the company moves to the 'Mega Fan' plan which costs US$ (approximately 1,490 yen).

It seems that Mr. Ross is not the only one who is forced to increase prices due to the transition to Crunchyroll, and it can be confirmed that multiple users are facing price increases on X (formerly Twitter). One user revealed that he was subscribed to a $54.95 (about 8,200 yen) annual plan on Funimation, but was forced to subscribe to a $99.99 (about 14,900 yen) annual plan on Crunchyroll.




Some users have pointed out that the price increase associated with the move to Crunchyroll is too high.




Funimation also sold physical discs such as Blu-ray and DVD, which also included viewing rights to the digital version. Therefore, by purchasing the physical disc version, Funimation users could semi-permanently own the digital version of their favorite movie or anime. Funimation has advertised that this digital version is ``available forever,'' but it has become clear that access to the digital version will be lost with the transition to Crunchyroll.

Funimation's support page states, 'Crunchyroll currently does not support digital copies of Funimation. This means access to previously available digital copies will no longer be supported.'

In addition, foreign media Ars Technica points out that ``PlayStation has arbitrarily deleted purchased digital content from users' libraries in December 2023.''

PlayStation deletes 1,300 purchased digital contents from users' digital libraries - GIGAZINE



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in Web Service,   Anime, Posted by logu_ii