Crunchyroll and Funimation merge into one offering
Date: 2022 Mar 02 22:04
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anime streaming service Crunchyroll announced that they have merged the brands with Funimation. Crunchyroll has now replaced Funimation for all global content.
In December 2020, Sony buys Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion, Sony also had Funimation. Until now they were running streaming services separately and fans had to buy subscriptions for both if they wanted to watch particular titles on each platform. This problem is now resolved and it makes sense to merge into Crunchyroll as they have more brand recognition as a streaming service. As a result, all titles that were available exclusively on Funimation will now be added to Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll will also be rebranded Funimation for its home video offerings. In April 2021, much-loved brand Manga Entertainment UK (also owned by Sony, via Funimation) Rebranded as Funimation, Brands will now be consolidated into Crunchyroll.
Full Story
The press release is as follows:
Anime fans win as Funimation Global Groups content starting today on Crunchyroll
– Pricing unchanged on Crunchyroll, creating the largest library and simulcast lineup without the need for multiple anime subscriptions –
– 1600+ hours, 50+ newly added titles now available on Crunchyroll, future new series exclusive to Crunchyroll starting April 1st
Starting today, existing and new Crunchyroll customers will have access to a library and simulcast content previously exclusive to Funimation. The move fulfills fans’ promise that the separate services from before the merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll will be brought together into a single subscription. The value of Crunchyroll remains unchanged, providing fans with the ultimate anime experience with subs, dubs, movies and simulcast series in over 200 countries and territories and in 10 languages.
“When we brought Funimation and Crunchyroll together last year, our top priority was to put fans first,” said Crunchyroll CEO Colin Decker. “Globally integrating all of our brands and services under the Crunchyroll brand enables us to deliver more value than ever as we combine subscriptions, dubs, simulcasts, libraries, music, movies, manga—all in one subscription. The new Crunchyroll feeling is a dream come true, and we’re grateful to the anime’s creators and the millions of fans who have joined us in building the community we are today.”
As of today, there are 40,000+ sub and dub episodes available on Crunchyroll for fans to enjoy, with more serving daily over the next few weeks. The all-new series from the upcoming spring season — the biggest ever on record to be announced soon — will stream only on Crunchyroll; Funimation will continue to add new episodes to the current series.
Anime fans will be thrilled that Crunchyroll’s ad-free subscription options haven’t changed, creating a huge benefit for new and existing customers, who no longer have to pay for the two services. (Crunchyroll tier £6.50/month, fan; £7.99/month or £79.99/year, Mega Fan).
Existing Funimation customers can learn more Here,
In addition to the consolidation of SVOD services, Sony-owned Funimation Global Group, LLC will now operate as Crunchyroll, LLC and has begun rebranding its global footprint to consolidate Crunchyroll as a single, global brand for anime. Is.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Connects anime and manga fans in 200+ countries and territories through the content they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community in fan-favorite content, social engagement, events, games, consumer products, content distribution and creation, and manga publishing.
Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of anime licensed through Crunchyroll and Anime Digital Network (in partnership with media-partnering subsidiary Sittel), which has access to multiple languages for audiences around the world. has been translated. Viewers can also access the simulcast – top series, available immediately after the Japanese broadcast. Crunchyroll’s services extend to licensing theatrical, TV, home video, consumer products and video game rights.
Crunchyroll’s live events include the Crunchyroll Expo, Anime Awards, Crunchyroll Movie Nights, and KAZÉ Anime Nights. Distributed thousands of consumer products to fans worldwide through Crunchyroll-owned eCommerce stores and physical retail partners (Crunchyroll, KAZ, AV Visionen), Crunchyroll Games, KAZ Games, and Manga (KAZÉ Manga, Crunchyroll Manga App, Crunchyroll Manga Store) does. ,
Crunchyroll was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, Lausanne, Chisinau and Berlin (AV Visionen). VRV (United States) and IC Movies (Germany) are also Crunchyroll brands. Crunchyroll was acquired in August 2021 by Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan.
What Crunchyroll Licensing Partners Are Saying
“Congratulations on a truly historic merger into global media! With this integration, we sincerely hope that our works will be more liked by people around the world!” , Fuji Television Network, Inc. animation
“Congratulations on the new endeavor! Let’s accelerate the development of anime on a global scale together!” , Keith Uyama, Board Director of Bandai Namco Arts, Inc.
“This is amazing!! I look forward to seeing the power of the two companies become one and spread their new energy around the world!” , Masahiko Minami, CEO of Bones Inc.
“All of the brands being integrated into Crunchyroll are long-time regional leaders in the anime industry, and they have been key partners of Kodansha. We are thrilled about this integration, which we believe will give our global anime and manga fans our Will help to enjoy content more quickly, easily, and at scale!” , Kohei Furukawa, Senior Vice President and Board Member of Kodansha Limited
“Let’s get the world at our feet with the best anime that only us, Kadokawa and Crunchyroll can make! Congratulations!” , Takeshi Kikuchi, Executive Officer, Chief Animation Officer and Chief Licensing Officer of Kadokawa Corporation
“Congratulations on the brand integration. We will continue to do our best as a production studio so that animation fans around the world can enjoy anime through Crunchyroll.” , MAPPA. CEO of Manabu Otsuka
“Congratulations on building the biggest anime platform ever!” , Toho Co., Ltd. & Toho International Inc.
“I’m pleased to learn that Sony’s anime-related consumer services will be integrated under the Crunchyroll brand. Crunchyroll is already one of the best-known names (if not the most famous). I’m sure this will be the move to anime.” Elevate Crunchyroll’s unique position as the all things 360-degree marketer and hope it eventually becomes a household name like Sony.” , Yukio Kawasaki, Managing Director of TV Tokyo Corporation
“Today we celebrate a historic day for anime fans around the world with the amalgamation of two trailblazing entities under one brand. Our goal at Aniplex has always been to put creators and fans first, so we look forward to our collaboration with Crunchyroll. Continued partnership will allow us to strengthen and uphold this motto.” , Atsuhiro Iwakami, CEO of Aniplex Inc.
Source: Crunchyroll