As fans bid farewell to Funimation’s services, a significant gap emerged in the anime and live-action world upon their transition to Crunchyroll. This shift, marked by the absence of nearly 200 beloved titles, reflects a loss of over 60,000 hours of anime content, as of April 4th.
The cessation of Funimation‘s services on April 2nd spurred a notable migration of enthusiasts to its sibling platform, Crunchyroll, a move that had been gradually anticipated over the years.
However, despite this transition, several immensely popular anime series cherished by U.S. audiences in both subbed and dubbed formats remain conspicuously absent. Titles like Steins;Gate, Angel Beats, Durarara!!, Eureka Seven, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., and others have not made the leap.
An examination of the current catalog reveals that 192 offerings from Funimation, excluding live-action content and series sublicensed from other licensors, are yet to find their place on Crunchyroll, resulting in the loss of over 60,000 hours of anime content.
This development underscores the significance of content migration within the anime community. As fans adapt to this shift, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation and concern regarding the fate of their beloved series.
The absence of these titles on Crunchyroll leaves a noticeable void in the streaming platform, prompting discussions and speculation among enthusiasts.
Moreover, this transition highlights the evolving dynamics of the streaming industry and its impact on content accessibility. While platforms like Crunchyroll aim to consolidate offerings and enhance user experience, the process inevitably entails certain losses.
However, amidst these changes, there’s an opportunity for platforms to reassess their content strategies and prioritize fan engagement.
The Impact of Licensing Changes on Monogatari and Black Butler Fans
Amidst the transition, the absence of certain series holds significant implications for anime enthusiasts, particularly during crucial junctures for their respective franchises. Take, for instance, the sublicensing of Monogatari from Aniplex of America by Funimation.
With the announcement of Monogatari continuations Off-Season and Monster Season, many fans expressed dismay over Crunchyroll’s failure to secure similar agreements prior to discontinuing the platform.
Notably, episodes 13-15 of Koyomimonogatari and Bakemonogatari remain untransferred, leaving fans puzzled.
Similarly, despite Season 4 of Black Butler being slated for release on Crunchyroll as part of its Spring 2024 anime lineup, Seasons 1-3 are now unavailable in the U.S., adding to the disappointment felt by viewers.
Crunchyroll’s Efforts Amidst the Fallout of Funimation’s Closure
The delay in transferring certain series may be attributed to the licensing agreements previously held by Funimation, rather than Crunchyroll. While it remains unclear, there’s a reasonable possibility that Crunchyroll is actively working on migrating these series over in the coming weeks or months. Despite this, some Dragon Ball films have yet to make the transition.
Nevertheless, Crunchyroll has notably expanded its Dragon Ball catalog internationally, with France and the U.K. gaining access to over 800 episodes.
However, Crunchyroll has faced criticism from certain viewers regarding aspects within its control, such as the compensation scheme for digital copies of paid Blu-rays. Many have found the process to be challenging and inconsistent.
The recent closure of Funimation adds to the mixed reception of Crunchyroll in 2024. While many anime creators expressed excitement over the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in March, which marked one of the biggest celebrations of anime to date, April has brought frustration due to Funimation’s shutdown. Additionally, there’s a growing concern over anime leaking online before their official premieres, with at least five instances reported thus far.