{"id":"cmnf7uulh00kjmjkqrcjl5uow","slug":"crunchyroll-vs-funimation","title":"Crunchyroll vs Funimation","shortAnswer":"As of 2026, Funimation has officially merged into Crunchyroll (completed April 2026), making Crunchyroll the dominant anime streaming platform. Crunchyroll now offers the combined library, improved simulcast support, and expanded dubbing options, making it the clear choice for anime fans seeking a unified service.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Service Status","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Active and Primary Platform","entityBValue":"Merged into Crunchyroll (Discontinued April 2026)"},{"label":"Library Size","winner":"a","entityAValue":"15,000+ anime titles (combined post-merger)","entityBValue":"Integrated into Crunchyroll"},{"label":"Dubbing Quality","winner":"tie","entityAValue":"Extensive (includes former Funimation dubs)","entityBValue":"Legacy dubs now on Crunchyroll"},{"label":"Simulcast Speed","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Industry-leading same-day simulcasts","entityBValue":"Content migrated to Crunchyroll"},{"label":"App Performance","winner":"a","entityAValue":"2025 redesign with improved stability","entityBValue":"Transitioned to Crunchyroll app"},{"label":"Pricing (2026)","winner":"b","entityAValue":"$99.99/year standard tier","entityBValue":"Service discontinued"},{"label":"Content Exclusives","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Combined exclusive catalog","entityBValue":"All exclusives now on Crunchyroll"},{"label":"User Interface","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Clean queue and discovery system","entityBValue":"Merged interface"}],"verdict":"Crunchyroll is now the definitive choice for anime streaming following Funimation's complete merger in April 2026. Choose Crunchyroll if you want the largest anime library, fastest simulcasts, extensive dubbing options, and a unified platform. The merged service inherits Funimation's dubbing strengths while maintaining Crunchyroll's simulcast dominance and improved 2025 app design.","category":"entertainment","entities":[{"id":"cmnf7uub100kgmjkqzofwzm76","slug":"crunchyroll","name":"Crunchyroll","shortDesc":"World's largest anime streaming platform with simultaneous subbed releases and extensive dubbing library.","imageUrl":null,"entityType":"anime","position":0,"pros":["Largest anime library (15,000+ titles post-merger)","Industry-leading same-day simulcasts in multiple languages","Improved 2025 app redesign with better performance and queue system","Integrated Funimation dubs and exclusives","Strong seasonal lineup with premium titles"],"cons":["Higher annual pricing at $99.99","Merger transition caused temporary service disruptions"],"bestFor":"Serious anime fans wanting comprehensive content access, fast simulcasts, and both subbed and dubbed options"},{"id":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","slug":"funimation","name":"Funimation","shortDesc":"Premium anime streaming service with licensed Japanese series, films, and exclusive simulcasts.","imageUrl":null,"entityType":"anime","position":1,"pros":["Renowned for high-quality English dubbing with professional voice actors","Strong community and dedicated user base","Exclusive dub content (now preserved on Crunchyroll)","Previously competitive pricing","Specialized dub premieres and events"],"cons":["Service discontinued April 2, 2026","Smaller overall library compared to Crunchyroll"],"bestFor":"Legacy users and dub enthusiasts (now redirected to Crunchyroll for same content)"}],"attributes":[{"id":"cmnf7v3qa00mhmjkqk0sqrtry","slug":"4k-content-availability","name":"4K Content Availability","unit":"percent","category":"Video 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(post-merger including Funimation dubs)","valueNumber":2500,"valueBoolean":null},{"entityId":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","valueText":"Integrated into Crunchyroll","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"cmngdxac200d79t3sm0hg4b89","slug":"monthly-subscription-cost","name":"Monthly Subscription Cost","unit":"USD","category":"Pricing","dataType":"number","higherIsBetter":false,"values":[{"entityId":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","valueText":"$11.99","valueNumber":11.99,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"cmoqx50h9002fid4sw9bu5vei","slug":"content-library-size","name":"Content Library Size","unit":"millions or channels","category":"Content","dataType":"number","higherIsBetter":true,"values":[{"entityId":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","valueText":"10,000+ anime titles","valueNumber":10000,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"cmofk6wc0000ryjksqlcord3c","slug":"maximum-simultaneous-streams","name":"Maximum Simultaneous 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Access","unit":"percent","category":"Features","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":true,"values":[{"entityId":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","valueText":"Available (Premium subscribers)","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]},{"id":"cmoqx50iq0039id4svxwyr9sv","slug":"audiobook-length-filtering","name":"Audiobook Length Filtering","unit":null,"category":"Features","dataType":"text","higherIsBetter":null,"values":[{"entityId":"cmnf7uuf600kimjkqmttn4yv5","valueText":"Not applicable","valueNumber":null,"valueBoolean":null}]}],"faqs":[{"question":"Is Funimation still available in 2026?","answer":"No. Funimation as a standalone app and service was discontinued in April 2024. All Funimation content and subscriber accounts were migrated to Crunchyroll. If you had a Funimation subscription, you were offered a migration path to a Crunchyroll subscription. The Funimation.com website now redirects to Crunchyroll. Funimation no longer exists as a standalone anime streaming service — it has been fully absorbed into Crunchyroll as part of Sony's consolidation of its anime streaming assets."},{"question":"Did Crunchyroll buy Funimation?","answer":"Technically, Sony bought both. Sony acquired Funimation in 2017 and Crunchyroll from WarnerMedia in 2021 for $1.175 billion. Sony then merged both services under the Crunchyroll brand — choosing Crunchyroll as the surviving brand due to its larger international recognition and stronger simulcast catalog. The result is a combined service with Crunchyroll's simulcast infrastructure and Funimation's dubbing library and U.S. home media distribution expertise."},{"question":"Is Crunchyroll better than Netflix for anime?","answer":"For breadth of simulcast anime (new episodes from Japan subtitled the same day or week), Crunchyroll is significantly better — it carries over 1,000 titles with continuous seasonal simulcast coverage that Netflix does not match. Netflix has more anime originals and has acquired exclusive streaming rights to some hit series, but it does not offer the simultaneous Japanese broadcast coverage that Crunchyroll specializes in. For casual anime viewers who just want popular series, Netflix's anime catalog is sufficient. For dedicated anime fans who follow the seasonal release schedule, Crunchyroll is essential."},{"question":"Does Crunchyroll have dubs after merging with Funimation?","answer":"Yes. Funimation's English dubbing infrastructure and dub library were integrated into Crunchyroll as part of the merger. The combined Crunchyroll now carries significantly more English dubs than original Crunchyroll did before the acquisition, including classic Funimation dubs (Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan). New English dubs are produced by the Funimation dubbing studios that now operate under the Crunchyroll umbrella. Crunchyroll has stated its intention to continue expanding dub production."},{"question":"How much does Crunchyroll cost in 2026?","answer":"Crunchyroll offers three main tiers: Fan at $7.99/month (limited features), Mega Fan at $9.99/month (full access for one device), and Ultimate Fan at $14.99/month (four simultaneous streams, offline downloads). Annual plans offer a discount over monthly pricing. A free tier is available with ads and limited content. Compared to the old split between Crunchyroll and Funimation subscriptions, the unified Crunchyroll provides access to both simulcast and dub catalogs in a single subscription — previously requiring separate payments to both services."}],"relatedComparisons":[{"slug":"marvel-vs-dc","title":"Marvel vs DC","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"star-wars-vs-star-trek","title":"Star Wars vs Star Trek","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"youtube-music-vs-soundcloud","title":"YouTube Music vs SoundCloud","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"nintendo-switch-vs-playstation-5","title":"Nintendo Switch vs PlayStation 5","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"playstation-plus-vs-xbox-game-pass","title":"PlayStation Plus vs Xbox Game Pass","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"facebook-vs-reddit","title":"Facebook vs Reddit","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"kindle-vs-physical-books","title":"Kindle vs Physical Books","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"hbo-max-vs-netflix","title":"HBO Max vs Netflix","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"disney-vs-hbo-max","title":"Disney+ vs HBO Max","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"spotify-vs-youtube-music","title":"Spotify vs YouTube Music","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"pandora-vs-spotify","title":"Pandora vs Spotify","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"hulu-vs-peacock","title":"Peacock vs Hulu","category":"entertainment"}],"relatedBlogPosts":[{"slug":"best-streaming-services-of-2026-top-picks-for-movies-tv-sports","title":"Best Streaming Services of 2026: Top Picks for Movies, TV & Sports","excerpt":"Looking for the best streaming service in 2026? Our comprehensive guide reviews the top platforms including Disney Plus, Netflix, and live TV options to help you find the perfect fit for your entertainment needs and budget.","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"best-streaming-services-2026-netflix-vs-disney-plus-vs-hbo-max","title":"Best Streaming Services 2026: Netflix vs Disney Plus vs HBO Max","excerpt":"Choosing the right streaming service in 2026 doesn't have to be complicated. We break down Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max to help you find the best fit for your entertainment needs and budget.","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"cancel-hulu-subscription","title":"How to Cancel Hulu: Step-by-Step Guide for All Plans (2026)","excerpt":"You can cancel Hulu in under 2 minutes through the website, app, or by calling support. Here's exactly how to cancel each Hulu plan — No Ads, Live TV, Disney Bundle — and what happens to your billing and access when you do.","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"does-netflix-have-live-sports-in-2026-whats-available","title":"Does Netflix Have Live Sports? (2026)","excerpt":"Yes, Netflix now offers live sports including NFL games, WWE wrestling, boxing, and MLB events. Netflix has become a legitimate live sports streaming platform in 2026 with exclusive partnerships and major events included in all subscription plans.","category":"entertainment"},{"slug":"the-best-streaming-services-in-2026-your-complete-guide-to-cutting-cable","title":"The Best Streaming Services in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Cutting Cable","excerpt":"Looking to cut the cord in 2026? Discover the best streaming services that offer the perfect mix of movies, TV shows, live sports, and affordable pricing. From Netflix to emerging alternatives, we've tested and reviewed every major platform to help you choose.","category":"entertainment"}],"metadata":{"metaTitle":"Crunchyroll vs Funimation 2026: Anime Streaming Comparison","metaDescription":"Crunchyroll vs Funimation comparison for 2026. Crunchyroll now merged with Funimation offering 15,000+ anime titles, same-day simulcasts, and 2,500+ dubs.","publishedAt":"2026-03-31T22:56:33.124Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-18T09:00:24.575Z","isAutoGenerated":true,"isHumanReviewed":true,"viewCount":0,"status":"published"},"expertAnalysis":"As of 2026, the Crunchyroll vs. Funimation comparison has a clear factual answer: Funimation has been fully merged into Crunchyroll. The two services no longer compete — they have become one unified platform. Understanding what this means for anime streaming subscribers requires a brief history of how the merger happened and what survived.\n\nSony Pictures Entertainment acquired Crunchyroll from WarnerMedia in 2021 for approximately $1.175 billion. Sony already owned Funimation, having acquired it in 2017. Rather than operate two competing anime streaming services, Sony merged them: Funimation's content, dubbing infrastructure, and subscriber base were folded into Crunchyroll, creating a single dominant anime streaming platform. The merger process took several years — subscribers were migrated, content libraries were integrated, and Funimation's standalone app was discontinued in April 2024. As of 2026, Funimation.com and the Funimation app no longer exist as standalone products; all content that was exclusive to Funimation is now on Crunchyroll.\n\nWhat this means: Crunchyroll in 2026 is the combined entity of what was previously Crunchyroll (strong in simulcast — new episodes from Japan released with English subtitles shortly after Japanese broadcast) and Funimation (strong in dubbing — English voice-acted versions of popular anime). The merged Crunchyroll offers both simulcast subtitled content and an expanding English dub library, making it meaningfully stronger than either service was individually.\n\nCrunchyroll's current subscription tiers: Fan ($7.99/month, ad-supported, offline viewing limited), Mega Fan ($9.99/month), and Ultimate Fan ($14.99/month). The platform carries over 1,000 anime titles, including a very large simulcast catalog, and its original productions have expanded since the Sony consolidation.\n\nCompetition from other platforms: Netflix has invested heavily in anime exclusives (Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan episodes, and Netflix Original anime). Disney+ carries a growing anime catalog through Star in international markets. Hidive is a smaller specialized platform with some titles not available on Crunchyroll. Amazon Prime Video includes some anime. But for dedicated anime viewers, Crunchyroll's breadth of simulcast coverage remains unmatched.\n\nThe bottom line for 2026 subscribers: if you subscribed to Funimation, your content is now on Crunchyroll. If you're comparing anime streaming services in 2026, the real comparison is Crunchyroll vs. Netflix vs. Hidive — Funimation no longer exists as a separate service."}