Funimation Review: Service Shut Down (Where to Watch Now)

If you searched for a Funimation review hoping to sign up for the service, we need to share some important news: Funimation no longer exists as a standalone streaming platform. The service officially shut down on April 2, 2024, with its entire library and subscriber base migrating to Crunchyroll.

This article covers what happened to Funimation, where its library went, and how you can access all that content today. If you were a Funimation subscriber or simply loved the service, here is everything you need to know about the transition.

What Happened to Funimation?

Funimation was once the premier destination for English-dubbed anime in North America. Founded in 1994, the company built its reputation on localization quality, producing beloved dubs of Dragon Ball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, and countless other series that defined anime for English-speaking audiences.

In 2021, Sony completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion. This gave Sony ownership of both Crunchyroll and Funimation, creating an obvious consolidation opportunity. Rather than operate two competing anime platforms, Sony decided to merge everything under the Crunchyroll brand.

The consolidation happened in stages:

• August 2022: Sony announced plans to merge Funimation into Crunchyroll
• March 2022 - March 2024: Library migration began, moving content from Funimation to Crunchyroll
• April 2, 2024: Funimation streaming service officially shut down
• Post-shutdown: Funimation.com redirects to Crunchyroll

Why Funimation and Not Crunchyroll?

Many fans wondered why Sony chose to keep the Crunchyroll brand rather than Funimation. The reasoning came down to global reach and subscriber base. Crunchyroll had approximately 5 million paying subscribers at the time of acquisition, while Funimation had fewer. More importantly, Crunchyroll had stronger international presence, operating in over 200 countries and territories.

Funimation’s focus was primarily North America, while Crunchyroll was already a global platform. For Sony’s goal of building the world’s dominant anime streaming service, Crunchyroll made more strategic sense as the surviving brand.

Where Is the Funimation Library Now?

The good news: virtually all Funimation content now lives on Crunchyroll. Over 40,000 episodes of subbed and dubbed anime migrated to the platform. The legendary Funimation dub library, built over three decades, is now accessible through a single Crunchyroll subscription.

What Transferred Successfully

The vast majority of Funimation’s catalog made the transition:

• Classic dubs: Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Cowboy Bebop, One Piece, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, and hundreds more
• Simulcast archive: All previously streamed simulcast series
• Funimation Originals: Including ID: Invaded, Gibiate, and other exclusive productions
• SimulDub episodes: English dubs that were produced during simulcast runs

What Did Not Transfer (Yet)

Some content remains in licensing limbo. A small percentage of Funimation’s library involved complex rights agreements that prevented immediate transfer:

• Certain older titles with expired or complicated licensing
• Some co-productions with specific territorial restrictions
• A handful of niche titles still working through rights negotiations

Sony has stated they continue working to resolve these gaps, and additional titles have been added to Crunchyroll throughout 2024 and 2025.

Funimation’s Legacy: A Brief History

Understanding what made Funimation special helps explain why its community felt the loss deeply, even if the content survived.

The Early Years (1994-2005)

Funimation Entertainment was founded in 1994 by Gen Fukunaga in Fort Worth, Texas. The company started as Funimation Productions, initially licensing a then-obscure Japanese anime called Dragon Ball. That gamble transformed the company and North American anime culture.

Dragon Ball Z’s dub, which began airing on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block in 1999, became a cultural phenomenon. Funimation’s localization choices, voice cast, and rock-inspired replacement soundtrack (before the original score became available) defined anime for a generation of American viewers.

Building the Dub Library (2005-2017)

Funimation became synonymous with quality English dubbing. The company invested in full-service production, maintaining an in-house recording studio in Texas with a roster of talented voice actors. This consistency created a recognizable “Funimation style” that fans either loved or debated endlessly.

Key acquisitions during this era included:

• Fullmetal Alchemist (2004) - Cemented Funimation’s reputation
• Ouran High School Host Club (2008) - Expanded comedy/romance reach
• One Piece (2007) - Rescued the franchise with a faithful redub
• Attack on Titan (2014) - Brought mainstream attention to anime streaming
• My Hero Academia (2016) - Dominated the modern shonen market

The Streaming Era (2017-2024)

Funimation launched FunimationNow (later simply Funimation) as its streaming platform in 2016. The service pioneered SimulDubs, producing English dubs within weeks of Japanese broadcast rather than the traditional 6-12 month delay.

This innovation changed fan expectations. Series like Dragon Ball Super received same-day dubs, allowing English-speaking fans to follow weekly discussions alongside Japanese audiences for the first time.

The platform grew to approximately 2 million subscribers before the Crunchyroll merger, representing a dedicated base of dub-preferring anime fans.

What Former Funimation Subscribers Should Know

If you were a paying Funimation subscriber when the service shut down, here is what happened to your account:

Automatic Migration

Active Funimation subscribers were migrated to equivalent Crunchyroll tiers. If you had a Funimation Premium Plus subscription, you received Mega Fan access on Crunchyroll. Funimation Premium subscribers received the base Crunchyroll Fan tier.

Digital Library Purchases

This is where things got complicated. Digital copies of anime purchased through Funimation’s storefront were not transferred to Crunchyroll. Unlike the subscription library, these were one-time purchases that Funimation’s digital storefront managed separately.

Sony attempted to address this by providing refunds or credits for recent purchases, but the solution was not universal. Some fans lost access to digital purchases they expected to own permanently.

Account History

Watch history, queues, and preferences did not fully transfer. Crunchyroll started fresh for migrated accounts, meaning you needed to rebuild your watchlist and find your place in ongoing series manually.

How to Watch Funimation Content Today

All former Funimation content is now accessible through Crunchyroll. Here is how to get started:

Crunchyroll Subscription Tiers

Crunchyroll offers three paid tiers, all of which include access to the former Funimation library:

Plan	Monthly Price	Key Features
Fan	$7.99	Ad-free streaming, 1 simultaneous stream
Mega Fan	$11.99	Offline downloads, 4 streams, Game Vault
Ultimate Fan	$15.99	Manga included, 6 streams, store perks

The Fan tier at $7.99/month provides complete access to both the Crunchyroll and former Funimation libraries. This is the natural successor to Funimation’s basic subscription.

Finding Funimation Dubs on Crunchyroll

When browsing Crunchyroll, look for the language options on each series. Dubbed content is clearly marked. You can also filter search results by “Audio: English” to see only shows with English dubs available.

The SimulDub program continues under Crunchyroll’s management. Major simulcast series still receive English dubs within 2-4 weeks of their Japanese premiere, maintaining the Funimation tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Funimation shut down?

Sony acquired both Crunchyroll and Funimation, creating redundant anime streaming platforms. Rather than operate two competing services, Sony consolidated everything under Crunchyroll, which had a larger global subscriber base and international presence.

Is Funimation coming back?

No. Funimation has been permanently merged into Crunchyroll. The brand may continue for physical media releases and merchandise, but the streaming service will not return.

Where can I watch Dragon Ball Z now?

Dragon Ball Z and all Dragon Ball series are available on Crunchyroll. The complete Funimation dub, including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball Z Kai, migrated to the platform.

Did I lose my Funimation digital purchases?

Unfortunately, digital purchases made through Funimation’s storefront did not transfer to Crunchyroll. Sony offered partial remedies for recent purchases, but many longtime customers lost access to content they expected to own permanently.

Is Crunchyroll more expensive than Funimation was?

Crunchyroll’s current pricing ($7.99-$15.99/month) is comparable to what Funimation charged in its final years. Both platforms underwent price increases over time, so direct comparison depends on when you subscribed.

Can I still use the Funimation app?

No. Funimation apps have been discontinued and removed from app stores. Visiting the Funimation website or opening old app installations redirects to Crunchyroll.

Does Crunchyroll have all Funimation anime?

Nearly all. Over 40,000 episodes transferred, representing the vast majority of Funimation’s library. A small number of titles remain in licensing negotiation and have not yet appeared on Crunchyroll.

Are SimulDubs still happening?

Yes. Crunchyroll continues the SimulDub program that Funimation pioneered. Major simulcast series receive English dubs within weeks of their Japanese premiere.

The Bottom Line

Funimation’s shutdown marked the end of an era for English-speaking anime fans. The company that brought Dragon Ball to American living rooms, pioneered quality dubbing, and created SimulDubs is gone as a standalone brand.

However, the content survives. Funimation’s three-decade library lives on through Crunchyroll, accessible for less than $10 per month. The voice actors, the dub tradition, and the SimulDub program all continue under new branding.

If you loved Funimation, Crunchyroll is your new home. The platform is not perfect: it lacks 4K streaming, some legacy titles remain missing, and the app experience varies by device. But it offers the largest anime library in the world, including virtually everything Funimation built over 30 years.

For fans searching “Funimation review” hoping to subscribe: head to Crunchyroll instead. Your favorite dubs are waiting.