Anime Fans Are Upset Funimation's Digital Copies Aren't Moving to Crunchyroll
Sebastian Wright
Published Mar 13, 2026
There is no denying digital media is a double-edged sword. While such content is easy to access, there is usually a catch when it comes to ownership. From music to television, most digital media is simply licensed to users rather than sold outright. This issue has sparked a war between digital and physical media that is now coming for anime. After all, Funimation is sunsetting this spring following its Crunchyroll merger, and the latter site is not going to support Funimation's digital copies.
The information went live this week as Funimation posted a press release confirming its site will shut down this April. It was there a thorough Q&A was shared, and it confirmed Crcunhyroll "does not currently support" digital copies from Funimation.
"We understand that you may have concerns about your digital copies from Funimation," the press release reads. "Please note that Crunchyroll does not currently support Funimation Digital copies which means that access to previously available digital copies will not be supported. However, we are continuously working to enhance our content offerings and provide you with an exceptional anime streaming experience."
As you can see above, anime fans who redeemed digital copies of shows and/or films will not have their libraries transferred to Crunchyroll. This is because digital content often come with terms of use that make it clear you're not actually buying content to own; Rather, you are licensing content for a personal library from a specific service. When Funimation ends its service, its digital licenses will disappear as well, and Crunchyroll has no obligation to take them over.
Obviously, netizens aren't happy about this update as you can see some of their reactions in the slides below. When it comes to media and owning entertainment, this latest blow proves physical media reigns supreme. So if you are a digital consumer, well – just know this situation can happen at any time with most any content.
What do you make of this latest streaming shift? Let us know what you think in the comments below as well as on Twitter and Instagram. You can also hit me up @MeganPetersCB to share your take!
Stick Around
prevnextWith Funimation shutting down and people losing digital things they bought its time to remind you we should not let physical media die
— SZG (@SuperZeldaGirl) February 8, 2024
Take a Hint
prevnextFunimation has gone bust and is being rolled into Crunchyroll, they will no longer be able to honor your digital purchases with them.
I am ONCE AGAIN reminding you that the 'all digital' future is not in your best interests as a consumer.
— GamesNosh (@GamesNosh) February 7, 2024
Own, Don't License
prevnextCrunchyroll absorbing Funimation, and in so doing discarding all customer digital purchases made on Funimation (including disc pack-in digital copies/codes from the past decade), does little to boost confidence in the future of 'digital ownership'.
— Brett (@brettbirddotnet) February 7, 2024
Big Yikes
prevnextSome of my friends used to rag on me for buying DVD’s and Blu-rays instead of just getting digital copies and then stuff like this funimation debacle happens. Like nobody is gonna come to my house and take my anime dvd’s so who’s laughing now?
— _mostly_ghostly_ (@LowBudgetGhost) February 8, 2024
So Long Suckers
prevnextSony's shutdown of Funimation once again demonstrates why buying digital-only media is a sucker's gambit...#FizzVsGaming #FizzVsComics
— Michael Scally 🏳️🌈 🐀 (SAME USERNAME ELSEWHERE) (@FizzVsTheWorld) February 7, 2024
Digital Is Iffy
prevnext“Digital purchases on Funimation won't be supported” SEE! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING! Physical media is absolutely crucial and most people just casually keep saying “nahhh make everything digital only there won’t be issues.” WAKE UP!
— Living Ichigo 🍓 (@livingichigo) February 8, 2024
In All Honesty
prevnextPeople who had a ton of digital purchases on a Funimation account and now would have to pay 100 extra dollars:
— TRAFON(s Backup Account) (@RiseFallNickBck) February 8, 2024
Oh Boy
prevnextThe not honoring Funimation digital copies is awful but also don't sleep on Crunchyroll casually doubling the yearly subscription proce
— 🫡 Minoru-kun🫶 (@Minoru79) February 7, 2024
Not Great TBH
prevnextNot that Funimation's Digital copy codes ever worked in the first place, but this is not great.
— Justin Sevakis (@worldofcrap) February 7, 2024
OWN YOUR MEDIA
Help Prevent Pirating
prev0commentsIt's a cliche at this point, but as Crunchyroll wipes away everyone's digital purchases from Funimation, remember that if buying isn't owning, than pirating isn't stealing.
— Pop Arena (@pop_arena) February 8, 2024
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