The Impact of Funimation's Exit from Crunchyroll and VRV

As a long-time follower of the anime streaming landscape, I must say that the recent developments surrounding the partnership between Funimation and Crunchyroll have left me quite disappointed. The decision to pull out from the VRV platform and its impact on viewer choice and service quality have sparked a lot of conversation within the anime fan community. In this article, we will explore the effects of these changes and what they might mean for the future of anime streaming.

My Perspective

Initially, Funimation's partnership with Crunchyroll was seen as a positive move for anime fans, providing access to exclusive content that was previously only available on Funimation. However, when Funimation decided to end their partnership with Crunchyroll and also pull out of VRV, it felt like a significant loss for many fans, including myself. My primary reason for subscribing to VRV was to enjoy Funimation content, and the loss of 90% of my watchlist left me feeling quite disheartened.

The replacement of Funimation shows on VRV with HiDive is a sad substitute, particularly since HiDive is associated with Sentai Filmworks, a studio known for its original content. While it’s understandable that VRV wanted to replace Funimation, I still feel that the move has disrupted the balance of exclusive content and left fans with fewer options.

Corporate Dynamics and Future of Anime Streaming

Given that both Crunchyroll and Funimation are now owned by large corporations, the end of their partnership wasn’t entirely surprising. This shift creates a competitive landscape where both companies are bidding for exclusive rights to different anime series. The implications of this bidding war are significant and could reshape the future of anime streaming services.

The corporate ownership of these platforms means that there is likely to be fierce competition for popular anime series. With deep pockets, both Crunchyroll and Funimation have the resources to outbid each other for exclusive rights. One might argue that entering into these partnerships and bidding wars is a return to the norm. However, the rise of Sony as a key player in the streaming landscape adds a new layer of complexity.

Sony’s Influence on Anime Streaming

Sony, through its subsidiary UMG (Universal Music Group), has a significant stake in the music and soundtrack production for many anime series. This means that there could be a natural bias towards distributing funimation-exclusive content if the Sony-owned projects have a stake in these series. For instance, since Sony owns UMG, which licenses music for a large portion of the soundtrack library, it has a vested interest in promoting Funimation.

The worst-case scenario is one where Sony attempts total horizontal integration, distributing every Aniplex or Sony-produced show and every show with UMG-licensed music through Funimation. This would create a situation where Funimation has a near-monopoly on popular anime and a significant advantage over Crunchyroll and HiDive in terms of content availability and licensing. This scenario could potentially result in a situation akin to 2003, where legal streaming was scarce, and fansubbing became the default mode for accessing content.

Conclusion

The changes in the anime streaming landscape are a reflection of the broader trends in the entertainment industry. While the competitive bidding war for exclusive content is part of the natural evolution of the market, the potential impact of Sony’s influence is a cause for concern. As a fan, I hope that these platforms can find a way to balance their commercial interests with the needs and desires of the anime community.

In summary, the exit of Funimation from Crunchyroll and VRV represents a significant shift in the anime streaming landscape, with potential implications for content availability, fan satisfaction, and the overall health of the anime streaming ecosystem. Fans and the industry as a whole will be watching closely to see how these changes play out in the coming months and years.