The Internet Reacts To Crunchyroll And Funimation's Break Up

For the past two years, Crunchyroll and Funimation have been sharing anime broadcasts via a cross-licensing deal. Variety reports that agreement is over. Bummer.

Sony-owned Funimation has decided not to renew. The reason? According to Funimation president and CEO Gen Fukunaga in an internal memo, Sony is increasing inventions in the streaming company in order to make it “a global sub and dub anime brand.” Fukunaga added that Funimation and Crunchyroll parted ways “amicably this month.”

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1053035775804301314

This means that the Crunchyroll’s VRV bundle service won’t have Funimation Now starting November 9. Because of this, some shows will leave both Crunchyroll and Funimation, but as ANN points out, Funimation Now subscribers will get access to, according to Fukunaga’s internal memo, “several hundred” titles starting November 9. The good news, though, is that Hidive has inked a deal to become part of the VRV bundle.

Funimation (via ANN) confirmed the dissolution, adding that sub simulcasts could start as early as next season.

https://kotaku.com/soon-funimation-will-be-sonys-1797422900

Many fans seem saddened—or, at least, annoyed—by the break-up, because this might mean you’ll need both Crunchyroll and Funimation accounts.

Broke: Funimation ending partnership with Crunchyroll

Woke: HIDIVE beginning partnership with VRV, meaning all Sentai exclusive shows like Made in Abyss, Land of the Lustrous, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, and this season's Bloom Into You will be so much more accessible

— PhenomSage (@PhenomSage) October 18, 2018

Crunchyroll-hime: Do you love me?
Funimation: Only partly, I only love my bed and my Sony I'm sorry.

— YonkouProductions (@YonkouProd) October 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1052984793468678144

So VRV's switching out Funimation for Hidive, huh? pic.twitter.com/SCeXr0qXFL

— Blick Winkel@AX⁉️(H. Anthony Israel) (@blockwonkel) October 18, 2018

So @WatchVRV is losing Funimation, but gaining Hidive. Before, I was double-paying for Crunchyroll and VRV. Now, with this exciting news, I'll be double-paying for VRV and Hidive!!

— Mike Toole (@MichaelToole) October 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1053180289751572480

Crunchyroll "Wow Funimation, i love this pact we have!"

Funimation "Yeah let's be friends forever!"

Sony – "Betray them" pic.twitter.com/1OAdYVU1UU

— Dakota Broskie @Animazement (@DakotaBroskie) October 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1053005803114954753

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