Funimation vs Crunchyroll: Which Is Better In 2024?

In the world of anime streaming, two giants have emerged – Funimation and Crunchyroll. Both services offer a vast library of popular shows and simulcasts, but which one reigns supreme? This guide does a head-to-head comparison of Funimation vs Crunchyroll.

We’ll evaluate their content libraries, streaming quality, premium membership benefits, availability across devices, and overall user experiences. By weighing the pros and cons of each platform, anime fans can determine which streaming service best suits their viewing needs and preferences. The battle between these two anime juggernauts starts now.

Funimation vs Crunchyroll: A Detailed Comparison

When comparing Funimation and Crunchyroll, two of the most prominent streaming services for anime, it’s important to consider several key factors such as content library, user experience, subscription costs, and unique features. Here’s a detailed comparison based on these criteria:

1. Content Library

Crunchyroll boasts one of the largest collections of anime streaming content, with a focus on simulcasts—streaming anime episodes shortly after they air in Japan. It offers a wide variety of genres, from action and adventure to romance and slice of life, catering to a broad audience. Crunchyroll also features a selection of manga.

Funimation, now rebranded as part of Crunchyroll after Sony’s acquisition of both companies, traditionally specialized in dubbed anime, providing an extensive library of English-dubbed series and movies. This made it an attractive option for fans who prefer watching anime in English. Since the merger, Funimation’s library has been integrating into Crunchyroll’s, expanding the dubbed options available to Crunchyroll subscribers.

2. User Experience

Crunchyroll offers a user-friendly interface with easy navigation and personalized recommendations based on viewing history. It is available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and gaming consoles.

Funimation’s platform was known for its focus on dub content, but since its integration with Crunchyroll, users can expect a unified experience under the Crunchyroll platform. This includes features like curated lists, better search functionality, and the ability to track watched episodes.

3. Subscription Costs and Plans

Crunchyroll offers a free tier with ads and a few limitations, such as delayed access to the latest episodes. Its premium plans remove ads, provide access to simulcasts immediately after they air in Japan, and allow for offline viewing. The cost of Crunchyroll’s premium plans varies, but they generally offer monthly and annual options to fit different budgets.

Funimation also offered a similar structure with a free, ad-supported tier and premium options. However, with its content merging into Crunchyroll, users now have access to both dubbed and subbed content under Crunchyroll’s subscription models.

4. Unique Features

Crunchyroll stands out for its simulcast feature, offering episodes shortly after their release in Japan. It also has a broader international reach, making it accessible in more regions than Funimation.

Funimation was unique in its extensive dubbing efforts and the speed with which it provided high-quality English dubs. With its integration into Crunchyroll, these dubbed titles have become a part of Crunchyroll’s expansive library, enhancing its value proposition.

5. Community Features

Crunchyroll has been well-regarded for its strong community engagement features, including forums, reviews, and groups where fans can discuss their favorite shows, episodes, and manga. This has helped create a vibrant community around anime culture and fandom.

Funimation, while also offering community engagement options, focused more on the streaming service itself rather than building a broad community platform. Its forums and social interaction tools were present but not as central to the user experience as Crunchyroll’s.

6. Content Exclusives and Originals

Crunchyroll not only offered a wide range of anime series and movies but also ventured into producing original content, known as “Crunchyroll Originals.” These titles are exclusive to the platform and cover a variety of genres, reflecting the service’s efforts to diversify its content offering and invest in the anime industry.

Funimation had its share of exclusives, particularly in the dubbed anime domain. It also worked closely with Japanese studios for early dub releases, ensuring that English-speaking audiences received timely access to popular series.

7. Language Options

Crunchyroll primarily focused on providing a vast library of subtitled content in various languages, not just English. This inclusivity made it a go-to platform for non-English speaking audiences worldwide.

Funimation excelled in offering a wide array of English-dubbed content. It also provided subtitles, but its primary attraction was its English voiceovers, making it especially popular among those who prefer watching anime in English.

8. Platform Accessibility and Performance

Crunchyroll has been accessible on a wider array of devices and platforms, ensuring that users could watch their favorite anime from almost any device. The platform has been generally praised for its streaming quality and reliability, though some users have reported issues with app performance across different devices.

Funimation also offered broad device compatibility, but its focus was on enhancing the viewing experience for dubbed anime fans. There were occasional criticisms regarding the app’s user interface and streaming performance, but it remained a popular choice for its target audience.

9. Subscription Model and Pricing

Before the merger, both platforms had distinct pricing strategies and subscription models that catered to different audiences:

Crunchyroll:

• Free: Limited ad-supported tier with access to a select library and delayed access to new content.
• Fan ($7.99/month): Ad-free viewing, access to the entire Crunchyroll library (excluding simulcasts), and 1 simultaneous stream.
• Mega Fan (no longer available): Ad-free viewing, access to the entire Crunchyroll library including simulcasts, and 4 simultaneous streams.
• Ultimate Fan ($14.99/month): Ad-free viewing, access to the entire Crunchyroll library including simulcasts, offline viewing, 6 simultaneous streams, access to Crunchyroll’s digital manga library, annual swag bag, exclusive merchandise purchase opportunities, and a $25 discount every 3 months on Crunchyroll Store purchases of $100 or more.

Funimation (historical):

• Free: Limited ad-supported tier with access to a select library and delayed access to new content.
• Premium ($5.99/month): Ad-free viewing, access to most of the Funimation library (excluding simulcasts), and 1 simultaneous stream.
• Premium Plus ($7.99/month): Ad-free viewing, access to the entire Funimation library including simulcasts, and 5 simultaneous streams.
• Ultra ($9.99/month): Ad-free viewing, access to the entire Funimation library including simulcasts, 5 simultaneous streams, and access to some Funimation-produced live-action shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Crunchyroll have more exclusive content compared to Funimation?

Yes, Crunchyroll offers a wide range of exclusive and original anime series, including “Tower of God” and “The God of High School.” These unique shows set Crunchyroll apart in the streaming world.

What kind of exclusive content does Funimation offer?

Funimation may not focus as much on exclusive content but excels in providing a vast library of licensed anime titles. Popular shows like “Dragon Ball Z” are part of Funimation’s offering.

Are popular ongoing series like “My Hero Academia” available on both Crunchyroll and Funimation?

Yes, both Crunchyroll and Funimation secure exclusive streaming rights for popular ongoing series like “My Hero Academia.” This ensures fans can enjoy these top shows on either platform.

How does Crunchyroll collaborate with anime studios for new content?

Crunchyroll actively collaborates with anime studios to release fresh content like the series “Noblesse.” This dedication to working with studios ensures a constant stream of exciting new material for viewers.

Which platform caters more to exclusive content: Crunchyroll or Funimation?

Crunchyroll focuses more on offering exclusive and original anime series, setting itself apart in the streaming landscape. On the other hand, Funimation shines in providing a diverse library of licensed anime titles for fans with varied preferences.