Crunchyroll Vs Funimation: Which One To Choose, And Should You Use BOTH?

When it comes to anime streaming, you really only have two options:

Crunchyroll
Funimation

This is true from a mainstream stand point, and as far as the selection you get from both anime streaming companies.

AnimeLab is great for New Zealand and Australia. Netflix is better than OK for a non-anime service. Hulu is about the same.

But for serious anime fans, you can’t beat Funimation and Crunchyroll internationally when all is said and done.

They have too much of a big foot print, especially now that Sony owns BOTH companies thanks to AT&T selling Crunchyroll.

Pros and cons of Funimation & Crunchyroll:

1. Crunchyroll ”Originals”

Let’s keep it real: Crunchyroll Original’s aren’t technically original in a literal sense. It’s not material that was made in-house at Crunchyroll’s company.

Crunchyroll Original’s adapts Webtoons primarily. It’s South Korea’s answer to Japanese manga or anime.

So far Crunchyroll has:

Tower Of God.
The God Of High School.
Noblesse.
Onyx Equinox.
FreakAngels.
Meiji Gekken: Sword And Gun.
In/Spectre.
High Guardian Spice (if it releases, this is actually original).

Some you’ll know of, others you won’t. But they are unique to Crunchyroll and can’t be found anywhere else (ignoring pirates).

2. Biggest anime catalog in the world (Crunchyroll)

Crunchyroll has the biggest anime catalog. Not surprising since they’re the biggest anime streaming company by web visitors, catalog and so on.

If you’re in the USA like a lot of fans are, you literally have nothing to complain about with Crunchyroll’s line up of anime shows.

They’ve got it on lock.

3. FREE anime without paid subscription (Crunchyroll)

Unlike Funimation, you can watch anime on Crunchyroll without paying for a subscription. That’s one advantage to using it.

Of course – that also means you have to put up with ADS every now and then, similar to YouTube’s ad model with their videos.

It’s a good taste tester for fans considering Crunchyroll’s platform though.

4. FREE Trial with Funimation (14 days)

Funimation works a little different to Crunchyroll. They offer a FREE trial for 14 days on their service.

They don’t offer any of their anime for free in the slightest. BUT they do hold exclusive titles as well, mostly classics or shows like MHA.

Shonen style anime. But not just.

That being said, this method guarantees you won’t have an “ad” type of experience since it’s built to be clean.

5. Limited selection outside the USA (Crunchyroll)

This is one of the biggest cons of both anime streaming platforms. In fact it applies to ALL anime streaming platforms, and streaming across the board.

Crnuchyroll’s 1000+ catalog of shows is cut in half (or worse) depending on where you are in the world. Like India or Philippines for example.

The same is true for Funimation, even though they have a smaller catalog than Crunchyroll as it is.

Even here in the UK it’s hard to watch certain shows from both platforms thanks to the message “this isn’t available in your country”.

Relevant: The Problem With Anime Piracy And How It NEEDS To Be Solved Going Forward

6. Simulcasting from Japan (Crunchyroll)

Simulcasting has been a big thing in the last decade. It’s made anime streaming more relevant and attractive to fans.

Crunchyroll simulcasts SUBBED anime shows from Japan, and that helps overseas anime fans tune in once a series drops.

They don’t do it dubbed. And that’s where Funimation steps in.

Funimation simulcasts DUBBED anime content. Which is good for loyal fans who’ve grown up watching dubbed anime. Whether in the USA, UK, or otherwise.

7. Exclusive DUBBED anime content (Funimation)

Funimation is the only one of the two that specializes in anime dubs. They do have subs, but it’s not as prominent or their thing like with Crunchyroll.

You can watch anime dubbed from:

My Hero Academia.
Dragon Ball Z.
Dragon Ball Super.
Black Clover.
Fire Force.
Fruits Basket.
Attack On Titan.
Higurashi (NEW).

And so many more anime shows in their catalog. Both old and new.

Talentless Nana, a new series I’m loving, also has a dub to make a point. Though I prefer the subbed content.

Should You Use BOTH Funimation & Crunchyroll?

Here’s the thing about using both streaming services: you end up paying double or more.

You also have to switch constantly between the two while figuring out which one to use for what.

That’s obvious. Fans have been doing that for ages to some degree (not all fans) but it goes even further than that.

The reason why having multiple subscriptions to Crunchyroll, Funimation (or whoever) isn’t practical…. is because of licensing.

Well, that’s only one slice of the reason.

Whether we’re talking about Crunchyroll or Funimation, both companies have licenses that can last 5 years lets say.

After that they throw the anime in the trash and focus on NEWER anime because that makes more money.

In fact – NEW anime shows is the reason why Crunchyroll and Funimation is in demand.

These days you can guarantee they’ll have all the currently airing anime.

But that’s only a dozen or so per season (spring, summer, autumn, winter).

Anime shows older than 2–5 and especially 10 years are harder to come by UNLESS those anime are big hitters like:

DBZ
Fullmetal Alchemist
My Hero Academia
Naruto
One Piece

And basically any show that still makes money and has a BIG franchise and a massive audience who will pay for streaming, just to watch it.

Or keep up with it.

They’ll renew licenses for shows like that, but in general, streaming services have to think about:

The demand of an anime show
Financial potential

And other elements to consider whether it’s worth “keeping” and renewing a license if they can, or just giving it up or giving it away.

The other reason you CAN’T watch all anime with any or multiple streaming services (like Crunchyroll and Funi) is because of region blocking.

I probably sound like a parrot I’ve mentioned it that much, but it’s true.

If your country has certain anime shows (or even streaming services) blocked then it stands to reason your selection is limited.

Add the two problems together and what you get is PIRACY. Which is the only thing that’s able to give you every single anime without restriction, on demand, and even simulcasted.

With both dubs and subs.

Those problems are mostly true for anyone outside of the US or Japan though (for region blocks).

What about Sony’s purchase of Crunchyroll?

We are excited to join our peers at Sony and Funimation.

There are many questions we can’t answer yet, but we’re excited by the prospect of this combination. https://t.co/R6ACXYHRHL

— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) December 9, 2020