Crunchyroll removes physical products locked behind subscriptions

The world of anime streaming, once a paradise for fans of all levels, has recently experienced some choppy waters, particularly concerning the merchandise and physical media that fuel the passion. This turbulence is centered around Crunchyroll, the Sony-owned streaming giant, and its approach to its store.

The friction began in July when the platform implemented stricter access controls for its store. Crunchyroll limited access to physical media, making it available only to subscribers in the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers.

While such tiered access is often implemented to manage resources or drive subscriptions, the subsequent actions taken by the platform have drawn significant backlash from its community. Reports indicate that following these restrictions, Crunchyroll appears to have subsequently removed the majority of physical media offerings from the platform entirely.

This shift has sparked widespread frustration among dedicated fans who rely on the platform for more than just content consumption; they value the connection to physical items and the seamless experience of their community.

The frustration boiled over as users turned to social media to vent their anger, highlighting a disconnect between the platform’s business decisions and the expectations of its dedicated audience. It seems that while revenue and access are important, the experience for the core fanbase needs careful consideration.

By Ethan Wright