Ultimate Guide to Streaming Anime Crunchyroll vs. Funimation vs. Netflix at Ultimate Guide to Streaming Anime Crunchyroll vs. Funimation vs. Netflix

Three months ago, my friend Jake called me at midnight, genuinely furious. He'd just discovered that his entire Funimation digital library—over $400 worth of purchased anime—had vanished overnight. No warning. No refund. Just gone. When I explained that Funimation had merged with Crunchyroll and wasn't honoring digital purchases, the silence was deafening.

This is the reality of anime streaming in 2026. Funimation is completely dead as of April 2024. Crunchyroll absorbed everything, raised prices twice in two years, and now dominates with over 17 million subscribers. Netflix is aggressively expanding its anime catalog but taking a completely different approach. The choice between them isn't as simple as "which has more shows"—it's about understanding what you're actually getting for your money.

I've spent seven years testing every major anime platform, tracking price changes, and watching the industry consolidate. Here's the brutal honest truth about what works, what doesn't, and where your money should actually go.

What Happened to Funimation? The Merger Everyone Saw Coming

Funimation no longer exists. On April 2, 2024, Sony shut it down completely after merging everything into Crunchyroll. If you're searching for Funimation in 2026, you're looking for a ghost.

The real controversy? Digital copies didn't transfer. For years, Funimation sold Blu-rays with digital codes for permanent access. Crunchyroll refused to honor these purchases. Thousands of dollars in legally purchased content just vanished with no compensation.

Former Funimation subscribers were automatically converted to Crunchyroll accounts at higher prices. The old Premium Plus plan cost $5.99 monthly. Crunchyroll's cheapest tier is now $9.99 after February 2026's price increase—a 66% jump.

This taught me one critical lesson: never trust that you "own" digital content. Licensing agreements and corporate consolidation can erase your purchases overnight.

Crunchyroll in 2026: The Undisputed King With Growing Problems

Crunchyroll premium mod is now the 800-pound gorilla of anime streaming. After absorbing Funimation, they've built a near-monopoly with over 17 million paid subscribers, 50,000 episodes, and 2,000 series. They're the default choice for serious anime fans.

But "default choice" doesn't mean "best choice without reservations."

Current Crunchyroll Pricing (As of February 2026)

After the latest price increase effective March 4, 2026:

**Fan Plan: $9.99/month ($66.99 annually)** - Ad-free streaming on one device, entire library including simulcasts, offline downloads

**Mega Fan Plan: $13.99/month** - Stream on four devices, HD downloads, Crunchyroll Game Vault access (80+ games)

**Ultimate Fan Plan: $17.99/month** - Six devices, Crunchyroll Manga library, 15% discount at Crunchyroll Store

These represent the second increase in two years. The Fan tier held steady at $7.99 for seven years before jumping to $9.99 in February 2026.

What You Actually Get

The library is genuinely massive. Crunchyroll mod premium apk offers simulcasts for most seasonal anime—new episodes appear 30-60 minutes after airing in Japan. If you're watching currently airing shows, Crunchyroll is essentially mandatory. They have exclusive streaming rights for the vast majority of seasonal anime.

Their catalog includes legendary series: Naruto, One Piece, Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and thousands more. After absorbing Funimation, they picked up Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Steins;Gate, and Dragon Ball Z Kai.

The Growing List of Crunchyroll Problems

Here's where my honest assessment gets uncomfortable: the platform has real issues.

**Subtitle quality has tanked.** In July 2025, fans discovered Crunchyroll was using AI-generated subtitles with errors and missing cultural context. President Rahul Purini confirmed AI is an area they're "focused on"—expect more AI, not less.

**The free tier is gone.** As of January 1, 2026, you must pay to watch anything.

**Regional restrictions remain terrible.** Content varies wildly by country.

**The interface is mediocre.** Search is limited, recommendations are hit-or-miss.

The biggest concern? Monopoly behavior. With Funimation gone, Crunchyroll can raise prices because where else will you watch seasonal simulcasts?

When Crunchyroll Makes Sense

Despite criticisms, choose Crunchyroll if you watch seasonal anime, need niche catalog titles, or are splitting costs with friends. The annual Fan plan at $66.99 ($5.58 monthly) is reasonable for regular viewers.

### When Crunchyroll Makes Sense

Despite my criticisms, Crunchyroll is the right choice if you:

- Watch currently airing seasonal anime religiously
- Need access to niche or older catalog titles not on mainstream platforms
- Want to support the anime industry directly (Crunchyroll licenses more shows than anyone)
- Are splitting costs with 3-6 people on Ultimate Fan plan ($3-6 per person monthly)
- Need offline downloads for commuting or travel

The annual Fan plan at $66.99 breaks down to $5.58 monthly, which is actually reasonable if you're a regular anime viewer. That's the closest you'll get to the old Funimation pricing.

Netflix's Anime Strategy: Quality Over Quantity

Netflix takes a fundamentally different approach. While Crunchyroll aims to be the comprehensive library, Netflix is highly selective—focusing on licensing popular titles, funding high-budget originals, and securing exclusive distribution rights. They're not trying to compete with 2,000 series. They're trying to have the best 200-300 titles.

Netflix's Current Anime Offerings

As of February 2026, Netflix has a selective but quality anime catalog:

**Major licensed series:** One Piece, Demon Slayer, Violet Evergarden, Vinland Saga, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Beastars, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Steel Ball Run coming March 19, 2026), Blue Eye Samurai, Haikyuu

**Netflix Originals:** Dorohedoro Season 2 (Spring 2026), Pokémon Horizons Season 3, Baki-dou: The Invincible Samurai

The pattern is clear: Netflix goes after tent-pole series with mainstream appeal or invests in originals they can own outright. They're not simulcasting 40+ shows every season—they're strategically picking winners and betting big on production quality.

Netflix's Strategy

In January 2025, Netflix announced a partnership with MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. This gives Netflix exclusive rights to select MAPPA productions—significant because MAPPA is arguably the hottest anime studio right now.

They've also been licensing complete series from Crunchyroll's catalog for specific regions, creating confusion but revealing Netflix's global expansion strategy.

Netflix Pricing for Anime Access

You're probably already paying for Netflix. As of February 2026:

**Standard with ads: $6.99/month** - 1080p with commercials
**Standard: $15.49/month** - Ad-free 1080p, two streams
**Premium: $22.99/month** - 4K Ultra HD, four streams

The advantage: if you're already subscribed for non-anime content, anime comes as a bonus at no extra cost.

When Netflix Makes Sense for Anime

Choose Netflix if you already subscribe for non-anime content, prefer binge-watching complete seasons over weekly simulcasts, want high production value originals, don't care about obscure titles, or watch casually rather than following every seasonal release.

Netflix is perfect for the "I watch some anime but I'm not obsessed" crowd. Their catalog might be 10% the size of Crunchyroll's, but that 10% covers most mainstream hits.

Netflix's Anime Weaknesses

**No simulcasts.** Netflix waits for entire seasons to complete, then drops them all at once. If you want weekly discussions and to avoid spoilers for currently airing shows, Netflix won't work.

**Inconsistent availability.** Titles come and go when licensing expires. Netflix doesn't own most anime they stream.

**Limited back catalog.** Want obscure shows from the 1990s? Netflix probably doesn't have it. Their focus is 2015-forward.

**Interface treats anime like any other content.** No dedicated anime browsing, no seasonal tracking, recommendations often push live-action shows instead.

Choose the Right Platform For Your Needs

Choose Crunchyroll If:

You watch 10+ hours weekly ($0.25/hour at 40 hours monthly), follow seasonal releases religiously, explore niche genres, or split costs with friends (Ultimate Fan split six ways = $3 each).

Choose Netflix If:

You're casual (5-10 series yearly), prefer binge-watching complete seasons, already pay for Netflix anyway, or value production quality over quantity.

Use Both If:

You're serious about anime with disposable income ($25 monthly total), or split Crunchyroll while sharing Netflix household accounts.

How to Actually Save Money on Anime Streaming in 2026

Save Money on Anime Streaming

**Annual subscriptions save 16%.** Crunchyroll Fan annual at $66.99 saves $13 yearly.

**Split with friends.** Ultimate Fan split six ways = $3 per person monthly. Best value in anime streaming.

**Rotate strategically.** Subscribe during busy seasons, cancel during slow periods.

**Check existing services.** Amazon Prime and Hulu have anime libraries—use them first.

Bottom line: Calculate your viewing hours. 20+ hours monthly? Crunchyroll at $10 is a steal. Three series yearly? Just use Netflix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anime Streaming

**Is there any way to legally watch anime completely free in 2026?**

Very limited options remain. YouTube hosts some older series legally with ads. Crunchyroll eliminated their free tier January 1, 2026. Most legal anime now requires a paid subscription.

**Why don't all anime have English dubs available?**

Dubbing is expensive, requiring voice actors, directors, and studio time. Platforms prioritize popular shows. Niche series often remain subtitle-only because dubbing costs exceed expected revenue.

**Is it legal to use a VPN to access anime not available in my region?**

It's against terms of service for both Crunchyroll and Netflix. They can ban your account if caught. You're circumventing geographic licensing restrictions. Many people do it, but you're taking a risk.

**What happens to anime I purchased digitally if a platform shuts down?**

As Funimation proved, you'll probably lose access with no refund. Digital "purchases" are actually licenses that can be revoked. This is why physical media advocates exist—Blu-rays can't be remotely deleted.

**Why does Netflix wait to release entire seasons instead of weekly episodes?**

Netflix's business model is built on binge-watching. Their data shows batch releases generate more engagement than weekly drops. For anime, waiting for complete seasons lets them dub everything before release.

The Honest Bottom Line

After seven years in this ecosystem, here's the truth:

Crunchyroll is necessary if you're serious about anime. Their monopoly on simulcasts means no alternative for seasonal shows. Price increases are frustrating, AI subtitles concerning—but where else will you watch new episodes weekly?

Netflix is the better product but worse anime platform. Slicker interface, higher quality originals, but can't match Crunchyroll's 2,000-series library.

Funimation's death proved digital ownership is a myth. Everything you "buy" can vanish when licensing changes. Never count on accessing content you don't physically own.

Stay flexible. Subscribe for specific shows, then cancel. Split costs. Treat streaming like a rotating buffet, not a permanent commitment.

If you love a series? Buy the Blu-ray while they exist. Streaming rights expire, and shows vanish overnight.

Choose Crunchyroll if serious. Choose Netflix if casual. Or use both strategically and never feel guilty about canceling.