Crunchyroll has ignited a firestorm of criticism among anime fans with its recent announcement that its online store, offering physical merchandise, will soon be accessible exclusively to holders of its highest-tier "Mega" and "Ultimate" fan subscriptions. This move, set to take effect in August, has led to widespread disappointment and calls for boycotts, particularly as fears grow about the decreasing availability of physical media alternatives to streaming.
The revamped store is being marketed as a new shopping experience designed to "capture the excitement of convention-exclusive merchandise—collectibles, curated drops, and limited-release products." However, the requirement of a monthly subscription, with the "Mega" and "Ultimate" tiers priced at $14 and $18 per month respectively, has drawn ire. Critics argue this approach leverages a fear of missing out (FOMO) and targets the service's most dedicated supporters with limited releases, rather than providing broad accessibility.
This development comes at a time when physical media is already facing uncertainty. Crunchyroll, owned by Sony, acquired Iowa-based online anime retailer The Right Stuf International in 2023 and subsequently merged its operations into the Crunchyroll store. Fans have voiced concerns that this consolidation, coupled with similar trends in other media, signals a tightening grip on physical media options.
Discussions on platforms like Reddit reflect a sentiment that the existing store was already struggling with stock issues. "Let's be real, the store was dead anyway, there's so little in stock or available for order," one user commented, urging others to support alternative retailers. Another prominent thread on the Anime subreddit has called for a complete boycott of Crunchyroll, linking the store's new access model to Sony's broader strategy, including the reported discontinuation of PlayStation game discs in 2028.
"Don't subscribe to them, don't buy from them, nothing," a user advocated. "They do not deserve any money from customers they've time and time again treated like shit and it’s disgusting how much of a monopoly they hold over anime in North America. They will continue to do this because people let them get away with it by paying them. This goes double for what they're doing with physical games on PlayStation."
The current controversy follows a recent price increase for Crunchyroll subscriptions, the first in seven years. This period also saw Sony merge its Funimation content with Crunchyroll after acquiring the former in 2021. While the future of physical media like Blu-ray discs remains a concern amid ongoing market consolidation, fans are actively discussing avenues to support alternative outlets and express their dissatisfaction with Crunchyroll's strategic shifts.