Crunchyroll's online store has undergone a significant transformation, removing almost all physical manga, light novels, and Blu-ray discs from its offerings. This change, which aligns with Crunchyroll's recent shift to a subscription-only marketplace for Mega and Ultimate members, has sparked considerable backlash from fans who fear it signals a further move away from physical media ownership.
The revamped store, relaunched on August 18, now primarily features anime-related merchandise, with sections for physical books and home entertainment drastically reduced. According to reports, all "manga, light novels, manhwa, & danmei" have been delisted, and it remains uncertain if these will be reinstated. The available store categories are limited to New, Accessories, Apparel, Collectibles, Games, Home Entertainment, and Music.
Under the Home Entertainment section, the number of available Blu-ray and DVD anime sets is reportedly fewer than 400, a sharp decrease from previous offerings. Music CDs and records are also sparsely represented. Notably, the remaining physical anime titles appear to be predominantly those owned or distributed by Sony subsidiaries such as Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Aniplex.
This move has intensified fan concerns about Sony's broader strategy regarding physical media. The company's prior announcement to cease new physical PlayStation game production in 2028 has already drawn criticism, leading to widespread calls for boycotts. The recent changes at Crunchyroll are seen by many as another instance of Sony prioritizing subscription services over direct consumer purchases of physical goods.
Adding to the discontent is Sony's 2023 acquisition and subsequent merger of The Right Stuf International, a popular anime web store, with Crunchyroll. At the time of the acquisition, many expressed worries that such a consolidation could make anime harder to purchase, a concern that now seems to be materializing with the current state of the Crunchyroll store.