In the past few years, we’ve seen a major shift in the anime industry, and it all started with one big move: Sony buying Crunchyroll, which later merged with Funimation. On the surface, this looks like a power play, consolidating two of the largest anime streaming platforms into one. But like many in the community, I’ve noticed growing concerns—and a flood of memes—about what this means for anime fans, creators, and the industry as a whole.
Consolidation of Crunchyroll and Funimation
On paper, consolidation seems like a good thing. Crunchyroll and Funimation coming together means fans get a more unified streaming experience. Instead of subscribing to two platforms, users can (theoretically) access a larger library under one roof. It also promises better production quality, faster simulcasts, and more investment in anime production. Sony has the resources to make bigger moves, and some fans hope this will lead to more licensing, improved dubs, and better streaming features.
Lots of fans have already made memes like this one:
Other memes are more specific about the merger, talking about how Crunchyroll’s recent price increases are driving more fans to piracy.
The Concerns
But not everyone is excited about this corporate takeover of the anime streaming landscape. A major concern is that this consolidation could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, and less competition. With fewer platforms competing for users, the risk of stagnation rises. If Sony dominates the anime streaming space, they control what content is available, what regions can watch it, and how much users pay.
And then there’s the issue of accessibility. For many fans outside of Japan, streaming platforms like Crunchyroll were a key way to legally watch anime. But what happens when titles are locked behind exclusive paywalls? Fans are already worried about losing access to niche or lesser-known shows that may not be prioritized by a massive corporation. Memes about people returning to piracy aren’t just jokes—they reflect a real fear that, without affordable access, fans will resort to illegal streaming to get the content they love.
The Impact on Creators
For anime creators, consolidation is a double-edged sword. On one hand, more funding from a giant like Sony could mean better budgets, more ambitious projects, and new opportunities for partnerships. But on the other hand, there’s concern that creative control could suffer. When big corporations get involved, there’s always the risk that commercial interests take priority over artistic vision.
Small studios, indie creators, and experimental projects may struggle to find a platform in a world dominated by a single company. Crunchyroll and Funimation once catered to niche and lesser-known titles, but will that still be the case when the focus shifts toward profitability?
Piracy Resurgence
Anime piracy has always been a part of the conversation, but consolidation seems to be reigniting it. With fans fearing higher prices, exclusive content, and region-locked titles, the temptation to return to pirated sites is real. It’s ironic that the very consolidation meant to streamline and improve access to anime could end up driving people back to the same piracy sites that these platforms originally sought to fight.
Piracy isn’t a solution, but it’s a signal. It reflects how frustrated fans are with the state of legal streaming. If Sony doesn’t balance affordability, availability, and quality, they could end up pushing people away from the legal services that helped build the global anime community in the first place.
What Comes Next?
So, will consolidation help or hurt the anime industry? The answer isn’t clear yet. Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll and Funimation could lead to positive changes: bigger budgets, faster releases, and a larger global audience. But it could also lead to monopolization, higher costs, and restricted access, all of which hurt fans and creators alike.
Lots of users have speculated on Reddit as to what might happen next.
As anime continues to grow in popularity worldwide, it’s crucial that we keep an eye on how this consolidation affects the ecosystem. Will Sony use its power to elevate the anime industry, or will it sacrifice the very elements that make anime special in pursuit of profit? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: the fans will be watching closely.