Crunchyroll Faces Backlash Over New Shop Policy

Crunchyroll, a leading anime streaming platform, has announced significant changes to its retail division, the Crunchyroll Store. Starting this August, access to the store will be limited to subscribers of the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers, meaning that non-subscribing Guests and those on the Fan tier will no longer be able to make purchases.

In an official statement, Crunchyroll noted, “The new store captures the excitement of convention-exclusive merchandise: collectibles, curated drops, and limited-release products inspired by the anime series you love.” The company further elaborated that this decision was influenced by community feedback and insights into what excites collectors and anime enthusiasts.

However, many fans are expressing their discontent with these changes. The Crunchyroll Store is not just a place for merchandise and collectibles; it also offers manga, books, and various home entertainment products. For those who prefer physical media, it serves as a vital resource, featuring many exclusive limited edition sets. The inability to purchase these items without a Mega or Ultimate Fan subscription (priced at $13.99 and $17.99, respectively) is seen by many as a troubling step in the ongoing consolidation of the anime market under Sony and Crunchyroll.

In 2022, Sony acquired video publisher and distributor Right Stuf, Inc., integrating it into the Crunchyroll brand, which Sony had also purchased a year earlier. By 2023, Right Stuf was fully merged into the Crunchyroll Store. Following Sony’s recent announcement about discontinuing physical discs for PlayStation games, some anime fans are concerned that the Crunchyroll Store’s new policy could signal a similar shift, pushing customers toward digital media and streaming.

The company’s official messaging emphasizes collectibles, merchandise, and the “convention shopping experience,” while traditional physical media like manga and anime Blu-rays or DVDs are notably absent. Regardless of Crunchyroll’s intentions, restricting merchandise purchases to specific subscription tiers is a contentious move that may not help improve its reputation among certain segments of the fandom.

These changes to the Crunchyroll Store will take effect in August 2026, with a Summer Sale starting on July 14, offering 50% off selected items.