In a surprising move a few years back, the anime community learned of Funimation’s significant decision to merge with Crunchyroll, a move facilitated by a buyout from Sony Entertainment.
As the culmination of this multi-year merger approaches next month, Crunchyroll’s president, Rahul Purini, hints at the possibility of acquiring more anime services in the future.
In a recent interview with The Verge, Purini discussed Funimation’s integration into Crunchyroll and expressed the company’s openness to further growth opportunities that align with its strategic vision.
He stated, “We feel like, structurally, we’re in the right place. We are in the right holding company so that we can go and attack the opportunity that’s in front of us.
Will there be potential inorganic opportunities to add to our current growth? Yes… Would we pursue them when they make sense? Yes. But I do feel like we are in the right place. We have the right structure to focus on our future.”
While some within the anime community embrace the idea of consolidated strength, concerns have arisen about the potential impact of an anime monopoly on the industry’s global outreach.
The landscape of anime streaming has seen fewer major players, with Funimation and Crunchyroll being two prominent contenders before their merger.
HIDIVE is another service in the anime streaming sphere, but its reach is comparatively limited. Crunchyroll’s expansion extends beyond streaming services, as evidenced by its absorption of RightStuf into its portfolio.
RightStuf, a popular online store for anime physical media and Japanese merchandise, has now become part of the broader Crunchyroll Store.
This move suggests Crunchyroll’s willingness to invest in diverse anime-centric brands that complement its extensive offerings.
As the anime industry continues to evolve, Crunchyroll’s strategic positioning and potential future acquisitions raise questions about the trajectory of anime streaming services and their influence on the global anime landscape.
