I am an avid anime lover who has found solace and engagement in these creations ever since life forced me into discontinuing work and going on SSDI (Disability). Due to my disability, I am unable to learn other languages and my Dyslexia often impedes my interaction with subtitles, making English-dubbed anime invaluable for me. However, I, like many others, have found ourselves in a predicament.

Crunchyroll, a pioneering anime platform, recently procured Funimation, promising access to a wealth of content. Funimation was a remarkable platform that offered a wide variety of anime in english-dubbed format. Much to my dismay and that of many others, Crunchyroll has currently only incorporated about 1/4 of the English dubbed anime that Funimation offered. This presents a substantial barrier for individuals like me who predominantly rely on English-dubbed versions.

There were a staggering 1.5 million paid subscribers to Funimation in 2020, many of them reliant on their abundant English-dubbed catalogue (Source: Funimation public data). The transition to Crunchyroll has left a substantial portion of this audience without viable viewing options.

We are urging Crunchyroll to uphold Funimation's legacy by releasing all English-dubbed anime acquired through the purchase. This will not only honor Funimation's commitment to inclusivity and access for global viewer bases but will also give equal opportunity for viewers like me with language limitations. Please sign this petition to lend your voice to this cause. By doing so, you help promote the universal enjoyment of anime and bring a sense of normalcy to individuals restricted by their personal circumstances.

 Key details of the Merger
Final Price: The deal was finalized at $1.175 billion, paid by Sony’s Funimation Global Group to AT&T for Crunchyroll.
Companies Involved: Sony Group Corporation (through its joint venture Funimation Global Group) and WarnerMedia/AT&T (owners of Crunchyroll).
Consolidation: The merger integrated Funimation’s, Wakanim’s, and Crunchyroll's libraries into one service. As of 2022, Funimation's content was shifted to Crunchyroll, effectively ending the distinct Funimation streaming service, note this YouTube video.
Regulatory Scrutiny: The U.S. Department of Justice reviewed the merger for potential anti-trust issues due to the concentration of anime streaming rights, but the deal was eventually approved and completed in August 2021, according to Wikipedia.
Operational Changes: Following the acquisition, Crunchyroll absorbed Funimation's operations, with subscribers advised to switch to the consolidated Crunchyroll platform, according to Newsweek. 
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures
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Background Information
Before the merger, Sony acquired Funimation in 2017.
Crunchyroll brought over 5 million subscribers and 120 million registered users to the merger, as reported by Deadline.
The merger allowed Sony to solidify its control over the anime streaming market, notes

records of the merger between Sony Crunchyroll and Funimation

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Sony completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T on August 9, 2021, for $1.175 billion, merging it with Funimation to create a unified global anime streaming powerhouse. The deal, which placed Crunchyroll under Sony’s Funimation Global Group, saw Funimation's content and operations largely absorbed into the Crunchyroll platform, which now serves as the primary brand. 

Sony

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