Crunchyroll and Funimation Partnership
Crunchyroll and Funimation, the two leading global providers of anime, have announced a partnership to improve the fan experience and grow the current reach of anime by sharing titles across streaming, home video, and electronic sell-through (EST). Through this agreement, Crunchyroll will continue creating the best subtitled streaming experience for fans, while Funimation will focus on delivering the best in English-language dubbed (“Broadcast Dubs”) streaming. This collaboration will enable fans to enjoy more anime in more ways than ever before.
But that is not all thats going on over at Funimation. Part of this new partnership involved an overhaul of Funimations website and video streaming platform. Many have complained for years that Funimations site and video player were way behind the times, unlike Hulu and Crunchyroll. Earlier today Funimation put up a progress bar to let you follow along as they make changes to the way they stream anime online.
What does this partnership mean? In simple terms Funimation will only bring you new broadcast dubs, airing them within weeks of the simulcast. They will share licenses with Crunchyroll putting new simulcast shows on Crunchyroll’s catalog. Titles from CR will also carry over to Funimation to be dubbed. Funimation will also streamline their subscription service to a single version costing $5.99/month, slightly less than Crunchyroll’s subtitle plan. CR will then use Funimation as they distribution partner to bring more titles from their catalog to home video release which will include subbed, and dubbed tracks on their anime titles.
Enhanced Video Quality
The most recent post comments about updating the way they compress and stream their videos. Pointing at the video below which shows better visual quality and sharper colors on all their anime videos. “As we move all of our shows, movies, and OVAs over to the new video platform, we’re taking the time to enhance the video quality so you can watch anime the way it was meant to be seen—with crisp, clear lines, vivid colors, and breathtaking animation. See the difference for yourself in this side-by-side comparison video!”
It also appears that they may be moving to a Vimeo style player for their videos based on the new embedded video player on their FunimationNow status page. However, they have not confirmed what platform they will be using for video yet, just that it will be new and improved. The launch of FunimationNow earlier this year brought with it a slew of updated and new mobile apps across various devices making it easier to stream video. I have used the apple version of the app and found it much improved over the previous version. Be sure to visit FunimationNow.com to stay up to date on all the new enhancements and to get ready for their redesigned site launch coming soon.
Check out this video below which outlines the Enhanced Video Quality Funimation is promising with their new platform.
