Crunchyroll Store Cutbacks Spark Fan Outcry
Fans feared that Crunchyroll would dismantle its online store’s manga and anime offerings after moving everything behind a paywall, and those fears have proven true. The new store now lacks physical books and most Blu‑ray editions, sparking anger online as Sony, the parent company, shifts away from disc‑based media ahead of the PS6.
On August 18, as discovered by MangaAlerts on social networks (via GamesRadar), the Crunchyroll store reappeared after its shift to a paid marketplace limited to Mega and Ultimate subscribers. The site now feels like a dying mall’s GameStop, with many beloved items missing and only anime‑related merchandise left instead of actual manga books or Blu‑rays.
Kotaku reached out to Crunchyroll for comment.
According to MagnaAlerts, Crunchyroll has removed or delisted all “manga, light novels, manhwa, and danmei” from the online store. It is unclear if these products will return. At the moment on the websitethe only store categories you will find are New, Accessories, Clothing, Collectibles, Games, Home Entertainment, and Music. Don’t get too excited about the games though, as the only option right now is to buy a Narutro-themed Clue board game.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Crunchyroll has completely removed all Manga, Light Novels, Manhwa, and Danmei from its website after today’s store update. It is unknown if they will be restored.
— MangaAlerts (@mangaalerts.com) 2026-08-18T14:07:30.758Z
GamesRadar notes that only about 10 CDs or discs are available in Music, and fewer than 400 anime sets on Blu‑ray and DVD in Home Entertainment, a sharp decline from previous offerings. Music CDs also fall into this category. The remaining Blu‑ray titles are those owned or distributed by Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Sony‑owned Aniplex.
While this may be a temporary measure, it aligns with concerns that Sony is waging a war on physical media, preferring subscription services over outright purchases. The backlash intensified after Sony bought Right Stuf International in 2023 and then merging it with Crunchyroll. At the time, people were worried that this could lead to a future where buying anime physically would be harder, and now, in 2026, that appears to be exactly what’s happening.
Sony’s online reputation continues to suffer as critics call for boycotts over its announcement that new PlayStation game production will end in 2028. This latest Crunchyroll development only adds fuel to the fire.
