Anime fans have something to say as Crunchyroll, a streaming platform with the largest anime catalog, has just announced that starting in August 2026, access to its physical store will be restricted to subscribers of the Mega Fan and Ultimate plans. While paid memberships have always included streaming benefits and occasional store discounts, the latest changes go much further by limiting who can actually shop.
Subscribers on the standard Fan plan, which costs $9.99 per month, will still be able to browse the store but won’t be able to purchase items from the new shopping experience. Non-subscribers will lose access altogether, meaning they won’t even be able to browse the updated storefront
Why The Change
Crunchyroll says the new membership requirements are designed to create a more “premium shopping” experience while adding value to its higher-tier subscription plans. Rather than operating its online store as a standalone retailer, the company is increasingly positioning it as an exclusive benefit for dedicated subscribers. By restricting purchases to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan members, the anime giant hopes to strengthen customer loyalty and encourage more users to upgrade from the standard Fan plan.
It’s not unheard of with streaming services. Streaming companies are looking for new ways to increase recurring revenue as subscriber growth slows and competition intensifies. Offering exclusive merchandise access gives Crunchyroll another incentive beyond streaming, similar to how other subscription services (like Amazon with Amazon Prime, for example) bundle perks such as free shipping, early access to products, or member-only events.
The Justified Backlash From Fans
Fans are unmoved by the call for exclusivity and “perks” to dedicated members. Arguing that requiring a subscription just to buy merchandise creates an unnecessary barrier for collectors who may have no interest in the streaming service. Others believe the policy prioritizes subscription upgrades over customer convenience, making it feel less like a reward for loyal members and more like a restriction designed to drive additional revenue.
The timing of the market subscription announcement has also drawn criticism because Crunchyroll recently (starting February 2026) increased the prices of several membership plans. For many subscribers, paying higher monthly fees while also seeing additional features locked behind more expensive tiers creates the impression that benefits are being removed instead of added. That perception has fueled accusations that the company is, again, prioritizing monetization over customer goodwill.
Crunchyroll Should Read The Room
Crunchyroll has also emphasized in their announcement that the redesigned store is intended to feature curated collections rather than functioning as a traditional online retailer. Instead of competing with large marketplaces on price and selection, Crunchyroll appears to be shifting toward an exclusive boutique model centered on limited releases and premium collectibles.
To be quite frank, we’re already paying for enough subscriptions in this streaming, online paying, “create an account to…” state that we’re in. The frustration from fans is really a frustration that comes with living in a capitalistic society. Having to pay for yet another thing. Joy is being monetized. As we become increasingly more aware of who has the means to engage with collectibles and art, it’s no wonder this recent move by Crunchyroll has been unfavorable with the anime community.
It’s bigger than anime and collectibles. The elephant in the room that Crunchyroll seems to be oblivious to (or possibly doesn’t care to see) is that this new setup locks out anime lovers who simply can’t afford the higher-tiered plans. The free subscription plan ending in December 2025 was already a blow to anime fans on a budget. Whether Crunchyroll adjusts its plans in response to the backlash remains to be seen.
