Impact of Crunchyroll's subscription model on physical merchandise

In short

• Crunchyroll is closing its online store for physical merchandise and introducing a subscription model.
• Only Mega ($14/month) and Ultimate ($18/month) tier subscribers will be able to buy.
• Fans are calling for boycotts over concerns about the availability of physical Blu-rays.

Crunchyroll, now under Sony's wing, has announced that its merchandise store will be accessible only to Mega and Ultimate tier subscribers starting July 16, 2026. That means fans who are used to buying physical merchandise without monthly commitments will now have to sign up for a subscription. This could lead to a major shift in how anime fans purchase their favorite merchandise.

GAME-scanner analysis

The move to a subscription model can be seen as an attempt by Crunchyroll to increase revenue, but it also raises questions about merchandise accessibility. The new store will focus on limited releases and collectibles, which could create a more exclusive experience for subscribers. However, it may also frustrate fans who do not want to take out a subscription just to buy merchandise. Concerns about the availability of physical Blu-rays are real, especially given the boycott calls from the community.

What does this mean for players?

For anime fans, this change means access to physical products will now depend on a monthly payment. That could be a problem for fans who prefer one-time purchases or who have no interest in Crunchyroll's streaming services. The liquidation of existing stock, including steel case Blu-ray sets, planned for summer 2026, could also affect the availability of popular titles. This may significantly change the way fans consume and collect anime.

The shift to a subscription model reflects a broader industry trend toward reducing physical products in favor of digital and subscription-based models. This could significantly affect the future of anime merchandise and fans' experience with their favorite series.