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Crunchyroll has unveiled one of its biggest retail changesto the anime company in years, and it has already sparked criticism from many passionate anime fans. Beginning this August, the Crunchyroll Store will no longer operate as an open online marketplace for anyone to access. Instead, the redesigned shopping experience will only be available to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers, placing all Crunchyroll products and exclusive merchandise behind a paid membership.
The announcement, via the official Crunchyroll website, arrives during an already tense period for the company. Since acquiring anime retailer Right Stuf back in 2022, the company has faced recurring complaints over reduced inventory, higher prices, and concerns about its growing influence and potential future monopoly over anime merchandise. With the latest decision restricting store access to premium members, many collectors believe another popular feature is becoming subscription-exclusive.
Crunchyroll Is Locking Its New Store Behind Premium Memberships
Crunchyroll revealed the changes on July 14, confirming that its revamped online store will launch sometime in August. While an exact release date has not been announced, the company said the new experience will focus on convention-style shopping for fans, featuring curated product drops, limited-release collectibles, and merchandise exclusive to Crunchyroll.
However, there is one major catch. Access will be limited to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers. Fans using the free version of Crunchyroll, or those without a qualifying Premium membership, will no longer be able to purchase from the redesigned store. Beyond promising exclusive merchandise, Crunchyroll has shared few details about how the service will operate.
Before the transition, Crunchyroll is holding a Summer Sale beginning July 14, offering up to 50% off select merchandise. At the same time, it introduced stricter purchasing rules. Effective July 13 at 11:59 p.m. PT, designated items become final sale, meaning returns, exchanges, and refunds are only available if products arrive damaged or defective.
Fans Question The Timing Following Right Stuf's Disappearance
The controversial announcement from Crunchyroll has gotten immediate backlash online, largely because it follows Crunchyroll's acquisition of Right Stuf, back in 2022. The beloved retailer, founded in 1987, spent decades building a reputation as one of the largest online destinations for anime Blu-rays, manga, figures, collectibles, games, and licensed home video releases before being absorbed into Crunchyroll's growing business.
Although Crunchyroll originally described the acquisition as a way to expand merchandise offerings for collectors, some fans argue the opposite has happened. Complaints about shrinking product availability, discontinued items, and pricing have circulated ever since Right Stuf's storefront was phased out. The decision to reserve the new Crunchyroll store shopping experience for paying subscribers has only intensified those frustrations.
Crunchyroll insists existing orders will continue shipping normally after the transition, and customers will still have access to their account history. Gift cards will remain usable through August 14, 2026, while customer support will continue handling shipping issues, address changes, and defective products. Nevertheless, the membership restriction has become the dominant talking point, with many collectors questioning whether exclusive merchandise should require an ongoing streaming subscription to Crunchyroll.
