Crunchyroll and Funimation, both major distributors of Japanese anime, have signed a partnership to share titles across streaming, home video and electronic sell-through (EST).
Under the terms of the agreement, Crunchyroll will continue to stream subtitled versions of anime content, while Funimation will focus on delivering English-language dubbed (known as broadcast dubs) streaming.
Crunchyroll is already streaming subtitled versions of Funimation’s summer slate, including D.Gray-man Hallow (pictured), First Love Monster and Puzzle & Dragons X.
In coming weeks, viewers of Funimation’s new streaming service, FunimationNow, will be able to watch broadcast dubs of Crunchyroll’s summer titles, including 91 Days, Mob Psycho 100 and Orange. The collaboration is expected to continue for future seasons.
The two companies are also sharing catalogue titles. Funimation’s Cowboy Bebop, Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash and Psycho-Pass will be available on Crunchyroll, while Funimation will stream Crunchyroll’s Free! Iwatobi Swim Club and The Testament Of Sister New Devil.
In addition, Funimation will distribute Crunchyroll titles such as Ace Attorney, Alderamin On The Sky and Bungo Stray Dogs, through home video and EST outlets, with both dubbed and subtitled versions together.
Crunchyroll, which has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Tokyo, is majority owned by Otter Media, a joint venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group. Funimation is a US-based company specialised in distributing Japanese anime content, founded in the 1990s by Gen and Cindy Fukunaga.