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Crunchyroll Store Removes Tons of Physical Products After Being Locked Behind Subscription
Crunchyroll has removed the vast majority of physical media from its online store, including all manga, light novels, manhwa and danmei titles, just weeks after restricting store access to Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers. The move has angered fans, many of whom see it as another step in Sony's broader shift away from physical products, echoing criticism the company faced over discontinuing physical video game releases. Crunchyroll has not issued any official statement explaining the removals.
As of 19 August, the store's "Home Entertainment" section, which still stocks some DVDs and Blu-rays, lists just 387 items in total, a sharp drop from its previous catalogue. Crunchyroll, owned by Sony since 2021 and later merged with Right Stuf's e-commerce operations, says its store is now focused on merchandise and "convention-exclusive" collectibles rather than physical media. Fans argue this marks the culmination of a three-year decline in Right Stuf's original physical-media business model, though it remains unclear whether the changes are permanent or a temporary transition.
In short
- Crunchyroll Store drops nearly all manga, light novels and manhwa listings
- Only 387 Home Entertainment items (DVDs/Blu-rays) remain for sale
- Fans compare move to Sony's phasing out of physical video games
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The store restructuring reflects pragmatic business adaptation to declining physical media sales; maintaining extensive inventory of slow-moving titles consumes capital and warehouse resources better allocated toward higher-margin merchandise and collectibles. Restricting store access to premium subscribers is a standard practice that adds tangible value to paid tiers. Sony's shift toward digital reflects industry trends, and companies must evolve their operations to remain financially viable rather than sustain unprofitable legacy models.
The case against
The removal of physical media without explanation dismisses fans' preference for ownership over rental, particularly manga and light novel communities built around collecting physical editions. Restricting store access behind subscription paywalls imposes additional costs on customers who simply wish to purchase products outright, rather than subscribing. The changes abandon Right Stuf's community-focused business model entirely, whilst the absence of communication suggests corporate indifference to long-standing customer concerns and preferences.
Explained simply
Crunchyroll is a streaming service best known for anime, and its online shop has also sold DVDs, Blu-rays, manga and other books. It bought the retailer Right Stuf in 2022 and later brought its shop operations into Crunchyroll.
Sony has owned Crunchyroll since 2021. Physical editions let readers and viewers keep books and discs, while streaming and online shops depend on digital access and changing product ranges. Fans have followed changes to the shop closely because they affect where they can buy these editions.