Crunchyroll, the Sony-owned anime streaming service, is restricting its online store to paying subscribers, meaning fans will soon need a subscription to buy physical merchandise such as DVDs and Blu-rays. The move follows PlayStation's earlier announcement that it will phase out physical game releases by 2028, adding to a wider pattern of Sony brands scaling back access to physical media and drawing renewed criticism from consumers.

From August 2026, only subscribers on Crunchyroll's Mega ($13.99/month) and Ultimate Fan ($17.99/month) tiers will be able to shop at the Crunchyroll Store, which the company says will offer a "new curated experience" with exclusive merchandise. Ahead of the change, the store is running a Summer Sale with 50% off selected items, and existing customers will keep access to their accounts, order history and order support, though gift cards will stop being accepted from 14 August 2026. Crunchyroll, founded in 2006 and bought by Sony from WarnerMedia in 2020 for nearly $1 billion, has around 15 million subscribers and hosts over 2,000 titles.