Crunchyroll’s online store has undergone another major change, with manga and several other forms of physical media no longer listed after access was restricted to higher-tier subscribers.
As of 19 August 2026, the Sony-owned anime platform’s store no longer displays manga, light novels, manhwa or danmei for sale. The remaining physical-media range is concentrated in the “Home Entertainment” category, which lists 387 DVDs and Blu-rays.
Fans can still browse merchandise and exclusive product drops through the Crunchyroll Store. The new direction is centred on collectibles, curated releases and limited products inspired by anime series, rather than the broader catalogue previously associated with the retailer.
A smaller physical catalogue
The latest reduction follows a July policy change that limited store access to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers. Users have since taken to social media to criticise the changes and question the future of physical anime retail through the platform.
The shift is notable for collectors who value products they can own, display and revisit without relying on an ongoing digital service. That same concern has appeared in wider discussions about Sony’s approach to physical video-game releases.
How Crunchyroll reached this point
Sony acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 after purchasing Funimation in 2017. Crunchyroll later bought anime e-commerce retailer Right Stuf in 2022, and that business was folded into the Crunchyroll Store in 2023.
Some fans now argue that the former Right Stuf model has been gradually dismantled over the past three years. They believe the reduced availability of physical products makes streaming and digital purchases more attractive, although the company has not stated that this is its intention.
Why physical anime still matters
Digital services have expanded rapidly, but physical releases remain important to much of the anime community. Manga, in particular, continues to appeal to readers and collectors who want a permanent library of their favourite series.
Digital manga is divided among publisher-backed platforms, including Shueisha’s Manga Plus and Kodansha’s K-Manga. Full access on these services can involve subscriptions or in-app purchases, which helps explain why some fans continue to prefer printed volumes.
For collectors, the issue also reflects a broader interest in tangible entertainment and dedicated display spaces. RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog covers related developments across gaming, collecting and the arcade industry, while an arcade machine buying guide can help readers plan a home entertainment setup.
What remains available?
The store still carries selected exclusive home-entertainment releases. One example mentioned by fans is The Apothecary Diaries Season 1 Blu-ray SteelBook edition.
Crunchyroll has not issued an official statement about the most recent removal of manga, manhwa, light novels and danmei. The changes could still be transitional, meaning those categories may return later, but their future remains uncertain.
The situation is another reminder that digital storefronts can change their range, access rules or business model with little warning. For Australians who collect physical games and entertainment, a dedicated cabinet or display area can offer a more permanent alternative; RETROCADE’s arcade machines and compact bartop arcades are designed for different home spaces.
The bigger question for collectors
Crunchyroll’s store is not the only retailer adapting to subscription-led entertainment, but its catalogue changes highlight the tension between convenience and ownership. Streaming offers immediate access, while physical books, discs and collectibles remain available independently of a platform’s latest policy.
Until Crunchyroll explains the change, customers will be left to judge whether the smaller catalogue represents a temporary transition or a lasting move towards merchandise and limited-release products.
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