Following price hikes and limited inventory, the Crunchyroll Store will soon be available only to paid members of the anime streaming service this August. This move comes as Crunchyroll faces ongoing speculation about internal downsizing of its physical inventory following its controversial buyout of fan-favorite online anime store Right Stuf.
Suddenly revealed on the front page of its online store, Crunchyroll officially announced major changes to its shopping service on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. “This August, we are transitioning the Crunchyroll Store to a brand-new shopping experience that will be available exclusively for Mega and Ultimate Fans,” the streaming service said.
“The new store captures the excitement of convention-exclusive merchandise—collectibles, curated drops, and limited-release products inspired by the anime series you love.” Crunchyroll has not revealed any further details about this new members-only shopping experience at the moment.
Crunchyroll’s New Store Will Be Exclusive to Mega and Ultimate Fan Members
In anticipation of this controversial move, the Crunchyroll Store will launch its Summer Sale with 50% off select items starting today, while the online store is still available to shop for free.
“But before the new experience launches, we’re celebrating with a Summer Sale with 50% off select items beginning July 14. Please note that beginning July 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT, select items will be designated as final sale, and refunds or returns will only be accepted for damaged or defective products.”
Unfortunately, given the massive overhaul, Crunchyroll currently has limited details regarding public access to its online store. However, some key concerns have been addressed in the store’s FAQ section. “Open orders will continue to process and ship as usual, including items that are released after the store transitions,” the company states. If an order cannot be fulfilled, the user will be notified via email with details about the next step to take.
Additionally, Crunchyroll Store gift cards will continue to be supported until August 14, 2026. After that date, Crunchyroll advises users to contact the Help Center for questions about their outstanding balance.
For issues regarding current orders: “Our Crunchyroll Support team will continue to support existing orders, including address updates, delivery issues, and other inquiries. However, please note that beginning July 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT, select purchases will be final sale, and refunds and returns will no longer be accepted (unless the product is damaged or defective). Please reach out through the Help Center for assistance.”
On X (formerly Twitter), social media user @/MangaAlerts revealed that the paid-members-only overhaul of the Crunchyroll Store was the story he had been working on recently but held back until he could get further verification.
MangaAlerts, a former Crunchyroll affiliate, reported that Crunchyroll quietly implemented a “Slow Sellers” policy, in which products that fail to meet internal sales expectations are flagged for future cancellation and delisting without notifying publishers. While not officially confirmed, Crunchyroll’s public listing of the former Right Stuf warehouse strongly suggests the company is transitioning to a smaller selection of products for its online store.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Sony-owned anime streaming service, as PlayStation is still receiving heat for its shocking discontinuation of game discs for the PS5 and its successor, coming in 2028. An unfortunate double whammy for physical media lovers — especially since anime and gaming fans often share the same interests.
Furthermore, Crunchyroll was already heavily criticized for its limited home media releases based on its massive catalog of new and legacy anime titles. Things could get worse if the company decides to limit access to new Blu-ray releases of its most popular anime, such as Solo Leveling, to its online store, with no alternative retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
