Crunchyroll Puts Its Online Store Behind Higher Subscription Tiers
Jul 15, 2026The redesigned store will open in August only to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan members, turning shopping access into a reason to upgrade.
Crunchyroll is putting its redesigned online store behind its two higher subscription tiers.
When the new store opens in August, only Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan members will be able to shop. Nonmembers and subscribers on the lower-priced Fan plan will no longer have access.
Crunchyroll has not announced the exact launch date.
The new store will feature curated product drops, collectibles, limited releases and Crunchyroll-exclusive merchandise. The company launched a summer sale on July 14 ahead of the transition but has not said when the current store will stop accepting orders.
From subscriber discounts to members-only access
Crunchyroll’s current store is open to anyone with a free account. Paid members receive added benefits.
Fan members currently receive a 5% discount. Mega Fan members receive 10% off and qualifying free shipping, while Ultimate Fan members receive 15% off and free U.S. shipping.
Those discounts end August 14.
The new model goes much further. Access to the store itself becomes part of the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscription.
Crunchyroll is asking customers to pay for a higher membership tier before they can spend more money on merchandise.
That shows confidence in the strength of its fan community and the appeal of its collectibles. It also gives customers another reason to upgrade beyond streaming benefits.
A test of membership value
Limited releases and exclusive products may make the higher tiers feel more valuable. Shopping access could also help Crunchyroll retain members who see the store as part of their broader anime experience.
But the company is narrowing the audience for a separate revenue stream.
Customers who want to buy merchandise but do not want a Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan subscription may shop somewhere else. Fan-tier subscribers will also lose access unless they upgrade.
Crunchyroll has not disclosed how much current store revenue comes from those shoppers or how many upgrades it expects the new model to generate.
The Insider Take
Crunchyroll is putting considerable weight on the strength of its membership community.
Most companies make it as easy as possible for customers to spend money. Crunchyroll is requiring shoppers to join one of its higher subscription tiers first.
The approach could make Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan more distinctive, especially if the merchandise feels truly exclusive. It could also reduce sales by turning away fans who want the products but not the subscription.
The test is whether members-only access creates enough upgrades, retention and higher-tier value to make up for the smaller pool of shoppers.
The results will show whether merchandise access can strengthen premium tiers without shrinking the store’s customer base too far.