VRV and Funimation are Parting Ways, HIDIVE Bringing New Content

If you’re anything like me, when your PlayStation 4 isn’t being used to play Japanese RPGs and bizarre horror games, it’s being used to binge-watch anime on Crunchyroll or VRV. Unfortunately, there’s some bad news for VRV subscribers, but it’s not all bad.

VRV, which is a multi-service subscription app run by anime giant Crunchyroll, announced today that the partnership between Crunchyroll and Funimation is coming to an end. While certain co-licensed simulcast anime series will continue running via Crunchyroll, the Funimation-branded content that has previously existed on its own channel, including several English dubbed shows such as the popular My Hero Academia and Dragon Ball Super, will be leaving VRV on November 9, 2018.

While it’s unfortunate that the service, which includes several channels including non-anime content, is losing a full channel, it is being replaced by something new. In addition to current VRV subscribers being granted a $20 credit to their accounts, it was also announced that HIDIVE will be joining VRV, which is another anime streaming service featuring both subbed and dubbed versions of various shows, with the dubs being provided by Sentai Filmworks. Shows on HIDIVE include Patlabor, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, K-On, and Corpse Party.

VRV is an app available on multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Content can be watched for free with ads, and a subscription for $9.99 a month opens up the full range of content, ad-free. It’s worth noting that Funimation was acquired by Sony last year, and this move appears to be part of a move by Sony to invest more in Funimation as a brand.

[Source: VRV Blog]