Nowadays, anime enthusiasts have a plethora of options to easily access their favorite content, which is a significant improvement from the times before the internet. In the past, anime fans had to spend exorbitant amounts of money to obtain physical copies of the shows that were being released overseas. However, with the advancement of technology, they can now enjoy anime through various mediums, such as purchasing complete seasons on a single Blu-ray disc or accessing digital collections and streaming platforms like Crunchyroll.
Despite the abundance of access to all types of anime nowadays, there are still numerous downsides to each method. Fans often have to navigate through challenges such as dealing with scalpers, limited availability, sudden removal of content by companies, exclusive content, and format restrictions. In essence, regardless of the chosen format, fans must navigate through a minefield of obstacles.
In order to determine the most suitable way to access anime, it is necessary for fans to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Disclaimer: The author is responsible for all opinions expressed. Spoilers may be included for any anime mentioned.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning Anime in Physical, Digital, and Streaming Formats
Physical Ownership
Before the rise of online shopping and stores like Amazon, the only way to acquire anime was through physical VHS tapes. However, these tapes had limited storage capacity and recording capabilities. Furthermore, most tapes only contained three or four episodes when sold officially.
Collecting a complete series, such as Pokémon or Dragon Ball Z, used to be an expensive endeavor. Fortunately, as technology evolved and online shopping became available, the process became more manageable. VHS recordings were replaced by DVR, and DVD and Blu-ray allowed for a whole season or series to be stored on fewer discs.
Thanks to the internet, it is now easier to find anime-selling outlets and an entire closet or cabinet’s worth of anime collection can now fit into half the space.
One of the main advantages of physical versions is their ability to preserve media. As long as a physical disc or copy is not lost due to a natural disaster or being misplaced, it will always be available in someone’s library.
Customers are only required to make a single payment for their copy and are subsequently able to resell, borrow, or gift a physical version. Additionally, as long as the player and media are compatible with the chosen format, there is no need for an internet connection. For example, modern gaming consoles are capable of playing both Blu-ray and DVD discs.
Despite the numerous advantages, there are also drawbacks to physical formats. One major concern is the limited availability and high cost. As anime series and movies age, their physical editions become increasingly expensive and harder to find. This often leads to instances of scalpers inflating prices to unreasonable levels, especially for rare items.
Despite the popularity of Blu-ray, the animation quality of DVD’s can still be unreliable. In addition, censorship and localization problems continue to affect the overall viewing experience. Due to these issues, some major retailers, like Best Buy in the US, no longer carry physical copies of DVDs in their stores or online. Furthermore, the increasing number of computers without CD or DVD capabilities makes online purchases a potential risk, assuming a physical version is even available.
Despite its benefits, solely focusing on physical media can also pose health risks, as evidenced by many individuals during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and prior to it. Additionally, there is the issue of limited storage space, as even the most devoted anime enthusiast will eventually run out of room and purchasing additional shelves is only a temporary solution.
Digital Distribution and Ownership
The internet is a great resource for accessing anime. A major benefit of digital copies is their availability for purchase at earlier dates than physical copies. This applies to a variety of media, including video games, movies, and books, as flash sales and monthly promotions often provide discounts for customers.
One more benefit is their portability. Digital copies can be easily carried while traveling and can be viewed on a phone or tablet through services such as Movies Anywhere, Vudu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, or by downloading them directly. This makes digital copies the ideal option for busy anime enthusiasts who are always on the go.
The act of buying digital items is often seen as a convenient source of enjoyment. This eliminates the tedious effort of sifting through a physical collection and making a selection. Additionally, the portability of digital purchases is beneficial for passing time during appointments with doctors or on longer bus or plane rides.
Despite the benefits of digital purchases, there are also many drawbacks. One major disadvantage is that the purchased content is limited to the device it is downloaded on. Unless one bypasses the extensive layers of DRM through hacking or piracy, the ownership of the downloaded copy remains solely with the purchaser.
The issue of ownership becomes more complicated with digital purchases. The individual who buys a digital version of a product does not possess true ownership, as the product remains available in digital form. This is particularly evident in services such as Movies Anywhere which are only temporary, and if the service is discontinued, customers may lose access to their purchased collection. Additionally, internet access is crucial for utilizing digital products that are hosted by a service.
Just like gamers, anime fans are well-versed in the challenges of dealing with digital stores closing and games being removed from sale. While there haven’t been any recent incidents of this occurring in the anime industry, there is a past example of Sony planning to remove all Discovery Channel content from users’ devices. Although negotiations led to a change in Sony’s plans, some customers viewed it as a temporary solution due to the agreements only granting them access for the next 30 months.
Streaming services
Ever since Netflix ventured into streaming in 2007, streaming services have significantly improved. Numerous streaming platforms offer a wide range of specialized entertainment, surpassing what cable TV has to offer. Even when bundled with other streaming services, it remains significantly more affordable than cable TV.
Gone are the days when fans had to rely on cable services to catch the latest episodes of Naruto, My Hero Academia, and other popular anime shows. Now, they can easily subscribe to streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and others that offer anime content and watch at their convenience. These streaming services often premiere new episodes of currently airing anime before they are aired on other platforms.
One reason why people choose to get a streaming service is because of its cost-effectiveness. Cable can cost upwards of $200, while physical copies can cost $50 or more. On the other hand, anime fans can opt for Crunchyroll at a monthly rate of approximately $10, plus taxes, for an ad-free experience. This allows them to access a greater selection of anime compared to cable or purchasing physical copies.
Despite this, streaming services still face numerous issues. Their functionality heavily relies on agreements made between the service and the company that owns the original content.
Once their expiration date is reached, media titles like Revolutionary Girl Utena and Yu Yu Hakusho are removed from the service without any assurance of being added back. Similarly, there is no guarantee that the complete series will be available, as seen with Kill la Kill’s epilogue, Goodbye Again, which remains exclusive to physical home media.
It can be frustrating when a series is spread out across multiple streaming services. For instance, the Pokémon anime cannot be found on just one streaming platform. To watch the entire series, including spin-offs and movies, viewers need subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and access to YouTube. The merger of Funimation and Crunchyroll also resulted in not all series being available on Crunchyroll, leading to compensation for Funimation members.
Similarly, the content can be deleted permanently. According to reports, Netflix has shown no interest in releasing their exclusives on physical media, putting them at risk of disappearing. In 2022, Warner Brothers Discovery followed suit by removing all traces of Infinity Train and other cartoons from their Max streaming service, despite previously promising a permanent home for the content.
Disney Plus recently removed content that had only been available on the platform for six months, such as Willow. This is similar to the situation with Rooster Teeth, who had to quickly archive 21 years of content after being shut down by WBD in May 2024.
The question of Piracy
While considering the previous point, fans are left to ponder the role of piracy if companies do not prioritize preserving their produced or hosted art. It should be noted that piracy was on the decline due to the rise of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, which offer easy and affordable access to a wide variety of content.
This sense of convenience exploded at the same time that other companies began developing their own personalized streaming services, such as Disney Plus, AMC+, HBO Max, and MGM+. As a result, the once organized set of islands became a turbulent and disorganized sea.
Despite being disapproved of, piracy is still a popular choice for many fans due to the difficulty of accessing a specific series. The convenience of having one central location to access a variety of content is becoming less common.
Despite the disapproval of piracy, it is important to acknowledge that for some individuals, it may be their only feasible choice. This could include those who are unwilling to spend exorbitant amounts of money or rely on corporations for their entertainment. Additionally, there may be limited access to streaming services or physical copies, or the media being pirated may no longer be available for purchase.
While burning a series from a digital copy onto a disc is a legal and valid option, it is important to note that pirating media of any kind is strictly prohibited and may result in legal consequences or intervention from law enforcement. Companies have been taking stricter measures to combat unauthorized sharing, including cracking down on password sharing, in order to prevent family members from unintentionally breaking the law.
It is a common belief among fans that companies are intentionally or unintentionally encouraging customers to resort to piracy in order to access their media. The actions of companies such as Netflix, Disney, and Warner Brothers Discovery, and their disregard for the creators of the media, only strengthen this belief.
Final Thoughts
The decision of which avenue to choose for accessing anime rests solely on the customer. Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, potentially more than can be covered in this article.
Many fans are willing to spend hundreds of dollars to build and maintain a vast collection of movies, plushies, action figures, and complete series. Some prefer to have a large digital library, while others have subscriptions to multiple anime streaming services, and there are also those who resort to pirating most of their media.
The topic of media preservation in light of studios being acquired or closed down is an important discussion that needs to be addressed. This is particularly relevant when examining the case of anime studios, such as Studio Gainax which recently declared bankruptcy. There are numerous concerns within the anime community regarding the treatment of their media, regardless of its format.
This article has hopefully helped address and shed light on some of the issues in an official manner. It is unfair to fans that they must go through multiple obstacles just to watch a series, particularly when digital and streaming platforms are supposed to offer a more convenient way to access anime compared to searching for physical copies.
Despite all that has been said, it is important to note that piracy is not condoned and is not worth the potential consequences. The legal ramifications, such as receiving DMCA notices and copyright strikes on YouTube, potential involvement with law enforcement, and facing lawsuits, are not worth the hassle. Additionally, it can negatively impact independent studios.
The debate over the preferred way to access anime is a topic that fans are passionate about. This ongoing discussion between subs and dubs will continue indefinitely. Ultimately, the decision should be left to the customer, as they are the ones who will be watching.
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