Many anime fans’ beloved anime streaming service AnimeLab is going to undergo a radical transformation soon. The representatives of AnimeLab made a drastic announcement that AnimeLab will be getting a new name: FunimationANZ from June 17 onwards.
By June 17, all subscribers of AnimeLab will be transferred to the main Funimation streaming service. However, diehard Funimation users need not worry much as Madman, a significant shareholder will still function. It’ll still function as an online store and physical distribution hose when there are theatrical and physical releases.
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However, unfortunately, there will be some radical changes that might not sit well with some. The social media pages of AnimeLab will be changed to Funimation simply.
? A big g’day & kia ora to #FunimationANZ! ? From next week, AnimeLab will begin to merge with Funimation, bringing more ways to stream your favourite anime content! Same Aussie team, new global family. Our world is yours… down under.
? Details: https://t.co/6dOYfd4llH pic.twitter.com/t4rD0ZQob0
— Funimation ANZ (@funimation_anz) June 10, 2021
Now, let’s take a close look at AnimeLab’s history and its popularity.
History of AnimeLab
AnimeLab initially began as one of Madman Entertainment’s broadcast efforts in 2014. They wanted to capitalize on the huge fan base in Australia and New Zealand. There was a raging online presence of animes and it was an overwhelmingly popular move.
The popularity of anime and the zealous fan base made it possible to start an Anime Festival. Even Japan’s Aniplex saw huge potential in AnimeLab and thus bought a stake in the Madman Anime Group, a newly formed group in 2016.
Aniplex eventually became the majority stakeholder in the entire company. AnimeLab’s transformation is a story that is all too common but inevitable for many companies.
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