AnimeLab is no longer an active streaming service. The Australia and New Zealand anime platform was retired as part of the transition to Funimation, and Funimation’s streaming website and app later shut down on April 2, 2024 as Crunchyroll consolidated the services. If you are searching for AnimeLab today, the useful question is not how to download or unblock it, but what happened to the service and where its users went.
What Was AnimeLab?
AnimeLab was an anime streaming service focused on viewers in Australia and New Zealand. It offered licensed anime series and movies, including simulcasts, subtitles and dubbed content, through web and supported devices.
What Happened to AnimeLab?
AnimeLab was retired during the transition to Funimation. The original service was scheduled to sunset in December 2021, with users directed toward Funimation using their existing AnimeLab credentials. Crunchyroll later consolidated Funimation’s streaming services, and the Funimation website and app ended service on April 2, 2024.
Crunchyroll’s current support information specifically says former AnimeLab subscribers can access Crunchyroll using their AnimeLab email address and password. This makes Crunchyroll the relevant successor for users looking for the streaming experience that followed AnimeLab.
Can You Still Download AnimeLab?
No. AnimeLab is not a current streaming app that new users can download and subscribe to. Old instructions referring to downloading the AnimeLab app, creating an AnimeLab subscription, or starting an AnimeLab free trial are outdated.
Can You Still Use an AnimeLab Subscription?
Not as an active AnimeLab subscription. The service has been retired. Former users were transitioned through the Funimation and Crunchyroll consolidation process instead.
What Happened to AnimeLab Content?
The transition moved anime streaming activity into the broader Funimation and then Crunchyroll ecosystem. Availability of individual titles can change by country and licensing agreement, so an old AnimeLab catalog should not be treated as a current list of shows available on Crunchyroll.
What Should Former AnimeLab Users Use Now?
For viewers who previously used AnimeLab in Australia or New Zealand, Crunchyroll is the most direct successor to investigate. Current availability, plans and catalog access should be checked on Crunchyroll because licensing and regional availability change over time.
AnimeLab vs Crunchyroll
| Factor | AnimeLab | Crunchyroll |
|---|---|---|
| Current service | Retired | Active |
| Original focus | Australia and New Zealand | Global anime streaming with regional availability |
| Subscription | No longer available | Current plans vary by market |
| App availability | No current AnimeLab app | Current supported apps and devices |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AnimeLab still available?
No. AnimeLab was retired and is no longer an active streaming platform.
Why did AnimeLab shut down?
AnimeLab was part of a broader consolidation of anime streaming services under Funimation and later Crunchyroll.
Can I access Crunchyroll with my AnimeLab account?
Crunchyroll says former AnimeLab subscribers can access Crunchyroll using their AnimeLab email and password.
Was AnimeLab legal?
AnimeLab operated as a licensed anime streaming service in its supported markets. Its retirement does not mean users should rely on unofficial streaming sites to replace it.
Is AnimeLab coming back?
There is no basis in the current official service information to treat AnimeLab as an active or returning streaming platform.
Bottom Line
AnimeLab was an important anime streaming service for Australia and New Zealand, but it is now historical rather than an active product. The old instructions about AnimeLab subscriptions, apps, free trials, device support and VPN access should not be followed as current guidance. For former users, Crunchyroll is the relevant current service to investigate, while specific show availability should be checked for the user’s country.
