I was elated when Crunchyroll and Funimation, the two largest English-language streaming anime services, formed a pact last year . New subbed anime would be consolidated on Crunchyroll and Funimation would produce English dubs for select series.

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Pro: Easier access to new anime on popular streaming services in the U.S.

Con: Anime Strike reduces legal access to new anime for international viewers

Pro: Netflix and Amazon could pick up popular unlicensed anime series

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Pro: More companies investing in anime production

Con: Anime Strike is expensive and (currently) offers fewer series than competitors

Service Price Per Month Price Per Year* Anime Strike (+Prime) $15.98 $158.88** Anime Strike (+Standalone Prime Video) $13.98 $167.76 Netflix $9.99*** $119.88 Crunchyroll $6.95 $59.95 Funimation $5.99 $59.99 Hulu $7.99 $95.88 The Anime Network $6.95 $83.40 Daisuki $5 $65 VRV $9.99 $119.88

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Con: Netflix holds new anime till it’s completed airing

Last week Amazon launched its own competing anime streaming channel, Anime Strike . And in 2016 it struck a deal for exclusive rights to Fuji TV’s Noitamina block , which includes anime like Scum’s Wish and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress . We’ve seen Netflix consistently pick up more anime exclusives like Little Witch Academia and Ajin, too.These two streaming services have smaller anime libraries than Crunchyroll or Funimation, but with Amazon more seriously in the game with its curated channel and Netflix licensing one-off exclusives, these streaming giants will drive fresh competition that offers some benefits for viewers but also brings up some concerns.Let’s take a closer look at why more huge companies getting serious about anime might not be a great thing for the scene after all. A report showed that Netflix and Amazon Prime respectively topped the U.S. list for video subscription service members in 2016 — Netflix has over 90 million subscribers worldwide , and Prime has an estimated 58 to 68 million subscribers worldwide . Prime subscribers don’t have automatic access to Anime Strike (you’ve got to fork over an additional $5 USD per month). Still, easier access to new anime for Netflix and Prime subscribers could encourage people new to anime and current anime viewers that pirate to instead watch anime on subscription services they already pay for.Anime Strike is only available in the U.S. (even though Amazon offers the Prime subscription in over 200 countries and territories ), so any exclusive anime on the channel possibly puts international anime fans at a huge disadvantage. Crunchyroll and Netflix usually offer anime streaming in more territories than other legal streaming options, so when they license a show, there’s a greater chance people can support it and its creators. Amazon has not announced when or if Anime Strike will be available outside of the U.S.Amazon and Netflix are huge companies with a lot of cash, so it’s exciting to think about what they could do if they got serious about anime. Either could resurrect series with lost or expensive licenses like the original Berserk or Neon Genesis Evangelion series. Funimation currently holds the rights to the Evangelion Rebuild films, but since the original DVDs went out of print in 2011 we haven’t heard much about redistribution outside of Japan. We’ve already seen Netflix bring over anime like Seven Deadly Sins, Knights of Sidonia, and its own adaptation of Pretty Cure, Glitter Force. Like Crunchyroll , Netflix is also working directly with anime studios to co-produce new series . Amazon has its own unique exclusive with Studio Ghibli’s Ronja the Robber’s Daughter (on Amazon Prime Video, not Anime Strike) and is already working with a Japanese animation studio to create a 3D CG series for Amazon Prime. Having these two companies join the production game hopefully means more quality anime, and who doesn’t want that?If you don’t already own an Amazon Prime subscription, access to Anime Strike is pricy compared to its competitors and doesn’t offer a way to watch anime for free with ads. Even by subscribing to Amazon’s standalone Prime Video service with Anime Strike, you'd still end up paying for the most expensive plan.The chart below compares the different subscription prices for their standard paid service in USD:*Calculated with monthly subscription unless a yearly subscription is offered.**Amazon offers a $99 Prime yearly subscription, so this price is calculated with that flat rate plus the $4.99 per month for Anime Strike.***Netflix standard subscription, not the “basic” subscription which doesn’t include HD streaming.Amazon told IGN that it is expanding its Anime Strike library weekly, and so far that has happened. Still, Anime Strike has a long way to go before it competes with other streaming services’ libraries.In 2014 piracy cost the anime and manga industry over $2.5 billion in damages , and Netflix’s approach for releasing the full season of a new anime after they’ve finished airing in Japan isn’t helping. I've seen plenty of people mention that they're pirating the new Little Witch Academia series because Netflix is holding it and people don’t want it spoiled. Netflix and Amazon need to get a better understanding of the anime subscription service scene if they want to better serve viewers and help combat piracy.One way or another it’ll be interesting to see how these massive companies’ interest in anime can change the anime industry for fans outside of Japan. Anime Strike already has some great films, so why not offer more of that? And Netflix has potential to help produce anime with prominent studios and only needs a little bit of change to be more simulcast-friendly. Competition is great for consumers, but Amazon and Netflix’s approach to anime streaming currently isn’t beneficial to the anime community — at least not yet.

Miranda Sanchez is an editor at IGN and is currently obsessed with Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. You can chat with her about anime, video games, and handsome robots on Twitter