Known for streaming the best anime content, Funimation is geo-restricted in Japan, however, you can watch Funimation in Japan with the help of a VPN. Yes! that’s great news and we’ll show you how to watch Funimation in Japan in 2023 using our top-recommended ExpressVPN.
Due to the geo-restricted and content licensing policies of Funimation, a VPN is a must to watch its content library other than in the US region. Moreover, as of 2023, Funimation is available in selected regions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, and Ireland. So, if you’re living outside these regions, use ExpressVPN and stream your favorite content now!
Funimation is home to hundreds of amazing anime such as Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, The Legend of Heroes, Dr. Stone Season 3, and By The Grace of God Season 2 – some of them are completely free to watch. The hype around Funimation seems justified as it offers a whopping 15,000 hours of anime entertainment.
Therefore, use the simplest trick of accessing the service via Premium VPN, pretending to be in the US, and you can get your hands on some of the best anime available on Funimation. Let’s find out how!
How to Watch Funimation in Japan (Easy Steps)
Follow these easy steps to watch Funimation in Japan:
- Download and sign up for a VPN service (Recommended: ExpressVPN).
- Open the VPN app and sign in with your username and password.
- Now connect to the US server from the list (Recommended: New York server).
- Head to the Funimation website.
- Sit back and watch Funimation in Japan.
Note: Funimation is a geo-restricted site, so you need to know the best Funimation VPNs to watch it in Japan. So, is Funimation free? No, its not free and requires a subscription to watch its content.
Now you must be wondering how do I create a Funimation account? All you need to do is to follow the simple steps mentioned later in the guide!
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Funimation in Japan?
You need a VPN to access Funimation in Japan as the platform is geo-restricted in most countries. However, there’s no need to worry as long as you have a premium VPN subscription, like ExpressVPN. To watch Funimation anywhere in Japan, select any server from ExpressVPN’s server list where Funimation is available, including Australia, USA, or Ireland and that’s all.
If you try to access Funimation in Japan without a VPN, you will receive the following error message:
“Sorry, but this content isn’t available in your country.”
So, does Funimation work with VPN? Yes, it does. Despite the geo-restriction error, you can count on a VPN to get around geo-blocks and stream Funimation without any limitations. A VPN works by replacing your original IP address with one from its server network.
We connected to ExpressVPN’s New York server and gained instant access to the Funimation library.
When you connect to an American server, you will be assigned a US IP address. Then, the site will think you’re accessing the service from the US, allowing you to watch Funimation in Japan easily.
How do I Get Funimation Subscription in Japan?
You can get a Funimation subscription in Japan by following these simple steps.
- Get a premium VPN subscription, like ExpressVPN.
- Launch the VPN app on your device and sign in.
- Connect to a US server (Recommended: New York server).
- Now, head to the official website of Funimation.
- Navigate to log in.
- Click on Create an Account here.
- Choose any one of the three subscription plans (Premium, Premium Plus, and Premium Plus Ultra).
- Once you have chosen the pricing plan, you will be directed to a form that requires your valid email address and password. Enter information, then hit Continue.
- You can now select one of the multiple payment methods available. You can pay through a US credit card, or PayPal, or redeem a gift card.
- Once you are done entering your details and selecting a payment method, just hit Start Subscription, and voila! All done.
Note: Before subscribing to Funimation in Japan, it’s recommended to check out the current Funimation subscription plans.
How much is the Funimation Subscription?
Along with a free trial period, Funimation offers two subscription plans; a Premium Plan at $7.99/mo. and a Premium Plus Plan at $9.99/mo. Check below what you’ll get from these plans:
Funimation Subscriptions Plans | Funimation Subscription Cost/mo | Offer Includes |
Funimation Premium | US$ 7.99/mo | -Ad-free + Subtitles + Dubbed -14-Day Free trial -2 Simultaneous Streams |
Funimation Premium Plus | US$ 9.99/mo | -Ad-free + Subtitles + Dubbed -14-Day Free trial -5 Simultaneous Streams -Offline viewing via download is available |
Which Funimation Subscription Plan Should You Pick?
You can pick any of the two available Funimation plans; Premium or Premium Plus. The only difference between Premium and Premium Plus is that you can watch offline shows/movies if you opt for a premium subscription at $9.99/mo. Both plans come with two weeks free trial and you can switch or cancel your Funimation subscription anytime you want.
So, don’t think too much, pick a plan and start streaming the most-watched anime series on Funimation in Japan now!
How do You Pay on Funimation?
You can pay for your Funimation subscription through Visa, American Express, credit card, MasterCard, PayPal, or valid Funimation gift cards. It’s important to note that the fee and other charges on website purchases are non-refundable.
In our opinion, the simplest method is to find a friend or relative in the US with an American credit card. You can ask them to purchase a Funimation subscription on your behalf and mail it to you.
You’ll still need a VPN subscription to watch Funimation in Japan. We recommend subscribing to ExpressVPN for its lightning-fast connection speeds.
In Which Country You can Watch Funimation Without a VPN?
Besides the US, Funimation is available to stream in several other regions. So, you can watch Funimation without a VPN from Ireland, Australia, Brazil, UK, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand. You’ll surely need a VPN if you’re located in Japan else other than these regions to watch Funimation.
What are the Best VPNs to Watch Funimation in Japan?
After testing 50+ VPNs, we have enlisted the 3 best VPNs to watch Funimation in Japan. All the VPNs listed here have unmatched unblocking capabilities and a reliable servers network.
ExpressVPN: Best VPN to Watch Funimation in Japan
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Funimation in Japan because of its uber-fast servers, which provide a download speed of 89.42 Mbps.
With an expansive server network of 3,000+ servers in over 105 countries, ExpressVPN ensures secure access to geo-blocked content across the world.
Out of this global server network, ExpressVPN has 25 US server locations that let you seamlessly stream Funimation in Japan. To test ExpressVPN’s unblocking potential, we connected to the USA – New York server (highly recommended) and watched Scarlet Nexus without hassle.
Aside from Funimation, we could also bypass the geo-restrictions on Hulu, US Netflix, and other American streaming services in Japan.
After rigorous testing, we can confidently call ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs for streaming due to its extremely reliable server speed. It easily went up to 89.42 Mbps download speed, and 84.64 Mbps upload speed on our 100 Mbps connection.
ExpressVPN remained unbeatable because of its MediaStreamer feature, allowing VPN-incompatible devices to access geo-restricted sites without much trouble. We tested the feature on Roku TV, and it worked!
Moreover, it offers unlimited bandwidth, which means an exclusive buffer-free streaming experience at all times. Another reason behind recommending ExpressVPN is its military-grade encryption protocols and strict no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN is compatible with almost all the devices such as smartphones, game consoles, smart TVs, tablets, and more. With so much to offer, ExpressVPN will just cost you JP¥1046.07/mo (US$6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
The best bit about ExpressVPN is its real-time customer support and 5 simultaneous device connections, making it truly worth the price.
If you’re on the fence about it, you can avail yourself of the 30-day money-back guarantee before making the final decision.
- Hassle-free Funimation unblocking
- MediaStreamer feature
- Lightning-fast servers to stream in HD
- 24/7 live chat support
- Supports all major streaming devices
- No-logs policy and strong security features
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More expensive than other competitors
Surfshark: Pocket-Friendly VPN to Stream Funimation in Japan
Surfshark is a pocket-friendly VPN to stream Funimation in Japan at a mere price of JP¥390.51/mo (US$2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee. Among other VPNs, Surfshark is a relatively new service with 3200+ servers in 100+ countries and 600+ servers in 23+ American locations.
With the Seattle sever (highly recommended), we could easily access Funimation and watch The Rise of the Shield Hero.
We didn’t limit ourselves to Funimation. The US servers definitely came in handy while unblocking CNBC in Japan, Telemundo, and Paramount Plus in Japan.
On our 100 Mbps connection, we received an 86.48 Mbps download speed and a 52.42 Mbps upload speed.
You can find Surfshark on all available devices and software. In addition, Surfshark has a 24/7 support team that’s always available to help you with technical issues.
Despite being affordable, Surfshark does not compromise on its feature and the quality of services provided to the customers. Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to experience the premium VPN features on multiple devices without paying a single penny.
- Offers optimized servers for hassle-free streaming
- Easily unblocks Funimation
- Free trial period of 7-days for Android and iOS users
- Around-the-clock active chat support
- Pocket-friendly
- Connection drops occasionally
- Server speed fluctuations
NordVPN: Largest Server Network VPN to Get Funimation in Japan
NordVPN offers the largest server network of 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 61 countries including 1970+ US servers so you can easily get Funimation in Japan.
The global server network makes it a reliable choice for watching Funimation and other geo-restricted sites. NordVPN never fails to bypass Funimation in Japan because of its diversified server network.
We tested out the servers of NordVPN on average of nearly 100 Mbps. The results impressed us as we got an 86.49 Mbps download speed and 79.42 Mbps upload speed.
Along with 6 simultaneous connections, NordVPN is available at JP¥625.76/mo (US$3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend along with a money-back guarantee of 30 days.
- Unblocks Funimation
- Offers fast and reliable servers (NordLynx) to stream Funimation in HD
- 24/7 live chat support
- Slow servers on weekends
- Occasional glitches in the app
How to Choose the Best VPN for Funimation?
We handpicked the best VPNs for Funimation after testing 50+ VPNs on the following criteria:
- Securely bypasses the Funimation geo-block: The VPN can bypass the Funimation geo-blocks in multiple countries, including Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.
- Bypass location blocks on other platforms: The VPN can effortlessly overcome the geographical restrictions on major platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max.
- Frequently replaces servers if blocked by Funimation: If the VPN gets blocked by Funimation, it should be replaced with an updated one.
- Compatibility with streaming devices: The VPN works with Funimation on major operating systems and devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Apple TV, Android Smart TV, Amazon Firestick/Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, PS4, and Xbox One.
- The number of simultaneous connections allowed: The VPN offers at least five simultaneous connections along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Server connection speeds: The VPN provides fast and speedy servers to stream in high-definition (HD) quality with minimal streaming buffer.
- Live chat support: The VPN offers real-time customer support to its users.
- Advanced security features: The VPN has an audited no-logs policy and incredible security features.
What Devices Work With Funimation?
Funimation is compatible with most devices, including:
- iOS and Android devices
- Smart TVs (LG, Samsung, and Fire TV)
- Amazon Kindle
- Apple TV
- Nintendo Switch
- Chromecast
- Roku
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
The upcoming section will discuss how you can watch Funimation in Japan on Android, iOS, Smart TV, PS4, and Roku devices.
How Do I Download Funimation App in Japan?
Funimation is a geo-restricted service that is only available in a few countries in Japan. To download the Funimation app in Japan on different devices, you must connect to a trustworthy VPN with a reliable service network.
How to download Funimation on Android?
Follow these quick steps to download Funimation in Japan on your Android device:
- Subscribe to a premium VPN. We highly recommend ExpressVPN.
- Log in to the VPN app using your credentials.
- Connect to USA server (Recommended: New York).
- Next, head to the Google Play Store and navigate to the search bar.
- Once the app is found, download the Funimation app.
- Enjoy streaming Funimation content on Android in Japan.
How to Download Funimation on iOS?
Here’s how you can download Funimation on your iOS device in Japan:
- Get a reliable VPN subscription. ExpressVPN is recommended.
- Download the app on your iOS device and sign in.
- Connect to one of the servers in the USA. We recommend the New York server.
- Download the Funimation app on your iOS.
- You can now enjoy Funimation on your iOS device in Japan.
How to download Funimation on Smart TV?
To download Funimation in Japan on your Smart TV, follow these steps:
- Configure a premium VPN on your router. ExpressVPN is highly recommended.
- Now, open the VPN app and connect to USA – New York (Recommended).
- On your Smart TV remote, press Home to go to your home screen.
- Navigate to your App Store and look for Funimation on your Smart TV.
- Download the app and sign in with your credentials.
- That’s it. Start streaming anime on your Smart TV in Japan.
How to download Funimation on Roku?
Here’s how you can get Funimation on Roku in Japan:
- Set up ExpressVPN on your router and connect to USA – New York.
- Once done, press Home on your Roku remote.
- Open the Channel Store by selecting Streaming Channels.
- Choose Search channels.
- Type Funimation to begin the search.
- When you see Funimation in the results, click on it > Add Channel.
- After the installation, you’ll find Funimation on the list of channels on your home screen.
- Enter your credentials to sign in to Funimation.
- You’re good to watch anime on your Smart TV in Japan.
How can I Watch Funimation in Japan on PS4?
By using the Smart DNS feature of a premium VPN, you can watch Funimation in Japan on PS4. Smart DNS can be easily configured on PS4, Android, iOS, PCs, Xbox, Mac, Chromecast and Samsung Smart TVs.
To watch Funimation in Japan on PS4, all you have to do is:
- Subscribe to a premium VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Set up a VPN on PS4 via your Wi-Fi router.
- Now connect to a server in the US. The New York server is recommended.
- Connect your PS4 console to the Smart TV via an HDMI port and plug it into the power socket.
- Ensure that the devices have an active internet connection.
- Next, head to the PS4 Home > Main Menu.
- In your PlayStation Store, go to the Apps section > All Apps.
- Tap on All Apps to get the search tab on top.
- Start searching for Funimation and download the app.
- Once downloaded, proceed to log in to watch Funimation on your PS4 console.
VPN Not Working with Funimation? – Troubleshooting Tips
There might be a few errors that occur while accessing Funimation using a VPN. However, if you encounter any trouble, we are sharing troubleshooting tips to fix them:
- Erase your Cache and Cookies: Your previous browsing cache and cookies might be the reason why VPN not working with Funimation. Clear them and refresh the page.
- A Blocked VPN server: The server you’ve connected might be blocked previously by the streaming service. Try connecting with another server and reloading the page.
- Update your browser or streaming device: Outdated versions of your browser and devices could be another reason why Funimation is not working with a VPN. check new updates and you’re good to go!
- DNS Leak: If you’re using a free VPN or a non-secure VPN to access Funimation, switch now to ExpressVPN. Free or unreliable VPNs often leak your IP address despite being connected.
- Check your VPN version: Your VPN service might need an update. Check if there’s any updated version and log in again to watch Funimation.
Can I watch Funimation using a free VPN?
No, you cannot watch or access Funimation using a free VPN. Firstly, they’ve limited virtual servers (often blocked by the services) to unblock streaming services, including Funimation and this is the biggest reason why free VPNs cannot bypass strict geo-restrictions.
In case, your free VPN accessed Funimation, it will leak your actual IP address to the providers and as soon as they get your information, they block you from their sites permanently. Moreover, Free VPNs sell their customers’ data for their own reasons and thus your browsing details are never saved with them.
The choice is yours! Do you want to risk your personal information or want to get a safe and secure streaming experience via ExpressVPN?
What to Watch on Funimation in 2023?
Here we’ve enlisted some of the best shows and movies to catch up on Funimation in 2023:
- List of Kingdom (Japanese TV series) episodes
- Attack on Titan
- Ghost Hunt
- Death Note
- One Piece
- Boogiepop Phantom
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Danganronpa
- Demon Slayer
- My Hero Academia
- Toradora
- Akira
- Violet Evergarden
- Tribe Nine
- Ikebukuro West Gate Park
- Overlord
- Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?
- My Dress-Up Darling
- Wonder Egg Priority
- Initial D: Third Stage
- Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato
- Until The Snow Melts
- Seraph of the End
FAQs
How do I pay for my Funimation subscription?
Does a VPN work on Funimation?
Does Funimation work in Japan?
Can I see Funimation for free?
Can I watch Funimation offline?
In which country Funimation app is available?
Can I watch Funimation using a free VPN?
Can you watch Funimation offline?
Why is my Funimation PS4 app slow?
Is it legal to use a VPN for Funimation?
Wrapping Up!
By now, you probably know how easy it is to watch Funimation in Japan. It’s just about getting your hands on a trustworthy VPN with a reliable service network.
We recommend ExpressVPN because of its vast server network and incredible connection speeds. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For die-hard Anime fans, Funimation is a must-have. We hope this guide has answered most of the questions about watching Funimation while you’re traveling across borders.