Did you know that FUNimation has redesigned their website? As a web designer, I like website redesigns – they’re almost always surprising. When I head that one of the major anime companies had redesigned their site, my Spider-Sense™ began to tingle. Did they unleash a well-implemented website redesign upon the anime world, or would it be just another poorly-executed redesign?
Overall, I like the new FUNimation site. It’s a pretty large overhaul with a focus on video. This was a smart move and an important ‘win’ for FUNimation. With the current state of the anime industry in flux, it’s refreshing to see a company embrace technology in a way that will (hopefully) provide existing fans with an alternative to buying DVDs. It could also win over new fans with the social networking video share features. The site sports a (kinda) fresh look & feel, features a more user-friendly navigation, contains major-enhanced video content (free episodes, download-to-own, embedded video) and a variety of other improvements.
Unfortunately, it’s still not a table-less design. I was really expecting the switch to CSS, so that’s disappointing to me (from a code nerd standpoint). The header is also messy. If it were me, I’d take out giant show banners at the top and place some cool anime imagery in the large empty space in the header. It could randomly load a different header ‘theme’ each time the page loads. Perhaps something like Twitch.com does? Let’s see what FUNimation has to say about their new site and dig into a few of the new features!
Welcome to the new FUNimation.com!
We are excited to be able to introduce you to the new FUNimation.com and wanted to fill you in on what you can expect.
When sites undergo a major redesign, they often like to have a ‘new features’ page. I like this, since it provides an opportunity for users to see what’s new. For this review, I’ve quoted portions of their page where appropriate. So let’s talk about the new video content, shall we?
It’s All About Video, Baby…Except for Mac Users.
Now with enhanced video!
What about these newly-enhanced, busty robust video features?
Oh, there’s video…and lots of it! Previously, anime trailers were their main video content…but not anymore! They have a TV Guide of anime listing of shows that are available. Their videos have the standard player controls, you can embed video clips on your website, and some other features that I encourage you to explore.
Episodes cost $1.99 each, which means you can get a normal 4-episode volume for under $8.00. At that price, it certainly offers a less-expensive alternative to DVDs. Now there is some bad news, and it’s a biggie: They only support "Windows XP or greater". By ‘greater’, I figured they meant Mac. Nope! I guess they’re too clever for me: "Mac OS and Linux are not supported". Has Bill Gates has finally found his way into the anime world? Another blow to Mac users: "Emulated versions of Windows XP are not supported (using Parallels Desktop for Mac, for example, is not supported)". I understand the need for digital rights management, but it still sucks. They get an official ‘boo-hiss’ from me for that. Hopefully Mac support will be implemented in the future.
Download-To-Own
FUNimation Website Free Videos Screenshot' />Free Videos!
Which shows can I buy?
I quickly found 6 series that were available Download-To-Own. There are probably more series waiting in the wings…or they might have been hiding from me. Either way, here’s what’s featured:
- Rumbling Hearts: Kiminozo
- Black Blood Brothers (Subtitled)
- Peach Girl
- Suzuka
- Moonphase
- Rumbling Hearts: Kiminozo (Subtitled)
Again, here are a few additional details:
Introducing FUNimation Download-to-Own videos! – That’s right! FUNimation.com now offers download-to-own episodes, for purchase, from your favorite series for your viewing pleasure. Click here to see what’s available. We are also offering English subtitled versions of some series as well. Click here to see how it works. Be sure to check back often. We will be adding many more series, as well as subtitled series, very soon.
I like the English-subtitled option. It get the anime out there quicker, and since I prefer subs over dubs, I like it!
OMG…More Video Features? Free-ness?
Besides shelling out your hard-earned cash for shows, there are free episodes and clips too:
New Videos Section – We have a new video section, and it isn’t just for trailers anymore.
- You will now be able to watch complete episodes, show clips, exclusive videos, interviews, and more. What’s even better is that it’s free.
- With advanced sorting features, you can easily find what you are looking for or what you might be interested in. You can sort videos by clicking on the tabs above the video list, select a show from the drop-down, or click on the column titles.
- If you see a video you like, take it with you. You are now able to embed a video into your MySpace page, Facebook profile, blog, or website. Simply click the ‘embed’ button, copy the code, paste it, and enjoy. If you aren’t interested in embedding a video, you can copy the link below the embed code to share that video with someone special.
- Click on the down arrow to the lower-right of the video to expand the video screen and enjoy your video in a larger format.
So now that you’ve read about FUNimation’s online video offerings, let’s talk about the site navigation – one of the most important features of web design!
Is the new navigation any good?
It is good. They’ve done a nice job of keeping it to 6 main pages (not counting ‘home’). The labels are short, yet descriptive. Lots of companies don’t understand how important this is, so it made me happy that FUNi got it right. The top-level content is broken down into the following pages:
There are also a few miscellaneous features that fit into the ‘tools and utilities’. These include:
- The ability to sign-up for e-mail updates
- Subscribe to the FUNimation RSS Feed
- Featured Shows
- All Shows
Their shows are listed below the main nav, so you can easily get to each series mini website. Here’s what FUNi says about it:
New Navigation – There’s an easier way to get to all FUNimation websites.
- On the left-hand side of the page, under All Shows, there’s a list of links to all FUNimation’s show websites.
- Watch FUNimation shows on T.V.
- Click on the "What’s on TV" button on the left-hand side to get the scoop on what’s airing on television and where.
Nice job! Next, let’s talk about RSS, shall we?
What About RSS Feeds?
Well, they’re pimping it in the header, which I like. By default, clicking on the feed link takes you to ‘add-this-dot-com’ rather than the more popular Feedburner or a standard hosted feed, which was a little weird. I’d like to see the link fit into the design better – the current one looks like it was thrown into the header. In the screenshot, you’ll see it added to my Google Reader. They haven’t kept it super-active, but I expect changes to become more frequent over time.
RSS Feeds!FUNimation RSS Feeds – FUNimation has a couple of great new RSS Feeds for those who want to be in the loop on everything FUNimation.
- You can now subscribe to our News RSS Feed to get the latest FUNimation news delivered to you, the way you want.
- We also have a Trailers RSS Feed, which allows you to be the first to see the new shows that FUNimation is rolling out.
Final Thoughts
So what’s the overall grade of the new website?
I give it a solid ‘B’. I think they did a good job. There are a few things that keep the site from being perfect (table-based design, no Mac support for Download-To-Own, messy header), but there’s always room for improvement with every site…including ours! I like the new navigation, the video features are great (especially the free video and embed-able options) and the site feels more substantial.
So check out their website, come back here and let me know what you think of it!
Oh wow. Dave, you’re still around! LOL.
I was checking out their page the other day. I actually like the new website too. It’s nice to see them get rid of the frames in places. And their wallpapers page has finally been updated. Very cool.
Chris N – Yep, I’m still alive and kicking! I got a new web designer job at the first of this year, so the last few months have been very, very busy. I was at my previous web design job for just over two years and it was time to move on.
Anyway, hopefully I’ll have more time to write for the site again!
DRM sucks. I really do hope they get it together so you don’t need Windows to watch downloaded episodes.
Excellent review of their site!
sabas – Thanks! And yes, I agree – DRM sucks. We can’t watch streaming movies on NetFlix with Rachel’s MacBook due to DRM…although they’re working on it. Hopefully there will be a solution later this year for Mac users.