Anime has captivated audiences of all ages, and Funimation has long been a go-to destination for streaming iconic series and new releases. For families, a streaming library that spans everything from light-hearted adventures to intense dramas requires thoughtful oversight. Making the most of Funimation’s built-in parental controls helps you shape a safe, age-appropriate viewing space while still giving children the freedom to explore the stories they love. Below, you’ll find a thorough walkthrough of how to configure these tools, stay on top of what your kids watch, and adapt to the changing anime streaming landscape.

How Funimation’s Parental Controls Work

Funimation structured its safety features around two main pillars: content-based age gates and profile segmentation. Rather than a single on/off switch, the platform gives you control at multiple levels—from the global account settings down to individual viewer profiles. Understanding each piece will let you build layered protections that match your family’s values.

At the account level, a Mature Content Filter acts as the primary barrier. When enabled, it hides all titles that carry a mature age rating. This filter respects the standardized TV and movie rating system—such as TV-14, TV-MA, or R—and it applies across the entire account, including search results and curated rows. Because the filter is persistent once set, it prevents curious young viewers from stumbling onto material you haven’t approved.

On top of that, individual profiles let you tailor restrictions even further. Every profile can be assigned a specific age range, which directly influences which shows appear in browse menus and recommendations. A profile designated as “Kids” will typically surface only content rated TV-Y7, TV-G, or equivalent. This means your child can freely swipe through the app without accidentally landing on darker, violent, or suggestive series.

The interplay between the account-wide mature filter and profile-level age settings gives you a safety net: if a mature series somehow slips past one layer, the other catches it. For parents who want to co-view with older children, you can keep the mature filter off but still restrict a teen’s profile to TV-14, so they see a broader anime catalog while staying within agreed boundaries.

Age Ratings and the Anime Content Landscape

To use these controls effectively, it helps to understand the rating categories you’ll encounter. Funimation follows the TV Parental Guidelines, which most viewers will recognize from cable television:

  • TV-Y7: Designed for children aged 7 and older. May contain mild fantasy violence or comedic mischief.
  • TV-G: Suitable for all ages. Very little, if any, offensive material.
  • TV-PG: Parental guidance suggested. Might include moderate violence, some suggestive dialogue, or infrequent coarse language.
  • TV-14: Intended for viewers 14 and older. Can feature intense violence, strong language, and suggestive themes.
  • TV-MA: Mature audiences only. May contain graphic violence, explicit sexual content, or frequent strong language.

Anime often pushes the boundaries of these descriptors because the medium covers a vast emotional and narrative range. A show rated TV-14 can still feel quite intense if it deals with psychological horror or complex moral dilemmas. By default, Funimation’s age filters treat the rating as a hard line, but parental judgment remains essential. Use the Common Sense Media anime reviews as an additional layer of insight before green-lighting a series, especially borderline titles.

Step-by-Step: Creating a Kid-Friendly Profile

Building a dedicated profile for each child is the single most effective way to curate their anime experience. Here’s how you can set it up on the web, mobile app, or smart TV interface—the steps are nearly identical across devices.

1. Log into your Funimation account.

Open the Funimation website or app and enter your credentials. Make sure you are using the primary account holder’s login, because only the main account can modify parental settings and create subordinate profiles.

2. Navigate to profile management.

On the web, click your avatar in the top right corner and select “My Profile” or “Account.” On mobile, tap the “More” or settings gear icon, then look for “Profiles.” The exact label may vary slightly, but in most interfaces there is a “Manage Profiles” option.

3. Add a new profile.

Choose “Add Profile.” You’ll be prompted to give the profile a name and an avatar. Selecting a recognizable avatar—like a colorful animal or popular character—helps young children quickly identify which profile is theirs. This reduces the chance they’ll accidentally switch into a less restricted account.

4. Choose the “Kids” designation or set age restrictions manually.

Once you name the profile, you will see an option to mark it as a “Kids” profile. Checking this box automatically enforces the strictest content filter suitable for young viewers—typically TV-Y7 and below. If your child is a bit older and you want to allow TV-PG content, simply leave the “Kids” box unchecked and select the maximum rating from a dropdown or toggle menu. Some versions of the app also let you set a specific birth year to calculate the age gate automatically.

5. Save and switch.

Tap “Save.” The new profile will appear on the profile selection screen. Whenever the app launches, it may ask who’s watching; encourage kids to pick their own profile so the filters remain active. As a parent, you can always switch back to the main profile with your own pin or password to bypass restrictions when co-viewing.

Allowing Specific Shows Through the Filter

A common frustration with blanket age gates is that they can block shows a parent deems acceptable. Funimation does not offer a per-title whitelist, but you can temporarily lower the account maturity filter while you start the episode yourself. For example, if you want a mature 13-year-old to watch a specific TV-14 series, you can disable the mature filter on the main account, play the episode, and then re-enable the filter afterward. This method is not seamless, but it does give you manual override capability without leaving the filter off permanently. Always supervise or use a device that remains in a common area if you choose this workaround.

Locking Down Access with a PIN

For parents who want an extra barrier, Funimation supports a profile-level PIN. This prevents anyone from switching into an unrestricted profile without entering a four-digit code. Implementing a PIN is especially important if you have older children or teenagers in the house who might try to bypass the “Kids” filter out of curiosity.

To set a PIN:

  • Go to account settings and look for “Parental Controls” or “Profile Lock.”
  • Select the profile you want to protect—typically your main adult profile.
  • Choose “Create PIN” and enter a four-digit number that your children won’t guess. Avoid birthdays, sequential digits, or obvious patterns.
  • Confirm the PIN and save.

Once activated, the app will require the PIN each time someone tries to view or switch to the locked profile. Note that the PIN protects the profile itself, not just the content filtering. This means if you’ve set up unrestricted browsing on your own profile, locking it behind a PIN keeps kids from simply tapping your avatar and opening the full library.

If you ever forget the PIN, Funimation’s account recovery process typically requires email verification. Keep your account email and password safe, and consider using a password manager to reduce the risk of being permanently locked out.

Monitoring Viewing History and Behavior

Setting controls is only half the equation; regular monitoring closes the loop. Funimation tracks watch history at both the account and profile levels, giving you a clear log of what has been played, on which date, and for how long. This transparency helps you spot patterns—such as a child watching content late at night or gravitating toward shows that push the age rating boundary.

How to access viewing history:

  • Open the app or website and log in with your main account.
  • Navigate to “My Account” or “Watch History.” On some interfaces, it will be listed under “Settings.”
  • Switch between profiles using the profile dropdown to see each family member’s log.

Periodically review the list—once a week is a reasonable cadence. If you notice a show that seems out of step with the assigned age gate, check its rating independently. The monitoring habit also creates a natural opportunity to talk with your child about what they’re watching and whether they have any questions about storylines that might be confusing or intense.

Combining Device-Level Parental Controls

Funimation’s settings work well within the app, but they don’t govern how much time a child spends streaming or prevent them from downloading other apps. Pairing the service with device-level parental controls gives you comprehensive protection. On Apple devices, use Screen Time to set app limits and content restrictions; on Android, Google Family Link provides similar features; on game consoles and smart TVs, built-in parental settings can often restrict access to specific apps entirely. By setting screen time boundaries at the device level, you add a safety layer that operates independently of Funimation’s own controls.

What Changes with the Funimation-Crunchyroll Merger

A significant update for Funimation subscribers is the ongoing merger with Crunchyroll. As of 2024, Funimation is gradually sunsetting its standalone service and moving its library, accounts, and user history to Crunchyroll. If you are still using the Funimation app, it’s vital to understand how this transition affects parental controls and what steps you can take to maintain a safe streaming environment.

Crunchyroll offers its own set of parental control features that largely mirror—and in some ways improve upon—Funimation’s system. Key highlights include:

  • Content maturity filter: Similar to Funimation’s, the Crunchyroll filter can hide mature content across the entire platform. It can be toggled on or off from the video settings menu.
  • Profile-based age gates: You can create child profiles that restrict content to specific age ratings, and the recommendations will adapt accordingly.
  • PIN protection: Crunchyroll supports a PIN for accessing mature titles or switching to an adult profile, adding a second layer of defense.

To ensure a smooth transition, visit the Crunchyroll parental controls guide and set up your preferences before your family fully migrates. As accounts move over, double-check that any previously restricted profiles retain their age gates. It’s a good idea to log in to Crunchyroll with your migrated credentials, explore the interface, and test the filtering by searching for a mature-rated show to confirm it is hidden from the child profile.

Additional Safety Tips for Anime Streaming

Beyond the platform’s own tools, a handful of common-sense practices will strengthen your family’s digital safety while streaming anime. These habits complement the technical controls and help establish a healthy relationship with screen time.

Keep Passwords Strong and Unique

Use a password that is at least 12 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. Because Funimation and Crunchyroll accounts may hold payment information, a compromised password could lead to more than just inappropriate content. Avoid reusing passwords from other services, and enable two-factor authentication if the platform eventually supports it.

Regularly Update Apps and Devices

Parental control features sometimes ship with software updates. By keeping the Funimation (or Crunchyroll) app, your streaming device, and the device’s operating system up to date, you ensure any security patches and new filter options are active. Set devices to auto-update where possible, and manually check before a new season of a favorite show starts, so there are no unwelcome surprises.

Discuss Content Boundaries Openly

No filter replaces honest conversation. Sit down with your children and agree on what kinds of stories are okay to watch and which are not. Frame it as a joint decision—not just a rule. When kids understand why certain themes (extreme violence, horror, or mature relationships) are off-limits for their age, they are more likely to abide by the filters and come to you if they encounter something upsetting.

Use External Review Sites

As mentioned earlier, resources like Common Sense Media provide detailed breakdowns of violence, language, and positive messages in anime series. Browsing these reviews together can be a form of media literacy training—teaching children how to evaluate a show’s content before watching it. Bookmark a few trusted sites on the family tablet so older kids can look up titles and exercise their own judgment.

Co-View When Possible

Watching anime as a family activity transforms it from a solitary experience into a shared one. You can pause to discuss complex plot points, point out positive character traits, or even laugh together at the over-the-top action. Co-viewing also makes it easier to spot any content that filters might have missed, letting you adjust settings in real time.

Handling Common Parental Control Challenges

Even a well-configured system can throw up problems. Here are a few situations parents frequently encounter and how to address them.

“Why Can’t I Watch It? My Friend Can!”

Children often compare media access with peers. If a friend has unrestricted access to a popular but mature-rated anime, your child may feel left out. Acknowledge their feelings and explain your family’s standards calmly. You might research the show together and identify a similar, age-appropriate alternative available on Funimation or Crunchyroll. Sometimes an adjacent series—same genre, lighter tone—fills the gap without compromising safety.

Forgetting the Parental PIN

A forgotten PIN can be frustrating, especially when you want to watch a series yourself. Use the account recovery option tied to your email address. If you’re repeatedly locked out, write the PIN down and store it in a secure place, like a password manager. Avoid sticky notes on the TV stand where kids can find them; treat the PIN as seriously as a bank card PIN.

Content Filter Inconsistencies Across Devices

Parental settings sometimes don’t sync perfectly between a web browser, a phone, and a smart TV. If your child notices that a show accessible on the tablet is blocked on the living room TV, check that all devices are logged into the same profile and that the app versions are current. Perform a manual logout and re-login on the problematic device; this often forces a fresh pull of the account’s restriction configuration.

Building a Long-Term Streaming Safety Plan

Parental controls aren’t set-and-forget. As children grow, their maturity and interests evolve, and your boundaries may shift. Revisit your settings every few months—around the start of a new school term or summer break—to see if the age gate still fits. A 10-year-old who was satisfied with TV-Y7 content last year might now be ready for select TV-PG shows with guidance. Incremental adjustments keep the streaming experience positive and balanced.

Document your approach in a simple family media plan that outlines when and where streaming is allowed, what ratings are acceptable for each child, and what steps to take if someone encounters upsetting material. Posting this plan in a common area normalizes the expectations and reduces arguments.

Conclusion

Funimation’s parental controls—combined with profile segmentation, PIN locks, and regular monitoring—give parents a robust framework to cultivate a safe anime streaming environment. Though the platform’s gradual sunset into Crunchyroll introduces a learning curve, the underlying principles remain the same: leverage age gates, lock profiles, check viewing history, and pair platform settings with device-level controls and open family dialogue. By staying proactive and adapting to both your child’s growth and the evolving streaming landscape, you can ensure that anime remains a source of creativity, adventure, and joy for the whole family, without the worry of unsuitable content slipping through.