How to cancel Animelab in new zealand and protect your rights
Understanding Animelab and why you might want to cancel
Animelab was a streaming service for anime enthusiasts across New Zealand and Australia, operated by Madman Anime Group Pty Ltd. It delivered simulcasts, dubbed and subtitled anime content, and an expanding library of titles. However, Animelab has transitioned to Funimation, which means your account, billing, and cancellation process now operate through Funimation's platform.
If you subscribed to Animelab before the migration, your subscription was transferred automatically to Funimation. This transition can create confusion, particularly if you're unsure whether you're managing an Animelab account or a Funimation account. Yafee helps thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate exactly this kind of service transition, ensuring you cancel correctly and avoid surprise charges.
The Animelab to funimation transition
When Animelab sunset, subscribers retained access during a managed handover. Madman Anime Group transferred all Animelab content and accounts into the Funimation ecosystem. Your watch history, preferences, and billing details moved with you to Funimation. Consequently, you cannot cancel Animelab directly; you must cancel through Funimation instead.
Understanding this change is your first step toward smooth cancellation. Yafee's team has assisted countless New Zealand subscribers work through this confusion without accidentally paying for unwanted renewals.
When should you cancel?
You might want to cancel Animelab (now Funimation) if you've finished your favourite series, prefer another streaming platform, or simply want to reduce your subscription commitments. Whatever your reason, cancelling before your next billing cycle renews protects your account balance and prevents unexpected charges.
Animelab pricing and current plans in new zealand
Before you cancel, confirm what you're currently paying for and which plan you hold.
Current subscription plans and costs
Below are the standard Funimation plan prices in NZD for New Zealand subscribers who inherited Animelab accounts. Prices may shift seasonally, so check your last invoice or account settings for your exact plan and amount.
| Plan |
Price (NZD) |
Billing cycle |
Features |
| Monthly Premium |
NZ$7.95 |
Monthly |
Ad-free, HD quality, simulcasts, all dubs and subs |
| Annual Premium |
NZ$79.50 |
Annual (12 months) |
Same features, discounted upfront |
| Free Tier |
Free |
N/A |
Limited catalogue with ads; no premium content |
How much will you save by cancelling?
If you cancel your monthly Premium plan now, you'll stop paying NZ$7.95 every 30 days. Over a year, that's approximately NZ$95.40 in recurring charges. If you're on the annual plan, you'll prevent the next NZ$79.50 charge when your subscription year ends. Downgrades to the Free Tier cost nothing but remove ad-free access and premium content.
How to cancel Animelab step by step
Your cancellation method depends on how you pay: via the Funimation website, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. Yafee recommends checking your payment method first to follow the correct route.
Cancel via the funimation website
This is the fastest route if you subscribed directly on Funimation's website or inherited an Animelab account linked to email.
- Go to funimation.com and sign in with your email and password.
- If you don't remember your password, click "Forgot password" and reset via email.
- Click your Profile icon in the top right corner.
- This opens your account menu.
- Select Account Settings or Subscription.
- You'll see your current plan and next billing date.
- Click Manage Subscription or Cancel Subscription.
- Funimation will prompt you to confirm the cancellation.
- You may see a retention offer or discount code; ignore this unless you want to stay.
- Confirm your cancellation by clicking Yes, cancel my subscription or a similar button.
- You'll receive a confirmation email within 10 minutes.
- Save your confirmation email for your records.
- This proves you cancelled on the date shown and protects you if disputes arise.
Cancel via apple app store (iPhone and iPad)
If you subscribed through the Funimation app on an Apple device and pay via your Apple ID, you must cancel through Apple's App Store, not Funimation's website.
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your Profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- This shows your Apple ID subscriptions.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- You'll see all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
- Find Funimation in the list and tap it.
- You'll see your plan, next billing date, and renewal status.
- Tap Cancel Subscription or Edit.
- Apple will ask you to confirm the cancellation.
- Select your reason for cancelling (optional) and tap Confirm.
- Your subscription ends at the end of the current billing period, not immediately.
Cancel via google play store (Android)
If you subscribed through the Funimation app on an Android device and pay via your Google Play account, cancel through Google Play, not Funimation's website.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your Profile icon in the top right corner.
- This shows your Google Account menu.
- Tap Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
- You'll see all active subscriptions linked to your Google Play account.
- Find Funimation in the list and tap it.
- You'll see your plan, next billing date, and renewal status.
- Tap Cancel subscription.
- Google Play will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer a retention discount.
- Confirm your cancellation by tapping Yes, cancel or Continue.
- Your subscription ends at the end of the current billing period.
Your consumer rights and what they mean for you
As a New Zealand consumer, you have legal protections when you cancel a subscription service. Understanding these rights ensures you're not overcharged and that the service provider complies with the law.
Your legal position under new zealand law
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) and the Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) protect New Zealand consumers who purchase goods or services, including subscription services like Funimation. Under the CGA, you have the right to cancel a subscription within a reasonable timeframe if the service does not match what was promised. The FTA prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct by traders, including making it deliberately hard to cancel.
Furthermore, the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 (UEMA) gives you the right to withdraw consent from marketing emails. If Funimation continues to send promotional messages after you cancel, you can complain to the Department of Internal Affairs or demand they stop.
In accordance with the CGA, if you're charged after cancellation due to a billing error, you can dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider within the timeframe specified in your cardholder agreement (typically 120 days). Funimation must refund unauthorised charges promptly.
What happens if funimation refuses to cancel?
If you follow the cancellation steps above and Funimation does not stop charging you, you have escalation options. First, contact Funimation's customer support team directly via their website or help centre and request written confirmation of your cancellation. If they do not respond within 10 working days, or if they refuse to cancel your account, escalate to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority.
The Commerce Commission investigates complaints about breaches of the Fair Trading Act and can order refunds or penalties if Funimation has acted deceptively. Yafee has supported consumers through Commerce Commission complaints and knows the process inside out.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation doesn't happen instantly; understanding the post-cancellation period prevents confusion and protects your account.
Your access period after cancellation
When you cancel your subscription, you retain access to Funimation until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you cancel on 15 September and your renewal date is 30 September, you can watch Funimation until 30 September at 11:59 PM (NZ time). After that date, your access stops and you cannot stream content, even if you've started watching a series.
The service does not offer pro-rata refunds if you cancel mid-cycle. In other words, Funimation will not refund the balance of your current subscription period. However, you will not be charged for the next billing cycle if you cancel before the renewal date.
Reclaiming your watchlist and downloads
Before your access expires, download or screenshot your watchlist and any content you've bookmarked. Funimation does not export watchlists, so you'll need to note titles manually or take screenshots. If you've downloaded episodes via the Funimation app for offline viewing, those downloads will remain on your device, but you won't be able to stream or watch new content after cancellation.
Avoiding accidental re-subscription
After cancellation, do not accidentally resubscribe by clicking a free trial link or promotional banner. Free trials often auto-convert to paid plans. If you do restart your subscription by mistake, cancel again immediately and contact Funimation within 48 hours to request a refund of the erroneous charge.
Refunds and billing disputes
Funimation's refund policy is limited; however, New Zealand consumer law gives you grounds to claim a refund in specific circumstances.
When you can request a refund
Funimation does not refund unused portions of your subscription. However, you can request a refund if:
- You were charged after you cancelled and the cancellation was confirmed.
- You were charged twice in one billing cycle (duplicate billing).
- The service was unavailable for a prolonged period and you could not access content.
- Funimation advertised a feature or content that was not delivered.
In these cases, contact Funimation's customer support team with evidence (screenshots, confirmation emails, bank statements). Yafee recommends keeping all confirmation emails and billing records for at least two years.
Disputing a charge with your bank
If Funimation refuses to refund a disputed charge, contact your bank or credit card provider. Most banks allow you to dispute unauthorised or erroneous charges within 120 days of the transaction. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge on your behalf. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation email and any correspondence with Funimation as evidence.
Common mistakes when cancelling Animelab
Cancellation is straightforward, but a few pitfalls can trip up unwary subscribers. Being aware of these mistakes means you'll cancel cleanly and won't be caught off guard.
Confusing Animelab with funimation
Many New Zealand subscribers still think of their service as "Animelab" and search for Animelab cancellation pages. These pages no longer exist. You must cancel through Funimation's website or app. Searching for "cancel Animelab" may lead you to outdated guides or community forums with incorrect instructions. Instead, go directly to funimation.com and use the steps outlined above.
Cancelling via the wrong platform
If you subscribed via the Apple App Store, you must cancel via the Apple App Store, not Funimation's website. Cancelling on the website will not stop Apple from charging you. Similarly, if you subscribed via Google Play, you must cancel via Google Play. Funimation's website cancellation will not affect app-based subscriptions. Check your last invoice or payment method to determine where you subscribed, then cancel via that platform.
Not confirming your cancellation
After you cancel, Funimation sends a confirmation email within 10 minutes. If you don't receive this email, your cancellation may not have gone through. Check your spam or promotions folder. If you still can't find it, log back in to your Funimation account and check whether your subscription status shows as "Cancelled" or "Active". If it shows as Active, repeat the cancellation steps.
Forgetting your renewal date
If you cancel after your renewal date, you'll be charged for the next billing cycle. Check your account settings or last invoice for your renewal date and cancel at least 24 hours before that date.
Comparison: keep versus cancel Animelab
Before you make your final decision, weigh the pros and cons of keeping your subscription against the savings from cancelling.
| Factor |
Keep your subscription |
Cancel your subscription |
| Monthly cost |
NZ$7.95 per month (Premium) |
NZ$0 per month |
| Annual cost |
NZ$95.40 per year (Premium) |
NZ$0 per year |
| Ad-free viewing |
Yes (Premium plan) |
No (Free Tier has ads) |
| HD video quality |
Yes (Premium plan) |
No (Free Tier is standard definition) |
| Access to simulcasts |
Yes (within hours of release) |
No (Free Tier misses simulcasts) |
| Continued commitment |
Ongoing monthly payments |
One-time cancellation, no recurring charges |
If you need to escalate a cancellation dispute or billing complaint, use these official contact routes.
Funimation customer support
Contact Funimation's customer support team via their website help centre at funimation.com/help. You can also email support or use their in-app chat feature. Response time is typically 2 to 5 working days. Provide your email address, account username, cancellation date, and any confirmation email or screenshot of your subscription status.
Commerce commission new zealand
If Funimation refuses to process your cancellation or continues to charge you after you've cancelled, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission. You can complain online at www.comcom.govt.nz or call 0800 943 600. The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and can order refunds or penalties.
Your bank or payment provider
If Funimation charges your account after cancellation or you dispute a charge, contact your bank's customer service team. Most banks have a dispute or chargeback process that takes 10 to 30 working days to resolve.
Final steps: cancel your subscription today
You now have the knowledge and legal backing to cancel Animelab (Funimation) in New Zealand confidently. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for your payment platform, confirm your cancellation via email, and save all documentation. If Funimation refuses to honour your cancellation or charges you after you've cancelled, escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel streaming services, manage billing disputes, and protect their rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act. Whether you're cancelling Animelab, switching to another anime service, or downsizing your subscriptions, Yafee's guides and checklists ensure you cancel correctly and avoid hidden charges.
Start your cancellation now by visiting funimation.com, selecting your payment method above, and following the steps. Your confirmation email will arrive within 10 minutes. Save it, confirm your access expires on your renewal date, and enjoy your final days of streaming. Yafee is here to help if you encounter any issues along the way.