Manage Animelab

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 lovers across New Zealand and Australia, operated by Madman Anime Group Pty Ltd. It offered simulcasts, dubbed and subtitled content, and a growing catalogue of anime titles. However, Animelab has since transitioned to Funimation, which means your account, billing, and cancellation process now live on Funimation's systems.

If you subscribed to Animelab before the transition, your subscription may have been migrated automatically. This shift can make cancellation confusing, especially if you're unsure whether you're managing an Animelab account or a Funimation account. At Stopee, we help thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate exactly this kind of service transition.

The animelab to funimation transition

When Animelab sunset, subscribers didn't lose access overnight. Instead, Madman Anime Group moved all Animelab content and accounts into the Funimation ecosystem. Your existing watch history, preferences, and billing details transferred to Funimation. This means you cannot cancel Animelab directly anymore; you cancel through Funimation instead.

Understanding this change is your first step toward a smooth cancellation. Stopee's team has helped 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 cut back on subscriptions. Whatever your reason, cancelling before your next billing cycle renews protects your wallet and prevents unexpected charges.

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Animelab pricing and current plans in new zealand

Before you cancel, you should know what you're currently paying for. Below are the standard Funimation plan prices in NZD for New Zealand subscribers who inherited Animelab accounts.

Current subscription plans

Your account may still show "Animelab" in places, but you pay Funimation rates. Prices may shift, so always check your last invoice or account settings for your exact plan and amount.

How much will you save?

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 year ends.

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How to cancel animelab step by step

The method you use to cancel depends on how you pay. Stopee's cancellation specialists recommend checking your payment method first-if you subscribed via the Funimation website, web cancellation works best; if you pay through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel there instead.

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.

1. 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.
2. Click your Profile icon (top right corner).
   • This opens your account menu.
3. Select Account Settings or My Account.
   • Look for a Subscriptions or Billing tab.
4. Find your active subscription and click Cancel Subscription.
   • Funimation will show you a confirmation screen asking why you're leaving.
5. Confirm the cancellation by clicking Cancel Subscription again.
   • You'll receive a confirmation email within minutes.
6. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Funimation.
   • Pro tip: Screenshot or save this email as proof. Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmations for at least 12 months.

Warning: Do not rely on the app alone. Use the website to cancel; app cancellations sometimes fail silently, and charges can continue. Stopee's data shows this is the single biggest mistake New Zealand subscribers make.

Cancel via apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed or renewed your Animelab/Funimation plan through the Apple App Store, you must cancel there, not on the Funimation website.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Scroll to the top and tap your name (Apple ID profile).
2. Tap Subscriptions.
   • This shows all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
3. Find Funimation (or Animelab if it still shows that name).
   • Tap it to open subscription details.
4. Tap Cancel Subscription.
   • Apple asks for confirmation and may offer a discount to stay.
5. Confirm cancellation.
   • Your subscription ends on the renewal date; you keep access until then.
6. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation from Apple for your records.
   • Pro tip: Apple sends a cancellation email, but saving a screenshot protects you if that email gets lost.

Warning: Cancelling on the Funimation website will not cancel an App Store subscription. Apple controls the billing independently, so charges will continue unless you cancel in Settings.

Cancel via google play (Android)

Android users who subscribed through Google Play must cancel there to stop charges.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
   • Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Tap Manage subscriptions.
   • This lists all active subscriptions on your Google account.
3. Find Funimation (or Animelab).
   • Tap it to view subscription details.
4. Tap Cancel subscription.
   • Google Play shows your cancellation effective date.
5. Confirm by tapping Cancel subscription again.
   • You'll receive a confirmation from Google Play via email.
6. Save or screenshot the confirmation email.
   • Pro tip: Google's cancellation confirmations are detailed; they include your refund eligibility and final access date.

Warning: Like Apple, Google Play subscriptions are separate from Funimation's website billing. Cancelling on one platform does not cancel on the other.

Contact funimation support if self-service fails

Sometimes the cancellation button doesn't appear, or the process gets stuck. If you've tried the above steps and cannot cancel, contact Funimation support directly.

1. Email support@funimation.com with a clear subject like "Cancel my subscription."
   • Include your account email, username, and subscription plan.
2. Explain briefly why you're cancelling and when you attempted to cancel.
   • Be specific: "I tried to cancel on the Funimation website on [date] but the button didn't appear."
3. Ask for written confirmation of your cancellation.
   • Support should respond within 2-3 business days.
4. If charges continue after you receive cancellation confirmation, escalate to Funimation billing or your bank.
   • Pro tip: Forward the cancellation email to your bank when you dispute the charge; it proves you tried to cancel.

Stopee recommends keeping all support emails as proof of your cancellation request. This is especially important if Funimation debits your account after cancellation.

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What happens after you cancel animelab

Cancellation doesn't mean instant loss of access. Here's what you should expect after you hit the cancel button.

Your access during the final billing period

After you cancel, you retain full premium access until your current billing period ends. If you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day month, you can watch until the 15th of next month without interruption. Then, on the 16th, your Premium access downgrade to the free tier, and ads return.

This grace period exists because you've already paid for the full billing cycle. You don't lose access halfway through; Funimation honors the time you've paid for.

What happens to your account and viewing history

Your account doesn't disappear after cancellation. Your profile, watch history, ratings, and bookmarks remain on Funimation's servers indefinitely. If you ever want to resubscribe, you can sign back in and pick up where you left off.

However, if you want your account deleted entirely, you must contact support and request explicit account removal. Simply cancelling the subscription does not erase your personal data from Funimation's systems.

Billing and renewal

Once your cancellation is confirmed, Funimation will not charge you again. Your subscription ends on your renewal date and does not auto-renew. You won't see a charge on your credit card or bank statement after that date, provided your cancellation went through successfully.

Warning: If you see a charge after your renewal date, contact your bank immediately. Stopee recommends monitoring your statements for at least one billing cycle after cancellation to catch any errors.

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Refund policy and what you're entitled to

Funimation's standard policy states that cancellations do not generate prorated refunds for unused time. However, New Zealand consumer law may offer you stronger rights than Funimation's terms allow.

Funimation's no-refund policy

Once your billing cycle begins, Funimation does not refund you for the remaining unused days if you cancel mid-cycle. You keep access until your renewal date, but you do not receive money back. This is standard across most streaming services.

The only exception is if you cancel within a promotional trial period (e.g., a 7-day free trial). If you cancel during that free trial before it converts to paid, you are not charged at all.

Your rights under new zealand law

The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 protect you even when a company's terms say "no refunds." These laws are stronger than any company policy.

You may be entitled to a refund or remedy if:

• The service is faulty or doesn't work as described. For example, if content promised during the Animelab transition is missing or unavailable after the move to Funimation.
• The provider misrepresents the service. If Funimation advertises "all Animelab content" but removes titles without notice, this could breach the Fair Trading Act.
• The service is unfit for purpose. If Funimation suffers frequent outages or cannot deliver the streaming quality advertised, you may have grounds for a claim.

Pro tip: If you believe you're entitled to a refund under the CGA, start by requesting one from Funimation in writing. Reference the specific Consumer Guarantees Act section (e.g., section 9, "goods and services must be of acceptable quality"). If they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission or a dispute resolution service.

Disputing charges with your bank

If Funimation charges you after you've confirmed cancellation, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Explain that you cancelled the subscription and have proof (your cancellation email), yet the charge appeared anyway. Your bank can reverse unauthorised recurring charges and may refund the amount to your account.

This process takes 5-10 business days. During that time, keep all evidence: cancellation confirmation emails, screenshots, bank statements showing the unwanted charges, and any support correspondence.

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Common mistakes when cancelling animelab

Cancelling a streaming subscription can feel straightforward, but small missteps lead to unwanted charges and frustration. We understand-Stopee has seen thousands of New Zealand subscribers caught by these traps.

Mistake one: cancelling on the wrong platform

This is the most common error. If you subscribed via the Apple App Store, cancelling on the Funimation website does nothing. Your App Store subscription continues to auto-renew, and you're charged every month. Conversely, cancelling on Google Play does not cancel your website subscription.

How to avoid it: Check your last invoice or bank statement. Look for the payment method: was it charged by "Funimation," "Apple," or "Google"? Cancel on the platform that charged you.

Mistake two: assuming the cancellation went through

You click "cancel," see a screen change, and assume it's done. Then, 30 days later, your account is charged again. Funimation's interface can be confusing; sometimes the cancel button leads to a survey instead of actual cancellation.

How to avoid it: Always wait for a confirmation email from Funimation or your app store (Apple or Google). Do not rely on the website screen alone. If no email arrives within 10 minutes, log back in and check your subscription status. Stopee recommends repeating the cancellation process if the first attempt doesn't generate a confirmation email.

Mistake three: not checking for charges after cancellation

You cancel in good faith, but a system error causes an unexpected charge on your renewal date. If you don't notice for weeks, your bank may not refund the full amount or may argue the claim is stale.

How to avoid it: Monitor your bank or credit card statement for 45 days after your renewal date. Set a phone reminder for a few days before your renewal date to double-check that no charge appears. If a charge does appear, dispute it immediately with your bank and send Funimation your cancellation confirmation.

Mistake four: forgetting to cancel on all subscriptions

Some users hold multiple subscriptions (e.g., one via the website and one via Google Play on a shared device). They cancel one and forget the other continues charging.

How to avoid it: After you cancel, log into all payment platforms (Funimation website, Apple, Google Play) and confirm you have no active Funimation subscriptions. Check each account separately, even if you think you only have one.

Mistake five: delaying cancellation until after the next charge

You decide to cancel on the 20th, but your renewal date is the 25th. You think "I'll just wait until after the charge posts, then cancel." By then, you're locked into another billing cycle, and Funimation's policy is unlikely to refund the cycle you didn't intend to pay for.

How to avoid it: Cancel at least 3-5 days before your renewal date. This buffer ensures your cancellation processes in time and you don't incur an unintended charge.

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New zealand consumer rights and legal protections

Animelab was an Australian service, but Funimation now serves New Zealand customers. This means you're protected by New Zealand law, not Australian law. Stopee emphasises this because your rights are stronger than you might think.

Consumer guarantees act (CGA) 1993

The CGA requires that services-including streaming subscriptions-are provided with reasonable care and skill and match their description. If Funimation fails these guarantees, you're entitled to a remedy: repair, replacement, or refund.

Key CGA rights:

• Acceptable quality: The service must be of a quality a reasonable consumer would regard as acceptable, considering price, statements made about it, and consumer expectations.
• Fit for purpose: If you tell Funimation you want anime streaming, they must provide a service suitable for that purpose.
• Accurate representation: If Funimation claims to carry all Animelab titles, it must honour that claim or offer a refund.

If you have a fault (buffering, missing content, account lockout), contact Funimation in writing and ask them to remedy the issue within a reasonable time. If they refuse or cannot fix it, you may claim a refund under the CGA.

Fair trading act 1986

This law prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct in trade. It applies to Funimation's marketing, billing, and cancellation processes. If Funimation makes false statements (e.g., "cancel anytime, no hidden fees" but includes sneaky auto-renewal), the Fair Trading Act gives you grounds for a claim.

You can complain to the Commerce Commission if you believe Funimation has breached the Fair Trading Act. The Commission investigates and can issue enforcement notices or pursue court action on your behalf.

How to escalate if funimation refuses to help

Start with Funimation: email support@funimation.com with a clear complaint and reference the relevant CGA section. Give them 10 business days to respond. If they refuse your claim or ignore you, escalate:

• Dispute Resolution: Ask Funimation if they use an approved dispute resolution scheme (e.g., OMbudsman Services). If so, file a complaint there.
• Commerce Commission: File a complaint at www.comcom.govt.nz if you suspect misleading conduct.
• Small Claims Court: If the amount is under NZ$15,000, you can file a claim in the District Court without needing a lawyer.

Stopee has helped New Zealand consumers win refunds through the CGA by documenting service failures and submitting written complaints with proof. You don't need a lawyer for most small claims.

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Quick cancellation checklist

Use this checklist before, during, and after cancellation to avoid mistakes. Stopee recommends printing or screenshotting this for your records.

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When to keep your animelab subscription

Cancellation isn't always the right choice. Here's when you might want to stay subscribed.

You're mid-season and love the show

If you're watching an ongoing anime series, cancelling mid-season means losing access before the finale airs. Finish the series first, then cancel. Paying for one or two extra months is usually cheaper than binge-watching elsewhere later.

You share the cost with friends or family

Splitting NZ$7.95 per month means you pay only NZ$2-4 depending on how many people share. At that price, many New Zealand subscribers find it worth keeping active.

You're within a promotional trial

If you haven't yet paid (e.g., you're on a free trial), and you think you'll return to anime soon, keeping the account active preserves your history and bookmarks. You can pause and resume without losing your place.

You need proof of cancellation for a refund claim

If you're pursuing a CGA or Fair Trading Act claim, don't delete your account. Keep it active as evidence. Deleting your account may prevent you from proving service failures to the Commerce Commission or a court.

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Stopee's final advice for new zealand subscribers

Cancelling Animelab (now Funimation) is straightforward if you follow the platform-specific steps and document your cancellation. The biggest traps are cancelling on the wrong platform, assuming cancellation went through without confirmation, and delaying until after your renewal date.

Remember: your consumer rights under the CGA and Fair Trading Act are stronger than Funimation's terms. If you encounter problems-hidden charges, service failures, or refusal to cancel-escalate to the Commerce Commission or a dispute resolution service. You don't need to accept unfair practices.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel streaming subscriptions, avoid unexpected charges, and recover refunds when companies refused to honour cancellation requests. If you experience issues cancelling Funimation or Animelab, or if charges continue after cancellation, visit stopee.com for additional guidance and step-by-step support. Stopee's resources are free and tailored to New Zealand consumer law, ensuring you know your rights.

Cancel with confidence. Keep your confirmation email. Monitor your account. And if Funimation tries to charge you again, Stopee is here to help you dispute it.

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Contact information

To contact Funimation's support team or file a complaint:

• Email: support@funimation.com
• Animelab/Funimation operator: Madman Anime Group Pty Ltd (Australia-based; no direct NZ postal address published)
• Escalation (NZ): Commerce Commission, www.comcom.govt.nz, for misleading conduct complaints
• Escalation (NZ): Dispute Resolution Scheme (if Funimation provides one in account settings)

For specific advice about your cancellation or refund rights, contact Stopee at stopee.com. Stopee specialises in consumer disputes and subscription cancellations across New Zealand and can guide you through your options at no cost.