IGN is thrilled to unveil exclusive details about Crunchyroll's third annual Ani-May, a month-long global celebration that promises an exciting lineup of anime-themed merchandise, deals, partnerships, and experiences both in stores and online. From free-to-stream anime and new additions to the Crunchyroll Game Vault to a variety of in-person and digital events, Ani-May is set to be an unforgettable celebration for anime fans worldwide.
Ani-May is packed with a plethora of exciting activities, and we're here to guide you through all the highlights so you won't miss out on anything.
Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Chainsaw Man Lead the Selection of Free-to-Stream Anime During Ani-May
Starting on May 1, Crunchyroll will offer some of the most beloved anime titles for free with ads throughout the entire month. This is the perfect opportunity for fans to catch up on missed episodes or relive their favorite anime series. The lineup includes:
- Black Clover (Seasons 1-4)
- Chainsaw Man
- Cowboy Bebop
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (The Complete Series)
- Fruits Basket (Seasons 1-3)
- Haikyu!! (Seasons 1-4)
- Heaven Official's Blessing (Seasons 1-2)
- Hell's Paradise
- Jujutsu Kaisen (Seasons 1-2)
- Junji Ito Collection
- Kaiju No. 8
- My Hero Academia (Seasons 1-7)
- Overlord (Seasons 1-4)
- Shangri-La Frontier (Seasons 1-2)
- Solo Leveling (Season 1)
- Soul Eater
- SPY x FAMILY (Seasons 1-2)
- The Apothecary Diaries (Season 1)
- Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (Seasons 1-2)
- Tokyo Ghoul (Seasons 1-3)
All you need is a free account to dive into these captivating series.
Merch, Partnerships, Food, Autographs, and Other Partnerships Based on Solo Leveling, My Hero Academia, and More of Your Favorite Anime
Celebrate your passion for anime with an array of new, officially licensed merchandise featuring favorites like Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, Bananya, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, My Hero Academia, Overlord, and The Apothecary Diaries. The Crunchyroll Store will launch exclusive products, deals, and offer a special Ani-May pin with qualifying purchases. Each week in May will spotlight different product categories, from collectors' items to action/adventure titles, shonen shows, and fantasy favorites. Additionally, the day after the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards on May 25, fans can celebrate the nominees with special promotions.
Beyond merchandise, Ani-May will bring anime celebrations to life through various experiences at retail stores, online, in video games, restaurants, movie theaters, and more. Here's a glimpse of what's in store:
- UNIQLO will distribute Crunchyroll codes for a 30-day free trial with eligible UT purchases online and at their NYC flagship stores, UNIQLO Soho and UNIQLO 5th Avenue. Fans in NYC can also meet Manga artist Remi Yamamoto at a special event on May 18th from 1pm-5pm at UNIQLO's 5th Avenue location for live Manga portraits.
- Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its US and Canada locations and online with special promotions and exclusive anime merchandise.
- Best Buy will join in with select products available both online and in-store, including an exclusive SPY x FAMILY pin with eligible purchases at select stores.
- Planet Hollywood will offer exclusive experiences, cocktails, dishes, and merchandise inspired by Ani-May's featured IPs.
- Funko Pop will host an autograph signing with the English voice cast of JUJUTSU KAISEN on May 3rd, along with special Hollywood Event Bundles.
- Bananya will partner with Fall Guys for a collection of skins featuring Bananya and Droopy Eared Bananya, available from May 1 to May 8.
- Demon Slayer fans can enjoy a special re-release of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train in theaters this May, in anticipation of the upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy.
The Crunchyroll Game Vault Is Celebrating Anime With the Addition of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth and More
The Crunchyroll Game Vault will also join the Ani-May festivities with the addition of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth on April 30, followed by other exciting titles like Corpse Party, Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol. 1, Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town, Shogun Showdown, and White Day throughout May and early June. Launched in November 2023, the Game Vault now boasts over 50 titles available to Crunchyroll members at the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers in over 200 countries.
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For fans who prefer physical copies, Ani-May will see the Crunchyroll Store release a Limited Edition Blu-ray box of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 1 Part 2 (pre-orders start on May 15) and Blu-ray in SteelBook cases of Paranoia Agent and Goblin Slayer Season 1 (on sale from April 30). Additionally, Crunchyroll introduces the SteelNook, a stylish display case made from SteelBook metal that can hold four standard SteelBooks, available for purchase on May 30.
Ani-May Is a Global Party and Everyone's Invited
Crunchyroll has planned even more Ani-May celebrations worldwide, ensuring fans everywhere can partake in the excitement. Here's a look at the global experiences:
- In Latin America:
- Liverpool in Mexico will host a meet-and-greet with voice actors and feature products from fan-favorite titles.
- Suburbia in Mexico will offer in-store signage and 20,000 free trial subscriptions with eligible purchases.
- Ani-May celebrations will continue at CCXP Mexico.
- In EMEA:
- Funside/Games Academy in Italy, HMV in the UK, Ireland, and Belgium, and Cultura in France will feature exclusive merchandise and offer a chance to win a VIP weekend in Paris with access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo.
- FNAC in Spain will launch a nationwide e-commerce campaign and offer free Crunchyroll subscriptions with purchases over 20€.
- ANVOL will bring Ani-May to the Baltic states and the Nordics for the first time, with free Crunchyroll subscriptions available with any Ani-May purchase.
- Little Things will introduce Ani-May to the Middle East in stores in the UAE, Virgin Mega Store in Dubai, and ToysRUs locations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
- Yatta in Poland will feature Ani-May branded corners and an e-commerce takeover, with free Crunchyroll subscriptions available.
- Thalia and Müller will celebrate Ani-May in Germany and Austria with exclusive merchandise and manga across their stores.
- In Australia and New Zealand:
- JB Hi-Fi will feature dedicated Ani-May end caps in stores, and the May edition of STACK Magazine will include an editorial on anime.
- EB Games & Zing Pop Culture will offer a 30-day Crunchyroll Premium trial to EB WORLD PLUS members, alongside digital signage, ceiling banners, and exclusive products from JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, and My Hero Academia.
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