IGN is thrilled to unveil the latest details on Crunchyroll's third annual Ani-May, a month-long global celebration set to captivate anime fans worldwide. From May 1, Ani-May promises a diverse array of activities, including exclusive merchandise, special deals, partnerships, and a variety of experiences both in stores and online. Fans can also enjoy free-to-stream anime and new additions to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, making this celebration a must-attend event for anime enthusiasts.
Ani-May is packed with exciting offerings, and we're here to guide you through all the highlights to ensure you don'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 May 1, Crunchyroll will offer some of the most beloved anime titles for free with ads throughout the month. This is the perfect opportunity for fans to catch up on missed episodes or relive favorite moments from series such as Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and many others. All you need is a free Crunchyroll account to dive in.
The full list of free-to-stream anime with ads available on Crunchyroll during Ani-May 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)
Merch, Partnerships, Food, Autographs, and Other Partnerships Based on Solo Leveling, My Hero Academia, and More of Your Favorite Anime
Ani-May offers fans a chance to celebrate their favorite anime with exclusive merchandise from titles like Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, Bananya, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, My Hero Academia, Overlord, and The Apothecary Diaries, among others. The Crunchyroll Store will launch new and exclusive products, deals, and even offer a Crunchyroll-exclusive Ani-May pin with qualifying purchases. Each week in May will highlight different types of products, from collectors' items to action/adventure titles, shonen shows, and fantasy favorites. Additionally, fans can celebrate the Anime of the Year nominees the day after the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards on May 25.
Beyond merchandise, Ani-May brings the anime celebration to life through various real-world experiences, from retail and online stores to video games, restaurants, and movie theaters.
Here's a glimpse of what fans can look forward to, as shared by Crunchyroll:
- UNIQLO will distribute Crunchyroll codes for a 30-day free trial with eligible online UT purchases throughout May. They've also partnered with Manga artist Remi Yamamoto for exclusive UTme! Collection designs at their NYC flagship locations - UNIQLO Soho and UNIQLO 5th Avenue. A special activation with Remi, offering complimentary live Manga portraits, will be held at UNIQLO’s 5th Avenue flagship on May 18th from 1pm-5pm.
- Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its United States and Canada locations, as well as online, with activations and special promotions, including exclusive anime merchandise.
- Best Buy will join the Ani-May festivities with select products available both online and in-store, including an exclusive SPY x FAMILY pin with eligible purchases at select stores.
- Planet Hollywood is partnering with Crunchyroll to offer exclusive experiences, cocktails, dishes, and merchandise inspired by Ani-May’s select IPs.
- In celebration of the new JUJUTSU KAISEN x Funko Pop collection, Funko Pop will host an autograph signing with the English voice cast of JUJUTSU KAISEN on May 3rd. Special Funko Hollywood Event Bundles will also be available.
- Bananya is partnering again with Fall Guys to offer a collection of skins available from May 1 to May 8, featuring Bananya and Droopy Eared Bananya.
- Demon Slayer fans can prepare for the first film of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy, coming to theaters in September, with a special re-release of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train in May.
The Crunchyroll Game Vault Is Celebrating Anime With the Addition of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth and More
The Crunchyroll Game Vault is joining the Ani-May celebration by adding exciting games, starting with Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth on April 30. Throughout May and early June, the vault will see weekly releases including Corpse Party, Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol. 1, Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town, Shogun Showdown, and White Day. Launched in November 2023, the Crunchyroll Game Vault now offers over 50 titles to Crunchyroll members at the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers in over 200 countries.
Own Your Favorites With Ani-May Home Entertainment Releases
Ani-May 2025 Home Entertainment Releases
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For those who prefer physical copies, Ani-May will feature the Crunchyroll Store releasing 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, an open display case made from SteelBook metal that can fit 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 from every corner of the globe can participate in unique and thrilling experiences based on their favorite anime.
Here's a detailed list of global experiences for Ani-May, as shared by Crunchyroll:
- In Latin America:
- Liverpool in Mexico will host a special meet-and-greet with select voice actors, alongside products from fan-favorite titles with in-store signage.
- Suburbia in Mexico will feature in-store signage and offer 20,000 free trial subscriptions with purchases of eligible products.
- Ani-May celebrations will continue at CCXP Mexico.
- In Europe (EMEA):
- Funside/Games Academy in Italy and HMV in the UK, Ireland, and Belgium will participate in Ani-May for the third year, while Cultura in France joins for the second year. These chains will activate all their stores with signage, windows, and exclusive merchandise. Shoppers have the chance to win a VIP weekend in Paris with access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo.
- FNAC in Spain will offer a special selection of Ani-May products and a nationwide e-commerce campaign. Purchases over 20€ will enter shoppers into a draw for free Crunchyroll subscriptions.
- ANVOL will return for a second year in the Baltic states and bring Ani-May to the Nordics for the first time in 2025. Stores will feature Crunchyroll-approved branding, and shoppers can win free Crunchyroll subscriptions with any Ani-May purchase.
- In the Middle East, Little Things will bring Ani-May to their stores in the UAE, as well as Virgin Mega Store in Dubai and two ToysRUs locations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
- In Poland, Yatta will feature Ani-May branded corners and an e-commerce takeover, with shoppers having the chance to win free Crunchyroll subscriptions.
- Thalia in Germany and Austria will present exclusive merchandising and manga in 200 stores for the third time. Müller in Germany and Austria will offer manga, merchandising, and home entertainment across 150 stores.
- In Australia and New Zealand:
- JB Hi-Fi will celebrate with dedicated Ani-May end caps in stores, featuring anime home video and collectibles, along with unique in-store signage. The May edition of STACK Magazine will feature an editorial piece on anime.
- EB Games & Zing Pop Culture will join the Ani-May fun. Customers signing up to EB WORLD PLUS will receive a 30-day Crunchyroll Premium trial membership. EB Games will celebrate with digital signage, ceiling banners, and exclusive products across fan-favorite shows like JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, and My Hero Academia.
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