Crunchyroll Announces Major Lineup for Third Annual Ani-May Celebration
IGN exclusively reveals Crunchyroll's ambitious plans for their third annual Ani-May event - a global month-long anime extravaganza featuring exclusive merchandise, partnerships, in-store experiences, streaming promotions, and exciting game additions. This immersive celebration promises something for every anime fan worldwide.
Premium Anime Goes Free for Limited Time
Starting May 1, Crunchyroll will unlock premium content including complete series of fan favorites like Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Chainsaw Man - all available with ads using just a free account. This offers both first-time viewers and longtime fans the perfect opportunity to experience these acclaimed series.
The full selection of temporarily free anime includes:
- Black Clover (Seasons 1-4)
- Chainsaw Man
- Cowboy Bebop
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (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)
Exclusive Merchandise and Global Partnerships
Fans can celebrate their favorite series through officially licensed products from Solo Leveling, My Hero Academia, Kaiju No. 8, and more. The Crunchyroll Store will feature weekly themed product launches, special deals, and exclusive collectibles.
Major retail collaborations include:
- UNIQLO offering Crunchyroll trial codes and exclusive manga-designed apparel
- Hot Topic's special anime merchandise promotions
- Best Buy's exclusive SPY x FAMILY collector's pin
- Planet Hollywood's anime-inspired dining experiences
- Demon Slayer theater re-release event
Game Additions and Home Entertainment
The Crunchyroll Game Vault expands during Ani-May with new additions including the cult classic Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, available to Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers worldwide. Limited edition Blu-ray releases will also launch for several fan-favorite series along with a special SteelBook display case.
Worldwide Celebrations
Ani-May becomes a truly global celebration with international activations across multiple continents, including:
- Latin American retail events and meet-and-greet opportunities
- European partnerships offering VIP Japan Expo experiences
- Australian in-store promotions and exclusive content
The celebration coincides with the annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards on May 25, offering fans even more ways to engage with the content they love throughout the entire month.
