Crunchyroll has officially announced the return of Ani-May, a month-long festival designed to bring fans together through streaming, gaming, retail, and immersive real-world experiences. This year’s event aims to transform May into a cultural milestone, offering new ways for the community to “live” anime across iconic franchises like JUJUTSU KAISEN, My Hero Academia, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
More Bang for Your Buck
Crunchyroll is kicking off the festivities by offering significant value to both new and returning fans. For a limited time, discounted Fan and Mega Fan memberships are available, which now include access to the Crunchyroll Game Vault. Additionally, the Crunchyroll Store is hosting exclusive deals on merchandise and collectibles. Fans who meet a minimum order value will also receive a special gift with purchase featuring Hime, Crunchyroll’s original mascot.
Anime on the Go
The celebration extends far beyond the streaming platform too! Throughout the month, fans can participate in weekly global YouTube watch parties or tune into Crunchyroll’s first-ever seven-day anime marathon on Twitch. The digital presence culminates on TikTok with the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, featuring high-profile appearances from stars like The Weeknd, Winston Duke, and RZA. To guide fans through the chaos, Crunchyroll has introduced Ani-May Ambassadors—including Big Sean, REI AMI, and Olympic champion Noah Lyles—who will share curated Spotify playlists, cosplay, and behind-the-scenes content.
Cinema and Streaming Drops
The cinematic side of Ani-May starts early this year. Fans can look forward to the exclusive streaming debut of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc on April 30. This is followed immediately by the theatrical release of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea on May 1.
In the UK, Odeon Greenwich will support the event with weekly screenings, featuring major titles like My Hero Academia: You’re Next and JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 having limited releases throughout the month with one movie airing each week.
5th May: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea
12th May My Hero Academia: You’re Next
19th May: JUJUTSU KAISEN 0
26th May: Chainsaw Man – The Movie:: Reze Arc
Tickets will be available from today! Visit the website for more details!
Gaming on the Horizon
In a landmark partnership, Ani-May is making its way into the world of open-world racing. Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch on May 19 (with early access on May 15), and Crunchyroll subscribers are in for a treat. All current and new members who join during Ani-May will receive an exclusive Car Voucher, allowing them to redeem any vehicle from the Autoshow to build their dream garage as they explore the game’s Japanese setting.
Immersive Experiences in the UK
For fans in the United Kingdom, Ani-May offers several physical touchpoints. From May 22 to 24, an immersive visual display will take over the Tottenham Court Road Outernet in Central London. During that same weekend, Forbidden Planet Limited will host a dedicated retail booth at MCM Comic Con London.
Retailers across the country are also joining the party. HMV will provide promotions on physical media and merchandise from late April through May, while online giants like Amazon and Zavvi will feature hundreds of specially priced anime titles. Local fans can also visit Forbidden Planet stores, which will highlight a different major IP each week, including such hits like SPY x FAMILY and Black Clover, complete with in-store displays and exclusive product launches.
A full breakdown of these deals include
HMV
A range of promotions on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K discs, as well as
a range of special merchandise in-store & online from April 27 – May. The Outernet is
offering a 10% discount flyer on all Crunchyroll DVD, Blu-ray at 4K in stock at HMV Oxford
Street, available only via redemption of the flyer and for 22nd, 23rd, and 24th May only.
Amazon, Rarewaves & Zavvi
All will feature a full range (several hundred!) of specially priced DVDs, Blu-ray, and 4K during May.
Forbidden Planet International
Enjoy special prices on select Blu-ray throughout May.
Forbidden Planet Limited
Across 10 stores, Crunchyroll takes center stage both instore and online, featuring one IP per week. Each IP will be supported with in-store displays and a dedicated weekly newsletter over a 4-week period. Additionally, partners are developing their own products based on these IPs, which will be available for launch or preorder during Ani-May.
Week 1: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Week 2: JUJUTSU KAISEN
Week 2: JUJUTSU KAISEN
Week 3: SPY X FAMILY
Week 4: Chainsaw Man
Crunchyroll Store Promotions
Weekly promotions throughout May featuring 26% off figures, apparel, and home entertainment.
April 27-May 3: Members Only Early Access:Off All In-stock Items; member benefits stack!
May 4-10: All In-stocks & Figures; member benefits stack!
May 11-17: All In-stocks, Figures, & Clothing;member benefits stack!
May 18-24: All In-stocks, Figures, Clothing, & Home Entertainment; member benefits stack
Discussing Ani-May, Gita Rebbapragada, Chief Operating Officer at Crunchyroll said
“Anime is something we celebrate every day, but Ani-May is our chance to deepen that connection with fans even further. It’s a moment to come together, revisit old favorites, and discover something new.”
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to
make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime
experience and destination centred around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has
the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical
releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for
everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on
the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on
desktops anywhere.
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