Crunchyroll's Ani-May 2025: Free Anime, Games, New Merch, and More

IGN is thrilled to unveil the latest details on Crunchyroll's third annual Ani-May, set to be a global, month-long celebration starting in May. This event promises a plethora of exciting offerings, including anime-inspired merchandise, special deals, partnerships, and immersive experiences both in stores and online. Fans can look forward to free-to-stream anime, new additions to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, and a host of other engaging activities. Below, we'll delve into the specifics to ensure you catch every highlight of Ani-May.

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 a selection of top-tier anime for free with ads throughout the month. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to catch up on or revisit classics like Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and many more. To access these titles, all you need is a free Crunchyroll account. The complete list of free-to-stream anime with ads 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 isn't just about watching anime; it's a celebration that extends to tangible fan experiences. Fans worldwide can get their hands on new, officially licensed merchandise from popular series such as 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, offer deals, and provide a Crunchyroll-exclusive Ani-May pin with qualifying purchases. Each week of 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 Anime of the Year nominees.

Beyond merchandise, Ani-May will feature various real-world celebrations, including retail and online store activations, video game integrations, restaurant partnerships, and movie theater events. Here's what Crunchyroll has planned:

• UNIQLO will distribute Crunchyroll codes for a 30-day free trial with eligible UT purchases online. They've also collaborated with Manga artist Remi Yamamoto for UTme! Collection designs, available exclusively at UNIQLO Soho and UNIQLO 5th Avenue in NYC. On May 18th, from 1pm to 5pm, fans can meet Remi at UNIQLO’s 5th Avenue flagship for live Manga portraits.
• Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its U.S. and Canadian stores, as well as online, with special promotions and exclusive anime merchandise.
• Best Buy will join the festivities with select products available both online and in-store, including an exclusive SPY x FAMILY pin with eligible purchases.
• 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, alongside special Funko Hollywood Event Bundles.
• Bananya will partner with Fall Guys for a collection of skins available from May 1 to May 8.
• Demon Slayer fans can anticipate a special re-release of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train in theaters this May, ahead of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy in September.

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, adding games like Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth starting 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. The Crunchyroll Game Vault, launched in November 2023, offers over 50 titles to members at the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers in over 200 countries.

Ani-May 2025 Home Entertainment Releases

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For fans who love owning physical copies of their favorite anime, 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 starting May 15) and Blu-ray in SteelBook cases of Paranoia Agent and Goblin Slayer Season 1 (available on April 30). Additionally, Crunchyroll introduces the SteelNook, an open display case made from SteelBook metal, capable of holding four standard SteelBooks, available for purchase starting May 30.

Ani-May Is a Global Party and Everyone's Invited

Crunchyroll has planned global celebrations for Ani-May, ensuring fans worldwide can participate in unique anime experiences. Here's a breakdown of the global events:

• In Latin America:
  • Liverpool in Mexico will host a meet-and-greet with select voice actors, alongside in-store signage for 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 Europe (EMEA):
  • Funside/Games Academy in Italy, HMV in the UK, Ireland, and Belgium, and Cultura in France will participate with store activations, exclusive merchandise, and a chance to win a VIP weekend in Paris at Japan Expo.
  • FNAC in Spain will offer special Ani-May products and a nationwide e-commerce campaign, with a chance to win free Crunchyroll subscriptions with purchases over 20€.
  • ANVOL will celebrate in the Baltic states and the Nordics for the first time, offering free Crunchyroll subscriptions with Ani-May purchases.
  • Little Things will bring Ani-May to the Middle East, including activations in 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 in Germany and Austria will offer exclusive merchandise and manga, celebrating Ani-May across numerous stores.
• In Australia and New Zealand:
  • JB Hi-Fi will feature dedicated Ani-May end caps in stores, with unique signage and an editorial piece in the May edition of STACK Magazine.
  • EB Games & Zing Pop Culture will offer a 30-day Crunchyroll Premium trial membership to EB WORLD PLUS sign-ups, alongside digital signage, ceiling banners, and exclusive products from popular shows like JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, and My Hero Academia.

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