Crunchyroll Presents: Ani-May – A Global Celebration of Anime

Fans Worldwide Are Invited to Jump Into Anime All Month Long — Including an Early Kickoff with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Streaming April 30 — with Exclusive Deals, Limited-Time Drops, Gaming Rewards, and First-Ever Activations Like YouTube Watch Parties, Twitch Streams, and Celebrity Playlists


THE CRUNCHY CUT

Ani-May is Crunchyroll’s month-long global celebration of anime — bringing fans together across streaming, gaming, retail, and real-world experiences to watch, play, shop, and live anime.


Get More Bang (for Your Buck!) During Ani-May
Limited time offer on discounted Fan & Mega Fan membership – Crunchyroll Game Vault included! – for new & returning members; plus deals on the Crunchyroll Store on exclusive merch & collectibles, and a gift with purchase* featuring Hime, Crunchyroll’s beloved original character.


Anime, Wherever You Are
From weekly global YouTube watch parties to Crunchyroll’s first-ever 7-day anime marathon on Twitch in the #special-events category, plus the Crunchyroll Anime Awards on TikTok featuring The Weeknd, Winston Duke, RZA, and more, creator streams, and fan-driven content — anime shows up all over the internet all month long.


Watch Ani-May with Friends

Ani-May starts early with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc streaming April 30 only on Crunchyroll, and the theatrical release of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea, May 1.*


Fuel Your Ani-May Adventure
Forza Horizon 6, the latest entry in the award‑winning open‑world racing franchise, launches May 19 on Xbox, with early access beginning May 15 for Premium Edition players, and is offering an exclusive in‑game reward for Crunchyroll subscribers available only during Ani‑May. In a first‑ever partnership with the Forza Horizon franchise, all current Crunchyroll members, and those who sign up during Ani‑May, will receive a Car Voucher allowing them to exchange it for any car available at the Autoshow to help them build their dream garage. Japan Awaits!


Introducing Ani-May Ambassadors

REI AMI, Big Sean, Noah Lyles, and more to be announced, bring Ani-May to life through cosplay, curated Spotify playlists, and behind-the-scenes anime moments.


Party-Plan On Ani-May Central

Visit Ani-May Central to explore everything happening worldwide and jump into the celebration wherever you are.


*Minimum order value required; subject to change per region

Los Angeles, Calif. (April 23, 2026) – It’s an anime party – and everyone is invited! Crunchyroll, the global brand serving anime fandom, today announced its biggest Ani-May yet—a month-long, worldwide celebration filled with experiences across screens, games, and real-world moments, giving fans everywhere more ways to come together, celebrate, and show all the ways they love and live anime.

This year, Ani-May goes beyond watching. It’s about living anime — transforming May into an inescapable cultural moment where fans everywhere can discover new series, unlock rewards, shop exclusive drops, and connect with the community like never before. Expect moments across fan-favorite franchises including JUJUTSU KAISEN, Hell’s Paradise, My Hero Academia, Black Clover, Solo Leveling, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

“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, discover something new, and shop, play, and watch in ways that feel meaningful,” said Gita Rebbapragada, Chief Operating Officer, Crunchyroll. “Throughout the month, we’re creating new ways to engage and celebrate as a community, all leading up to the Anime Awards, where we honor the creators behind the stories that inspire audiences around the world.”

“It’s been incredible to see how many partners around the world are leaning into Ani-May and wanting to celebrate anime alongside us,” said Scott Donaton, SVP, Global Brand and Community, Crunchyroll. “They recognize anime as a powerful cultural connector, and together we’re creating moments that bring fans and communities closer across every touchpoint.”

Kicking off the celebration, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc streams exclusively on Crunchyroll beginning April 30. Ahead of the celebration, fans can also tune into a special Ani-May Instagram livestream, where host Tim Lyu and guest actor Adam McArthur (JUJUTSU KAISEN) give fans a first look at everything the month has in store.

And for the first time ever, Ani-May introduces a lineup of ambassadors — including REI AMI, Big Sean, Noah Lyles, and more — joining Crunchyroll’s beloved character Hime to bring the celebration to life through cosplay, curated Spotify playlists, dubbing moments, and exclusive anime-inspired content.

That’s just the beginning. Around the world, fans can experience Ani-May through local activations—and use Ani-May Central to find what’s happening near them.

SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE

US/Canada – Retail takeovers with Hot Topic, Bandai’s Tamashii Nation, and others, plus giveaways, local fan experiences, and the theatrical release of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea

EMEA – Immersive anime experiences at The Tottenham Court Road Outernet in London, special in-store and online promotions across the UK and Ireland, plus presence at live events with partners, like MCM Comic Con London

LATAM – Major cultural crossovers include retail partnerships with Mexico’s largest department store, Liverpool, and specialty retailer Suburbia, where an original collaboration will be available for sale. In Brazil, an immersive activation at the Fradique Coutinho metro station in São Paulo will feature Ani-May giveaways for fans, and across the region, fans can experience Ani-May branded street takeovers in major cities throughout the month.

APAC – Australian specialty retailer EB Games is offering a variety of anime products, from apparel to home goods, and a limited number of Crunchyroll free trial membership codes! Don’t miss Crunchyroll (and special offers) at Anime Festival Asia (Thailand) and Mumbai Comic Con.

For more details on Ani-May activities happening around the world, read more HERE  or scan the QR code below!