Crunchyroll is gearing up for its third annual Ani-May celebration, an event designed to immerse fans in the vibrant world of anime through a variety of retail, digital, and streaming activities. This year, fans in the United States, Mexico, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East can indulge in exclusive products and promotions from a host of well-known retailers. Retail partners like Hot Topic and Uniqlo in the U.S. and Liverpool and Suburbia in Mexico will showcase exciting new items, while JB Hi-Fi and EB Games & Zing Pop Culture in Australia, along with various outlets across Europe and the Middle East—including HMV in the U.K. and Virgin Megastore Dubai—will also participate. Additionally, exclusive product launches and special deals will be available on the Crunchyroll Store throughout the month.
Anna Songco Adamian, Vice President of Global Consumer Products, emphasized the cultural significance of anime, stating that it transcends mere entertainment and has become a lifestyle for many. “To honor the remarkable growth of anime, we’re providing fans with multiple avenues to showcase their love for the medium during Ani-May. From fresh product lines across apparel and collectibles to global activations, gaming collaborations, and new series streaming for free on Crunchyroll, we’re ensuring that fans can engage with their passions in various ways.”
Fans can anticipate a diverse range of officially licensed merchandise from their favorite anime series throughout May. Notable highlights include the return of “Solo Leveling,” which topped the streaming charts on Crunchyroll in 2024. Other anticipated series include the science-fiction monster thriller “Kaiju No. 8,” the charming “Bananya” featuring kittens, and the supernatural comedy “Toilet-bound Hanako-kun.” Merchandise will also spotlight popular shonen titles like “My Hero Academia,” the video game fantasy series “Overlord,” and “The Apothecary Diaries,” a historical romance mystery set in a fictional realm inspired by the Tang dynasty. These titles are just a glimpse into the extensive selection available through various global retailers.
In the United States, partnerships and events for Ani-May 2025 are set to be particularly exciting. UNIQLO is offering Crunchyroll codes with eligible online UT purchases, allowing customers to redeem a 30-day free trial of Crunchyroll. They’ve also collaborated with renowned manga artist Remi Yamamoto to develop exclusive UTme! Collection designs, available at their flagship locations in New York City. Fans in the area are encouraged to visit the UNIQLO 5th Avenue flagship on May 18 from 1-5 p.m. for a unique activation featuring live manga portraits by Remi.
Hot Topic, a specialty retailer, is celebrating Ani-May at all its locations in the United States and Canada, as well as online at hottopic.com. The retailer will offer various activations and special promotions, including exclusive anime merchandise throughout the month.
Best Buy is also joining the Ani-May festivities, providing select products both online and in stores, with an exclusive “SPY x FAMILY” pin available with qualifying purchases at certain locations.
Moreover, Planet Hollywood, a themed restaurant and resort chain, is collaborating with Crunchyroll to feature special experiences, cocktails, dishes, and merchandise inspired by select anime properties during Ani-May.
Fans of “JUJUTSU KAISEN” will have the opportunity to meet the English voice cast during an autograph signing event on May 3, celebrating the launch of a new Funko Pop collection. Special Funko Hollywood Event Bundles will also be available, with details shared on Instagram through @originalfunko and @funko_funime.
Returning for Ani-May, “Bananya” has once again teamed up with “Fall Guys” to introduce a collection of skins, available from May 1 to May 8. Featured characters include Bananya and Droopy Eared Bananya.
Anime enthusiasts can also gear up for the much-anticipated first film of the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” Infinity Castle trilogy, set to hit theaters this September. In the meantime, a re-release of “Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train” will be shown in theaters throughout May.
The Crunchyroll Store will be a hub for Ani-May excitement, featuring new and exclusive product launches, exceptional deals, and a gift-with-purchase offer of a Crunchyroll-exclusive Ani-May pin. Each week in May will spotlight a different genre, with fans looking forward to discounts on popular items related to collectibles, action/adventure titles, shonen favorites, and fantasy series. Additionally, viewers tuning into the Crunchyroll Anime Awards celebration on May 25 will want to check out the Crunchyroll Store the following day to celebrate this year’s nominees for Anime of the Year.
In the realm of home entertainment, Crunchyroll will be releasing “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1 Part 2” in a Limited Edition Blu-ray box set, with preorders beginning on May 15. The platform will also be reissuing classic titles, including the psychological thriller series “Paranoia Agent” and the dark action fantasy “GOBLIN SLAYER Season 1,” both presented in exclusive SteelBook cases available for purchase through the Crunchyroll Store starting April 30. To help fans organize their new SteelBooks, Crunchyroll will debut the SteelNook, a premium open display case designed to hold four standard SteelBooks, available for purchase starting soon.
Additionally, Crunchyroll Game Vault, a resource of premium games available to Mega and Ultimate Fan members, will contribute to the Ani-May celebration with the launch of “Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth,” available from April 30. This tactical role-playing game is just one of several titles set to release weekly throughout May, including acclaimed visual novels and cult horror classics tailored for anime fans.
Beginning May 1 and continuing through the end of the month, Crunchyroll will offer 20 popular series for free streaming with ads. This selection includes beloved titles such as “Cowboy Bebop,” “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” “Haikyu!!,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Shangri-La Frontier,” as well as the first seasons of “Solo Leveling” and “The Apothecary Diaries.” Note that movies and OVAs are not included in the promotion, and regional restrictions may apply.
With so many activities, merchandise, and streaming opportunities, Ani-May promises to be an exciting month for anime fans worldwide, providing numerous avenues to engage with their favorite series and characters.
