Crunchyroll is set to launch its second annual celebration known as Ani-May, marking a vibrant month dedicated to anime enthusiasts with an array of exciting events across various platforms, including retail, digital, and streaming. This year’s celebration will introduce a plethora of unique anime merchandise, with special activations taking place at popular retailers like Hot Topic in the United States, Riachuelo in Brazil, and various partners throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
The rising popularity of anime has spurred Crunchyroll to unveil a fresh assortment of products that fans can use to express their love for their favorite series, films, and characters. Anna Songco Adamian, the Vice President of Global Consumer Products at Crunchyroll, emphasized the excitement surrounding this celebration, stating, “The love and excitement around anime continues to grow, and for Ani-May, we’re revealing a fresh lineup of apparel, home goods, and more to empower fans to live authentically into their fandom.”
From May 1 until the end of the month, Crunchyroll will offer fans the opportunity to watch 20 popular anime series for free, supported by advertisements. This lineup includes some of the most celebrated titles featured in Ani-May, such as “Chainsaw Man,” “Haikyu!!,” and “Solo Leveling.” Fans will also enjoy classics like the space western “Cowboy Bebop,” the science adventure “Dr. STONE,” the emotionally intricate “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,” the romantic comedy “Rent-a-Girlfriend,” the comedic fantasy “Soul Eater,” the critically acclaimed Viking saga “VINLAND SAGA,” and the classic supernatural series “Yu Yu Hakusho.” The complete list of titles available for viewing during Ani-May can be found on Crunchyroll News, although viewers should be aware of possible regional restrictions.
Throughout May, fans can discover an extensive range of officially licensed merchandise inspired by their favorite anime series. For those who enjoy the darker side of anime, Crunchyroll will offer merchandise from the dark fantasy series “Black Butler” and the action-horror classic “Tokyo Ghoul.” Fans of modern hits will be thrilled with merchandise from the Anime Award-winning “Chainsaw Man,” which follows Denji, a young man with a devil’s heart, as well as “Solo Leveling,” based on a popular Korean webtoon.
Merchandise from Crunchyroll’s “Anime of the Year” award-winning “JUJUTSU KAISEN” will also be available, chronicling the action-packed story of a high school student who becomes a curse to end curses. Additionally, fans can look forward to merchandise from the much-loved sports anime “Haikyu!!,” the comedic action series “SPY x FAMILY,” the highly anticipated sci-fi monster anime “Kaiju No. 8,” and the blockbuster shonen series “My Hero Academia.” A variety of retailers will stock merchandise from these series and more, ensuring fans have plenty of options to choose from.
In the United States, Ani-May will feature several partnerships and activations that elevate the celebration experience. Specialty retailer Hot Topic will engage fans through month-long promotions and exclusive merchandise, both in stores and online at hottopic.com. Shoppers can receive a limited edition Crunchyroll-Hime sticker with their anime purchases (while supplies last) and participate in Discord events hosted by @TheAnimeMen. To join in on the fun, fans can sign up for Hot Topic’s email list and gain access to the Hot Topic Discord for watch-alongs, AMAs, and exclusive giveaways.
Barnes & Noble, a major bookstore chain in the U.S., will also participate in Ani-May with a special sale on select anime DVD and Blu-ray titles available both online and in physical stores.
In Latin America, various partners are gearing up to celebrate Ani-May as well. Gameplanet in Mexico will enhance the fan experience with digital signage and home goods inspired by popular anime. Grupo Control will offer fans apparel, including T-shirts, jackets, and pants from beloved anime titles, prominently displayed in their stores. In Brazil, Riachuelo will introduce fans to new digital and in-store signage, along with exclusive T-shirts available at their FanLab Stores. Furthermore, Falabella in Peru will debut T-shirts for the first time in the market during the month of May.
Over in Europe, selected retail partners will provide anime fans with a chance to immerse themselves in the Crunchyroll lifestyle, including a unique opportunity to win an unforgettable weekend in Paris with VIP access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo. Notable partners in Europe include:
– HMV, which will brand 120 stores and showcase a vast array of anime merchandise for fans in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Belgium. This month, HMV will offer an exclusive early release of several home entertainment titles, including “Mob Psycho Season 3” and “KONOSUBA – An Explosion on This Wonderful World!”
– Games Academy and Funside in Italy will activate 50 stores and engage with their online community, offering additional surprises through their app.
– Cultura will highlight their anime merchandise and manga offerings in 105 stores across France.
– El Corte Ingles will invite the Spanish geek community to explore a wide selection of anime products in eight flagship locations.
– Thalia in Germany and Austria will focus on manga and exclusive merchandise from hit titles including “JUJUTSU KAISEN,” “Kaiju No. 8,” and “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.”
– Gamestop will provide exclusive iron-on patches for customers purchasing two or more Crunchyroll items at 70 participating locations in Germany.
– MediaSaturn will offer manga, exclusive merchandise, and home entertainment for “JUJUTSU KAISEN,” “SPY x FAMILY,” and “Chainsaw Man” across 400 outlets.
– Mueller will make Crunchyroll’s complete catalog of beloved manga titles available to fans in Germany and Austria for the first time.
– Hugendubel will present exclusive Crunchyroll merchandise in 30 stores throughout Germany for “JUJUTSU KAISEN,” “SPY x FAMILY,” and “Chainsaw Man.”
– XS Toys, operating in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, will offer a special selection of plush toys, figures, and collectibles from Crunchyroll titles at 25 selected stores.
Moreover, the Crunchyroll Store will present fans in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand with a diverse selection of new releases, sales, and special offers for Ani-May 2024, with new products being introduced each week. In the U.S. Crunchyroll Store, fans can benefit from a home video sale offering discounts of up to 60% from May 1 through May 14. Following this, an Ani-May celebration sale will commence from May 15, featuring discounts of up to 70% on select items. Additionally, customers can receive an exclusive 2024 Hime Ani-May pin with any order over $75 starting May 1, 2024. It’s important to note that this promotional gift is only available for in-stock orders and does not apply to pre-orders. The Crunchyroll Store will also host special themed weeks throughout May, celebrating various series, including “Chainsaw Man,” “Kaiju No. 8,” “Dragon Ball Super,” and “JUJUTSU KAISEN.”
