It’s Gonna Be Ani-May!

It’s gonna be May! Ani-May, that is! Once again, Crunchyroll will be celebrating all things anime in a month-long global extravaganza featuring deals, partnerships, and popular titles becoming free to stream.

As with previous celebrations, this year’s Ani-May includes retail and digital activations around the world, partnerships featuring merchandise from fan-favorite series, exclusive products in the Crunchyroll store, and 20 hit series becoming available to stream for free (with ads) on Crunchyroll through the end of the month.

“Anime isn’t just an entertainment medium; it’s a lifestyle,” said Anna Songco Adamian, Vice President, Global Consumer Products. “To celebrate anime’s explosive growth, we’re giving fans a variety of ways to express their anime passion during Ani-May – from all-new products across apparel, collectibles, global activations, game collaborations, and new series streaming for free on Crunchyroll. Whether it’s through wearing their fandom on their sleeves or streaming their favorite series, Crunchyroll will have fans covered this Ani-May.”

Throughout May, fans can look forward to new, officially licensed merchandise from popular series like Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, Bananya, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, My Hero Academia, Overlord, and The Apothecary Diaries. These are just a few of the shows that will be available!

Not only that, fans across the world can get free swag, the chance to win Crunchyroll subscriptions, even the chance to win trips!

Partnerships and Activations in the United States (and Canada) include:

• Throughout May, UNIQLO will be distributing Crunchyroll codes to customers, with eligible online UT purchases, that can be redeemed for a 30-day free trial of Crunchyroll*. UNIQLO has also partnered with Manga artist Remi Yamamoto to create UTme! Collection designs, available exclusively at their NYC flagship locations – UNIQLO Soho and UNIQLO 5th Avenue. New York City-based fans are invited to stop by UNIQLO’s 5th Avenue flagship location for a special activation on May 18th from 1pm-5pm with Remi, who will be providing complimentary live Manga portraits.
• Specialty retailer Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its United States and Canada locations, and online at hottopic.com. Activations and special promotions, including exclusive anime merchandise, will be available all month.
• Electronics retailer Best Buy will be joining in on the Ani-May festivities with select products available both online and in-store, with an exclusive SPY x FAMILY pin included with eligible purchases at select stores.
• Planet Hollywood, themed restaurant and resort chain, is partnering with Crunchyroll to offer exclusive experiences, cocktails, dishes, and merchandise inspired by Ani-May’s select IPs.
• In celebration of a new JUJUTSU KAISEN x Funko Pop collection, Funko Pop will be hosting an autograph signing with the English voice cast of JUJUTSU KAISEN on May 3rd. Special Funko Hollywood Event Bundles will also be available! Event details can be found at @originalfunko and @funko_funime on Instagram.
• Back to celebrate Ani-May, Bananya is once again partnering with Fall Guys on a collection of skins, which will be available from May 1 to May 8. Featured characters include Bananya and Droopy Eared Bananya!
• Demon Slayer fans can gear up for the first film of the highly-anticipated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy coming to theatres this September with a special Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train re-release in theatres this May!

Hmmmm, they did just re-open Planet Hollywood here in NYC…

In Latin America:

• Liverpool will be celebrating in Mexico with a special meet-and-greet with anime voice actors, as well as merch from fan-favorite anime series and signage in its stores.
• Suburbia will offer 20,000 Crunchyroll free trial subscriptions with purchases of eligible products, in addition to in-store signage.
• CCXP Mexico, happening from May 30 to June 1, will continue the Ani-May celebrations!

In Europe and the Middle East:

• Funside/Games Academy in Italy and HMV in the UK, Ireland, and Belgium will be celebrating Ani-May for the third year in a row, with Cultura joining the fun for the second year in a row. The three chains will show up with anime signage, special window displays, and exclusive merch, and shoppers can enter to win an amazing weekend in Paris with VIP access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo!
• FNAC in Spain will roll out special Ani-May products. Fans who purchase over 20€ of anime merch will get a chance to win free Crunchyroll subscriptions.
• ANVOL in the Baltic states will also be bringing the Ani-May fun to the Nordics for the first time this year, with shoppers getting the chance to win free Crunchyroll subscriptions.
• Little Things in the Middle East will feature Ani-May across the UAE, the Virgin Mega Store in Dubai and Toys R Us locations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
• Yatta in Poland is rolling out Ani-May-branded corners and an e-commerce takeover, which fans getting the chance to score free Crunchyroll subscriptions.
• Thalia in Germany and Austria is rolling out exclusive anime merch and manga for the third year in a row in 200 stores!
• Müller in Germany and Austria will be celebrating Ani-May for the first time this year across 150 stores, featuring manga merch and anime home video.

In Australia and New Zealand:

• JB Hi-Fi will be spotlighting Ani-May endcaps in stores, featuring anime home video and collectibles, with signage created by in-store staff! In addition, the May edition of STACK magazine will feature an editorial on anime.
• EB Games and Zing Pop Culture will offer a 30-day Crunchyroll Premium trial to customers who sign up for EB WORLD PLUS, celebrating with exclusive products across anime like Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia and more!

If you don’t have a participating retailer near you, there’s always the Crunchyroll Store! All through the month there will be exclusive product launches and unbeatable deals, plus an Ani-May pin that is a gift with each purchase. Every week will focus on a different product genre – collectors, action/adventure titles, shonen shows, and fan-favorite fantasies. Don’t forget to check out the store the day after the Anime Awards (May 25th) to celebrate this year’s Anime of the Year nominees.

Keep the fun going by picking up a new show, or returning to something you may have dropped! Starting May 1 and continuing through the end of the month, 20 fan-favorite titles will be available to stream for free (with ads) including some of my personal favorite series like Haikyu!!, Fruits Basket, Heaven Official’s Blessing, Spy x Family, and My Hero Academia. (OVAs and films are not included, just regular seasons. Regional restrictions may apply.)

There’s almost too much to focus on! I definitely need to hit up a few of these stores and check out the new merchandise. And I may need to find myself in Uniqlo on May 18. Luckily I don’t have to work!

source: press release

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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