Ani-May 2025: Free Anime, Games, and New Merch Unveiled by Crunchyroll

IGN is thrilled to unveil exclusive details about Crunchyroll's third annual Ani-May, a month-long global celebration set to kick off in May. This event will feature an array of exciting elements 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 much more.

Ani-May promises a packed schedule of engaging activities and we're here to guide you through all the highlights, ensuring you catch every moment of the celebration.

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 some of the most beloved anime titles for free with ads throughout the entire month. This is the perfect opportunity for fans to dive into series they've missed or relive their favorite stories. Titles like Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and many more will be available. All you need is a free account to access the following:

• 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 is the perfect time to celebrate your love for anime with a wide range of official merchandise. Fans worldwide can snag new items inspired by Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, Bananya, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, My Hero Academia, Overlord, The Apothecary Diaries, and more. The Crunchyroll Store will be rolling out exclusive product launches, special deals, and even an Ani-May pin with qualifying purchases. Each week in May will spotlight different product categories, including collectors' items, action/adventure titles, shonen shows, and fantasy favorites. Additionally, there will be a special celebration for the Anime of the Year nominees the day after the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards on May 25.

But it's not just about merch. Ani-May will bring anime celebrations to life through various partnerships, from retail and online stores to video games, restaurants, and movie theaters. Here's a glimpse of what to expect, as shared by Crunchyroll:

• UNIQLO will distribute Crunchyroll codes with eligible online UT purchases for a 30-day free trial of Crunchyroll*. They've also collaborated with Manga artist Remi Yamamoto for the UTme! Collection, exclusively available at their NYC flagship stores - UNIQLO Soho and UNIQLO 5th Avenue. New York City fans can visit the 5th Avenue flagship on May 18 from 1pm-5pm for a special event with Remi, featuring complimentary live Manga portraits.
• Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its US and Canada locations, as well as online at hottopic.com, with special promotions and exclusive anime merchandise.
• Best Buy will join the festivities with select products available online and in-store, including an exclusive SPY x FAMILY pin with eligible purchases at select stores.
• Planet Hollywood will offer exclusive experiences, cocktails, dishes, and merchandise inspired by Ani-May's select IPs.
• Funko Pop will host an autograph signing with the English voice cast of JUJUTSU KAISEN on May 3, alongside special Funko Hollywood Event Bundles.
• Bananya will partner with Fall Guys again for a collection of skins available from May 1 to May 8, featuring Bananya and Droopy Eared Bananya.
• Demon Slayer fans can prepare for the upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy with a special re-release of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train in theaters this May.

The Crunchyroll Game Vault Is Celebrating Anime With the Addition of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth and More

The Crunchyroll Game Vault will join the Ani-May fun by adding exciting new games throughout May and early June. Starting with Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth on April 30, the Vault will also include Corpse Party, Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol. 1, Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town, Shogun Showdown, and White Day. Launched in November 2023, the Crunchyroll Game Vault now offers over 50 titles to Crunchyroll members at the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers in over 200 countries.

Own Your Favorites With Ani-May Home Entertainment Releases

Ani-May 2025 Home Entertainment Releases

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For those who prefer physical copies, Ani-May will see the Crunchyroll Store release a Limited Edition Blu-ray box of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 1 Part 2 (pre-orders start on May 15) and Blu-ray in SteelBook cases of Paranoia Agent and Goblin Slayer Season 1 (on sale from April 30). Additionally, Crunchyroll introduces the SteelNook, an open display case made from SteelBook metal that can hold four standard SteelBooks, available for purchase on the Crunchyroll store on May 30.

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

Crunchyroll has planned even more Ani-May celebrations around the world, ensuring fans everywhere can enjoy experiences based on their favorite anime in unique and exciting ways. Here's a detailed look at the global festivities, as announced by Crunchyroll:

In Latin America, the following partners will celebrate Ani-May:

• Liverpool in Mexico will host a special meet-and-greet with select voice actors, alongside in-store promotions featuring fan-favorite titles.
• Suburbia in Mexico will offer in-store promotions and 20,000 free trial subscriptions with eligible purchases*.
• Ani-May celebrations will continue at CCXP Mexico.

The following European retailers from EMEA will celebrate Ani-May:

• Funside/Games Academy in Italy and HMV in the UK, Ireland, and Belgium will participate in the Ani-May festivities, while Cultura in France will return for a second year. These stores will feature Ani-May signage, exclusive merchandise, and the chance to win a VIP weekend in Paris with access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo*.
• FNAC in Spain will offer a special selection of Ani-May products and a nationwide e-commerce campaign, with free Crunchyroll subscriptions* for purchases over 20€.
• ANVOL will celebrate Ani-May in the Baltic states and the Nordics for the first time in 2025, with in-store branding and the chance to win free Crunchyroll subscriptions*.
• Little Things will bring Ani-May to the Middle East for the first time, activating their stores in the 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 will offer exclusive merchandise and manga in 200 stores across Germany and Austria, while Müller will join the celebration with manga, merchandise, and home entertainment in 150 stores in Germany and Austria.

Australia and New Zealand-based fans can look forward to the following retail activations:

• In Australia, JB Hi-Fi will celebrate with dedicated Ani-May end caps in stores, featuring anime home video and collectibles, and a unique editorial piece in the May edition of STACK Magazine.
• EB Games & Zing Pop Culture will offer a 30-day Crunchyroll Premium trial membership* for EB WORLD PLUS sign-ups, along with digital signage, ceiling banners, and exclusive products from JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, and My Hero Academia.

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