Crunchyroll has announced Ani-May 2026, a month-long global campaign focusing on on anime across streaming, gaming, retail, and live events. The initiative will run throughout May, with activities in multiple regions and platforms.
The campaign begins early with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc streaming on April 30, followed by the theatrical release of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea on May 1 in select regions.
Ani-May will then include a range of digital activations, such as weekly YouTube watch parties, a seven-day anime marathon on Twitch, and Anime Awards-related content on TikTok featuring figures including The Weeknd, Winston Duke, and RZA. Additional creator streams and fan-driven content will be released throughout the month.
On the platform side, Crunchyroll is offering limited-time discounts on Fan and Mega Fan memberships, with access to the Crunchyroll Game Vault. The Crunchyroll Store will also feature promotional campaigns, including exclusive merchandise and purchase bonuses tied to the company’s mascot Hime.
Gaming collaborations are also part of the campaign. Forza Horizon 6 will offer an in-game reward for Crunchyroll subscribers, including a Car Voucher usable within the game’s Autoshow system. The title launches on May 19, with early access starting May 15.
Ani-May 2026 will also introduce a group of ambassadors, including REI AMI, Big Sean, and Noah Lyles, who will participate with playlists, cosplay, and promotional content.
The campaign will have numerous physical activations worldwide as well. In North America, retail partnerships will include Hot Topic and Bandai’s Tamashii Nations, along with local fan events and screenings. Europe will feature installations such as the Outernet in London and appearances at events like MCM Comic Con. Latin America and Asia-Pacific regions will host retail collaborations, public installations, and conventions.
According to Crunchyroll COO Gita Rebbapragada, “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.”
SVP of Global Brand and Community Scott Donaton added, “It’s been incredible to see how many partners around the world are leaning into Ani-May and wanting to celebrate anime alongside us. They recognize anime as a powerful cultural connector, and together we’re creating moments that bring fans and communities closer across every touchpoint.”
Ani-May will also highlight multiple anime franchises through the month, including Jujutsu Kaisen, Hell’s Paradise, My Hero Academia, Black Clover, Solo Leveling, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
The full schedule of events and regional activations is available through Crunchyroll’s Ani-May official website.
Source: Press Release
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