Crunchyroll Launches Free Anime, Games for Ani-May 2025

Author : Claire Oct 19,2025

IGN has exclusive details about Crunchyroll's third annual Ani-May event—a month-long global celebration featuring anime-themed merchandise, special deals, exciting partnerships, and immersive in-store and online experiences. Fans can look forward to free streaming content, new additions to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, and much more.

Ani-May promises endless excitement, and we'll guide you through every highlight so you don't miss a moment.

Cowboy Bebop, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man Headline Free Anime Streaming Lineup for Ani-May

Starting May 1, Crunchyroll will make blockbuster anime series available for free, supported by ads. Whether revisiting classics like Cowboy Bebop or catching up on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, fans worldwide can dive into beloved stories all month long.

Here’s the full lineup of ad-supported anime streaming free on Crunchyroll—just sign up for a free account:

Black Clover (Seasons 1-4)Chainsaw ManCowboy BebopDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Complete Series)Fruits Basket (Seasons 1-3)Haikyu!! (Seasons 1-4)Heaven Official's Blessing (Seasons 1-2)Hell's ParadiseJujutsu Kaisen (Seasons 1-2)Junji Ito CollectionKaiju No. 8My Hero Academia (Seasons 1-7)Overlord (Seasons 1-4)Shangri-La Frontier (Seasons 1-2)Solo Leveling (Season 1)Soul EaterSPY x FAMILY (Seasons 1-2)The Apothecary Diaries (Season 1)Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (Seasons 1-2)Tokyo Ghoul (Seasons 1-3)

Exclusive Merchandise, Food Collaborations, Autograph Events, and More Featuring Solo Leveling, My Hero Academia, and Top Anime

Show your anime passion with limited-edition merch! This year’s Ani-May brings global drops featuring Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, Bananya, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, My Hero Academia, Overlord, The Apothecary Diaries, and other fan favorites.

The Crunchyroll Store will roll out exclusive launches, discounts, and bonus collectibles—including an Ani-May pin for eligible purchases. Weekly themes will spotlight genres like shonen action and fantasy. Plus, mark your calendars for special Anime Awards celebrations on May 25.

But merch is just the start: Ani-May expands into real-world experiences, from retail activations to gaming, dining, and theatrical events.

Highlights include:

UNIQLO shoppers will receive Crunchyroll trial codes with select UT purchases*, while NYC flagship stores debut manga-inspired designs by artist Remi Yamamoto. Fans can attend a live portrait session on May 18.Hot Topic launches exclusive anime merch across North America.Best Buy offers limited-edition SPY x FAMILY pins.Planet Hollywood crafts themed cocktails and dishes.Funko Pop hosts a Jujutsu Kaisen English cast signing on May 3.Bananya returns to Fall Guys with new skins May 1–8.Demon Slayer theaters will replay Mugen Train ahead of September’s Infinity Castle premiere.

Crunchyroll Game Vault Welcomes Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth and More This Ani-May

The Crunchyroll Game Vault joins Ani-May with weekly game drops, starting April 30 with the legendary Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. Later additions include Corpse Party, Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol. 1, Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town, Shogun Showdown, and White Day.

Launched in 2023, the Vault now boasts 50+ titles for Mega and Ultimate Fan members in 200+ countries.

Expand Your Anime Collection With Ani-May Home Entertainment Releases

Ani-May 2025 Home Entertainment Releases

View 3 Images

Physical collectors rejoice: Ani-May debuts a Limited Edition Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Blu-ray box (pre-orders open May 15) and SteelBook editions of Paranoia Agent and Goblin Slayer Season 1 (available April 30).

Don’t miss Crunchyroll’s SteelNook—a stylish SteelBook display case launching May 30.

Ani-May Goes Global: Celebrations Span Six Continents

This year, Crunchyroll amplifies Ani-May’s worldwide reach with localized events:

Latin America:

Liverpool (Mexico) hosts voice actor meetups.Suburbia (Mexico) offers 20,000 free Crunchyroll trials*.CCXP Mexico brings convention-exclusive content.

Europe/Middle East/Africa:

Funside/Games Academy (Italy), HMV (UK/Ireland/Belgium), and Cultura (France) return with store-wide activations and prizes like VIP Japan Expo tickets*.FNAC (Spain) runs an e-commerce campaign.ANVOL expands to the Nordics and Baltics.Little Things debuts Ani-May across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.Yatta (Poland), Thalia, and newcomer Müller (Germany/Austria) showcase manga and merch.

Australia/New Zealand:

JB Hi-Fi launches themed displays.EB Games & Zing Pop Culture offers Crunchyroll trials* with EB WORLD PLUS signups.

Top 25 Best Anime Series of All Time

View 26 Images