Crunchyroll Launches Biggest-Ever Ani-May Global Celebration with Events, Gaming, Retail and Fan Experiences

Crunchyroll is turning May into a worldwide anime celebration with the return of Ani-May, its annual month-long campaign that brings anime fans together across streaming, gaming, social media, retail, and live events.

Described as its biggest Ani-May yet, this year’s edition expands beyond watching anime to encourage fans to fully “live anime” through immersive experiences, exclusive rewards, creator collaborations, and community activations around the world.

Across Southeast Asia, highlights include on-ground experiences at Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026, as well as digital-first campaigns such as the Ani-May Challenge on TikTok and Instagram.

A Global Celebration of Anime Culture

Ani-May 2026 will spotlight some of the most popular anime franchises today, including:

• JUJUTSU KAISEN
• My Hero Academia
• Black Clover
• Solo Leveling
• Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Crunchyroll says this year’s campaign is designed to transform May into a major pop culture moment where fans can discover new series, unlock perks, and connect with the anime community worldwide.

Chainsaw Man Movie Leads the Kickoff

The celebration begins early with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll starting 30 April.

Ahead of launch, fans can also tune into a special Ani-May Instagram livestream hosted by Tim Lyu, joined by actor Adam McArthur (JUJUTSU KAISEN), offering a preview of what’s coming throughout the month.

First-Ever Ani-May Ambassadors Announced

For the first time, Crunchyroll is introducing a roster of Ani-May ambassadors to help bring the celebration to life.

The first wave includes:

• REI AMI
• Big Sean
• Noah Lyles

Additional names are expected to be announced later.

These ambassadors will appear in anime-inspired content including cosplay, curated Spotify playlists, dubbing moments, and behind-the-scenes fan experiences alongside Crunchyroll mascot Hime.

Gaming Rewards with Forza Horizon 6

Ani-May also enters the gaming world through a first-ever collaboration with the Forza Horizon franchise.

Forza Horizon 6 launches on 19 May, with Premium Edition early access beginning 15 May. During Ani-May, Crunchyroll subscribers will receive exclusive in-game rewards, including a Car Voucher redeemable for any Autoshow vehicle to help players build their dream garage.

Southeast Asia Spotlight: AFA Thailand 2026

Crunchyroll will appear at Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026, taking place 30 to 31 May, where fans can meet the Japanese voice actor of Denji from Chainsaw Man.

The event will feature:

• Special guest panels
• Meet-and-greet opportunities
• Interactive fan experiences

Social Media Activations and Creator Challenges

The Ani-May Challenge on TikTok and Instagram will see creators take on anime-inspired weekly challenges, document their progress, and pass the challenge on to fans.

Crunchyroll will also roll out fan content, livestreams, and Anime Awards-themed activations throughout the month across digital platforms.

Membership Deals for New and Returning Fans

As part of the campaign, Crunchyroll is offering limited-time discounted Fan and Mega Fan memberships for new and returning subscribers, with access to Crunchyroll Game Vault included.

Join the Celebration

Fans can visit Ani-May Central to discover local activations, online experiences, and campaign highlights throughout May.