Crunchyroll launches global Ani-May anime celebration

By AI, Created 10:05 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Crunchyroll is rolling out its biggest Ani-May yet in May 2026, pairing streaming, gaming, retail and live events across global markets. The campaign matters because it expands anime from a viewing habit into a month-long fan and commerce moment, with new partnerships, rewards and activations in the U.S., Middle East and beyond.

Why it matters: - Crunchyroll is turning May into a global anime marketing push that reaches fans across streaming, gaming, retail and live experiences. - The campaign is designed to deepen engagement with existing subscribers while driving new memberships and partner activity. - Ani-May also adds a broader cultural layer ahead of the Anime Awards, where Crunchyroll spotlights creators and titles that shape the category.

What happened: - Crunchyroll announced its biggest Ani-May yet on May 6, 2026. - The month-long celebration spans digital, retail, events, gaming and real-world activations. - Crunchyroll is offering a limited-time discount on Fan and Mega Fan memberships for new and returning members, with Crunchyroll Game Vault included. - The campaign includes global YouTube watch parties, creator streams, fan-driven content and a Crunchyroll Anime Awards presence on TikTok. - Ani-May also includes a special digital campaign across YouTube, TikTok and Meta in Saudi Arabia and the UAE for one month.

The details: - Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc begins streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll on April 30. - That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea also gets a theatrical release on April 30. - Featured franchises during the month include JUJUTSU KAISEN, Hell’s Paradise, My Hero Academia, Black Clover, Solo Leveling and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. - Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 on Xbox, with early access starting May 15 for Premium Edition players. - Crunchyroll subscribers can get exclusive in-game rewards from the Forza Horizon partnership during Ani-May. - Current Crunchyroll members and new sign-ups during Ani-May receive a Car Voucher that can be exchanged for any car available at the Autoshow. - Crunchyroll said the Forza Horizon collaboration is a first for the franchise. - Ani-May starts with a special Instagram livestream featuring host Tim Lyu and actor Adam McArthur of JUJUTSU KAISEN. - For the first time, Ani-May adds ambassadors REI AMI, Big Sean, Noah Lyles and others, alongside Crunchyroll character Hime. - Those ambassadors will appear in cosplay, curated Spotify playlists, dubbing moments and anime-inspired content. - Fans can use Ani-May Central to find local activations near them.

Between the lines: - Crunchyroll is pushing Ani-May beyond content promotion and into a broader fan ecosystem that mixes subscriptions, commerce, gaming and social media. - The Forza Horizon tie-up suggests anime-themed promotions are moving deeper into mainstream entertainment and gaming partnerships. - The regional campaign in Saudi Arabia and the UAE points to Crunchyroll’s effort to localize its anime marketing in markets with growing fandom. - The ambassador strategy broadens Ani-May beyond anime talent and into music, sports and creator culture.

What’s next: - Ani-May activations will continue throughout May across global markets. - Fans can expect more local events and digital moments to roll out through Ani-May Central. - Crunchyroll will build toward the Anime Awards as the month progresses. - The company will keep layering partner promotions, rewards and fan content across the campaign window.

The bottom line: - Crunchyroll is using Ani-May to make anime feel like a month-long, cross-platform cultural event instead of a single-service streaming promotion.