Crunchyroll Announces Ani-May: Global Anime Celebration Spanning Streaming, Gaming, Events & More

Crunchyroll is turning May into a full-scale anime festival with Ani-May, a month-long global celebration across screens, games, and on-ground events. Fans worldwide will discover new series, earn rewards, and gather for shared experiences, while Ani-May Central helps viewers track local activities and find ways to celebrate wherever they live.

India is a major focus this year, with Crunchyroll setting up its largest booth yet at Mumbai Comic Con. Visitors can meet Taito Ban, voice of Sung Jinwoo, and producer Atsushi Kaneko from Solo Leveling. The space also features a live dubbing booth, immersive fan zones, exclusive merchandise, and a performance by Hiroshi Kitadani singing the ONE PIECE anthem "We Are!".

Ani-May and Crunchyroll anime celebrations worldwide

The Ani-May schedule stretches beyond standard viewing, presenting anime as a lifestyle woven into daily moments. Crunchyroll plans community activities across popular franchises such as JUJUTSU KAISEN, My Hero Academia, Black Clover, Solo Leveling, and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Fans are encouraged to rewatch favourites, sample new titles, and join themed activations online and offline.

Streaming leads the programme, with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc arriving exclusively on Crunchyroll from April 30. Ahead of the wider festivities, viewers can join a special Ani-May livestream on Instagram. Host Tim Lyu and guest actor Adam McArthur from JUJUTSU KAISEN will preview key highlights planned throughout the month.

Ani-May and Crunchyroll anime ambassadors and community

Ani-May adds a new feature this year with a roster of global ambassadors. The group includes REI AMI, Big Sean, Noah Lyles, and others, who appear alongside Crunchyroll mascot Hime. They will share cosplay looks, curated Spotify playlists, dubbing segments, and anime-inspired content designed to reflect how fans express their passion.

Crunchyroll India will highlight domestic voices through creator-led storytelling across social platforms during Ani-May. Local influencers and community figures will discuss how anime shapes their lives, adding an Indian perspective to the global conversation. These stories aim to connect fans who might be discovering anime or deepening long-term interests.

Gita Rebbapragada, Chief Operating Officer, Crunchyroll, said, "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. Throughout the month, we're creating new ways to engage and celebrate as a community, all leading up to the Anime Awards, where we honor the creators behind the stories that inspire audiences around the world."

Scott Donaton, SVP, Global Brand and Community, Crunchyroll, 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." Across regions, these combined efforts position Ani-May as a shared calendar highlight for anime followers.