Crunchyroll is launching the second annual Ani-May celebration! The celebration features new activations across retail, digital, and streaming. Ani-May 2024 includes new and exclusive anime merchandise and activations at Hot Topic in the United States, Riachuelo in Brazil, and exclusive retail activations in EMEA
Crunchyroll’s Ani-May 2024
Throughout the month of May, fans can expect a variety of officially licensed merchandise from some of their favorite series! For fans of the spookier side of anime, there will be merchandise featuring dark fantasy Black Butler and the classic action-horror Tokyo Ghoul. Fans of modern classics will enjoy the Anime Award®-winning Chainsaw Man. The series follows Denji, a man with a devil’s heart. There will also be merch from the recent hit Solo Leveling, based on the popular Korean manhwa of the same name.
It also wouldn’t be an Ani-May merch drop without gear from Crunchyroll’s 2024 Anime Awards “Anime of the Year” award winner JUJUTSU KAISEN. JUJUTSU KAISEN follows the action-packed tale of a high-schooler who becomes a curse to end a curse. Ani-May 2-24 also includes merch from the popular coming-of-age sports series Haikyu!! and the comedic and action-packed SPY x FAMILY. Plus, fans can expect exclusive merchandise from the highly anticipated sci-fi monster series Kaiju No. 8. Also, be on the lookout for Ani-May content from the smash hit shonen series My Hero Academia. That won’t be all, either! Fans can expect to find tons of merchandise from a variety of shows across a range of retailers.
Ani-May Activations in the U.S and Latin America
Ani-May 2024 partnerships and activations in the United States include:
- Specialty retailer Hot Topic will celebrate Ani-May across its stores in the United States and Canada, and online at hottopic.com. The month-long activations and special promotions include exclusive anime merchandise, a limited edition Crunchyroll-Hime sticker gift with anime purchase (available in stores only and while supplies last), and exciting Discord programming hosted by @TheAnimeMen. Fans can sign up at hottopic.com/discord. There, fans will receive Hot Topic emails and access to the Hot Topic Discord for watch-a-longs, AMAs, and exclusive giveaways.
- Barnes & Noble stores in the US will feature an Ani-May sale on select Anime DVD/Blu-Ray titles. The sale is both online and in stores across the country.
In Latin America, the following partners will celebrate Ani-May:
- Gameplanet will delight fans in Mexico with digital signage and home goods products from their favorite shows.
- Grupo Control in Mexico will bring a variety of apparel from the most popular anime titles to stores with dedicated product displays.
- Riachuelo will provide fans in Brazil with digital and in-store signage and special T-shirts at launch at their FanLab Stores.
- Falabella in Peru will offer fans T-shirts for the first time in the market through the month of May.
Activations in Europe
In Europe, select Ani-May retailers will offer anime fans the opportunity to fully experience the Crunchyroll lifestyle. There is a chance to win a “nothing that money can buy” prize. This includes an amazing weekend in Paris with VIP access to the Crunchyroll booth at Japan Expo. The full list of Ani-May 2024 partners for Europe includes:
- HMV will brand 120 stores and bring in tons of anime merchandise for the occasion for fans in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Belgium. May will also see the exclusive early release of a range of home entertainment. These include KONOSUBA – An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! – Season 1 Blu-ray, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! – Season 2 Blu-ray & Limited Edition, as well as a large range of price promoted catalogue titles.
- Games Academy / Funside in Italy will activate 50 stores as well as their online community. More surprises are available on their app.
- Cultura will communicate about their anime merchandise and manga offerings throughout the month. Fans can expect specifically branded areas in 105 stores across France.
- El Corte Ingles will invite the Spanish geek community to come in-store and discover a wide selection of anime products in 8 flagship locations.
- Thalia in Germany and Austria will focus on manga, exclusive merchandise, and Home Entertainment offerings. JUJUTSU KAISEN, Kaiju No.8, SPY x FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Hell’s Paradise will be available across 200 outlets.
- Gamestop in 70 participating outlets in Germany will provide an exclusive iron-on to any customer who buys more than 2 Crunchyroll items.
- MediaSaturn will bring German fans manga, exclusive merchandise, and Home Entertainment for JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, and Chainsaw Man across 400 outlets.
- Mueller will offer the whole catalog of fan-favorite Crunchyroll manga titles for the first time. Titles include JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, BLUE LOCK, Choujin X, Dandadan, and many more. These will be available to fans in Germany and in Austria.
- Hugendubel will present exclusive Crunchyroll merchandising in 30 stores across Germany for the JUJUTSU KAISEN, SPY x FAMILY, and Chainsaw Man titles.
- XS Toys (owned by Anvol), in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia will participate in 25 selected stores. The leading toy retailer in the Baltics will have a special selection of plush, figures, and collectibles from Crunchyroll titles.
Crunchyroll Store Ani-May 2024
For the Crunchyroll Store in the US, fans can enjoy a home video sale of up to 60% off beginning May 1 through May 14. Also, the Ani-May 2024 celebration sale will include up to 70% off select items starting May 15. While supplies last, fans may receive a complimentary and exclusive 2024 Hime Ani-May pin on all orders of $75 or more. Please note: this gift with purchase is only eligible for in-stock orders. Pre-orders do not qualify.
Shoppers can also expect special themed weeks in the Crunchyroll Store, including:
- May 1 – Chainsaw Man
- May 8 – Kaiju No. 8 & Solo Leveling
- May 22 – Dragon Ball Super
- May 29 – JUJUTSU KAISEN
Streaming Celebrations For the Month of May
Crunchyroll is making 20 hit series available to watch for free with ads through the month. These series include many of the Ani-May 2024 featured titles including Chainsaw Man, Haikyu!!, and Solo Leveling. Other titles include the iconic space western Cowboy Bebop, the science-powered adventure title Dr. STONE, and the emotionally complex Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
To keep the celebrations going, Crunchyroll is also offering the romantic comedy Rent-a-Girlfriend, comedic fantasy Soul Eater, the critically acclaimed viking epic VINLAND SAGA, and the classic and beloved occult action series Yu Yu Hakusho free to stream with ads. Fans can check out the full list of titles available for Ani-May enjoyment via Crunchyroll News.
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