Crunchyroll Expands Ani-May 2026 Into Multi-Platform Event

Anime always gets a full month with Crunchyroll, but this time, it comes with the platform's first-ever Ani-May ambassador lineup.

Big Sean, Noah Lyles, and REI AMI front Ani-May 2026, joining a celebration that spans streaming, gaming, retail, and live events.

The campaign kicks off April 30 with the exclusive streaming debut of "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc."

A new trailer gives fans a first look at what the month has in store. 

It cuts through scenes from popular anime like "Black Clover," "Blue Lock," "My Hero Academia," and "Solo Leveling."

It comes with the tagline, "Every kind of story, told every kind of way."

"Anime is something we celebrate every day, but Ani-May is our chance to deepen that connection with fans even further," Crunchyroll COO Gita Rebbapragada said in a press statement.

The 10th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards is also happening on May 23.

And it's streaming live from Japan on TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch, with The Weeknd, Winston Duke, and RZA set to be presenters.

Ambassadors and a Gaming Entry Point

Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox on May 19, with Crunchyroll marking its first partnership with the franchise through an exclusive in-game reward for subscribers.

Weekly YouTube watch parties and a 7-day Twitch marathon run alongside it.

"It's been incredible to see how many partners around the world are leaning into Ani-May," Scott Donaton, SVP of global brand and community at Crunchyroll shared.

"They recognize anime as a powerful cultural connector, and together we're creating moments that bring fans and communities closer," he added.

All Crunchyroll subscribers receive an exclusive in-game Car Voucher exchangeable for any car in the Autoshow.

New York fans can then head to Tamashii Nation Times Square on May 10 for a surprise voice actor appearance and an exclusive pin for paid members.

Outside the U.S., the Ani-May will hit London's Tottenham Court Road Outernet, São Paulo's Fradique Coutinho metro station, Anime Festival Asia in Thailand, and Mumbai Comic Con.

Meanwhile, "JUJUTSU KAISEN," "My Hero Academia," "Solo Leveling," and "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" lead the content lineup.

The brand partnership strategy here is not just about slapping characters together. 

Forza connects with gamers, Big Sean taps into hip-hop, Noah Lyles reaches track fans, and REI AMI appeals to K-pop audiences.

None of them are obvious anime picks. This is what event marketing looks like when it stops trying to reach everyone the same way.

What Ani-May Gets Right

The event offers three lessons for brands trying to reach audiences outside their core:

• IP alone doesn't move the needle. Build ecosystems where fans can watch, play, shop, and meet. 
• Cast outside the obvious. The right ambassador brings a community that has never been reached by your category.
• Gaming opens unexpected doors. Low-friction partnerships reach people who would never seek the brand out directly.

Ten years of Ani-May, and it's the biggest celebration yet. This doesn't happen by accident.

It shows how sustained investment can turn a recurring event into a scalable platform for partnerships and audience growth.

Our Take: How Far Can Ani-May Expand?

Ani-May started as a streaming moment, but it now operates as a multi-platform event.

And we think that this expansion has room to keep growing, especially as anime continues to scale globally.

The global anime market was worth over $35 billion in 2025 and is expected to hit $66.7 billion in 2032.

And most of this growth is happening outside Japan, with Crunchyroll considered to be a key contributor.

We believe this reach gives Ani-May more room to expand across categories, regions, and partnerships without running out of audience.

As long as the core product stays strong, the ceiling depends on how aggressively Crunchyroll chooses to scale it.

Another sign of anime’s growth in the U.S. is Kikkoman's recent anime-themed campaign targeting Gen Z consumers.

Brands expanding beyond their core audience need agencies that understand strategy and execution.

Find the top event marketing agencies that work at this level in our directory.