Crunchyroll has traditionally provided a free subscription tier with a solid selection of anime. However, some of the most sought-after and simulcast series are often locked behind the Premium membership wall. If you've hit that paywall for a specific series, here's some exciting news: Crunchyroll has unlocked 20 of its most popular anime for free viewing as part of their "Ani-May" celebrations.
Whether you're curious about the buzz around Solo Leveling, eager to catch up on My Hero Academia before its final season, or looking to dive into a classic like Cowboy Bebop, there's something in the lineup for you this month. Check out the complete list of free streaming anime below.
20 Anime You Can Watch for Free on Crunchyroll Right Now
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Let's dive into the full list of what you can stream for free on Crunchyroll during May:
- Black Clover (Seasons 1-4)
- Chainsaw Man
- Cowboy Bebop
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (The Complete Series)
- Fruits Basket (Seasons 1-3)
- Haikyu!! (Seasons 1-4)
- Heaven Official's Blessing (Seasons 1-2)
- Hell's Paradise
- Jujutsu Kaisen (Seasons 1-2)
- Junji Ito Collection
- Kaiju No. 8
- My Hero Academia (Seasons 1-7)
- Overlord (Seasons 1-4)
- Shangri-La Frontier (Seasons 1-2)
- Solo Leveling (Season 1)
- Soul Eater
- Spy X Family (Seasons 1-2)
- The Apothecary Diaries (Season 1)
- Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (Seasons 1-2)
- Tokyo Ghoul (Seasons 1-3)
This collection offers a diverse range of series, including every season of My Hero Academia, which is set to air its eighth and final season later this year, and the complete Demon Slayer series, perfect for catching up before the concluding movie trilogy. The list is rich with top shonen anime, from Tokyo Ghoul and Soul Eater to Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.
Solo Leveling has recently become a sensation in the anime community. IGN's review of its first season praised it for "bringing gaming mechanics to animation, with a thrilling power fantasy that understands the tediousness of experience farming, the fun of gaining new levels and skill points, and the thrills of facing down a boss."
Solo Leveling Gallery
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While the list leans heavily towards shonen, Fruits Basket stands out for shoujo fans. Another highly recommended series is The Apothecary Diaries, a historical drama with a touch of romance. IGN's review of The Apothecary Diaries highlighted "the titular apothecary, Maomao, as a delightful protagonist who embodies a perfect balance between matter-of-fact and goofy."
For horror enthusiasts, the Junji Ito Collection is an intriguing addition, though I'd always recommend exploring the original manga for a deeper experience.
These series will be available to stream for free until the end of May, with some possibly staying in the free tier beyond that. Any excuse to indulge in anime binging is a good one!
AnswerSee ResultsWhat Is “Ani-May”?
Ani-May is an exciting event hosted by Crunchyroll. In addition to making some of their Premium catalog available to stream for free, Crunchyroll is launching new merchandise and partnering with stores worldwide for in-person events. The site will also host the Anime Awards on May 15. Here's what Crunchyroll's Head of Global Products had to say about the event:
“Anime isn’t just an entertainment medium; it’s a lifestyle. To celebrate anime’s explosive growth, we’re giving fans a variety of ways to express their anime passion during Ani-May - from all-new products across apparel, collectibles, global activations, game collaborations, and new series streaming for free on Crunchyroll.”
Collector’s Sale on the Crunchyroll Store
In addition to the streaming festivities, the Crunchyroll Store is rolling out a month-long series of new releases and discounts. You can browse some of the available items below or explore the entire collection.
Solo Leveling Season 1 - Blu-ray + DVD [Limited Edition]
0$89.98 save 20%$71.98 at Crunchyroll Store
Dragon Ball Super - The Complete Series [Limited Edition Steelbooks]
0$199.98 save 20%$159.98 at Crunchyroll Store
JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 - The Movie [Blu-ray Steelbook]
0$39.98 save 20%$31.98 at Crunchyroll Store
Out July 8
Grave of the Fireflies [Limited Edition Steelbook]
0$26.98 save 20%$21.58 at Crunchyroll Store
GOBLIN SLAYER - Season 1 [Limited Edition Steelbook]
0$59.98 save 20%$47.98 at Crunchyroll Store
Out July 29
Chainsaw Man - Complete Series [Limited Edition Steelbook]
0$84.98 at Crunchyroll Store