Free Anime on Crunchyroll: 20 Must-Watch Shows in Ani-May

Crunchyroll has always offered a free subscription tier with a decent library of anime. However, some of the most popular and simulcast series are typically locked behind the service's Premium membership. If you've encountered the Premium paywall for a particular series, there's good news: Crunchyroll is celebrating "Ani-May" by making 20 of its most popular anime available to watch for free.

Whether you're curious about the buzz around Solo Leveling, need to catch up on My Hero Academia before its final season, or want to dive into classics like Cowboy Bebop, there's something for everyone this month. Check out the full list of what's streaming for free below.

20 Anime You Can Watch for Free on Crunchyroll Right Now

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Let's get straight to it. Here’s the full list of what’s streaming on Crunchyroll for free in 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 selection covers a wide range of series. Highlights include all seasons of My Hero Academia, which is set to air its eighth and final season later this year, and the complete series of Demon Slayer, which you can watch before the concluding movie trilogy. The list boasts some of the best shonen anime, from Tokyo Ghoul and Soul Eater to Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.

Solo Leveling has recently taken the anime world by storm. IGN's review of the first season praises 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 is lighter on the shoujo side, Fruits Basket is a must-watch. Another recommendation is The Apothecary Diaries, a historical drama with romantic elements. As IGN's review notes, "the titular apothecary, Maomao, is a delightful protagonist who embodies a balance between matter-of-fact and goofy."

The inclusion of Junji Ito Collection adds a unique horror element to the mix, though I'd always recommend checking out the original manga for an even deeper experience.

These series will be free to stream until the end of May, though some may remain in the free tier longer. Any opportunity to binge some anime is always worth seizing.

What anime are you most excited for in the rest of 2025?DandaDan Season 2Kaiju No. 8 Season 2My Hero Academia Season 8One-Punch Man Season 3Spy X Family Season 3Sakamoto Days Part 2Other - tell us in the comments!

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What Is "Ani-May"?

Ani-May is a special event by Crunchyroll. In addition to making some of their Premium catalog available for free streaming, 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

Alongside the streaming festivities, the Crunchyroll Store is offering a month-long event with new releases and discounts. You can explore some of the available items below or browse the entire collection.