Crunchyroll partners with Outernet London

Crunchyroll has added a London live event to its Ani-May campaign, using Outernet’s central London screens and event space for a free public exhibition days before the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The companies disclosed the activation on May 18, with fan coverage and Crunchyroll’s broader Ani-May materials placing it inside the streamer’s month-long global push around anime. The event is scheduled for May 22-24 at Outernet London, next to Tottenham Court Road station. The timing puts the installation in place immediately before the May 23 awards ceremony in Tokyo. ### Why is Crunchyroll doing a London activation now? Crunchyroll announced Ani-May on April 23 as a month-long global campaign spanning streaming, gaming, retail and events. In that announcement, the company described 2026 as its biggest Ani-May yet and directed fans to region-specific activities around the world. (animeuknews.net) May 23 is the date of the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo, according to Anime UK News’ awards listing. The London exhibition therefore lands in the final week of Ani-May and just ahead of the awards weekend, giving Crunchyroll an in-person fan event in Europe while its awards programming shifts attention to Japan. That sequencing is an inference from the published dates. (crunchyroll.com) ### What exactly will be at Outernet? Anime UK News reported that the free exhibition will run from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, and will feature anime-inspired games, giveaways and other fan activities. Geek Native separately reported motion games tied to Blue Lock, My Hero Academia and Solo Leveling. Outernet’s own site describes the complex as an immersive entertainment district in central London with free screen-based experiences in the Now Building from 10 a.m. to late each day. (animeuknews.net) The venue says it sits next to Tottenham Court Road station and includes branded pop-up and interactive capabilities, which matches the format described in coverage of the Crunchyroll activation. ### Why Outernet? Outernet says it is the UK’s most visited cultural attraction and markets itself around wraparound screens, interactive installations and branded experiences. (animeuknews.net) Its site describes the Now Building as a four-storey LED environment built for immersive storytelling, while HERE at Outernet serves as a separate ticketed performance venue. London gives Crunchyroll a high-footfall site rather than a convention-only setting. (outernet.com) Geek Native said the May 22-24 run overlaps with MCM Comic Con London, which could place the activation in front of anime fans already moving through the city that weekend. ### How does this fit into Ani-May beyond the exhibition? Crunchyroll’s April 23 announcement said Ani-May 2026 includes discounted Fan and Mega Fan memberships, YouTube watch parties, a Twitch anime marathon, retail tie-ins and gaming promotions. (outernet.com) The company also tied the campaign to streaming debuts including Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and to social programming around the Anime Awards. (geeknative.com) The official Ani-May site says the campaign runs across May and promotes new releases, deals and fan events. Gamespot reported Crunchyroll also cut the price of its Mega Fan offer during the promotion, underscoring that the London exhibition is one part of a wider acquisition and engagement push. ### What happens next? May 22 is the opening date for the Outernet exhibition in London, according to Anime UK News and other fan-site coverage. (crunchyroll.com) May 23 is the date of the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo, with a pre-show at 5:00 p.m. JST and the live ceremony at 6:00 p.m. JST, Anime UK News reported. (animeuknews.net) (crunchyrollanimay.com)