Anime lovers can celebrate Valentine’s Day through their screens through the month of February, with a lineup of adored romance titles available to watch for free (with ads) for a limited-time AVOD event through Crunchyroll. These sweet treats range from classics like Ouran High School Host Club and Lovely Complex to newer fan faves like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and Sasaki and Miyano.
Here’s the full candy box sampler (availability may vary by territory):
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (Madhouse)
Akane Kinoshita, a female college student, faces the absolute worst situation when she ends up breaking up with her boyfriend after he has an affair with a woman he met playing an online game. While relieving her stress by rampaging through the open hunting grounds of an online game, Akane spills everything about her heartbreak to “Yamada”, a player she met by chance who happens to be in the same guild. “I don’t care,” is his curt reply. But when Akane gets a makeover and joins an offline event to get back at her ex-boyfriend, she hears those dreadful words again. And that was Akane’s fateful encounter with “Yamada.”
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You (Bibury Animation Studios)
Rentaro Aijo was rejected 100 times in middle school. He visits a shrine and prays for better luck in high school. The God of Love appears and promises that he’ll soon meet 100 people he’s destined to date. But there’s a catch — once destiny introduces someone to him, the two must happily love each other. If they don’t, they’ll die. What will befall Rentaro and his 100 girlfriends in high school?
Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me (ENGI)
Ryuto Kashima is the school’s gloomy introvert, and he’s got a crush on Runa Shirakawa, the popular girl. After losing a bet to classmates, he confesses his feelings to Runa one day. Shocked and secretly just as inexperienced as Ryuto, Runa agrees to date him. The relationship grows between two people who are as similar as they are different. Will their young love blossom? Time will tell!
Tomo-chan Is a Girl! (Lay-duce)
Tomboy Tomo couldn’t have picked a more awkward high school crush ’cause it’s on her childhood friend, Junichiro, but he only sees her as one of the guys. Despite her pretty looks and signals, nothing gets through to this meathead! Will Junichiro ever realize Tomo’s into him and see her for the cutesy girl she actually is?!
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (A-1 Pictures)
Known for being both brilliant and powerful, Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya lead the illustrious Shuchiin Academy as near equals. And everyone thinks they’d make a great couple. Pride and arrogance are in ample supply, so the only logical move is to trick the other into instigating a date! Who will come out on top in this psychological war where the first move is the only one that matters?
Horimiya (CloverWorks)
A secret life is the one thing they have in common. At school, Hori is a prim and perfect social butterfly, but the truth is she’s a brash homebody. Meanwhile, under a gloomy facade, Miyamura hides a gentle heart, along with piercings and tattoos. In a chance meeting, they both reveal a side they’ve never shown. Could this blossom into something new?
Fruits Basket (2019) (TMS Entertainment)
Tohru Honda thought her life was headed for misfortune when a family tragedy left her living in a tent. When her small home is discovered by the mysterious Soma clan, she suddenly finds herself living with Yuki, Kyo and Shigure Soma. But she quickly learns their family has a bizarre secret of their own: when hugged by the opposite sex, they turn into the animals of the Zodiac!
My Dress-Up Darling (CloverWorks)
Wakana Gojo is a high school boy who wants to become a kashirashi — a master craftsman who makes traditional Japanese Hina dolls. Though he’s gung-ho about the craft, he knows nothing about the latest trends and has a hard time fitting in with his class. The popular kids — especially one girl, Marin Kitagawa — seem like they live in a completely different world. That all changes one day, when she shares an unexpected secret with him, and their completely different worlds collide.
Kimi ni Todoke – From Me to You (Production I.G)
Sawako Kuronuma has had a difficult time fitting in. Some say it’s her jet black hair, others say it’s her hushed manner of speaking, while still others claim it is due to her name’s similarity to Sadako, a character from a popular Japanese horror series. On her first day of high school, Sawako meets the one boy who treats her like a normal girl-Shota Kazehaya. Through his selfless aid, Sawako slowly learns to come out of her shell and even begins to make friends for the first time in her life. However, with a new social life come social pressures. Rumors begin to circulate about her, her friends, and even the kindhearted Kazehaya. As she grows into her new identity, Sawako must learn to deal with such pressures as well as start to understand the unfamiliar feelings inside of her, especially in regards to the boy who made her new start possible.
MY love STORY!! (Madhouse)
Takeo Goda is a giant guy with a giant heart. Too bad the girls don’t want him! (They always go for his good-looking best friend, Sunakawa.) Used to being on the sidelines, Takeo simply stands tall and accepts his fate. But one day when he saves a girl named Yamato from a harasser on the train, his (love!) life suddenly takes an incredible turn! Takeo can hardly believe it when he crosses paths with Yamato again, and he finds himself falling in love with her … But with handsome Sunakawa around, does Takeo even stand a chance?
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You (Seven Arcs)
The sweet story of Nasa and Tsukasa continues! After surviving some awkward first nights together, dealing with doubters, and recovering from their apartment fire, it’s clear the fate of these lovers was written in the stars. Now, they’re ready to settle back into domestic bliss and finally plan their wedding ceremony! But with plenty of new friends on the way, what will their big day look like?!
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion (Typhoon Graphics)
After a mysterious death, Park Eunha enters the world of a novel. She is revived as a minor character, Raeliana McMillan, who is to be poisoned to death by her own betrothed. In order to break up with her dangerous fiancé, she offers a surreptitious deal to the male protagonist of the novel, Noah Wynknight, but winds up romantically with other men that are not part of the plan. Will Raeliana successfully get out of this crisis and create a new ending for herself? Who will be the one that will join Raeliana in her new ending?
Sasaki and Miyano (Studio DEEN)
Miyano’s world of Boys’ Love manga turns to reality when chance leads him to Sasaki. Now, Sasaki wants to spend every opportunity with him.
Yona of the Dawn (Pierrot)
Currently, Hiryuu Palace has no one else next in line for the throne other than the 15-year-old princess, Yona, who had been raised with care. Finally, the night of her 16th birthday arrives. She expects it to be a wonderful day spent with her peace-loving father, Il, her servant and friend Hak, and her cousin Soo-won, who she had feelings for … However … That night, Yona goes to visit her father to tell him how she really feels, because he opposes to her getting married to Soo-won. However, when she gets to her room, she encounters a shocking truth.
Ouran High School Host Club (BONES)
You’ll fall for the boys in the Ouran Host Club: Tamaki’s truly romantic. Kaoru and Hikaru offer displays of brotherly love. You’ll adore brainy Kyoya, innocent Honey and manly Mori. Oh, and don’t forget Haruhi. He knows what girls want — of course, it’s because he’s a girl too! The Hosts must do their best to hide her secret, but Haruhi’s having a blast turning their perfect world upside down.
Tsuredure Children (Studio Gokumi)
To those of you out there who never could say “I love you” — This story is about ordinary highschoolers and how love makes them fired up, shaken, laugh, cry and hurt. Whether things go well or not, this story of adolescence and romance will show you how they spend their precious youth. Every character is the main character here, and you’re sure to find one you can sympathize with.
Lovely Complex (Toei Animation)
Koizumi’s just started high school, and she’s got a little problem: for a girl, she’s super tall! Meanwhile, her classmate Otani’s got a big problem: he’s virtually a midget, but still wants to join the basketball team. Written off as a bickering comedy duo by their teachers and classmates, the pair can’t decide who’s less likely to find love before graduating, and ultimately bet each other on who’ll actually land a mate.
Snow White with the Red Hair (BONES)
In the kingdom of Tanbarun lives an independent young pharmacist named Shirayuki. Shirayuki is a plain girl, save for her shock of beautiful apple-red hair. Her stunning mane gets her noticed by the prince, but instead of romancing her, he demands she be his concubine. Shirayuki chops off her lovely locks, and runs away to the neighboring kingdom where she befriends a handsome stranger.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (CloverWorks)
Puberty syndrome: Abnormal experiences rumored on the internet to be caused by sensitivity and instability during adolescence. This year, Sakuta Azusagawa, a second-year student at a high school near Enoshima, meets several girls that are experiencing this “puberty syndrome.” For instance, he meets a wild bunny girl in the library. She turns out to be an actress on hiatus, Mai Sakurajima, who is also his senior at the school. For some reason, no one else can see this enchanting girl. How did she become invisible…?
All the Dragon Ball Action in One Place!
Crunchyroll has further announced the arrival of the complete Dragon Ball saga to its growing catalog. The five famous TV series (over 800 episodes) will be available in the United Kingdom and France.
Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes) is already available with subtitles in the UK. The first series, Dragon Ball (153 episodes) is scheduled from February 9 in subtitled and dubbed versions. The other sequels will be available soon: Dragon Ball Z (291 episodes) from March 1, Dragon Ball GT (64 episodes) from March 15 and Dragon Ball Z Kai (167 episodes) from March 29.
The Dragon Ball phenomenon began in 1984, when Akira Toriyama’s famous manga was first published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. It swiftly became a leading title during its ten and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s success has gone from strength to strength, with an incredible 260 million copies sold worldwide. With Dragon Ball‘s ever-growing popularity, the series has expanded beyond manga to include animated series, films, games and merchandising. Produced by Toei Animation, the animated series began airing in 1986 and has since aired around the world.
Dragon Ball
Mysterious Dragon Balls lie scattered about the world. When all seven balls are gathered, one wish will come true. A wild, innocent boy named Goku and his friends set out on a journey in quest for the Dragon Balls.
Dragon Ball Z
With overwhelming and extraordinary power, new enemies descend upon Goku. Goku has no way out… In this second series, Gohan, the son of Goku joins the fighting battle and the action is even more vigorous.
Dragon Ball Super
The threat of Majin Buu has passed, and Goku and friends are all living in peace. The day of Bulma’s birthday party arrives, and everyone gets together again for the first time in a while. Then there appears Beerus, the God of Destruction. The story finally moves beyond the universe, into a new phase!
Dragon Ball Z Kai
An ancient legend says “Gather the Seven Dragon Balls and Shenron the Dragon will appear to make one wish come true.”
With such power, the Dragonballs are much sought after, especially by the most evil villains. With the help of his friends and family, Son Goku is ready to battle enemies to protect his friends, his family, and save the World.
Dragon Ball GT
Goku is turned into a child by another set of Dragon Balls. This time, the Dragon Balls lay scattered all over the universe, and they must be discovered within one year or the earth will disappear!
Crunchyroll Arrives on Samsung Smart TVs
In other Crunchyroll news, the global anime platform announced a new collaboration with Samsung Electronics that will enable Samsung Smart TV users across the globe to easily discover and enjoy anime directly on their screens. The application is now available to Samsung users in the U.S., with users in other markets to gain access by the end of the week.
With this launch, Samsung Smart TV users can access Crunchyroll’s extensive library of anime content, including over 46,000 episodes and movies, 3,300 Japanese music videos and concert specials, and the latest trending shows available on Crunchyroll on-demand, all with the option of subtitles or dubs across more than 12 local languages including English, Spanish (Latin America and Spain/Castilian), Portuguese, French, German, Arabic, Italian, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
“Anime is one of the fastest-growing entertainment mediums worldwide. We’re thrilled to enhance access to Crunchyroll for Samsung’s Smart TV users. Samsung is providing a seamless experience for both dedicated anime fans and the anime-curious, allowing them to easily sign up and access their favorite anime directly on their TV screens,” said Kaliel Roberts, Chief Product Officer at Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll is home to the world’s largest selection of anime titles, including My Hero Academia, JUJUTSU KAISEN, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan, as well as classics such as Cowboy Bebop and One Piece. The service is available in more than 200 countries and territories, offering its large library and new simulcast series shortly after they premiere in Japan. Available on all 2017-2023 Samsung Smart TVs, users can easily find Crunchyroll in the Samsung Smart TV app store.
