Bananya and Crunchyroll Launch 10th Anniversary: New Mobile Game and Anime Special

Bananya and Crunchyroll are teaming up to mark the franchise’s 10th anniversary with two fresh drops this summer: a new mobile cat-collecting game titled Bananya Buddies and a special anime episode. The anime special is set to debut at Anime Expo on July 4, then arrive on Crunchyroll for streaming on July 9.

Bananya Buddies is published by Crunchyroll and TMS, and it’s planned as an exclusive release for Crunchyroll Game Vault. The title will also represent the first original game to launch on Crunchyroll Game Vault, developed by independent studio The MIX.

The game’s pitch is centered on delivering “all the magic of the series in a cute, cozy package,” with mini-games, reward progression, and the chance to customize your ideal Bananya hangout. Players visit Bananya Planet as they work toward a shopping spree streak, raise their Bananyas’ Buddy Points for additional rewards, climb through buddy ranks by earning Best Buddies status (including a sleepover), and push even further to unlock Best Buddies Forever status for a special surprise—plus more goals along the way.

Bananya Buddies will join close to 100 other games already listed in the Crunchy Game Vault. Access is tied to Crunchyroll membership, with availability for subscribers at the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers. Membership also includes streaming perks for the original Bananya lineup—Bananya and the Curious Bunch, Bananya Around the World, and additional series content.

Interested players can pre-register now on Google Play, with iOS pre-registration arriving soon.

For the Bananya 10th Anniversary Anime Special, the plan is a July 4 premiere during Anime Expo. That date also lines up with the exact 10-year anniversary of the first episode’s release on July 4, 2016. As previously noted, the special will then stream on Crunchyroll starting July 9.

The official description opens like this: “When I open my eyes, a bizarre world spreads before me. I spot strange kitties inside bananas… Bananyas, if you will.” It continues: “Hold on a moment, what is going on? Did I turn into a Bananya myself?! Through the forest, over the mountain, and across the land, we set out on a journey with the Bananyas in search of missing treasures.”

Bananya Buddies Screenshots and Artwork

To celebrate the milestone, the anime special will include a brand-new theme song titled “Nyanderful nyanderland (character voice : BANANYA / Yuki Kaji)” performed by TAMAchan. The special will also feature a star-studded voice cast, including Atsumi Tanezaki from SPY x Family as Stray Banana, Yuina Ito from Zundamon as Little Bananya, and Toshiyuki Morikawa from Naruto as Tall Bananya.

Beyond the game and the special, more ways to celebrate Bananya’s tenth anniversary are planned. Additional release timelines, event announcements, and information about merchandise, celebratory projects, and other related details will be shared in the future.