Crunchyroll isn't selling this game, it's using it to keep you subscribed. Bananya Buddies, a cozy cat-collecting mobile game based on the Bananya anime, launches exclusively on Crunchyroll Game Vault this summer, available only to subscribers on the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers rather than as a standalone download.
Why gate a game behind a subscription tier
Crunchyroll Game Vault has been building its exclusive library specifically to give higher-tier subscribers a reason not to downgrade, and tying a game directly to an existing anime property is the most direct version of that play. This isn't built to pull in broad casual gaming audiences, it's aimed squarely at Bananya fans who are already paying for the right subscription tier, which makes it retention tooling as much as it is a game launch.
What's actually in it
Developed by The MIX with TMS Entertainment, Bananya Buddies has players collect Bananya, the small cats living inside bananas from the anime series, in a laid-back experience built around the franchise's low-stakes charm. Pre-registration is live now on Google Play, with an App Store version coming soon.
The Japanese voice cast includes Atsumi Tanezaki, internationally known for voicing Anya Forger in SPY x FAMILY, alongside Yuina Ito and Toshiyuki Morikawa.
The anniversary stacking
The launch ties to Bananya's 10th anniversary, alongside a new anime special premiering at Anime Expo on July 4 before hitting Crunchyroll on July 9. Stacking a game, a new special and a milestone anniversary in the same window gives the franchise a concentrated moment rather than spreading the celebration thin across the year.
