Bananya turns ten: crunchyroll unleashes mobile mayhem and a retro anime special
A bizarre world of bananas and miniature kitties is about to get a whole lot busier. Crunchyroll and Bananya are dropping a double dose of celebration this summer – a new mobile game, Bananya Buddies, and a nostalgic anime special debuting at Anime Expo.
A pixelated paradise awaits
Bananya Buddies, developed by independent studio The MIX and published by Crunchyroll and TMS, is slated for release this summer exclusively on the Crunchyroll Game Vault. This marks the first original title to grace that platform, a strategic move signaling Crunchyroll’s commitment to expanding its gaming offerings. Forget tedious grinding; the game promises a ‘cute, cozy package’ where players will engage in mini-games, aggressively pursue rewards, and meticulously decorate the ultimate Bananya hangout – a frankly absurd but undeniably appealing concept.
Planet bananya: a quest for lost treasures
The gameplay centers around exploring Bananya Planet, embarking on seemingly endless shopping sprees, and strategically boosting Buddy Points for those coveted rewards. Players will strive to achieve ‘Best Buddies’ status with the Bananyas – a sleepover reward, naturally – and ultimately ascend to the coveted ‘Best Buddies Forever’ tier, unlocking a suitably extravagant surprise. It’s a commitment, frankly, but one that promises a significant time investment.
Anime special: a retro trip back to 2016
Adding a layer of nostalgia, a 10th-anniversary anime special will premiere at Anime Expo on July 4th before streaming on Crunchyroll on July 9th. The description paints a delightfully surreal picture: ‘When I open my eyes, a bizarre world spreads before me. I spot strange kitties inside bananas… Bananyas, if you will.’ The story, centered around a quest for missing treasures, boasts an all-star voice cast, including Atsumi Tanezaki (Spy x Family), Yuina Ito (Zundamon), and Toshiyuki Morikawa (Naruto). TAMAchan’s original theme song, ‘Nyanderful nyanderland’, will accompany the adventure.
Crunchyroll game vault access
Bananya Buddies will join nearly 100 other titles within the Crunchy Game Vault, making it accessible to all Crunchyroll Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers. This means a significant expansion of content for paying members, who will also retain access to the original Bananya series, Bananya and the Curious Bunch, Bananya Around the World, and more. Pre-registration is already open on Google Play and will soon be available on iOS – a smart move to generate early buzz.
Adam Bankhurst, writing for IGN, suggests keeping an eye on his socials for further updates. This isn’t just a game launch; it’s a full-fledged celebration of a franchise that has somehow managed to thrive in the digital age.