The 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, a pivotal event celebrating the global phenomenon of Japanese animation, concluded Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan, with My Hero Academia‘s final season receiving the prestigious Anime of the Year award. This landmark ceremony also saw Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, a global box office juggernaut, honored with the Film of the Year prize, underscoring the immense popularity and critical acclaim within the anime community. The event shattered previous engagement records, with an astounding 73 million votes cast worldwide, a significant leap from the 51 million recorded in 2025, signaling the exponential and undeniable growth of anime’s global footprint.
A Decade of Global Recognition: The Crunchyroll Anime Awards’ Evolution
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards, now in its tenth year, has evolved from a niche industry recognition event into a prominent international platform, reflecting the surging mainstream appeal of anime. Established by Crunchyroll, the leading global platform for anime streaming, the awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate excellence across various categories, from animation and character design to voice acting and musical scores. The decision to host the ceremony in Tokyo, the spiritual home of anime, for several consecutive years, including this milestone tenth edition, carries symbolic weight, fostering a deeper connection with the industry’s roots while broadcasting its global reach. This year’s record-breaking voter turnout, nearly tripling the inaugural year’s figures, highlights not just Crunchyroll’s expanding subscriber base but also the broader cultural penetration of anime across diverse demographics and geographic regions. The increased engagement underscores a vibrant, active fandom eager to participate in recognizing their favorite series and films, transforming the awards into a true reflection of global fan sentiment.
My Hero Academia Triumphs: A Culmination of a Shonen Legacy
The final season of My Hero Academia, produced by Bones Film, secured the coveted Anime of the Year title, a testament to its enduring legacy and powerful narrative conclusion. The series, which has captivated audiences worldwide with its themes of heroism, perseverance, and the struggle between good and evil, received a total of four awards. Beyond the top honor, it also claimed Best Ending Sequence for "I" by BUMP OF CHICKEN and Best Supporting Character for the explosive Katsuki Bakugo, acknowledging the depth of its storytelling and character development. The presentation of the Anime of the Year award by superstar singer and noted anime enthusiast The Weeknd further highlighted anime’s crossover appeal into mainstream pop culture. His presence on stage, sharing his admiration for the series, symbolized the growing influence of anime beyond its traditional fanbase. The win for My Hero Academia in its concluding season is particularly poignant, recognizing a series that has defined a generation of shonen anime and consistently pushed boundaries in animation and emotional resonance.
Demon Slayer’s Cinematic Dominance Continues
While My Hero Academia claimed the top series honor, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle reaffirmed its cinematic dominance by winning Film of the Year. This latest installment in the Demon Slayer franchise, a production by Sony/Crunchyroll, has been a colossal commercial success, raking in an estimated $781 million at the global box office. Its financial triumph is indicative of anime films’ increasing capability to compete with major Hollywood blockbusters, drawing massive audiences into cinemas worldwide. The film’s stunning visuals, intense action sequences, and compelling narrative also earned it the Best Score prize, recognizing the exceptional work of Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina in crafting an unforgettable auditory experience. In a remarkable display of its widespread appeal, Demon Slayer garnered the most awards overall, securing seven prizes. Five of these were in the Best Voice Artist Performance categories across various languages, including English (Lucien Dodge as Akaza), Brazilian Portuguese (Charles Emmanuel as Akaza), Castilian Spanish (Carles Teruel as Akaza), German (Gerrit Schmidt-Foß as Akaza), and Latin Spanish (Jose Antonio Toledano as Akaza). This broad recognition for its voice acting across multiple linguistic markets underscores the series’ successful localization efforts and its ability to resonate deeply with international audiences.
Diverse Victories: Highlighting the Breadth of Anime Innovation
Beyond the two major winners, the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards celebrated a diverse array of series and films, showcasing the creative breadth and innovative spirit of the industry.
- The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2) from Toho Animation Studio/OLM was a significant winner, taking home four awards. Its accolades included Best Drama, Best Director (Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma), and Best Main Character for the captivating protagonist, Maomao. Aoi Yuki also won Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) for her portrayal of Maomao, further cementing the series’ impact. The show’s intricate storytelling, historical setting, and strong female lead have garnered widespread critical praise.
- Bones Film’s adaptation of Kei Urana’s dystopian manga, Gachiakuta, made a strong debut, securing three important prizes: Best New Series, Best Background Art, and Best Character Design. The announcement that a second season is already in the works highlights the immediate success and anticipation surrounding this visually striking and thematically rich new entry.
- Solo Leveling (Season 2), a previous big winner at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, continued its momentum by earning two awards this year: Best Action and Best Animation for its "Arise from the Shadow" arc. A-1 Pictures’ production is celebrated for its dynamic fight choreography and stunning visual execution, a hallmark of the studio’s quality.
- Lazarus was recognized as Best Original Anime, showcasing the industry’s continued commitment to fresh, non-manga-based narratives.
- One Piece maintained its reign as Best Continuing Series, a testament to its unparalleled longevity and unwavering global fanbase.
- DAN DA DAN (Season 2) took home Best Comedy and Best Opening Sequence for "On The Way" by AiNA THE END, indicating its rising popularity and infectious energy.
- Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Season 3) won Best Isekai Anime, a nod to the enduring popularity of the genre and the series’ complex narrative.
- The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity was awarded Best Romance, and SPY x FAMILY (Season 3) won Best Slice of Life, with its beloved character Anya Forger also receiving the "Must Protect At All Cost" Character award, highlighting the appreciation for character-driven narratives and heartwarming themes.
- The film Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc received Best Anime Song for "IRIS OUT" by Kenshi Yonezu, demonstrating its impact even before its full release.
Celebrity Presence and Mainstream Crossover
The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards boasted an impressive lineup of global celebrities, underscoring anime’s successful crossover into mainstream entertainment and popular culture. Walking the distinctive orange carpet were an eclectic mix of stars, including The Weeknd, who presented a major award, RZA of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, Black Panther actor Winston Duke, Grammy-nominated rapper Young Miko, and K-pop artists BamBam and TEN. The presence of Japanese actors such as Asuka Saito, Kasumi Arimura, and Nanase Nishino, alongside Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, highlighted the truly international appeal of anime and the event itself. Hosted by Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu, with YouTube creator Gigguk, the ceremony blended traditional awards show glamor with a deep understanding of anime culture, reaching a diverse global audience through various platforms. This star-studded attendance not only elevated the profile of the awards but also served as a powerful visual representation of anime’s expanding cultural influence, bridging gaps between different entertainment industries and fan communities worldwide.
Broader Impact and Implications for the Anime Industry
The record-breaking engagement at the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards signifies more than just increased viewership; it reflects a profound shift in the global entertainment landscape. The anime industry, once a niche market, has firmly established itself as a mainstream powerhouse, commanding significant cultural and economic influence. The 73 million votes cast represent a global community deeply invested in the medium, driving demand for diverse content and pushing creative boundaries.
The success of My Hero Academia‘s final season, a culmination of a long-running shonen series, reinforces the power of consistent storytelling and character development in building loyal fanbases. Its win, alongside the continued dominance of Demon Slayer in the cinematic realm, illustrates the industry’s dual strength in both serialized television and blockbuster films. This hybrid approach allows studios to cater to different viewing preferences while maximizing revenue streams.
Furthermore, the recognition of new series like Gachiakuta and critically acclaimed dramas like The Apothecary Diaries indicates a healthy ecosystem that values both established franchises and innovative newcomers. This diversity in honored titles suggests that the anime audience is sophisticated and open to a wide range of genres and narratives, encouraging studios to experiment and push creative boundaries.
The strong performance of localized voice artist categories for Demon Slayer and others also highlights the crucial role of international dubbing in expanding anime’s accessibility. High-quality localization ensures that global audiences can engage with the content in their native languages, fostering deeper connections and broadening the potential market. This investment in global talent is key to anime’s continued international expansion.
Looking ahead, the exponential growth in fan participation and the increasing presence of global celebrities at events like the Crunchyroll Anime Awards suggest that anime’s influence will only continue to expand. It is no longer just a Japanese cultural export but a truly global phenomenon, shaping trends in fashion, music, art, and storytelling worldwide. The awards serve as a vital annual barometer of this growth, celebrating past achievements while signaling exciting new directions for the future of animated storytelling. The industry’s ability to consistently produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates across diverse cultures positions it for sustained success in the decades to come.
2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Winners: A Full List of Honorees
- Anime of the Year – My Hero Academia (final season)
- Film of the Year – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Best Original Anime – Lazarus
- Best Continuing Series – One Piece
- Best New Series – Gachiakuta
- Best Opening Sequence – "On The Way" – AiNA THE END – DAN DA DAN (season 2)
- Best Ending Sequence – "I" – BUMP OF CHICKEN – My Hero Academia (final season)
- Best Action – Solo Leveling (season 2) – Arise from the Shadow
- Best Comedy – DAN DA DAN (season 2)
- Best Drama – The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
- Best Isekai Anime – Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World– (season 3)
- Best Romance – The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
- Best Slice of Life – SPY x FAMILY (season 3)
- Best Animation – Solo Leveling season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
- Best Background Art – Gachiakuta
- Best Character Design – Gachiakuta
- Best Director – Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma – The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
- Best Main Character – Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
- Best Supporting Character – Katsuki Bakugo – My Hero Academia (final season)
- “Must Protect At All Cost” Character – Anya Forger – SPY x FAMILY (season 3)
- Best Anime Song – “IRIS OUT” – Kenshi Yonezu – Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Best Score – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) – Aoi Yuki – Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
- Best Voice Artist Performance (English) – Lucien Dodge – Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Arabic) – Tariq Obaid – Taro Sakamoto – SAKAMOTO DAYS
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese) – Charles Emmanuel – Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish) – Carles Teruel – Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Best Voice Artist Performance (French) – Bastien Bourlé – Izuku Midoriya – My Hero Academia (final season)
- Best Voice Artist Performance (German) – Gerrit Schmidt-Foß – Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi) – Abhishek Sharma – Jinshi – The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian) – Mosè Singh – Denji – Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish) – Jose Antonio Toledano – Akaza – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
