The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 delivered one of the biggest nights in anime this year. Fans from around the world tuned in to watch their favorite series, movies, and characters compete for top honors in Tokyo.
This year’s event celebrated the best anime released throughout 2025. In addition, the ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of the Anime Awards. As a result, the night felt even more special for longtime anime fans.
My Hero Academia Wins Anime of the Year
One of the biggest moments of the night came when My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON won the Anime of the Year award. The series beat major competitors including DAN DA DAN Season 2, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, and Takopi’s Original Sin.
Fans online celebrated the emotional final chapter of the long-running superhero anime, while others debated whether titles like Solo Leveling deserved a nomination in the category.
Reddit discussions quickly exploded after the results were announced, with anime communities sharing mixed reactions about the final winners and nominations.
Demon Slayer Dominates the Film Categories
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle had one of the strongest nights overall, winning Film of the Year and Best Anime Score. The movie continued the franchise’s massive global success and impressed fans with its animation, soundtrack, and action sequences.
Meanwhile, Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- earned Best Animation, showing how dominant the series remained even without an Anime of the Year nomination.
Gachiakuta Becomes One of the Breakout Winners
One of the night’s biggest surprises was the success of Gachiakuta. The anime won several categories, including:
- Best New Series
- Best Character Design
- Best Background Art
Fans praised the anime’s unique visual style and darker storytelling throughout the awards season.
Music, Voice Acting, and Fan-Favorite Characters
The awards also recognized anime music and voice performances from around the world.
Highlights included:
- “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu winning Best Anime Song
- Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries winning Best Main Character
- Katsuki Bakugo winning Best Supporting Character
- Anya Forger from SPY x FAMILY Season 3 winning the “Must Protect At All Costs” category
Voice actors in Japanese, English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Portuguese were also honored during the ceremony.
Why the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Continue Growing
Over the last decade, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards have transformed into one of the biggest international celebrations of anime. What started as a fan-focused online event has become a global entertainment show featuring celebrities, musicians, livestreams, and millions of anime fans worldwide.
This year’s event featured appearances from names like The Weeknd, Young Miko, Winston Duke, and RZA, highlighting anime’s growing influence in music, fashion, and mainstream entertainment.
Final Thoughts
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 delivered unforgettable moments for anime fans everywhere. From emotional wins and breakout series to heated online debates, the ceremony captured just how important anime has become in global entertainment.
As new anime continue breaking streaming records and building passionate fan communities worldwide, the future of the Anime Awards looks bigger than ever.
