The final season of My Hero Academia triumphantly claimed the coveted Anime of the Year prize, while the globally acclaimed cinematic sensation Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle was honored with the Film of the Year award at the landmark 10th edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The prestigious ceremony unfolded on Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan, drawing a record-breaking global audience and underscoring anime’s accelerating ascent in mainstream popular culture.
The annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, now in its tenth year, has solidified its position as the premier global platform for recognizing excellence in the anime industry. Hosted by the leading anime streaming service Crunchyroll, the event serves not only to celebrate the artistic and technical achievements of creators but also to galvanize the immense and rapidly expanding international fanbase. This year’s ceremony, held in the vibrant cultural hub of Tokyo, marked a significant milestone, reflecting a decade of consistent growth and increasing global recognition for the medium. Organizers announced a staggering 73 million anime fans worldwide cast their votes for this year’s awards, an exponential leap from the 51 million recorded in 2025. This remarkable surge in voter participation is a powerful indicator of anime’s unprecedented global expansion and its deepening penetration into diverse markets, transcending geographical and linguistic barriers.
The growing cultural impact of anime was further highlighted by the presence of superstar singer and ardent anime enthusiast, The Weeknd, who personally presented the My Hero Academia team with their Anime of the Year prize. His involvement, alongside a diverse array of international celebrities, symbolizes the genre’s successful crossover appeal, attracting high-profile endorsements from figures previously associated primarily with music, film, and fashion. The final season of Bones Film’s critically acclaimed series, My Hero Academia, proved to be a significant winner, securing a total of four awards. Beyond the top honor of Anime of the Year, it also received accolades for Best Ending Sequence and Best Supporting Character, recognizing the intricate craftsmanship and compelling storytelling that have defined the series’ run. The series, an adaptation of Kohei Horikoshi’s manga, has captivated audiences worldwide with its dynamic action, compelling characters, and themes of heroism and perseverance, making its final season’s triumph a fitting culmination for a beloved franchise.
The event’s distinctive orange carpet buzzed with an eclectic mix of global luminaries, signaling anime’s broad appeal across various entertainment sectors. Among the notable attendees were Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, known for his groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop; Black Panther actor Winston Duke, representing Hollywood’s growing embrace of diverse narratives; Grammy-nominated rapper Young Miko; and K-pop artists BamBam and TEN, showcasing the confluence of East Asian cultural powerhouses. Japanese actors Asuka Saito, Kasumi Arimura, and Nanase Nishino also graced the event, alongside Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, reflecting the truly international reach of the anime fandom. The ceremony itself was expertly co-hosted by Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu, joined by popular YouTube creator Gigguk, whose presence further underscored the awards’ connection to the digital communities that form the bedrock of anime’s global fanbase.
While My Hero Academia secured the top television series honor, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle emerged as the night’s overall most awarded title. The Sony/Crunchyroll co-distributed film, a box office juggernaut that shattered records with an astounding $781 million worldwide gross, garnered an impressive seven prizes. A significant portion of these awards, five in total, were dedicated to the film’s exceptional voice artist performances across various languages, including English, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, German, and Latin Spanish. This extensive recognition highlights the meticulous attention to detail in the film’s international localization and the critical role of voice acting in bringing its characters to life for a global audience. In the broader categories, Demon Slayer also clinched the Best Score prize, acknowledging the immersive and emotionally resonant musical composition by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina, alongside its ultimate triumph as Film of the Year. The film’s commercial and critical success has cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon, pushing the boundaries of what anime films can achieve on the global stage.
Beyond the major winners, several other productions received significant recognition, showcasing the depth and diversity of contemporary anime. Season 2 of Toho Animation Studio/OLM’s critically acclaimed series The Apothecary Diaries collected four awards, including Best Drama, a testament to its compelling narrative and intricate character development. The series also secured Best Director for Akinori Fudesaka and Norihiro Naganuma, recognizing their masterful guidance, and Best Main Character for its dazzling protagonist, Maomao, whose intelligence and wit have captivated viewers. The success of The Apothecary Diaries highlights the increasing popularity of historical and mystery-driven anime, appealing to a sophisticated audience.
Bones Film, a studio known for its high-quality animation, also saw its adaptation of Kei Urana’s dystopian manga, Gachiakuta, receive three important prizes. This emerging series was recognized as Best New Series, indicating its strong potential and immediate impact on the anime landscape. Furthermore, Gachiakuta was awarded Best Background Art and Best Character Design, praising its unique visual aesthetic and memorable cast, elements crucial for establishing a new franchise. With a second season already in the works, Gachiakuta‘s early success at the Crunchyroll Awards positions it as a significant new entry in the anime world.
A-1 Pictures’ Solo Leveling, a major victor at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, continued its winning streak with two awards for its second season. The series, which garnered considerable attention last year, was recognized for Best Action, celebrating its dynamic fight sequences and thrilling narrative, and Best Animation, a testament to the studio’s technical prowess and visual artistry. Solo Leveling‘s continued success underscores the growing global appeal of webtoon adaptations and action-fantasy genres within the anime sphere.
The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also provided a snapshot of the anime industry’s health and its trajectory. The overwhelming voter turnout, significantly surpassing previous records, demonstrates an engaged and passionate global community whose participation is crucial to the awards’ legitimacy and impact. The presence of diverse celebrity presenters and attendees from various global entertainment sectors further validates anime’s position as a major force in popular culture, moving beyond niche status to become a truly global entertainment phenomenon. Crunchyroll, as a leading distributor and promoter of anime worldwide, plays a pivotal role in this expansion. By hosting these awards, the platform not only honors creators but also fosters a sense of community among fans, driving engagement and cultivating new audiences. The awards serve as a powerful marketing tool, bringing attention to both established hits and emerging titles, thereby contributing to the industry’s continued economic and cultural growth. The balance between long-running successful franchises like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer, and newer breakout hits such as Gachiakuta and The Apothecary Diaries, illustrates a dynamic industry capable of sustaining beloved narratives while consistently innovating and introducing fresh perspectives. The recognition of diverse voice artist performances across multiple languages also highlights the industry’s commitment to global accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that anime resonates with audiences in their native tongues. As anime continues its global ascent, events like the Crunchyroll Anime Awards will remain instrumental in celebrating its artistry, amplifying its reach, and shaping its future.
2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Winners: A Full List
The complete list of winners from the 10th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards highlights the breadth of talent and creativity celebrated at this year’s ceremony:
- 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” by AiNA THE END – DAN DA DAN (season 2)
- Best Ending Sequence – “I” by 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” by 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
