Anime Awards 2026: Winners, Nominees, Categories, and Highlights

The Anime Awards 2026 brought together some of the biggest anime series, movies, creators, voice actors, and artists from around the world. The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards ceremony took place in Tokyo on May 23, 2026, celebrating anime released during 2025.

With popular titles such as My Hero Academia, Dandadan, The Apothecary Diaries, Gachiakuta, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man receiving major attention, the 2026 ceremony highlighted the wide variety of anime that connected with audiences during the previous year.

What Are the Anime Awards 2026?

The Anime Awards 2026 were the 10th edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The event recognizes achievements across anime, including television series, films, animation, music, directing, character design, and voice performances.

The 2026 ceremony featured 32 categories and recognized anime released from January through December 2025. It was held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan.

The awards also marked an important anniversary for the event, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate both current anime productions and the wider history of the medium.

Anime of the Year at the Anime Awards 2026

My Hero Academia: Final Season received the Anime of the Year award at the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The recognition came as the long-running superhero anime reached its concluding season.

The Anime of the Year nominees included Dandadan, The Apothecary Diaries, Gachiakuta, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Takopi’s Original Sin, alongside My Hero Academia: Final Season. The nominations demonstrated the variety of storytelling styles represented at the ceremony.

Major Anime Awards 2026 Winners

Several major anime productions received awards across different categories. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle was recognized as Film of the Year, while One Piece received the award for Best Continuing Series. Gachiakuta was recognized as Best New Series.

Other notable results included Dandadan receiving recognition in comedy, while The Apothecary Diaries earned awards connected with drama, directing, and voice performance. Solo Leveling was also recognized in categories including action and animation.

These results show how the Anime Awards cover different aspects of production rather than focusing only on overall popularity.

Most Nominated Anime in 2026

Several series stood out because they received a large number of nominations. Dandadan led the nominations with 20, followed by The Apothecary Diaries with 17, Gachiakuta with 16, and My Hero Academia with 15. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc received 13 nominations, while Solo Leveling received 10.

The strong number of nominations for these titles reflected their presence across multiple categories, including animation, characters, direction, music, action, and performances.

Important Categories at the Anime Awards

The Anime Awards 2026 included categories covering many different parts of anime production. Major categories included Anime of the Year, Film of the Year, Best Continuing Series, Best New Series, Best Animation, Best Director, Best Character Design, Best Comedy, Best Drama, Best Action, and Best Romance.

Voice acting was also an important part of the ceremony. Performers from different language versions were recognized, reflecting the international audience that watches anime through localized dubs.

Music categories provided another major part of the event, recognizing opening sequences, ending sequences, and anime songs that became popular among fans.

Why Anime Awards 2026 Matters to Fans

Anime awards give viewers an opportunity to discover series they may not have watched yet. A nomination can introduce audiences to a production because fans often search for nominated shows, characters, directors, and performers after the ceremony.

The 2026 awards were particularly notable because they represented the 10th anniversary of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The ceremony included performances connected with anime history, including Yoko Takahashi performing “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” for the 30th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The event therefore combined recognition of newer anime with moments celebrating influential works from previous generations.

Anime Awards 2026 and Global Anime Fans

Anime has developed into a global entertainment industry, and the Anime Awards reflect that international reach. Viewers outside Japan participate in voting and follow categories involving Japanese productions as well as international voice performances.

The 2026 ceremony also included international presenters and performers, demonstrating how anime culture has expanded beyond Japan. The event’s Tokyo setting further connected the awards with the industry and culture from which modern anime developed.

How Fans Can Follow Future Anime Awards

Fans interested in future Anime Awards can follow official Crunchyroll announcements for nomination dates, voting periods, categories, and ceremony information. Voting typically gives viewers an opportunity to support nominated titles and performers during the awards season.

Watching nominated anime before voting can also help fans understand the different categories. Some awards focus on an entire production, while others recognize specific creative elements such as animation, character design, music, direction, or voice acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Anime Awards 2026?

The Anime Awards 2026 were the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, recognizing anime released during 2025 across 32 categories.

2. When were the Anime Awards 2026 held?

The 2026 ceremony took place on May 23, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.

3. Which anime won Anime of the Year in 2026?

My Hero Academia: Final Season won Anime of the Year at the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

4. Which movie won Film of the Year?

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle received the Film of the Year award.

5. Which anime received the most nominations?

Dandadan led the 2026 nominations with 20 nominations.

6. How many categories were included?

The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards featured 32 categories.

7. Why are the Anime Awards important?

The awards highlight different aspects of anime production, from storytelling and animation to music, directing, character design, and voice acting. They also give international fans a way to celebrate their favorite anime.

Conclusion

The Anime Awards 2026 showcased the diversity and international popularity of modern anime. From My Hero Academia: Final Season receiving Anime of the Year to major recognition for Demon Slayer, Dandadan, The Apothecary Diaries, Gachiakuta, and other productions, the ceremony covered a broad range of anime achievements.