Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026: Winners, Record 73M Votes, and 10th‑Anniversary Tribute Performances

Other major winners across key categories included:

• Anime of the Year: My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
• Film of the Year: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Castle Chapter 1 – Akaza’s Return
• Best Continuing Series: ONE PIECE
• Best New Series: Gachiakuta
• Best Animation: Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow

While My Hero Academia took the night’s top honor, Demon Slayer emerged as the most-awarded title, earning multiple trophies including Film of the Year and Best Score.

Industry observers also highlighted The Apothecary Diaries among the ceremony’s notable winners in several categories.

Record 73 Million Fan Votes

Fan participation reached a new high for the awards’ 10th anniversary.

Crunchyroll reported 73 million votes from fans around the world, significantly surpassing previous years and reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the largest fan‑voted anime awards globally.

Voting took place through the official Anime Awards website and partner platforms such as MyAnimeList before the final results were announced during the Tokyo ceremony.

Hosts and Celebrity Presenters

The show was hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira, who returned as co‑hosts for another year.

A wide lineup of international entertainers and creators presented awards, including:

• The Weeknd, who presented the Anime of the Year award
• Winston Duke
• Rashmika Mandanna
• RZA (founding member of Wu‑Tang Clan)
• Nanase Nishino
• Nyvi Estephan
• Enako
• Kasumi Arimura, Asuka Saitō, Snitchery, and others

The mix of actors, musicians, influencers, and anime industry figures reflected the event’s growing global cultural reach.

Musical Tributes Celebrating Anime Milestones

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Anime Awards, the ceremony featured several live performances paying tribute to influential anime series.

Highlights included:

• Dean Fujioka opened the ceremony with “History Maker” from Yuri!!! on Ice, the very first Crunchyroll Anime Awards Anime of the Year winner.
• Rock band Porno Graffitti performed a tribute celebrating the 10th anniversary and conclusion of My Hero Academia.
• Asian Kung‑Fu Generation performed “Haruka Kanata,” the classic opening theme from Naruto.
• Singer Yoko Takahashi performed “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” marking the 30th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The performances were accompanied by orchestral arrangements, including segments performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, further emphasizing the event’s celebration of anime’s musical legacy.

A Decade of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards

First launched in 2017, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards have grown into one of the most visible global events celebrating anime creators, studios, and fans. The 10th ceremony emphasized both the industry’s current hits and the cultural impact of classic series over the past several decades.

With record fan participation, major franchise wins, and performances honoring anime history, the 2026 ceremony highlighted how anime continues expanding its global audience while celebrating the stories and creators that shaped the medium.