In a clear testament to the growing global appeal of anime, the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards highlighted significant milestones within the community and the market at large. The awards ceremony, held on Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan, showcased both the strides made in creative production and the enthusiastic engagement from fans, evidenced by a staggering 73 million votes cast this year.
The final season of My Hero Academia claimed the prestigious Anime of the Year award, while the globally acclaimed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle secured the Film of the Year title. This dual recognition reflects the shifting dynamics within the anime market, where established series continue to thrive alongside flourishing new properties.
Organizers noted that this year’s vote tally surpassed the previous record of 51 million votes from 2025, underscoring the exponential growth trajectory of anime as a cultural phenomenon. The results not only illustrate heightened interest among audiences but also signal promising prospects for collectors and retailers, as popular titles generate increased demand for merchandise and collectibles.
Adding to the event’s cultural resonance, global superstar The Weeknd presented the award for Anime of the Year. This crossover between mainstream music and anime further highlights the cultural significance of the medium, which continues to attract diverse fanbases across various entertainment sectors. In total, My Hero Academia’s final season garnered four awards, emphasizing its impact in storytelling and character development.
The evening also featured a diverse array of celebrities on the distinctive orange carpet, including members from the Wu-Tang Clan, actor Winston Duke, K-pop icons, and renowned Japanese and Indian actresses. The presence of such notable figures illustrates anime’s far-reaching influence beyond its traditional confines.
While Demon Slayer scored a total of seven awards, including Film of the Year and Best Score, it also demonstrated exceptional versatility by winning multiple categories in voice performance across various languages. This diversification in talents highlights a growing appreciation for localization, which plays a crucial role in expanding a series’ marketability and appeal to global audiences.
Other noteworthy winners include The Apothecary Diaries, taking home four awards including Best Drama and Best Director, which could signal a more significant push for less mainstream series in the collector space. Gachiakuta, adapted from a dystopian manga, received accolades for Best New Series, pointing to a healthy appetite for fresh narratives in the marketplace.
A-1 Pictures’ Solo Leveling, which previously swept awards in 2025, continued its momentum with wins in Best Action and Best Animation, further establishing a compelling case for high-quality production values within the industry.
The complete winners’ list exemplifies the current landscape, where both new and established titles can coexist, creating varied opportunities for collectors and retailers to engage with the anime community.
2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Winners
- 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
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/crunchyroll-anime-awards-2026-full-winners-list-1236605415/.