The Harvey Awards 2026 have officially announced their nominees, and four major anime franchises are getting recognition. Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer, One Piece, and My Hero Academia have all received nominations in the Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel category. The nominations were revealed on July 7, 2026, with voting now open for industry professionals.
The Harvey Awards are among the most respected honors in the comic book and graphic novel industry. Named after legendary writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman, the awards have been celebrating outstanding achievements in sequential art since 1988. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the awards, making the recognition even more significant for the nominees.
The Best Adaptation Category Features Top Anime Franchises
The Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel category recognizes comic books’ ongoing influence on television, film, streaming, and interactive entertainment. The category includes a mix of superhero shows, anime adaptations, and video games. The anime nominations include Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, and My Hero Academia — Final Season. One Piece — Season 2 also received a nomination in this category.
These four franchises represent some of the biggest names in modern anime. Chainsaw Man continues to build on its massive popularity following the success of its first season and the recent movie release. Demon Slayer remains a global phenomenon, with its Infinity Castle arc drawing huge audiences worldwide. One Piece continues its legendary run with the live-action series earning critical praise. My Hero Academia is closing out its story with its final season, making this nomination a meaningful recognition for the series.
Other Nominees in the Best Adaptation Category
The Best Adaptation category includes several other notable productions. The Boys — Season 5 received a nomination, continuing the show’s streak of Harvey Awards recognition. Invincible — Season 4 also earned a spot on the list. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a video game adaptation, represents the interactive entertainment side of the category. Peacemaker — Season 2 and Spider-Noir round out the television nominations.
This diverse lineup shows how comics have expanded beyond the page. The Harvey Awards committee noted that these adaptations demonstrate how thoroughly comics have become embedded in worldwide popular culture.
Voting and Ceremony Details
Voting for the Harvey Awards 2026 is open to eligible comics-industry professionals. The voting period runs from July 7, 2026 through August 28, 2026. Industry professionals who hold Professional or Artist Alley badges from ReedPop comic conventions between 2016 and 2026 are eligible to vote. Selected professionals have already received personalized voting links by email. Other eligible professionals can apply through the Harvey Awards’ official website.
The winners will be announced during the Harvey Awards ceremony on October 9, 2026, at the Javits Center during New York Comic Con. The live event will be hosted by Brad and Lisa Gullickson of the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast. Additional announcements regarding this year’s Harvey Awards Hall of Fame class are expected to follow.
The Importance of Harvey Awards Recognition
The Harvey Awards hold a special place in the comics industry. Unlike other awards, the Harvey Awards are nominated and selected by comic book professionals themselves. This peer recognition makes the nominations particularly meaningful for creators and studios.
The Best Manga category, introduced in 2018, has previously recognized several major series. My Hero Academia won the award in 2019. Chainsaw Man won the Harvey Award for Best Manga consecutively from 2021 to 2023. Witch Hat Atelier won the award in 2025.
Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair, spoke about the significance of the awards:
“My father believed early on that comics deserved to be taken seriously as art—art that could change how people see the world. Every one of these nominees carries that forward. They’re books that entertain you, challenge you, surprise you, and stick with you long after the last page.”
What the Nominations Mean for These Franchises
For Chainsaw Man, the nomination for the Reze Arc movie comes after the series already earned multiple Harvey Awards for its manga. The movie adaptation brought the story to the big screen with Crunchyroll and Sony handling distribution. The recognition shows that the franchise continues to impress both critics and industry professionals.
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle represents the latest chapter in one of anime’s biggest success stories. The film continues the story of Tanjiro and his friends as they face new challenges. The nomination places the series alongside other major adaptations in a competitive category.
One Piece — Season 2 earned its nomination for the live-action Netflix series. The first season received widespread praise for bringing Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga to life in a new format. The nomination recognizes the show’s success in adapting one of the most popular manga series of all time.
My Hero Academia — Final Season closes out the story of Deku and his classmates at U.A. High School. The series has been a consistent presence in awards discussions throughout its run. This nomination serves as recognition for the show’s impact on the anime landscape.
The Harvey Awards ceremony will take place on October 9, 2026, at the Javits Center in New York City. Fans and industry professionals alike will be watching to see which of these outstanding adaptations takes home the award.
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