The biggest night for Japanese animation is almost here. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 is coming to Tokyo on May 23, and the full list of nominees is finally out. Fans around the world are now voting for their favorite shows, characters, and songs.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the awards ceremony. The competition is very tough. Heavy hitters like My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON and the movie Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc are fighting for the top prizes. They go up against recent fan favorites like DAN DA DAN Season 2 and the box office giant Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle.
Voting is Now Open Until April 15
Fans have the power to decide the winners. Voting for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 started on April 1, 2026, and will close on April 15, 2026. You can vote every day on the official Anime Awards website, Crunchyroll, and for the first time this year, on MyAnimeList.
The winners will be announced during a live ceremony in Tokyo on May 23, 2026. The event will take place at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa. Voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira will return as hosts.
Top Nominees for Anime of the Year and Film of the Year
The most important category, Anime of the Year, has six incredible shows competing for the trophy. Here are the nominees:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Gachiakuta
- My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- The Summer Hikaru Died
The competition for Film of the Year is also very exciting. It includes two major movies that did very well in theaters. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle are both nominated. Demon Slayer earned over $737 million at the worldwide box office.
Here is the full list for Film of the Year:
- 100 Meters
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage
- Scarlet
- The Rose of Versailles
Special Music Performances and Presenters
Since it is the 10th anniversary, the ceremony will have special musical tributes. Dean Fujioka will open the show by singing “History Maker” from Yuri!!! on ICE. That show was the very first winner of the Anime of the Year award.
Rock bands PORNOGRAFFITTI and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION will also perform. There will be a special tribute to Neon Genesis Evangelion for its 30th anniversary by Yoko Takahashi with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Many famous stars will present the awards. The list includes Rashmika Mandanna from India, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, Winston Duke, Asuka Saito, and cosplayer Enako.
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Complete List of Nominees by Category
Here is the full list of nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 across all categories.
Best Continuing Series
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
- My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- ONE PIECE
- Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
- SPY x FAMILY Season 3
Best New Series
- Clevatess
- Gachiakuta
- SAKAMOTO DAYS
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
- The Summer Hikaru Died
Best Action
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Gachiakuta
- Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
- My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- ONE PIECE
- Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
Best Main Character
- Izuku Midoriya – My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Momo – DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Okarun – DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Rudo – Gachiakuta
- Sung Jinwoo – Solo Leveling Season 2
Best Anime Song
- “In Bloom” – Lilas Ikuta (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- “IRIS OUT” – Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- “JANE DOE” – Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- “On The Way” – AiNA THE END (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
- “ReawakeR” feat. Felix of Stray Kids – LiSA (Solo Leveling Season 2)
- “Watch Me!” – YOASOBI (WITCH WATCH)
Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese)
- Aoi Yuki as Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki Tsujinaka (The Summer Hikaru Died)
- Daiki Yamashita as Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
- Kikunosuke Toya as Denji (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- Mayumi Tanaka as Monkey D. Luffy (ONE PIECE)
- Reina Ueda as Reze (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
Best Voice Artist Performance (English)
- Alexis Tipton as Reze (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- Emi Lo as Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- Justin Briner as Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
- Lucien Dodge as Akaza (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle)
Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi)
- Abhishek Sharma as Jinshi (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- Heena Malik as Reze (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- Merlyn James as Anya Forger (SPY x FAMILY Season 3)
- Rajesh Shukla as Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling Season 2)
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