The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards just wrapped up in Tokyo, and the results have set the anime community on fire. With a staggering 73 million votes cast from fans worldwide, this year’s ceremony at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa delivered unforgettable moments, shocking upsets, and one of the biggest snubs in anime award history.
Hosted by Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira, with a surprise presentation by The Weeknd, the 2026 Anime Awards celebrated a decade of honoring the medium’s greatest achievements. But this year was different. The results sparked debates that will rage for weeks.
My Hero Academia Finally Gets Its Crown — After 10 Long Years
Let’s start with the headliner: My Hero Academia Final Season took home Anime of the Year. For fans who have followed Izuku Midoriya’s journey since 2016, this felt like a coronation a decade in the making.
My Hero Academia had been nominated for this award multiple times over the years, always coming up short. But the Final Season changed everything. The emotional weight of watching a 10-year anime conclude on such a grand stage resonated deeply with voters, and the series delivered on both narrative payoff and cultural impact.
Taking home Anime of the Year wasn’t the only win for MHA. The series swept multiple categories, cementing its legacy as one of the defining anime of the 2020s. For a franchise that spent years being called “overrated” by anime purists, this was the ultimate vindication.
Takopi’s Original Sin — The Biggest Snub of 2026
Here’s where things get controversial. Takopi’s Original Sin (produced by Enishiya) was nominated in an incredible seven categories — including Anime of the Year, Best New Anime, and Best Drama — and walked away with absolutely zero wins.
Zero. Nothing. Nada.
For those unfamiliar, Takopi’s Original Sin is one of the most unique and emotionally devastating anime in recent memory. It tackles themes of innocence, trauma, and the loss of childhood optimism in ways that left critics and audiences speechless. Being nominated in seven categories proved that the industry recognized its brilliance — yet voters didn’t translate that recognition into a single trophy.
Fans are calling it the most egregious snub since the awards began. As one viral post put it: “Seven nominations, zero wins. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards gave Takopi the same treatment the show’s characters get from life.” Ouch.
Gachiakuta: The Best New Anime That Redefined Shonen
If there was one show that announced itself as the future of shonen anime in 2026, it was Gachiakuta. Animated by Bones Film, Gachiakuta took home Best New Anime — and it earned every bit of that recognition.
The series broke away from traditional shonen formulas with a bold narrative, a morally complex protagonist, and a level of gritty realism that resonates with modern audiences. The animation quality was exceptional from start to finish, with striking detail, powerful soundtracks, and a visual style that perfectly captured the series’ dark, graffiti-inspired aesthetic.
Gachiakuta didn’t just win Best New Anime — it proved that the shonen genre is evolving. The old formulas are fading, and audiences are hungry for something that challenges them rather than coddles them.
Dandadan Goes Back-to-Back With Nominations
Science Saru’s Dandadan earned an Anime of the Year nomination for the second consecutive year, which is an achievement that speaks volumes. Season 2 elevated everything that made the first season special — the thematic animation shifts, emotional storytelling, intense fights, and bizarre comedy all reached new heights.
The mid-season arc conclusion felt like an anime film in scope and impact, and across both seasons, Dandadan has yet to deliver a single weak episode. While it didn’t take the top prize this time, being nominated two years running proves that Dandadan has permanently altered what new-generation anime can achieve.
The Lazarus Factor — Why the Awards Feel “All Over the Place”
Perhaps the most talked-about surprise was Lazarus, which picked up wins in a ceremony that Gizmodo described as “all over the place.” For a show that flew under many viewers’ radars, Lazarus’s presence among the big winners raised eyebrows and sparked debates about what the awards are actually measuring — fan popularity, critical acclaim, or something else entirely.
Demon Slayer also had a strong showing, continuing its dominance in visual and animation categories, while The Apothecary Diaries secured wins that validated its growing fanbase and critical reputation.
What the 2026 Results Tell Us About Anime Right Now
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 painted a fascinating picture of where anime stands in 2026:
- Legacy matters: My Hero Academia’s win proves that long-running emotional investment still carries weight with fans.
- Innovation is recognized: Gachiakuta’s Best New Anime win signals that the industry rewards bold departures from formula.
- Emotional depth is undervalued by voters: Takopi’s zero wins despite seven nominations suggests a disconnect between critical recognition and popular voting.
- Consistency gets noticed: Dandadan’s back-to-back nominations show that sustained quality builds lasting recognition.
Final Thoughts: Was the Right Anime Crowned?
My Hero Academia deserved its moment. After a decade of world-building, character growth, and cultural impact, the Final Season earning Anime of the Year feels like a fitting tribute. But the awards also highlighted uncomfortable truths — about which types of stories get celebrated, which get overlooked, and how the gap between critical darlings and crowd favorites keeps widening.
The debate over Takopi’s Original Sin going home empty-handed will fuel arguments for months. And that’s exactly what great award shows should do — they should make us think, argue, and care more deeply about the art form we love.
What do you think? Did My Hero Academia deserve Anime of the Year, or was Takopi’s Original Sin robbed? Drop your hot takes in the comments — we know you have opinions.
