The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards just wrapped in Tokyo, and if you thought one anime would dominate the evening, think again. In what might be the most jaw-dropping split of the decade, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle took home Film of the Year — while My Hero Academia Final Season snatched Anime of the Year right from under its nose.
Here’s the thing that nobody’s talking about: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle didn’t just win Film of the Year. It walked away with six additional awards, including Best Score and Best Voice Artist Performance, essentially turning the ceremony into a Demon Slayer victory lap. But why did the biggest prize of the night — Anime of the Year — go somewhere else? That’s where things get spicy.
The Infinity Castle Phenomenon
Let’s talk numbers, because they’re absolutely insane. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle opened with a record-shattering $70 million in its first weekend, becoming the highest-grossing anime film opening of all time. It went on to rake in over $800 million worldwide, selling more than 23 million tickets in Japan alone. This isn’t just a successful anime movie — it’s a cultural tsunami that reshaped what people thought was possible for animated films at the box office.
And the quality matches the numbers. The film earned a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Ufotable’s breathtaking animation and the emotional weight of the Infinity Castle arc’s climax. Composer duo Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina delivered a score so powerful it won Best Anime Score without serious competition. Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Toledano took Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) for his chilling portrayal of Akaza — the Upper Rank demon whose fight with Tanjiro remains one of the most talked-about sequences in anime history.
A Night of Legends in Tokyo
This was Crunchyroll’s 10th anniversary, and they pulled out all the stops. Hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira for the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony featured presenters that looked more like a Coachella lineup than an anime awards show. The Weeknd, Young Miko, BamBam from GOT7, Winston Duke, Dean Fujioka, and Rashmika Mandanna all took the stage to hand out prizes.
The emotional peak? A once-in-a-lifetime classical medley of every previous Anime of the Year winner, performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and arranged by Kazunori Miyake, conducted by Hirofumi Kurita. Ten years of anime history distilled into one unforgettable performance.
My Hero Academia Steals the Crown
Here’s the plot twist. Despite Demon Slayer sweeping almost every category it was nominated in, My Hero Academia Final Season took home the big one: Anime of the Year. The final season of Kohei Horikoshi’s beloved superhero saga beat out fierce competition including Dan Da Dan season 2, Gachiakuta, Takopi’s Original Sin, The Apothecary Diaries season 2, and The Summer Hikaru Died.
Why does this matter? Because it signals something huge about the anime landscape in 2026. While Demon Slayer proved that anime films can compete with Hollywood blockbusters on the global stage, My Hero Academia reminded everyone that a television series — one that’s been running for nearly a decade — can still deliver a finale that resonates more deeply with audiences than any single movie.
The Complete Winners That Deserve Your Attention
Beyond the headliners, the 2026 awards showcased some incredible diversity in anime:
Lazarus won Best Original Anime, proving that fresh IPs can still break through in an industry dominated by adaptations. One Piece took Best Continuing Series, extending its legendary run. And newcomers like Gachiakuta and Takopi’s Original Sin proved that the next generation of anime is already here.
The Best Opening Sequence category alone was stacked — featuring Yoasobi‘s “Watch Me!” from Witch Watch, Creepy Nuts‘ “Mirage” from Call of the Night season 2, and Lisa featuring Felix of Stray Kids on “ReawakeR” from Solo Leveling season 2.
What Do You Think?
So here’s the real question: should Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle have taken Anime of the Year too, or was My Hero Academia Final Season the right choice? And with anime films now pulling $800 million at the box office, are we watching the moment anime officially became the biggest entertainment force on the planet?
Drop your take in the comments — and tell us which 2026 anime winner surprised you the most. We’ll be covering all the biggest anime stories, so make sure you’re following along.
