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The 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards just wrapped in Tokyo on Saturday, May 23, 2026, and the results have anime fans absolutely losing it. With over 73 million fan votes tallied, the ceremony delivered major surprises, emotional tributes, and a few results that nobody saw coming. If you missed the show, here is the complete winners breakdown and everything you need to know about the biggest night in anime.
The Night’s Biggest Winner: My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON Takes Anime of the Year
In a result that will spark debates for weeks, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON claimed the top prize of Anime of the Year — and walked away with 3 total wins on the night. Presented by The Weeknd himself, the award capped off a decade-long journey for the series that defined a generation of shonen fans.
The victory came with an incredible live performance from Porno Graffitti, who played iconic MHA openings “The Day” and “The Revo” on stage. It was the kind of moment that reminded everyone why this series mattered so much to so many people. The Final Season also picked up wins for Best Ending Sequence (“I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN) and Best Supporting Character (Katsuki Bakugo), cementing its farewell tour as one of the most decorated runs in anime awards history.
Film of the Year: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Dominates
Predictably but deservedly, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle stormed away with Film of the Year. The movie was an absolute box office juggernaut and the awards simply confirmed what audiences already knew. It also took home Best Score, with legendary composers Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina recognized for their breathtaking work. Lucien Dodge won Best English Voice Artist Performance for his portrayal of Akaza in the film — a role that showcased some of the year’s most intense voice acting.
Gachiakuta: The Rookie That Stole the Show
If there was one breakout star of the 2026 Anime Awards, it was Gachiakuta. The newcomer swept in and claimed Best New Series, while also winning Best Background Art, Best Character Design, and Best Opening Sequence (“HUGs” by Paledusk). For a first-season anime to grab this many wins is genuinely remarkable, and it signals that Gachiakuta is going to be a force to reckon with for years to come.
DAN DA DAN Season 2: The Nominated Juggernaut
DAN DA DAN Season 2 led all shows with 17 nominations — going toe-to-toe with The Apothecary Diaries Season 2’s 13 nods. While it didn’t win the big one, Dandadan secured Best Comedy and Best Opening Sequence (“On The Way” by AiNA THE END), proving that Science SARU’s chaotic, genre-bending adaptation continues to deliver exactly what fans want.
The Big Surprises That Have Fans Debating
Not every result went as expected. Here are the categories that triggered the most discussion:
- Best Continuing Series went to ONE PIECE — Over Dandadan and My Hero Academia. The Elbaph Arc clearly resonated with voters, and this win validates that Oda’s legendary series is still going strong in its most ambitious saga yet.
- Best Original Anime went to Lazarus — Beating out heavy hitters like Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX and ZENSHU. This MAPPA-produced original series proving that fresh stories can still compete with established franchises.
- Solo Leveling Season 2 took Best Action AND Best Animation — A double win that confirms the series’ production quality remains top-tier. The “Arise from the Shadow” season clearly delivered jaw-dropping fight sequences.
Complete Winners List: All 32 Categories
Major Awards
- 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
Genre & Category Awards
- 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
Music & Production
- 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 Anime Song: “IRIS OUT” — Kenshi Yonezu — Chainsaw Man: The Movie Reze Arc
- Best Score: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle — Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
- Best Director: Akinori Fudesaka & Norihiro Naganuma — The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Character & Performance Awards
- Best Main Character: Maomao — The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Aoi Yuki)
- Best Supporting Character: Katsuki Bakugo — My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
- “Must Protect At All Cost”: Anya Forger — SPY x FAMILY Season 3
- Best Animation: Solo Leveling Season 2
- Best Background Art: Gachiakuta
- Best Character Design: Gachiakuta
Best Voice Artist — Japanese
- Winner: Aoi Yuki as Maomao — The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Best Voice Artist — English
- Winner: Lucien Dodge as Akaza — Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
An Emotional Night: The Global Impact Award
The ceremony’s most moving moment came when hosts Jon Kabira and Sally Amaki presented the Global Impact Award posthumously to Tatsuya Nagamine, the beloved director of Dragon Ball Super, HeartCatch PreCure!, and One Piece who passed away in August 2025. It was a powerful tribute to someone who shaped the anime industry and touched millions of lives.
Celebrity presenters including Winston Duke (Black Panther), RZA, Young Miko, BamBam, Rashmika Mandanna, Ten, and Ethan Bortnick added star power to a night that proved anime has truly gone mainstream. Sony Group Corporation President Hiroki Totoki opened the show by declaring: “Anime has brought so many people together and will continue to do so.”
The Opening Ceremony Was Pure Magic
The show kicked off with a spectacular Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra medley featuring the winning opening sequences from the past 10 years of anime awards, building up to Dean Fujioka performing “History Maker” from Yuri on Ice live on stage. Yoko Takahashi delivered a stunning 30th anniversary tribute performance of “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” from Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Asian Kung-Fu Generation celebrated 30 years as a band by performing “Haruka Kanata” from Naruto.
What These Results Tell Us About Anime in 2026
If the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards proved anything, it is that anime has never been more diverse or globally beloved. From My Hero Academia’s triumphant farewell to Gachiakuta’s explosive debut, from One Piece’s continuing dominance to the rise of original anime like Lazarus, the medium is thriving in every direction.
Horror anime like Takopi’s Original Sin and The Summer Hikaru Died earned serious recognition with 7 nominations each, proving the genre is no longer niche. Romance and slice-of-life titles held their own against action heavyweights. And with 73 million votes cast, the fan engagement speaks for itself.
What did you think of this year’s results? Did your favorite anime get the recognition it deserved? Drop your thoughts — and your biggest disagreements — in the comments below!
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