Anime’s Biggest Night Just Happened — And the Results Are Wild
The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards just wrapped up in Tokyo, and 73 million anime fans around the world made their voices heard in what might be the most controversial awards night in anime history. From shocking upsets to emotional victories, here’s everything you need to know about who won big — and who got completely snubbed.
If you thought the race for Anime of the Year was predictable, think again. The Weeknd himself took the stage to present the biggest award of the night, and the winner was a show that has carried an entire generation of anime fans on its shoulders for over a decade.
Anime of the Year: My Hero Academia Final Season Takes the Crown
In what might be the most fitting victory in Crunchyroll Anime Awards history, My Hero Academia’s Final Season claimed the top prize — Anime of the Year. The competition was absolutely stacked this year, with nominees including Dan Da Dan Season 2, Gachiakuta, Takopi’s Original Sin, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, and The Summer Hikaru Died. But it was Deku’s final bow that resonated most with fans worldwide.
This marks the culmination of a journey that started over ten years ago, and fans flooding social media with emotional reactions about how My Hero Academia shaped their relationship with anime. The series finale has been described as “the end of an era” across every major anime community.
Film of the Year: Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Keeps Winning Everything
If there’s one thing the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 confirmed, it’s that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle remains untouchable. The film took home Film of the Year alongside a total of six awards — making it the most decorated entry of the entire night. The competition included heavy hitters like Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, 100 Meters, Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 2 — The Ashes of Rage, Scarlet, and The Rose of Versailles.
Demon Slayer also won Best Score, cementing its reputation as one of the most musically stunning anime productions ever made. Ufotable’s animation quality in the Infinity Castle arc has set a new standard that other studios will be chasing for years.
The Biggest Upsets of the Night
Not every result went the way fans expected. Here are the most surprising outcomes:
- Best Original Anime went to Lazarus — a show that barely anyone had on their radar before awards season. It beat out Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX and Zenshu in what might be the biggest upset of the night. If you haven’t watched Lazarus yet, fans are saying it’s a hidden masterpiece.
- Best New Series was claimed by Gachiakuta, beating Sakamoto Days and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity. Gachiakuta’s unique world-building and brutal aesthetic clearly won over voters.
- Best Romance went to The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, a quiet victory for one of the most wholesome anime of the year over fan-favorites like Dan Da Dan Season 2 and My Dress-Up Darling Season 2.
Complete Winners List — Every Major Category
Best Continuing Series
One Piece took this category, proving that even after 25+ years, the Straw Hat crew refuses to slow down. Fellow nominees included Dan Da Dan Season 2, Kaiju No. 8, My Hero Academia Final Season, Solo Leveling Season 2, and Spy x Family Season 3.
Best Animation & Best Action
Solo Leveling Season 2 dominated both categories — and it’s not hard to see why. The series has consistently delivered some of the most breathtaking fight choreography in modern anime. A-1 Pictures has elevated the franchise to another level, and fans are calling Season 2 a massive improvement over an already impressive first season.
Best Comedy
Dan Da Dan Season 2 won Best Comedy, and honestly, this might be the most universally agreeable result of the entire ceremony. The show’s chaotic humor and genre-blending madness made it a standout hit that had fans laughing out loud every episode.
Best Drama
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 continued its winning streak by taking Best Drama. Maomao’s brilliant detective work in the imperial court remains one of anime’s most compelling narratives, and season two only raised the stakes.
Best Isekai
ReZero: Starting Life in Another World Season 3 claimed the Best Isekai crown, proving that Subaru’s suffering is still the gold standard of the genre. Konosuba and Zenshu were among the nominees but couldn’t dethrone the psychological trauma king.
Best Slice of Life
Spy x Family Season 3 won Best Slice of Life, because of course it did. Anya continues to be the most wholesome character in anime, and the Forger family’s everyday chaos is exactly what slice-of-life fans crave.
Best Voice Acting Performances
The voice acting categories delivered their own surprises:
- Best Japanese VA: Aoi Yuki (The Apothecary Diaries) — her portrayal of Maomao has been universally praised as career-defining.
- Best English VA: Lucien Dodge (Demon Slayer) — his work in the Infinity Castle film was described as “emotionally devastating” by fans and critics alike.
Why These Results Matter for Anime in 2026
The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards painted a clear picture of where anime is heading. Long-running legacy series like My Hero Academia and One Piece are delivering their most acclaimed seasons ever as they approach their conclusions. Meanwhile, new properties like Gachiakuta and Lazarus are proving that fresh ideas can still break through in an increasingly crowded market.
The fact that 73 million fans voted — a number that keeps growing year after year — shows that anime’s global reach is expanding faster than ever. The presence of The Weeknd as a presenter also signals how mainstream anime has become in Western pop culture.
What’s Next for Summer 2026
With the awards now behind us, all eyes are on the Summer 2026 anime season. Several of tonight’s winners have new content coming, and the MAPPA 15th Anniversary Event on June 19 could bring even more massive announcements. The Chainsaw Man Season 2 Assassins Arc is also on the horizon, fresh off its Reze Arc film recognition.
One thing is certain: after a year this stacked, anime fans have no reason to slow down. The summer season is shaping up to be just as explosive.
Which anime do you think deserved more recognition? And are you surprised by any of tonight’s results? Drop your hot takes in the comments — the debate is just getting started.
