The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 was more than an awards show. This year, the event celebrated 10 years of honoring the best anime from around the world. Because of that, the ceremony felt bigger, emotional, and more global than ever before.
Held in Tokyo, Japan, the anniversary edition brought together anime creators, voice actors, musicians, and millions of fans watching online. In addition, the event highlighted how anime has grown from a niche interest into a worldwide entertainment force.
A Decade of Anime History
The Anime Awards first launched in 2017. At the time, the event mainly focused on online fan voting. However, over the years, it transformed into one of anime’s biggest global celebrations.
Now, the ceremony includes live performances, celebrity guests, international livestreams, and millions of fan votes. This year alone, more than 73 million votes were submitted worldwide.
As a result, the 2026 edition became a celebration not only of anime itself, but also of the fans who helped the industry grow during the past decade.
My Hero Academia Takes Anime of the Year
One of the biggest moments of the night came when My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON won Anime of the Year. The long-running series closed its story in emotional fashion, so many fans felt the victory was deserved.
Meanwhile, other nominees included:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- The Summer Hikaru Died
- Gachiakuta
Although the competition was strong, the final season of My Hero Academia stood out because of its emotional storytelling and massive fan support.
Major Winners Across Different Categories
This year’s Anime Awards also recognized achievements beyond the main categories. For example, Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- won Best Animation thanks to its fast-paced action scenes and visual quality.
At the same time, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle earned Film of the Year and Best Anime Score. The movie continued the franchise’s incredible success worldwide.
Another standout was Gachiakuta, which won:
- Best New Series
- Best Character Design
- Best Background Art
Because of these wins, many fans now consider the anime one of the breakout hits of the year.
Characters, Music, and Voice Acting Shine
Several fan-favorite characters also received recognition during the ceremony. Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries won Best Main Character, while Katsuki Bakugo earned Best Supporting Character.
In addition, Anya Forger from SPY x FAMILY Season 3 won the “Must Protect At All Costs” category once again. Fans online celebrated the result almost immediately after it was announced.
Music also played an important role during the night. “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu won Best Anime Song, showing how anime music continues reaching global audiences.
Furthermore, voice actors from Japanese, English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Portuguese performances were recognized during the awards.
Why the 2026 Awards Felt Different
The 10th anniversary gave this year’s event a special atmosphere. Instead of focusing only on winners, the ceremony also reflected on how much anime culture has changed during the last decade.
Streaming services made anime easier to access globally. Meanwhile, social media helped series go viral faster than ever before. Because of that, anime now influences music, fashion, gaming, and entertainment worldwide.
The Anime Awards 2026 captured all of that growth in one night.
Final Thoughts
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 celebrated the past, present, and future of anime. From emotional wins to major surprises, the anniversary event reminded fans why anime continues connecting people across the world.
After 10 years of the Anime Awards, one thing is clear: anime has never been bigger.
