“My Hero Academia”, “Demon Slayer” and “Gachiakuta” Win Big at Anime Awards 2026

The Anime Awards 2026 recognized a bunch of enjoyable anime content across genres, with My Hero Academia, Gachiakuta, Demon Slayer, and more winning big! Let’s talk about it.

The 10th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards took place at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo on Saturday, May 23, 2026. It was hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira. The global awards show also had singer The Weeknd present the Anime of the Year award to My Hero Academia Final Season.

The rest of the celebrity presenters included actor Asuka Saito, K-pop artist BamBam, cosplayer Enako, actor Kasumi Arimura, comedic duo Mitorizu, actor Nanase Nishino, leading Brazilian esports and gaming host Nyvi Estephan, pan-India star Rashmika Mandanna, founding architect of Wu-Tang Clan RZA, K-pop singer and dancer TEN, actor Winston Duke, and recording artist Young Miko.

As for the pre-show, which was broadcast live from the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, it was co-hosted by Crunchyroll hosts Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu alongside YouTube creator Gigguk.

Being the 10th Anniversary, viewers are treated to a visual journey honoring nearly a decade of Anime of the Year winners, underlined by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra (arranged by Kazunori Miyake and conducted by Hirofumi Kurita). Coming to the 2017 winner, Dean Fujioka performed “History Maker” from fan-favorite Yuri!!! on Ice, which was the very first Crunchyroll Anime Awards’ Anime of the Year recipient.

Visionary director Tatsuya Nagamine was honored with the Global Impact Award.

This year, a record 73 million votes were cast by fans worldwide, with the top-most engaged countries being Brazil, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United States.

A List of Some of the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Winners (with some of my opinions)

• Anime of the Year – My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
  • I’m okay with that! It helps MHA go out on a high.
• Film of the Year – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
  • I mean, yeah! Not only did Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle please fans, it also expanded its audience and did very well at the worldwide box office.
• Best Original Anime – Lazarus
  • How? I reviewed the first season of Lazarus, but the narrative really went off the rails after a couple of episodes.
• Best Continuing Series – ONE PIECE
• Best New Series – Gachiakuta
• 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 Action – Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
• Best Comedy – DAN DA DAN Season 2
  • Not my kind of comedy, but I can’t deny this anime has a lot of fans.
• 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
  • Of course! People love Spy x Family. Also, that’s the type of comedy I can get into.
• Best Animation – Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
• Best Background Art – Gachiakuta
• Best Character Design – Gachiakuta
  • I haven’t gotten myself into watching this anime, but I do like the character designs.
• Best Director – Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma — The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
• Best Main Character – Maomao — The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
• Best Supporting Character – Katsuki Bakugo — My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
• “Must Protect At All Cost” Character – Anya Forger — SPY x FAMILY Season 3
• Best Anime Song – IRIS OUT — Kenshi Yonezu — Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
• Best Score – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle — Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
• Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) – Aoi Yuki — Maomao — The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
• Best Voice Artist Performance (English) – Lucien Dodge — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

You can get more information about the award ceremony, as well as learn about the other winners, by visiting the official Crunchyroll Anime Awards website.

Did you watch the Anime Awards this year? What did you think of the winners?

Let us know.

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(via Press Release)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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