‘My Hero Academia,’ ‘Demon Slayer,’ ‘Lazarus’ Win Big At Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards celebrated its tenth edition this past weekend in Tokyo, where more than 73 million fan votes from around the world helped determine this year’s winners. The ceremony recognized many of the anime industry’s most popular productions and featured appearances from creators, musicians, actors, and international celebrities.

In the past, we’ve refrained from covering the awards because they are organized by one of anime’s largest global distributors, which raised concerns about conflicts of interest. Questions have also lingered around the voting process. Crunchyroll published judging guidelines in 2022, but several jury members have told us that the process has evolved over the years, while this year’s “Ultimate Guide” offers few specifics about how voting and jury input are weighed.

Even so, Crunchyroll has largely maintained a reputation for neutrality in its nominations and final selections, and no independent alternative has emerged with comparable reach or visibility. With that in mind, we’re revisiting our approach to covering the awards this year.

My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking Anime of the Year alongside several additional categories. After nearly a decade as one of anime’s defining mainstream franchises, the series’ top prize carried the feeling of both a farewell tribute and a long-awaited recognition.

Other major winners reflected the current state of blockbuster anime worldwide. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle continued its momentum on the feature side, Solo Leveling picked up major action and craft awards, and newer titles like Gachiakuta and Lazarus broke through with some of the ceremony’s most notable wins.

Below is the full list of winners from the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime 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
• 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 Romance: Blue Box
• Best Slice of Life: Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
• Best Isekai Anime: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
• Best Animation: Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
• Best Background Art: Gachiakuta
• Best Character Design: Gachiakuta
• Best Director: Sunghoo Park (Bullet/Bullet)
• Best Main Character: Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
• Best Supporting Character: Hawks (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
• “Must Protect At All Costs” Character: Anya Forger (SPY x FAMILY Season 3)
• Best Anime Song: “Ghost” by Eve (Jujutsu Kaisen Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie)
• Best Score: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
• Best Opening Sequence: “On The Way” by AiNA THE END (Dan Da Dan Season 2)
• Best Ending Sequence: “I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
• Global Impact Award: Attack on Titan
• Additional voice acting honors were also presented across multiple international language categories.