‘Primal,’ ‘Eyes Of Wakanda,’ ‘The Mighty Nein,’ ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Artists Score 2026 Juried Emmy Awards

The Television Academy has announced this year’s juried Emmy winners for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, with five artists recognized for work spanning character design, storyboarding, art direction, and background design.

Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal led the field with two awards. David Krentz was honored for storyboarding the episode “Kingdom of Sorrow,” while Scott Wills won for his art direction on “Vengeance of Death.” The remaining awards went to Eyes of Wakanda character designer Uzoma Dunkwu, The Mighty Nein background designer Howard Chen, and Star Wars: Visions character designer Takashi Okazaki.

Unlike competitive Emmy categories, juried categories do not have a conventional slate of nominees. Entries are evaluated by a panel of professionals from the relevant peer group, which can award Emmys to one, multiple, or no entrants.

This year’s animation honors will be presented September 6 during the second night of the 78th Emmy Awards. The two Creative Arts ceremonies will be combined into an edited broadcast airing September 12 on FXX.

Animation Juried Emmy Winners

• Eyes of Wakanda, “Into the Lion’s Den,” Disney+ • Marvel Animation – Uzoma Dunkwu, Character Design
• Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, “Kingdom of Sorrow,” Adult Swim, Cartoon Network Studios – David Krentz, Storyboard
• Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, “Vengeance of Death,” Adult Swim, Cartoon Network Studios – Scott Wills, Art Direction
• The Mighty Nein, “Mote of Possibility,” Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, Titmouse Studios, Critical Role Productions – Howard Chen, Background Design
• Star Wars: Visions, “The Duel: Payback,” Disney+, Kamikaze Douga, + ANIMA, Lucasfilm Ltd. – Takashi Okazaki, Character Designer