Full Breakdown
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026: My Hero Academia Wins Anime of the Year
5/25/2026, 2:41:27 AM
Award Ceremony Highlights
The 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards were held on May 23, 2026 at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo. Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira hosted for the fourth year. The Weeknd presented Anime of the Year to My Hero Academia Final Season. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle won Film of the Year and Best Score; Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina earned the score award for the film. Performances featured the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Dean Fujioka, Yoko Takahashi, Pornograffitti and Asian Kung-Fu Generation.
Background & Context
Crunchyroll launched the Anime Awards in 2017 in California and moved the ceremony to Tokyo in 2023 as its subscriber base grew. The 2026 edition marked the 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of fan-driven voting and industry recognition. The ceremony honors creators, musicians and performers who drive the global popularity of anime.
Key Figures & Groups
Crunchyroll organized the event with support from Sony Music Solutions and Dempsey Productions. Hosts Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira led the program. Presenters included The Weeknd, RZA, BamBam, Young Miko, TEN, and actors Asuka Saito, Kasumi Arimura and Winston Duke. The pre-show was co-hosted by Lauren Moore, Tim Lyu and YouTube creator Gigguk. Director Tatsuya Nagamine received the Global Impact Award; animator Masayuki Sato accepted on his behalf.
Data & Statistics
A record 73 million votes were cast, according to Crunchyroll. The most engaged voting regions were Brazil, Germany, India, Mexico and the United States. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle won Film of the Year and Best Score; My Hero Academia Final Season secured Anime of the Year and supporting-category awards. The opening video highlighted past Anime of the Year winners, with music arranged by Kazunori Miyake.
Official Statements & Responses
Crunchyroll announced streaming on its platform and Sony’s YouTube channels worldwide, noting a record 73 million votes. The Weeknd, a long-time anime fan, presented the Anime of the Year award to My Hero Academia Final Season. The Global Impact Award recognized director Tatsuya Nagamine for work on Dragon Ball Super, ONE PIECE, Pretty Cure and Ojamajo Doremi. Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions supported Crunchyroll in executing the event.
Why It Matters / Impact
The awards underscore anime’s shift from niche to global cultural force, reflected by diverse presenters and record voting. Wins for My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer highlight the commercial success of long-running franchises and their role in expanding streaming subscribers. The Global Impact Award signals industry acknowledgment of creators shaping cross-border narratives.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources report a 73 million vote total and the same top-engaged countries; no contradictory data were found.
Verbatim Quotes
- “IRIS OUT” — Kenshi Yonezu, Artist
- “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” — Yoko Takahashi, Singer
- “Haruka Kanata” — Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Band
- “History Maker” — Dean Fujioka, Singer
- “It helps MHA go out on a high.” — Farid-ul-Haq, Author
- “– My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON Film of the Year – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I mean, yeah!” — Farid-ul-Haq, Author
What's Next
The ceremony’s video-on-demand version will be available on Crunchyroll and its YouTube channels, with Sony Group Corp channels also hosting the content.
