Crunchyroll Anime Awards Sets Date for 10th Anniversary Celebration in 2026
Crunchyroll Announces 10th Anniversary Anime Awards in Tokyo
Crunchyroll has officially announced that the 10th annual Anime Awards will take place on Saturday, May 23, in Tokyo. Co-hosts Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira return for their fourth consecutive year, and the event will be livestreamed globally.
The nominations for the 2026 Anime Awards, covering 32 categories, will be unveiled on Thursday, April 2, marking the commencement of fan voting.
In addition to award presentations, the ceremony will feature a lineup of performances, including a special tribute by Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi. She will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic 1995 anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, performing its renowned theme, "A Cruel Angel’s Thesis." The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Hirofumi Kurita and arranged by Kazunori Miyake, will also present symphonic suites during the show.
Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu are set to host the orange carpet pre-show.
Reflecting on the growth of the event, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini stated, "For the past decade, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards has been shaped by the fans who show up every year to celebrate the stories and creators they love.” Purini noted that the event has evolved from a few million votes in 2017 to tens of millions from fans around the globe, highlighting the significant impact of anime on audiences’ lives. The return to Japan, he added, emphasizes the celebration of the origins of these beloved stories.
Last year’s Anime Awards recognized Solo Leveling as Anime of the Year, while Attack on Titan received the inaugural Global Impact Award. The event attracted a record 51 million fan votes from around the world.
The 2026 ceremony will spotlight a remarkable year for anime. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle topped box office charts with approximately $723.8 million globally. Other successful titles include Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which grossed $160.5 million, and Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback, which earned $166 million.
Additionally, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, nominated for an Oscar, has emerged as the platform’s most-watched title, drawing inspiration from Japanese animation styles.
