Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle won film of the year at the 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which were held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo on Saturday (May 23). Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina won best score for their work on their film. The award for best anime song went to Kenshi Yonezu for “IRIS OUT” from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
The Weeknd, a long-time anime fan, presented the top award, anime of the year, to My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON. Other presenters included RZA, a founding member of Wu-Tang Clan; Puerto Rican rapper/singer Young Miko; and K-pop stars BamBam and TEN.
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards honors the creators, musicians and performers powering the global love of anime. This year, a record 73 million votes were cast by fans worldwide, according to Crunchyroll. The ceremony was hosted for the fourth year by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira.
The event began with a video highlighting past anime of the year winners with music by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra — arranged by Kazunori Miyake and conducted by Hirofumi Kurita.
The event also included music performances and tributes to anime’s enduring impact on popular culture. Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi performed a 30th anniversary tribute to 1995’s anime Neon Genesis Evangelion featuring the theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” PORNOGRAFFITTI performed in honor of My Hero Academia’s 10th anniversary. Rock band ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION performed their hit “Haruka Kanata” — the second opening theme for the shounen series NARUTO.
During the ceremony, director Tatsuya Nagamine was honored with the Global Impact Award. He died on Aug. 20, 2025, at age 53 following a year-long battle with an undisclosed illness. Masayuki Sato — an animator who worked closely with Nagamine on numerous projects, including Happiness Charge PreCure! and ONE PIECE — accepted the award.
The Anime Awards pre-show was co-hosted by Crunchyroll hosts Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu alongside YouTube creator Gigguk. Presenters included singer DANNA, contemporary musician Ethan Bortnick, Australian singer-songwriter hannah bahng and creative cosplayer Snitchery.
The video-on-demand version of the ceremony will be available to stream on Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll’s YouTube Channel, along with Sony Group Corp Global and Japan YouTube Channels. Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions supported Crunchyroll in the execution of the event.
Here’s the complete list of 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards winners:
Anime of the Year: My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
Film of the Year: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
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 Original Anime: Lazarus
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
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
Best Animation: Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
Best Background Art: Gachiakuta
Best Character Design: Gachiakuta
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 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
Best Voice Artist Performance (Arabic): Tariq Obaid — Taro Sakamoto — SAKAMOTO DAYS
Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese): Charles Emmanuel — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish ): Carles Teruel — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Best Voice Artist Performance (French): Bastien Bourlé — Izuku Midoriya — My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
Best Voice Artist Performance (German): Gerrit Schmidt—Foß — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi): Abhishek Sharma — Jinshi — The Apothecary Diaries (season 2)
Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian): Mosè Singh — Denji — Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish): Jose Antonio Toledano — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
