Crunchyroll announced the winners of their 2026 Anime Awards of May 23, 2026. While Solo Leveling anime won big last time, it was not able to replicate that performance this year, despite being nominated in numerous categories.
My Hero Academia Season 8 took the mantle of the Best Anime from Solo Leveling this time, whereas Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle took home the Film of the Year award. Solo Leveling only managed 2 wins this time (compared to last year’s 6), with Season 2 bagging the Best Animation and Best Action categories.
Meanwhile, it was The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 which won across the most categories this year – a total of five including Best Drama and Best Director. The anime was nominated in 17 categories.
Dandadan Season 2 was the most nominated anime this year (20 nominations), however, it only won in two of those categories.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
- Anime of the Year: My Hero Academia: Final Season
- Film of the Year: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
- Best Continuing Series: One Piece
- Best New Series: Gachiakuta
- Best Original Anime: Lazarus
- Best Animation: Solo Leveling Season 2
- Best Character Design: Gachiakuta
- Best Director: Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Best Comedy: Dandadan Season 2
- Best Action: Solo Leveling Season 2
- Best Isekai Anime: Re:Zero Season 3
- Best Drama: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Best Slice of Life: Spy x Family Season 3
- Best Main Character: Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- Best Supporting Character: Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia: Final Season)
- “Must Protect at All Costs” Character: Anya Forger (Spy x Family Season 3)
- Best Anime Song: “Iris Out” (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- Best Opening Sequence: “On the Way” (Dandadan Season 2)
- Best Ending Sequence: “I” (My Hero Academia: Final Season)
Additionally, the following VAs won the best voice performances.
- Japanese: Aoi Yuki as Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
- English: Lucien Dodge as Akasa (Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle)
- Hindi: Abhishek Sharma as Jinshi (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
For a complete list of winners of Voice acting performances check out the official anouncement.
The Anime Awards ceremony took place in Tokyo, Japan and was highlighted by the presence of multiple high-profile celebrities including The Weeknd, who was a presenter at the event along with Rashmika Mandanna, Winston Duke and others.
They were joined by Thai K-pop artist BamBam, contemporary musician Ethan Bortnick, Thai K-pop singer and dancer TEN, and GRAMMY-nominated recording artist from Puerto Rico Young Miko, with all of them acting as hosts for the event.
