The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 have officially launched their 10th edition with the highly anticipated announcement of the complete list of nominated mangas and anime. This flagship ceremony, which will take place on May 23rd in Tokyo and will be broadcast live worldwide, celebrates the works and artists who have left their mark on the Japanese animation scene. From the opening of online voting, anime fans are invited to support their favorite titles. Here are the key points to remember to fully immerse yourself in this unmissable event:
- A total of 32 categories covering animated series, films, music, and voice performances in multiple languages.
- DAN DA DAN Season 2 dominates the nominations with 20 mentions, closely followed by Apothecary Diaries Season 2 and Gachiakuta.
- The film Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc leads the cinema nominations with 13 mentions.
- Voting opens from April 3rd to 15th with the possibility of daily voting for fans worldwide.
Let’s explore in detail the most prominent names, the importance of these awards for manga culture, and the trends to watch that will shape this much-anticipated ceremony.
- 1 Detailed analysis of the major nominations at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
- 2 Focus on flagship categories: anime of the year, film, and best ongoing series
- 3 The impact of awards on the popularity of mangas and international distribution
- 4 Technical and artistic categories: a tribute to the excellence of Japanese animation
- 5 Table of main categories and key nominations of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
Detailed analysis of the major nominations at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
The nominees of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 perfectly reflect the richness and diversity of current Japanese animation. Among the animated series, DAN DA DAN Season 2 stands out clearly, receiving an impressive total of 20 nominations across various categories. This record symbolizes the strong impact this production has had on fans and critics alike, thanks to its captivating storyline and highly polished animation quality.
Close behind are Apothecary Diaries Season 2 with 17 nominations, illustrating consistency in quality and a universe whose originality continues to captivate enthusiasts. Gachiakuta rounds out this leading trio with 16 nominations, revealing a remarkable rise on several fronts.
Regarding animated cinema, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc dominates with 13 nominations, blending spectacle and meticulous artistic work. This preference for quality execution in cinema pays tribute to a genre that is becoming indispensable in contemporary manga culture.
Here is a list of the most nominated titles clearly revealing these trends:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2: 20 nominations
- Apothecary Diaries Season 2: 17 nominations
- Gachiakuta: 16 nominations
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc: 13 nominations
These figures testify to the growing recognition of both televised and cinematic works. The ceremony will therefore pit, in an exciting duel, the strength of ongoing sagas against the power of original projects on the big screen, a true reflection of the vitality of manga culture.
Focus on flagship categories: anime of the year, film, and best ongoing series
The main categories naturally attract attention, grouping the most remarkable works of the season. The distinction of anime of the year primarily rewards a solid ensemble of elements: plot, animation, and popularity. This year, the competition gathers a varied panel ranging from DAN DA DAN Season 2 to My Hero Academia Final Season, including more intimate stories like Takopi’s Original Sin or Summer Hikaru is Dead.
Zoom in on the nominees for anime of the year:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Gachiakuta
- My Hero Academia Final Season
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- Summer Hikaru is Dead
In the “Film of the Year” category, diversity is marked between anticipated works and unique artistic proposals. This selection illustrates an evolution where animated cinema is no longer just a spectacle but asserts its status as an art form in its own right.
The nominated films offer a rich palette:
- 100 Meters
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Infinite Castle
- Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage
- Red
- Rose of Versailles
Finally, the best ongoing series category reveals the persistence and ability to evolve of certain franchises. With titans like My Hero Academia or Kaiju No. 8, this category honors consistency and creative commitment over time, appreciated by both anime fans and professionals.
The nominees in this category are:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Kaiju No. 8
- My Hero Academia Final Season
- ONE PIECE
- Solo Leveling Season 2 – Rising from the Shadows
- SPY×FAMILY Season 3
These selections brilliantly illustrate the enormous richness of current productions and the constant enthusiasm of anime fans for universes as varied as they are addictive.
The impact of awards on the popularity of mangas and international distribution
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards play a central role in the global visibility of Japanese animation works and the mangas that inspire them. Winning or simply being nominated for these awards can significantly increase a series or film’s renown, contributing to its commercial success and expansion with a global audience.
For example, the series DAN DA DAN saw its number of subscribers on streaming platforms explode after the nomination announcements, with an increase of over 35% in less than two weeks. This exposure is often accompanied by increased sales of the original mangas, derived exploitations, and related products.
Beyond the commercial effect, these awards also influence the critical perception and cultural legitimacy of Japanese animation. They offer well-deserved recognition to production teams, directors, and voice actors, valuing work often unknown outside fan circles.
The ceremony also covers voice performances in multiple languages, an important development in the globalization of the anime market. Categories now include English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, and Latin Spanish.
This linguistic openness allows strong involvement of different fan communities and promotes the circulation of works worldwide, consolidating the power of manga culture beyond its traditional borders.
Technical and artistic categories: a tribute to the excellence of Japanese animation
Beyond the most visible titles, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards emphasize the importance of the talents working behind the scenes to offer an exceptional visual and sound experience. Categories like best animation, best art background, and best character design highlight these essential technical and creative efforts.
For example, the best animation award rewards the harmony between fluidity of movement, visual coherence, and dramatic intensity. DAN DA DAN Season 2 is among the nominees alongside renowned productions such as My Hero Academia Final Season or Solo Leveling Season 2.
The best art background prize highlights settings that transcend episodes by creating an immersive atmosphere, often essential for emotional engagement. This year, CITY ANIMATION and DAN DA DAN Season 2 are competing for this recognition.
As for best character design, it rewards characters embodying a strong and memorable visual identity, with precise stylistic signatures. This category notably includes the following works:
- DAN DA DAN Season 2
- Gachiakuta
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
- ONE PIECE
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Recognizing these specific talents elevates the overall quality of manga culture and highlights the technical details that make each anime unique.
Table of main categories and key nominations of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
| Category | Main Nominees | Total Number of Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| Anime of the Year | DAN DA DAN Season 2, My Hero Academia Final Season, Gachiakuta | 20 (DAN DA DAN Season 2) |
| Film of the Year | Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: The Infinite Castle | 13 (Chainsaw Man) |
| Best Ongoing Series | Kaiju No. 8, My Hero Academia Final Season, ONE PIECE | Varies by series |
| Best Character Design | DAN DA DAN Season 2, Apothecary Diaries Season 2, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 | Multiple names |
| Best Vocal Performance (French) | Bastien Bourlé, Clara Soares, Véronique Augereau | N/A |
This table allows for a quick understanding of the main candidates and the weight of the different productions within the nominations. Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 asserts its role as a central event for modern manga culture, stimulating the interest of anime fans worldwide.
