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It was a fantastic year for anime with the return of beloved series like DAN DA DAN, Apothecary Diaries and My Hero Academia, as well as for the debut of some must-see original series, from The Summer Hikaru Died to Sakamoto Days.
And now, the gems of the treasure trove that is Japanese animation are finally getting their due—anime streaming service Crunchyroll just revealed the full slate of nominees for its 10th annual Anime Awards, which is the largest global celebration of excellence in Japanese animation. Nearly 50 unique series and films are recognized on the list, which ranges from new, original series to beloved titles on their second, third, and even final seasons.
Six series are up for the biggest award—Best Anime of the Year: The Apothecary Diaries (season 2), DAN DA DAN (season 2), Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia (final season), The Summer Hikaru Died and Takopi's Original Sin.
It's hard when new shows, such as The Summer Hikaru Died, Gachiakuta and Takopi's Original Sin, have to go up against already-celebrated shows in their later seasons. It's highly competitive for this reason.
But you can have a say in which nominees win by voting every day through April 15 on the Anime Awards Official Website, Crunchyroll, and MyAnimeList.
The awards ceremony will be streamed live on Crunchyroll on May 23 at 6 p.m. JST (Japan Standard Time) or about 4 a.m. EST. and feature anime fan presenters and musical tributes to anime. Dean Fujioka will open the ceremony with "History Maker," from Yuri!!! on ICE—the very first Crunchyroll Anime Awards’ Anime of the Year recipient. Iconic rock band PORNOGRAFFITTI will perform a tribute marking the 10th anniversary of My Hero Academia. Legendary rock band ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION will perform their "Haruka Kanata," which is the second opening theme for Naruto. Previously announced performances also include a Neon Genesis Evangelion 30th-anniversary tribute by Yoko Takahashi and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Now, the full list of the nominees for the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards is below.
Anime of the Year
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Film of the Year
Best Continuing Series
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
SPY x FAMILY Season 3
Best New Series
Best Original Anime
Best Animation
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Gachiakuta
My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
ONE PIECE
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
Takopi's Original Sin
Best Character Design
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Gachiakuta
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
ONE PIECE
Takopi's Original Sin
Best Director
Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Góngora (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
Fumihiko Suganuma (Gachiakuta)
Kenji Nagasaki, Naomi Nakayama (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
Ryohei Takeshita (The Summer Hikaru Died)
Shinya Iino (Takopi's Original Sin)
Best Background Art
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Gachiakuta
The Summer Hikaru Died
Best Romance Anime
DAN DA DAN Season 2
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
Ranma1/2 Season2
Best Comedy Anime
CITY THE ANIMATION
DAN DA DAN Season 2
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
Ranma1/2 Season2
SPY x FAMILY Season 3
Best Action Anime
DAN DA DAN Season 2
Gachiakuta
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
ONE PIECE
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-
Best Isekai Anime
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2
Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation — Season 1 "Episode of Heartslabyul"
From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated!
KONOSUBA -God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3 -BONUS STAGE-
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
ZENSHU
Best Drama Anime
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Blue Box
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
The Summer Hikaru Died
Takopi's Original Sin
Best Slice of Life Anime
Anne Shirley
Blue Box
CITY THE ANIMATION
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
SPY x FAMILY Season 3
Best Anime Main Character
Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Momo (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
Okarun (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
Rudo (Gachiakuta)
Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-)
Best Anime Supporting Character
Enjin (Gachiakuta)
Jin Enjoji (Jiji) (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
Jinshi (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
Loulan/Shisui (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Turbo Granny (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
Best Anime "Must Protect At All Costs" Character
Anya Forger (SPY x FAMILY Season 3)
Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
Kaoruko Waguri (The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity)
Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Suika (Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE)
Takopi (Takopi's Original Sin)
Best Anime Song
"In Bloom" by Lilas Ikuta (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
"IRIS OUT" by Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
"JANE DOE" by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
"On The Way" by AiNA THE END (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
"ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)" by LiSA (Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-)
"Watch Me!" by YOASOBI (WITCH WATCH)
Best Anime Score
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, Alisa Okehazama)
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (kensuke ushio)
DAN DA DAN Season 2 (kensuke ushio)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina)
Gachiakuta (Taku Iwasaki)
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- (Hiroyuki Sawano)
Best Anime Opening Sequence
"HUGs" by Paledusk (Gachiakuta)
"Mirage" by Creepy Nuts (Call of the Night Season 2)
"On The Way" by AiNA THE END (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
"ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)" by LiSA (Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-)
"THE REVO" by PORNOGRAFFITTI (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
"Watch Me!" by YOASOBI (WITCH WATCH)
Best Anime Ending Sequence
"Actor" by Lilas Ikuta (SPY x FAMILY Season 3)
"Beautiful Colors" by OneRepublic (Kaiju No. 8 Season 2)
"Doukashiteru" by WurtS (DAN DA DAN Season 2)
"I" by BUMP OF CHICKEN (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
"Kawaii Kaiwai" by PiKi (My Dress-Up Darling Season 2)
"UN-APEX" by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure (Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-)
Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (English)
Alexis Tipton as Reze (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
Emi Lo as Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
Justin Briner as Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON)
Lucien Dodge as Akaza (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle)
Morgan Berry as Shiori Fuyumura (SANDA)
Paul Castro Jr. as Hikaru Indou (The Summer Hikaru Died)