Crunchyroll Anime Awards will mark a major milestone this year, with the 10th anniversary ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 23, in Tokyo. Returning to Japan underscores the global event’s roots in anime’s birthplace, while also highlighting how far the awards have grown over the past decade.
Fan-favorite hosts Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira are set to return as co-hosts for a fourth consecutive year. Ahead of the main event, Crunchyroll will unveil nominations across all 32 categories for the 2026 Anime Awards on Thursday, April 2, officially opening fan voting and kicking off weeks of anticipation and debate among viewers worldwide.
Crunchyroll has also announced an early slate of musical performances reflecting both anime history and its lasting cultural impact. Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi will headline a special 30th anniversary tribute to the influential 1995 series Neon Genesis Evangelion, performing the iconic theme song “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” The ceremony will also feature symphonic suites conducted by Hirofumi Kurita, performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and arranged by Kazunori Miyake.
Ahead of the awards, fans can tune in to the orange carpet pre-show hosted by Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu, spotlighting nominees, special guests, and behind-the-scenes moments leading into the ceremony.
“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. What began with a few million votes in 2017 has grown into tens of millions of voices from around the world, reflecting how deeply anime has become part of people’s lives. Returning to Japan is about celebrating where these stories begin and the fans everywhere who make them live far beyond the screen,” said Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini.
Last year’s Anime Awards reflected that expanding global reach. Solo Leveling took home Anime of the Year honors, while Attack on Titan received the inaugural Global Impact Award. The ninth edition of the event also set a new benchmark for engagement, drawing a record 51 million fan votes worldwide.
The 2026 ceremony follows a banner year for anime at the global box office. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle led the pack with an impressive $723.8 million worldwide haul, while Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc earned $160.5 million globally. Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback also proved a major draw, bringing in $166 million worldwide.
Anime’s influence continues to extend beyond traditional borders as well. Netflix’s Oscar-nominated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, now the streamer’s most-watched title ever, draws heavy inspiration from Japanese animation style.
AloJapan.com