Crunchyroll Anime Awards Return to Tokyo on May 23 for Landmark 10th Edition Celebration

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards are set to return to Tokyo, Japan on May 23, 2026, marking the landmark 10th edition of the global celebration honouring the best in anime. Following a breakout year for anime across both streaming platforms and the big screen, the upcoming ceremony promises to be a milestone event, featuring a global pre-show, a star-studded orange carpet and once-in-a-lifetime performances.

The marquee celebration will recognise outstanding achievements across 32 anime categories, spotlighting the series, films, creators and performances that shaped the medium in 2025.

Popular voice actress and performer Sally Amaki and renowned Japanese entertainer Jon Kabira will return as co-hosts for the fourth consecutive year, bringing familiar energy and star power to the ceremony.

Special Performances and Music Highlights

Crunchyroll has also unveiled a preliminary music lineup for the 2026 awards. Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi will deliver a special 30th anniversary tribute to the iconic 1995 anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, featuring its legendary theme song, “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”.

Adding a grand orchestral touch to the evening, symphonic suites conducted by Hirofumi Kurita will be performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, with arrangements by Kazunori Miyake. Additional performances and musical acts will be announced in the lead-up to the event.

Nominees and Global Fan Voting

Nominees for the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be revealed on April 2, coinciding with the launch of global fan voting. Fans around the world will be invited to champion their favourite series, films, creators and performances, helping to determine the winners across all 32 categories. The full list of award categories is available on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards official website.

Eligible nominees will be selected from anime titles that premiered between January 1 and December 31, 2025. The selection process is overseen by an independent panel of 2026 Anime Awards judges, comprising global creatives, tastemakers, experts and influencers from across the anime community.

A Global Celebration of Anime

The global pre-show leading up to the main ceremony will once again be hosted by Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu, offering fans a preview of the night’s biggest moments.

As the leading annual awards programme dedicated to anime, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards celebrate the creators, musicians and performances driving the medium’s worldwide popularity. The 2026 edition will be supported by Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions, and will be livestreamed for audiences around the globe.