Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026: From My Hero Academia to Chainsaw Man - Reze Arc, know your nominees in every category

Fans are about to witness an exciting event as the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 are finally here. This is one of the biggest events in the world of anime, celebrating some of the best titles that have defined 2025. We have some popular series finales like My Hero Academia Final Season, to films that shook the world like Chainsaw Man: Reze arc movie.

Interestingly, all of the nominations of this year are going to highlight how competitive this year's award show is going to be. Many fans believe that the Anime Awards 2026 is going to be one of the best because last year, we had multiple titles that stood out and shone to the point where fans feel voting is going to be incredibly difficult.

We have some major titles standing tall, whose names have been established in the fandom, to bold new entries that prove that both long-running franchises and fresh stories have equal opportunity to push this medium forward in some exciting ways. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 has multiple categories that range from technical achievements of a show to voting for fan-favorite characters.

This award show aims to recognize every aspect of making a series, as the folks who ensured to bring series to life are also appreciated. The voting would be open for fans all around the world, and the fate of the winner is in the hands of the fans. Overall, the Anime Awards 2026 is more than just a normal award show because this particular event is also used to reflect how much this industry has grown enough to make it a global phenomenon.

Anime is a medium that brings audiences together. Regardless of different cultures or locations. It brings folks on the same page who share the same passion for storytelling and animation. In this article, we will be listing all the categories and their nominations, and also note how fans can vote for their beloved show.

List of all the categories and nominees of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026

Here are some of the major categories of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 and their standout nominees:

Anime of the Year

This category has been made to honor the overall best anime series of the year, according to the production value and fan reception:

• The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
• DAN DA DAN Season 2
• Gachiakuta
• My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
• The Summer Hikaru Died
• Takopi’s Original Sin

Film of the Year

This award category is for those movies that have become so popular in the fandom, which ended up highlighting quality animation and cinematic storytelling:

• 100 Meters
• Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
• Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
• Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II
• The Rose of Versailles
• Scarlet

Best continuing series

This category in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 celebrates anime that have continued to maintain high-quality animation and popularity across multiple seasons:

• DAN DA DAN Season 2
• Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
• My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
• ONE PIECE
• Solo Leveling Season 2
• SPY x FAMILY Season 3

Best new series

This category is for those titles that are new additions in the world of anime and caused waves in the fandom:

• Clevatess
• The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
• Gachiakuta
• SAKAMOTO DAYS
• The Summer Hikaru Died
• Takopi’s Original Sin

Best action anime

This category is interesting because fans get to vote on these series that left a lasting impression on viewers because of the intense action:

• DAN DA DAN Season 2
• Gachiakuta
• Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
• My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
• ONE PIECE
• Solo Leveling Season 2

Best romance anime

This category in the Anime Awards 2026 is putting the spotlight on the best series that showcases romance in an extremely heartwarming manner:

• Blue Box
• DAN DA DAN Season 2
• The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
• Honey Lemon Soda
• My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
• Ranma ½ Season 2

Best main character

This category highlights the main characters who caught the eyes of fans because of their personality and overall impact on the story:

• 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)

Best supporting character

This award is to recognize the importance of supporting characters who help with the story, and also leave an impression on the fans:

• Enjin (Gachiakuta)
• Jin Enjoji (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 song

This category of the Anime Awards 2026 is about the songs that manage to make the viewing experience better through music, which also resonated with fans:

• “IRIS OUT” – Chainsaw Man Reze Arc
• “JANE DOE” – Chainsaw Man Reze Arc
• “On The Way” – DAN DA DAN Season 2
• “ReawakeR” – Solo Leveling Season 2
• “Watch Me!” – WITCH WATCH

How to vote and key details

As voting for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 is open, fans from around the world can take part in this to decide who will win this year. Unlike the traditional award shows, this event is different as it heavily depends on fan participation, as every vote counts in shaping the final result. Here is everything one needs to know about the voting process:

• Voting is open until April 14, 2026
• Fans can vote once per day in each category, allowing consistent support for their favorites.
• The awards ceremony will stream live from Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, 2026
• Voting is available through Crunchyroll’s official website

A particularly interesting aspect of the Anime Awards 2026 is the daily voting system. It means that fans are encouraged to stay involved in this process till the end. Additionally, it could mean that at any time, tides can change, and it establishes an ongoing sense of competition between fandoms.

The anime community is incredibly fierce as we see them rally behind their favorite series, characters, and creators. Ultimately, it turns the awards into a global celebration of anime, driven just as much by fans as by the industry itself.

Final thoughts

In the end, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 is more than just a regular popularity contest. All because this represents the growth of the world of anime. There was a time when this form of media was niche, and those who watched were also limited.

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Now that Crunchyroll ensures that all the latest episodes end up being part of simulcast, and all have access to dubs, making it accessible for those who don't understand Japanese. Ultimately, these kinds of ceremonies are important to celebrate both spectrums of anime: the creators and fans.

It has given recognition to studios, artists, and voice actors who work behind the scenes while also giving viewers the power to shape the world of anime in current times. And this year's Anime Awards 2026 might be one of the most competitive yet.

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