The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will be held in Tokyo, Japan on May 23, marking the 10th edition of the global anime awards program. This year’s ceremony will feature a pre-show livestream, an “orange carpet” event, and multiple live performances, celebrating nominees across 32 categories.
Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira will return as co-hosts for the fourth consecutive year. The show will include a 30th anniversary tribute to Neon Genesis Evangelion by singer Yoko Takahashi, who will perform the anime’s iconic opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” Symphonic suites arranged by Kazunori Miyake and performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hirofumi Kurita, are also confirmed. Additional performances will be announced ahead of the ceremony.
Nominees will be revealed on April 2, when global fan voting also opens. Finalists will be selected by an international panel of judges composed of creatives, influencers, and industry professionals. Eligible titles must have premiered between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
In a statement, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini said:
“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,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “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.”
The pre-show livestream will be hosted by Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu. The 2026 Anime Awards will be produced in collaboration with Sony Music Solutions Inc. (a part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan) and Dempsey Productions. The ceremony will be available to stream worldwide.
More information is available on the official website, and updates will be shared across Crunchyroll’s social media platforms on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Source: Press Release
Participate In Discussions