Another year, another online war over anime supremacy. With the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 just around the corner, fans are once again rallying behind their favorite shows, arguing over snubs, and placing bets on which studio will walk away with bragging rights. But this year, the conversation feels a bit different.
For the first time ever, the event is bigger and better than ever as it is being held live in Tokyo with global celebrity presenters like Pabllo Vittar and Finn Wolfhard, according to sources. It’s big, bold, and more mainstream than ever; truly a great time to be a weeb. But that also means the stakes are higher—and so is the drama.
Let’s have a look and break down what’s going on, who’s nominated, who deserves the win, and what fans are getting fired up about yet again this year.
Table of Contents
New Categories, New Energy
Crunchyroll shook things up this year by introducing some fresh categories: Best Background Art, Best Isekai, and even Best Hindi Voice Artist. That last one especially shows how much anime has grown globally. It’s a nice nod to the ever-expanding fanbase beyond Japan and the West.
The new categories feel like a step in the right direction. Isekai has become its own universe at this point—it deserves dedicated recognition. If you don’t agree, our friend Truck-kun has some choice words for you. And background art? Finally. Some of these scenes deserve their own gallery shows.
Image Source: © Kanehito Yamada & Tsukasa Abe / Shogakuka
Anime of the Year: The Heavy Hitters
The big question: who takes home Anime of the Year? The front-runners seem to be:
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Quiet, emotional, and surprisingly deep.
- Solo Leveling – Action-packed, stylish, and perfectly timed with the webtoon wave.
- Dan Da Dan – Offbeat, visually inventive, and full of chaotic charm.
- Kaiju No. 8 – A grounded take on monster battles with a heartfelt emotional core.
- Apothecary Diaries – Clever, beautifully detailed, and quietly thrilling.
- Delicious in Dungeon – A delightful blend of culinary curiosity and fantasy adventure.
If we’re being honest, Solo Leveling has the aura farming on lock and the sheer popularity backing it up, but Frieren has that sleeper-hit energy—the kind of show that doesn’t yell to be noticed but stays with you long after the credits roll. Delicious in Dungeon brings unexpected heart and flavour to fantasy anime with a side of culinary charm, while Apothecary Diaries quietly builds a case with its rich storytelling and sharp, cerebral intrigue. If the internet buzz is anything to go by, Dan Da Dan and Kaiju No. 8 might just pull off a surprise win.
Anime Film of the Year: Big Screens, Big Emotions
- Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle
- Look Back
- Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain
- My Hero Academia: You’re Next
- Spy x Family Code: White
- The Colors Within
Who takes the crown? A sports climax for the ages, a soul-stirring short, or a family of spies saving the day?
Best Continuing Series: Still Going Strong
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
- Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
- My Hero Academia Season 7
- One Piece
- Oshi no Ko Season 2
- Spy x Family Season 2
These shows didn’t just continue. They delivered. Whether it was breaking hearts, breaking the internet, or just giving something to us die-hard fans to look forward to every week, they’ve earned their spot here.
Fresh Faces, Instant Icons: Best New Series
- Dandadan
- Kaiju No.8
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Solo Leveling
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- The Apothecary Diaries
New to the scene but already unforgettable, these shows made one hell of a first impression. Whether it was through jaw-dropping animation, fresh storytelling, or characters that instantly stuck with us, they’ve already carved out their place in the anime hall of fame. If this is what “new” looks like, the future of anime is in very good hands.
Best Original Anime: Built Different
- Bucchigiri?!
- Girls Band Cry
- Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
- Metallic Rouge
- Ninja Kamui
- Train to the End of the World
These weren’t adaptations or reboots — just pure, creative swings from studios willing to take risks. Whether it was stylish action, emotional storytelling, or just sheer originality, these series reminded us that anime still knows how to surprise us.
Best Animation: A Year of Eye-Candy Excellence
- Dan Da Dan – Hyper-stylized visuals with wild, energetic direction.
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Painterly, soft animation that perfectly matches its emotional tone.
- Delicious in Dungeon – Surprisingly expressive character work and immersive fantasy world-building.
- Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc – The gold standard for sakuga and cinematic flair.
- Kaiju No. 8 – Snappy action scenes and a clean, polished visual style.
- Solo Leveling – Sleek, high-impact animation with dramatic fight choreography and webtoon flair.
This year, the stakes have been raised. It’s not just about one big studio anymore, it’s all about which show delivered the most visually satisfying experience.
Best Character Design: Drip, Detail and Distinct Vibes
- Dandadan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- The Apothecary Diaries
These characters didn’t just look good — they felt alive in every single scene. Every outfit, expression, and little detail told you exactly who they were before they even said a word. It’s the kind of design work that sticks with you, long after the episode ends.
Best Director: The Visionaries
- Fuga Yamashiro (Science SARU) – Dandadan
- Haruo Sotozaki (Ufotable) – Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
- Keiichiro Saito (Madhouse) – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Megumi Ishitani (Toei Animation) – One Piece Fan Letter
- Norihiro Naganuma (Toho Animation) – The Apothecary Diaries
- Yoshihiro Miyajima (Trigger) – Delicious in Dungeon
From chaotic energy to quiet emotion, these directors brought out the best in their stories. They made bold creative calls, shaped entire tones, and turned animation into an experience that felt personal. These are the storytellers behind the stories.
Best Background Art: Worlds Worth Getting Lost In
- Dandadan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Pluto
- The Apothecary Diaries
These weren’t just settings — they were characters in their own right. Whether it was eerie sci-fi cities, cozy villages, or sweeping fantasy landscapes, these backgrounds pulled us into worlds we didn’t want to leave. Every frame was a painting.
Best Romance: Heartbeats and Blushes
- A Sign of Affection
- Blue Box
- Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
- Ranma ½
- Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
- The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
From quiet crushes to chaotic love triangles, this year gave us all the feels. These romances made us root for the shy confessions, scream at the misunderstandings, and melt at the heartfelt moments. Love was messy — and that’s what made it magic.
Best Comedy: Certified Laugh Fuel
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Konosuba Season 3
- Mashle: The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
- My Deer Friend Nokotan
- Ranma ½
- Spy x Family Season 2
From absurd punchlines to perfectly timed chaos, these shows reminded us that anime comedy can be as sharp as it is silly. Whether it was magical nonsense, oddball friendships, or good old-fashioned slapstick, these series kept us laughing all season long.
Best Action: Adrenaline Overload
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
- Dandadan
- Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
- Kaiju No. 8
- Solo Leveling
- Wind Breaker
Image Source: © Chugong / DUBU (REDICE Studio) / A-1 Pictures / Crunchyroll
Explosions, sword fights, supernatural showdowns — this year’s action anime came out swinging. It wasn’t just about cool fight scenes (though we definitely got those); it was about the tension, the stakes, and those hype moments that make you leap out of your seat.
Best Isekai Anime: Otherworldly Escapes
- Konosuba Season 3
- Mushoku Tensei Season 2 (Cour 2)
- Re:Zero Season 3
- Shangri-La Frontier Season 2
- Suicide Squad Isekai
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3
Getting transported to another world has never looked this good. Whether it was heartfelt redemption, chaotic comedy, or dark twists on fantasy tropes, this year proved isekai still has endless stories left to tell — and some real surprises, too.
Best Drama: Tears, Twists and Tension
- A Sign of Affection
- Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Oshi no Ko Season 2
- Pluto
- The Apothecary Diaries
These series didn’t just tug at our heartstrings — they ripped them out and handed them back tenderly. From slow-burning emotion to gut-punching twists, these dramas reminded us how powerful storytelling can be when it leans into vulnerability.
Best Slice of Life: Simple Moments, Lasting Impact
- Laid-Back Camp Season 3
- Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
- Mr. Villain’s Day Off
- My Deer Friend Nokotan
- Sound! Euphonium 3
- The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
Sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that hit the hardest. These shows gave us comfort, introspection, and a chance to just breathe. Whether it was cute, weird, peaceful, or bittersweet — these were the little stories that made our hearts full.
Best Main Character: Leads That Left a Mark
- Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kafka Hibino – Kaiju No. 8
- Momo – Dandadan
- Okarun – Dandadan
- Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries
- Sung Jinwoo – Solo Leveling
They made us care. About saving the world, chasing ghosts, brewing medicine, or just making it through one more day. These characters weren’t just the stars of their shows — they were the heart. Some made us laugh, some made us cry, and some made us want to hit the gym. But all of them? Unforgettable.
Best Supporting Character: Scene Stealers
- Fern – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Himmel – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Jinshi – The Apothecary Diaries
- Seiko – Dandadan
- Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
- Turbo Granny – Dandadan
They weren’t always in the spotlight, but when they showed up? You felt it. These characters lifted every scene they were in — with wisdom, chaos, kindness, or just plain vibe. Some had us in our feels, some had us howling with laughter… all of them made their shows better.
Must Protect at all Costs
- Anya Forger – Spy x Family Season 2
- Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Okarun – Dandadan
- Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
- Tokiyuki Hojo – The Elusive Samurai
- Yuki Itose – A Sign of Affection
This is the category where our collective soft spots live. The characters who made us say, “if anything happens to them, I will riot.” Whether they’re tiny chaos gremlins or quiet souls just trying to do good, they made our hearts ache in the best way.
Best Anime Song: Certified Bangers
- Abyss by YUNGBLUD – Kaiju No. 8
- Bling-Bang-Bang-Born by Creepy Nuts – Mashle: Magic and Muscles
- Fatal by GEMN – Oshi no Ko Season 2
- LEveL by Sawano Hiroyuki [nZk]: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Solo Leveling
- Otonoke by Creepy Nuts – Dandadan
- The Brave by YOASOBI – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
From instant hits to emotional gut-punches, these songs didn’t just open or close episodes — they became the moment. Whether blasting in your headphones or living rent-free in your head, these tracks gave anime fans something to obsess over all year.
Best Score: The Sound of Emotion
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
- Dandadan
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Look Back
- Solo Leveling
The background music didn’t stay in the background. These scores carried the emotion, drove the tension, and gave scenes their soul. Sometimes, a single note told you everything you needed to feel.
Best Opening Sequence: Open Strong
- Abyss by YUNGBLUD – Kaiju No. 8
- Bling-Bang-Bang-Born by Creepy Nuts – Mashle: Magic and Muscles
- Fatal by GEMN – Oshi no Ko Season 2
- LEveL by Sawano Hiroyuki [nZk]: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Solo Leveling
- Otonoke by Creepy Nuts – Dandadan
- UUUUUS! by Hiroshi Kitadani – One Piece
These openings made us hit “rewatch” every time. Whether it was for the animation flex, the beat drop, or just how good it felt to vibe with your favorite show for 90 seconds — these intros nailed it.
Best Ending Sequence: Close With an Impact
- Antanante by riria – Ranma ½
- Burning by Hitsujibungaku – Oshi no Ko Season 2
- KAMAKURA STYLE by BotchiBoromaru – The Elusive Samurai
- Nobody by OneRepublic – Kaiju No. 8
- Request by Krage – Solo Leveling
- Taidada by ZUTOMAYO – Dandadan
After the action fades and the story pauses, these endings give us the perfect cooldown. Emotional, stylish, catchy — or sometimes all three — they wrapped each episode with a serious personality.
Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese)
- Aoi Yuki as Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kenichi Suzumura as Bravern – Brave Bang Bravern!
- Shion Wakayama as Momo – Dandadan
- Sayaka Sembongi as Mercilee – Delicious in Dungeon
- Natsuki Hanae as Okarun – Dandadan
From the whimsical wisdom of Maomao to the emotional stillness of Frieren, these performances weren’t just heard. They were felt deep in our hearts. Each seiyuu brought heart, humor, and heroics in ways that made their characters unforgettable.
Best Voice Artist Performance (English)
- AJ Beckles as Okarun – Dandadan
- Aleks Le as Sung Jinwoo – Solo Leveling
- Jessie James Grelle as Armin Arlelt – Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters – Special 2
- Sarah Natochenny as Alya – Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
- SungWon Cho as Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
Whether it was AJ Beckles channeling supernatural panic or Aleks Le delivering quiet intensity, the English voice cast gave global fans an equally rich experience. These artists didn’t just dub. They truly delivered emotion with precision, crafting voices that stuck with us long after the credits rolled.
Personal Picks vs. Fan Predictions
Predicted Winner: Solo Leveling seems to have the right mix of hype, timing, and global appeal to take the crown. Its sleek animation, massive webtoon fanbase, and consistent pacing give it a wide reach even beyond core anime audiences. With a hero’s journey that blends flashy combat and emotional stakes, it’s the kind of show that gets both casual viewers and longtime fans invested.
Personal Pick: Frieren deserves more love than it’s getting. It’s gentle, emotional, and quietly powerful, unlike the usual action-heavy contenders. What makes Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End special is how it explores life after the big adventure, focusing on memory, grief, and healing. It doesn’t shout, but it lingers. And maybe that’s what makes it so unforgettable.
Snubs, Salt, and Surprises
Every awards show has its controversies. This year, fans are side-eyeing the lack of love for:
- Wind Breaker: A gritty underdog with high-octane fights and a compelling cast, yet it didn’t crack major categories.
- The Dangers in My Heart Season 2: A phenomenal continuation that deepened its romantic storytelling while keeping its signature awkward charm.
- Shangri-La Frontier: An unexpectedly fun and visually strong VRMMO anime that flew under the radar despite its impressive animation and world-building.
Image Source: © Katarina / Ryosuke Fuji / C2C
The Bigger Picture: Global Growth
The addition of regional voice acting awards shows just how global anime has become. The Hindi VA category is a huge win for Indian fans who’ve been championing dubbed content for years. It’s clear that anime isn’t just a Japanese export anymore. It’s a worldwide language.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards are more than just a fan-vote popularity contest. They’re a snapshot of where the anime world is right now, the trends we love, the stories that hit hardest, and the creators pushing boundaries.
Whether your favourite wins or not, one thing’s for sure: it’s a good time to be an anime fan. Now go vote to make sure your pick doesn’t lose out on a well-deserved award.
