A Decade of 'Plus Ultra'
My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON's Anime of the Year win caps one of anime's most celebrated long-running productions. Chief director Kenji Nagasaki (長崎健司), who helmed the first three seasons before stepping up to chief director from Season 4 onward, accepted the award at the Tokyo ceremony. The Weeknd, a noted anime fan, presented the trophy.
"It's been exactly 10 years since the broadcast started, and we wrapped things up safely last year thanks to all of you," Nagasaki said. "To receive this award as the culmination of that journey makes me truly happy."
Nagasaki reflected on the series' beginnings, recalling how the first episode's emotional source material pushed him creatively. He described the past decade as "10 years of building the best relationship" — the staff drew energy from the fans, made the anime, and the fans enjoyed it right back. My Hero Academia also picked up Best Ending for BUMP OF CHICKEN's "1" and Best Supporting Character for Katsuki Bakugo.
Demon Slayer Dominates the Film Categories
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle claimed Film of the Year, with director Haruo Sotozaki (外崎春雄) and cinematographer Yūichi Terao (寺尾優一) accepting the trophy together. Terao described the production's intensity with a fitting metaphor: "It felt like being the Demon Slayer Corps inside Infinity Castle — we kept going believing we'd win in the end, so finishing was a genuine relief."
Composers Yuki Kajiura and Gō Shiina (椎名豪) also won Best Score for their work on the film. Shiina highlighted the team's use of spatial audio to immerse viewers in the Infinity Castle setting. "We built the music so instruments would race overhead, constructing the castle's space through sound," he said, encouraging fans to rewatch the series from the beginning to catch the layered details.
The Apothecary Diaries and Gachiakuta Rack Up Wins
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 was the night's biggest multi-category winner with four awards: Best Director for Akinori Fudesaka (筆坂明規) and Norihiro Naganuma, Best Drama, Best Main Character for Maomao, and Best Voice Actor for Aoi Yūki's performance in the role. Fudesaka, who stepped up from assistant director on Season 1, appeared onstage carrying a Maomao plush. "The source material is incredibly entertaining, so the whole staff brought real passion," he said, adding that he hopes the series continues with "a Season 3, a movie, and beyond."
Gachiakuta emerged as a breakout hit, sweeping Best New Series, Best Character Design, and Best Background Art. Director Fumihiko Suganuma (菅沼芙実彦) admitted he was stunned by the international reception. "I honestly didn't expect this level of recognition overseas," he said, crediting animation studio Bones Film's technical prowess.
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- continued the franchise's momentum with Best Animation and Best Action. Director Shunsuke Nakashige (中重俊祐), returning to the stage for the second year in a row, compared the show's grueling final episodes to its own climactic battles. "From about episode 21 on, the action was relentless — the production floor was a furnace, just like the battlefield on screen," he said.
Breakouts, Veterans, and a Posthumous Honor
LAZARUS, the original anime from director Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) produced at MAPPA, won Best Original Anime. Producer Joseph Chou of SOLA DIGITAL ARTS praised the international creative team, which included John Wick director Chad Stahelski on action supervision and over 30 original tracks from three artists. "Making original anime at all is a gift," Chou said. "I want to keep pushing for more."
One Piece earned Best Continuing Series for the third time at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, while Re:Zero Season 3 defended its Best Isekai title from last year. Dandadan Season 2 took Best Comedy and Best Opening for AiNA THE END's "On The Way." Spy x Family Season 3 won Best Slice of Life, with Anya Forger earning Best "Must Protect at All Costs" Character. Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" from the Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie won Best Anime Song.
The ceremony also honored the late Tatsuya Nagamine (長峯達也) with the Global Impact Award. A Toei Animation director known for his work on One Piece and Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Nagamine passed away in August 2025. Animator Masanori Satō, a longtime collaborator across projects including HappinessCharge PreCure! and One Piece, accepted the award on his behalf.
Looking Ahead
The 10th annual ceremony, reported by Comic Natalie, featured performances by Yoko Takahashi — who delivered a 30th-anniversary tribute to Neon Genesis Evangelion — alongside ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Porno Graffiti, and DEAN FUJIOKA. The full ceremony is available on demand on Crunchyroll's YouTube channel and Sony Group's YouTube channels.
With 73 million votes cast worldwide — a new record — the awards continue to reflect anime's expanding global footprint. Most of this year's winning titles are available to stream on Crunchyroll internationally, with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle currently in theatrical release worldwide.