Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 Winners Drop in 18 Days: Nominees, Big Predictions and Fan Hype Explained

The countdown has officially started, anime fans. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 winners will be announced very soon, and this year's competition is looking seriously intense. The 10th annual ceremony will stream live from Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, 2026, making it one of the biggest anime events of the year.

This year is packed with fan-favorite titles, emotional stories, action-heavy sequels, and some very strong new anime. From DAN DA DAN Season 2 to The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, and The Summer Hikaru Died, almost every major fandom has something to fight for.

Who Is Nominated for Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026?

The biggest category is, of course, Anime of the Year. The nominees are DAN DA DAN Season 2, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, Takopi's Original Sin, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, and The Summer Hikaru Died. These six shows are leading the main conversation among fans right now.

For Film of the Year, the competition is also massive. The nominees include Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, 100 Meters, Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage, Scarlet, and The Rose of Versailles. This category may become one of the most talked-about battles of the night because both Chainsaw Man and Demon Slayer have huge global fanbases.

Other major categories include Best Continuing Series, where DAN DA DAN Season 2, Kaiju No. 8, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, ONE PIECE, Solo Leveling Season 2, and SPY x FAMILY Season 3 are nominated. For Best New Series, fans are watching Gachiakuta, SAKAMOTO DAYS, Takopi's Original Sin, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, Clevatess, and The Summer Hikaru Died.

Which Anime Has the Highest Chance of Winning?

Right now, DAN DA DAN Season 2 looks like one of the strongest contenders. It has huge fan energy, strong animation, comedy, action, romance, and a wild style that makes it stand out. Reports also say DAN DA DAN Season 2 leads the 2026 nominations with 20 total nominations, followed by The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 with 17 and Gachiakuta with 16.

But The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 should not be ignored. Maomao is one of the most loved anime characters right now, and the show has strong support from fans who enjoy mystery, drama, and smart storytelling. If voters go for story and character writing, this show has a very real chance.

Gachiakuta is another big threat. It is new, stylish, dark, and full of energy. It has nominations in major categories like Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Best Action, Best Animation, Best Character Design, and Best Director. That makes it one of the most exciting dark horses this year.

For Best Action, many fans expect Solo Leveling Season 2, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, DAN DA DAN Season 2, and Gachiakuta to be the biggest names. Since Solo Leveling dominated last year, its fanbase could again push it strongly in action and character categories.

What Happened at Last Year's Awards?

Last year, Solo Leveling shocked and excited the anime world by winning Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It also won several other awards, including Best New Series, Best Action Anime, Best Score, Best Ending Sequence, and Best Main Character for Sung Jinwoo.

Kakao Entertainment reported that Solo Leveling won nine honors in total, making it one of the biggest winners of the night. It was also described as a historic moment because it became the first Korean anime to win the top honor at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

Other big 2025 winners included Look Back for Film of the Year, Ninja Kamui for Best Original Anime, Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc for Best Continuing Series and Best Animation, and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End for Best Drama, Best Background Art, and Best Director.

Fan Comments and Buzz After Last Year

The fan reaction last year was wild. Many Solo Leveling fans celebrated because they felt the anime delivered exactly what viewers wanted: hype, action, power-ups, and a main character everyone could cheer for. But not everyone agreed with the results.

A lot of fans felt that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End or The Apothecary Diaries deserved more love. Some fans argued that the awards leaned too much toward hype and popularity instead of emotional storytelling. Others said Solo Leveling deserved its action wins but not every major award.

That is why the 2026 awards feel even more exciting. Fans are not just waiting to see who wins, they are waiting to see if this year will bring another surprise, another debate, or another anime that completely takes over the night.

One thing is clear: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 is going to be a huge fan battle, and every fandom is ready to defend its favorite anime.