Tokyo, Japan — On Sunday, May 25, 2025, Crunchyroll hosted the annual Anime Awards ceremony at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, celebrating the most outstanding works in anime over the past year.
This year, the highlight was the anime adaptation of the webtoon ‘Solo Leveling,’ which secured top honors including Anime of the Year, Best New Series, and Best Action. The awards ceremony featured a live audience that included international stars, performances by popular artists, and several celebrity presenters.
Among the special moments, Creepy Nuts won Best Anime Song for their track “Otonoke,” the opening theme to the critically acclaimed series ‘DAN DA DAN.’ Hiroyuki Sawano also received accolades, winning Best Score for ‘Solo Leveling.’
The ceremony was co-hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira, maintaining a vibrant atmosphere with the help of celebrity presenters. Notables included Grammy-winning singer Kacey Musgraves, Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard, and the iconic Brazilian pop star Pabllo Vittar, showcasing anime’s broad appeal across cultures.
Adding to the spectacle were performances from various musical acts. Creepy Nuts brought energy to the event with their song “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” from ‘Mashle: Magic and Muscles,’ while FLOW celebrated the 20th anniversary of ‘Eureka Seven’ with their song “DAYS.” Additionally, LiSA, who soared in popularity as Spotify’s top-streamed Japanese artist, captivated the audience with hits including “gurenge,” from ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.’
A significant accolade this year was the inaugural Global Impact Award, presented to ‘Attack on Titan,’ recognizing its enduring influence on the anime community. MAPPA director Yuichiro Hayashi accepted the award, honoring the legacy of the series that concluded with ‘Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK.’
Fans made their voices heard during the voting process, casting a record 51 million votes globally to honor their favorite series and performers. Streaming options for the event will soon be available on Crunchyroll’s YouTube and Twitch channels as well as SONY PICTURES CORE.
Rahul Purini, president of Crunchyroll, emphasized the emotional ties fans share with anime, stating, “These are not just series or films; they are works of art that help define the identity of anime fans.”
Alongside the awards, Crunchyroll expanded the eligibility period for nominations, including titles from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, to ensure full representation of the anime landscape.
The full list of winners reflects the growth and diversity of anime, with standout titles such as ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End,’ which won Best Drama and Best Director for Keiichiro Saito, illustrating the depth of storytelling that fans continue to cherish.
As anime’s global popularity rises, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the creativity and talent shaping the industry.
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