Anime Awards 2026: 10 Shows With the Most Nominations, Ranked

Crunchyroll’s 2026 Anime Awards list is more competitive than the fan chatter made it sound. This year’s nomination list is a chaotic, star-studded battlefield where legendary heavy hitters and breakout dark horses are ready to rumble for that shiny gold trophy. Leading the charge is the supernatural powerhouse DAN DA DAN Season 2, boasting a staggering 20 nominations, but don’t count out the poison-tasting brilliance of Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. Even Solo Leveling and My Hero Academia are giving strong competition with over 10 nominations each.

From the heart-wrenching mystery of The Summer Hikaru Died, which managed to outpace even the legendary ONE PIECE in total nods, to the high-octane frenzy of Gachiakuta, 2026 is shaping up to be the most competitive year in awards history. Our predictions for each major category for this year’s award ceremony have these heavyweights for sure.

Whether you’re here for the red carpet glam in Tokyo or just to see if your favorite underdog finally gets their flowers, we’ve got the full scoop on every nominee and where to stream them. Let the fan-wars begin!

10 Takopi’s Original Sin — 7 nominations

Takopi’s Original Sin rounds out the verified top 10 with a strong, emotional run. It appears in Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Best Animation, Best Director, Best Drama, Best Main Character, and Must Protect at All Costs Character. That is a major haul for a title built around pain, empathy, and emotional impact. It is not just in the conversation; it is one of the most affecting entries on the board.

9 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle — 8 nominations

A film has made its way into the top 10 as well and tied with The Summer Hikaru Died. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is nominated for Film of the Year, Best Score, and multiple voice-performance categories. Even outside the weekly series format, the brand still carries huge awards weight. The nomination count proves Demon Slayer remains one of anime’s most powerful names whenever a new project arrives.

8 The Summer Hikaru Died — 9 nominations

The Summer Hikaru Died is one of the year’s biggest surprises in the upper tier. It is nominated for Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Drama, Background Art, Director, and voice-performance categories. The number is especially notable because it beats out several better-known titles in total volume. Its rise shows how strongly a fresh, eerie, emotionally sharp series can connect when it lands the right way.

7 Spy × Family Season 3 — 9 nominations

Spy × Family Season 3 proves the franchise still has plenty of power. It earns nods in Continuing Series, Comedy, Slice of Life, Ending Sequence, Must Protect at All Costs Character, and voice-performance categories. The show keeps working because it balances heart, humor, and charm so well. Anya still does what she always does best: make every awards season a little more lovable.

6 Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow — 10 nominations

Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow stays firmly in the awards conversation. Its nominations include Continuing Series, Animation, Action, Main Character, Song, Opening Sequence, Ending Sequence, Score, and voice-performance categories. The series has that rare mix of sleek production and broad fan appeal, so its nomination total makes sense. Even without leading the chart, it remains one of the most visible action titles in the race.

5 Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc — 13 nominations

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is the first big film force in the ranking. It lands Film of the Year, Best Anime Song twice, Best Score, and a long run of voice-performance categories across multiple languages. That matters because it shows the movie did not just get one headline nod; it spread across music and performance, too. This is a strong sign that the film made a deep impression, not just a loud one.

4 My Hero Academia: Final Season — 15 nominations

The final stretch of My Hero Academia is still pulling huge attention. Its nomination spread includes Anime of the Year, Continuing Series, Animation, Director, Action, Main Character, Supporting Character, Opening Sequence, Ending Sequence, and voice-performance categories. Even in its closing chapter, the franchise is still one of the most recognizable names in anime. That kind of staying power is rare, and the awards list makes it obvious.

3 Gachiakuta — 16 nominations

Gachiakuta is the breakout that clearly landed with the awards crowd. It is nominated for Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Animation, Character Design, Director, Background Art, Action, Main Character, Supporting Character, Song, Score, Opening, and voice-performance categories. The show’s gritty look and visual identity clearly helped it stand out. It did not sneak into the conversation; it burst in with real momentum.

2 The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 — 17 nominations

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 remains one of the most complete award contenders in anime. Its nominations cover Anime of the Year, Drama, Character Design, Director, Background Art, Main Character, Supporting Character, Must Protect at All Costs Character, Song, Score, and voice-performance categories. Maomao’s sharp mind, the series’ rich world, and its polished presentation keep it near the very top. It is the kind of show that earns respect in both story and craft categories.

1 DAN DA DAN Season 2 — 20 nominations

The biggest nominee of the year is not just popular; it is everywhere. DAN DA DAN Season 2 shows up in Anime of the Year, Continuing Series, Animation, Character Design, Director, Background Art, Romance, Comedy, Action, Main Character, Supporting Character, Song, Score, Opening, Ending, and several voice-performance categories. That kind of spread tells you why it leads the board. It is hitting both fans and judges on style, energy, and sheer personality.

Here is a full nomination table, grouped by total nominations. Voice-performance categories are grouped together to keep the table readable:

Anime Title	Total	Nomination Categories
DAN DA DAN Season 2	20	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best Continuing Series 3. Best Opening Sequence 4. Best Ending Sequence 5. Best Action 6. Best Comedy 7. Best Romance 8. Best Animation 9. Best Background Art 10. Best Character Design 11. Best Director 12. Best Main Character 13. Best Supporting Character – Jin Enjoji (Jiji) 14. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character 15. Best Anime Song 16. Best Score 17. Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish) 18. Best Voice Artist Performance (French) 19. Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian) 20. Best Supporting Character – Turbo Granny
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2	17	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best Drama 3. Best Background Art 4. Best Character Design 5. Best Director 6. Best Main Character 7. Best Supporting Character – Jinshi 8. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character 9. Best Anime Song 10. Best Score 11. Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) 12. Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese) 13. Best Voice Artist Performance (English) 14. Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi) 15. Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian) 16. Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish) 17. Best Supporting Character – Loulan/Shisui
Gachiakuta	16	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best New Series 3. Best Opening Sequence 4. Best Action 5. Best Animation 6. Best Background Art 7. Best Character Design 8. Best Director 9. Best Main Character 10. Best Supporting Character 11. Best Score 12. Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese) 13. Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish) 14. Best Voice Artist Performance (French) 15. Best Voice Artist Performance (German) 16. Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish)
My Hero Academia: FINAL SEASON	15	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best Continuing Series 3. Best Opening Sequence 4. Best Ending Sequence 5. Best Action 6. Best Animation 7. Best Director 8. Best Main Character 9. Best Supporting Character 10. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character 11. Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) 12. Best Voice Artist Performance (English) 13. Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese) 14. Best Voice Artist Performance (French) 15. Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian)
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc	13	1. Film of the Year 2. Best Anime Song (x2) 3. Best Anime Score 4. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) 5. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish) 6. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (English) 7. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (French) 8. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (German) 9. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Hindi) 10. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Italian) 11. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish)
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-	10	1. Best Continuing Series 2. Best Opening Sequence 3. Best Ending Sequence 4. Best Action 5. Best Animation 6. Best Main Character 7. Best Anime Song 8. Best Score 9. Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi) 10. Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish)
SPY x FAMILY Season 3	9	1. Best Continuing Series 2. Best Ending Sequence 3. Best Comedy 4. Best Slice of Life 5. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character 6. Best Voice Artist Performance (Arabic) (x2) 7. Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi)
The Summer Hikaru Died	9	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best New Series 3. Best Drama 4. Best Background Art 5. Best Director 6. Best Anime Song 7. Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) 8. Best Voice Artist Performance (English) 9. Best Voice Artist Performance (French)
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle	8	1. Film of the Year 2. Best Anime Score 3. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese) 4. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish) 5. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (English) 6. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (German) 7. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Hindi) 8. Best Anime Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish)
Takopi’s Original Sin	7	1. Anime of the Year 2. Best New Series 3. Best Drama 4. Best Animation 5. Best Character Design 6. Best Director 7. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character
ONE PIECE	6	1. Best Continuing Series 2. Best Action 3. Best Animation 4. Best Character Design 5. Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) 6. Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish)
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2	5	1. Best Comedy 2. Best Romance 3. Best Slice of Life 4. Best Character Design 5. Best Voice Artist Performance (Latin Spanish)
The Fragrant Flower Blooms…	5	1. Best New Series 2. Best Romance 3. Best Slice of Life 4. “Must Protect At All Costs” Character 5. Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian Spanish)
WITCH WATCH	5	1. Best Opening Sequence 2. Best Comedy 3. Best Anime Song 4. Best Voice Artist Performance (French) 5. Best Voice Artist Performance (German)
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2	4	1. Best Continuing Series 2. Best Ending Sequence 3. Best Action 4. Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian)
Blue Box	3	1. Best Drama 2. Best Romance 3. Best Slice of Life
CITY THE ANIMATION	3	1. Best Comedy 2. Best Slice of Life 3. Best Background Art
Ranma 1/2 Season 2	2	1. Best Comedy 2. Best Romance
SAKAMOTO DAYS	2	1. Best New Series 2. Best Voice Artist Performance (Arabic)
Anne Shirley	2	1. Drama 2. Slice of Life
ZENSHU	2	1. Best Original Anime 2. Best Isekai Anime
100 Meters	1	Film of the Year
The Rose of Versailles	1	Film of the Year
Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage	1	Film of the Year
Scarlet	1	Film of the Year
Clevatess	1	Best New Series
Lazarus	1	Best Original Anime
Apocalypse Hotel	1	Original Anime
DIGIMON BEATBREAK	1	Best Original Anime
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX	1	Best Original Anime
Moonrise	1	Best Original Anime
Re:ZERO Season 3	1	Best Isekai Anime
Konosuba 3	1	Best Isekai Anime
Campfire Cooking S2	1	Best Isekai Anime
Disney Twisted-Wonderland	1	Best Isekai Anime
From Bureaucrat to Villainess	1	Best Isekai Anime
Kowloon Generic Romance	1	Best Background Art
Honey Lemon Soda	1	Best Romance
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth	1	Best Drama
Call of the Night Season 2	1	Best Opening Sequence
Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE	1	“Must Protect At All Costs” Character
Attack on Titan: LAST ATTACK	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese)
Dragon Ball DAIMA	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (Brazilian Portuguese)
SANDA	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (English)
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback	1	Film of the Year
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (German)
A Wild Last Boss Appeared!	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (Hindi)
BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE	1	Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian)

In the end, the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations make one thing clear: this is a year defined by both dominance and disruption. Heavyweights like Dan Da Dan Season 2 and The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 are leading the charge with massive nomination counts, but they are being pushed hard by bold newcomers like Gachiakuta and emotionally powerful entries like The Summer Hikaru Died.

Meanwhile, long-running giants such as My Hero Academia and One Piece continue to prove their staying power in a rapidly evolving landscape. With such a diverse and competitive lineup, the final winners are far from predictable, making this one of the most exciting and closely watched Anime Awards seasons in recent memory.

Which anime deserves Anime of the Year? Share your picks!

All these anime are available on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu.