Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026: Our Predictions for Each Major Category This Year

Credits: Left image via MAPPA, Middle image via Ufotable and Right image via Studio Bones

Let’s be honest: the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 is probably one of the most exciting events for every anime enthusiast out there. With the nominations for the categories already out, the website has also enabled the voting process for your top picks for this season till April 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT.

As the excitement for the award ceremony is at its peak, we also took our time to voice our opinions about the results. So, while you make your top picks for the Anime Awards 2026, here is a list of our predictions for the winners in every major category presented:

ANIME AWARD CATEGORY	OUR PICK FOR THE WIN
Anime of the Year	Gachiakuta
Film of the Year	Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Best Continuing Series	One Piece
Best New Series	Takopi’s Original Sin
Best Original Anime	Lazarus
Best Animation	Dandadan Season 2
Best Character Design	The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Best Director	Shinya Iino (Takopi’s Original Sin)
Best Background Art	Cypic (The Summer Hikaru Died)
Best Romance Anime	Blue Box
Best Comedy Anime	Witch Watch
Best Action Anime	Solo Leveling Season 2
Best Isekai Anime	Campfire Cooking in Another World Season 2
Best Drama Anime	Takopi’s Original Sin
Best Slice of Life Anime	The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
Best Main Character	Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia Final Season)
Best Supporting Character	Jinshi (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2)
“Must Protect At All Costs” Character	Takopi (Takopi’s Original Sin)
Best Anime Song	“IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
Best Score	Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle)
Best Opening Sequence	“ReawakeR” by LiSA feat. Felix of Stray Kids (Solo Leveling Season 2)
Best Ending Sequence	“I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN (My Hero Academia Final Season)

1 Anime Awards 2026 “Anime of the Year” – Gachiakuta

Nominations: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Dandadan Season 2, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia Final Season, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Takopi’s Original Sin.

Our Reason: There’s no denying that several other titles made massive impacts from the past anime seasons, but for us, Gachikauta is the most cohesive and visually masterful out of the bunch. Yes, Takopi’s Original Sin and The Summer Hikaru Died are animation masterpieces; However, Gachikauta has suspense, a unique storyline, intriguing character designs, impressive character arcs, and lore – everything backed by Studio Bones Inc.’s meticulous and visually great animation.

2 Anime Awards 2026 “Film of the Year” – Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

Nominations: 100 Meters, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage, The Rose of Versailles, and Scarlet.

Our Reason: The reason for us to pick Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc as the 2026 Film of the Year winner is one of the exact reasons why it became a blockbuster hit and broke so many records last year. The movie has one of the best cinematographies and visuals that many modern-day titles are missing. We expected MAPPA Studios to create something good, but they gave us a masterpiece.

3 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Continuing Series” – One Piece

Nominations: Dandadan Season 2, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, My Hero Academia Final Season, One Piece, Solo Leveling Season 2, and Spy x Family Season 3.

Our Reason: Yes, picking One Piece may sound like a cliché to many of you, but there’s no denying that the series is a testament to standing the test of time. What makes it even more convincing is that the anime series is currently in its most intriguing final chapters, with more revelations and deep lore exploration than any of the other nominees here.

4 Anime Awards 2026 “Best New Series” – Takopi’s Original Sin

Nominations: Gachiakuta, Sakamoto Days, The Summer Hikaru Died, Clevatess, Takopi’s Original Sin, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity.

Our Reason: Takopi’s Original Sin was a fresh concept when it came out. Despite being 6 episodes long, the series captures mature themes like loneliness, despair, suffering, and bullying, which many modern Seinen anime fail to resonate properly. Compared to the others, Takopi’s Original Sin is an absolute emotional rollercoaster.

5 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Original Anime” – Lazarus

Nominations: Apocalypse Hotel, Digimon Beatbreak, Lazarus, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Moonrise, and Zenshu.

Our Reason: Studio MAPPA’s Lazarus has the perfect ingredients for an impressive original anime series. Every character, from Axel to Dr. Skinner, had individual, unique personalities that blended immaculately with the overall theme of the story – the countdown to the end of humanity. The series’ execution was so perfect that it even landed itself an Emmy nomination.

6 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Animation” – Dandadan Season 2

Nomination: Dandadan Season 2, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia Final Season, One Piece, Solo Leveling Season 2, and Takopi’s Original Sin.

Our Reason: For the Best Animation award, we have to give it to Dandadan Season 2! While some of you might argue that Solo Leveling Season 2 or My Hero Academia Final Season had better animation, it should also be noted that for those two titles, it was massively hype-driven. Not just Season 2, from the very start of the series, Science SARU has done an immaculate job animating, and it definitely carries over into the second season.

7 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Character Design” – The Apothecary Diaries Season 2

Nominations: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Gachiakuta, Dandadan Season 2, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, Takopi’s Original Sin, and One Piece.

Our Reason: Yes, every title nominated in this category has top-tier character designs. But the character designs in The Apothecary Diaries are just elegant and beautiful. From playfulness to seriousness, the characters capture every essence and tone the series’ narrative demands of them.

8 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Director” – Shinya Iino (Takopi’s Original Sin)

Nominations: Akinori Fudesaka & Norihiro Naganuma (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), Fuga Yamashiro & Abel Góngora(Dandadan Season 2), Fumihiko Suganuma (Gachiakuta), Kenji Nagasaki & Naomi Nakayama(My Hero Academia Final Season), Ryohei Takeshita (The Summer Hikaru Died), and Shinya Iino (Takopi’s Original Sin).

Our Reason: We have already discussed how Takopi’s Original Sin made a global shake-up for the anime world when it was released. How can we not credit the person behind the masterful execution of the 6-episode global sensation? What Shinya Iino did, with half the usual episodes in a seasonal anime, is truly commendable and deserving of recognition.

9 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Background Art” – Cypic (The Summer Hikaru Died)

Nominations: Kyoto Animation (CITY THE ANIMATION), Science SARU (Dandadan Season 2), Bones Film (Gachiakuta), Arvo Animation (Kowloon Generic Romance), OLMxToho Animation (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), and Cypic (The Summer Hikaru Died).

Our Reason: In a horror anime series, background art is a major factor in giving visual weight. And if you have watched The Summer Hikaru Died and felt the horror elements of the series to the bone, the reasoning for our prediction is there for you. Cypic masterfully captures the subtle village vibe and delivers on the background art that Mokumokuren’s series rightfully deserves.

10 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Romance Anime” – Blue Box

Nominations: Blue Box, Dandadan Season 2, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, Honey Lemon Soda, Ranma 1/2 Season 2, and My Dress-Up Darling Season 2.

Our Reason: Blue Box is just an amazing story following the romance between Taiki and Chinatsu. A love story backed by mutual respect, massive influence in the sports genre, this is definitely our top pick. However, it was rather close for us with The Fragnat Flower Blooms With Dignity coming in second.

11 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Comedy Anime” – Witch Watch

Nominations: Dandadan Season 2, Witch Watch, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, Ranma 1/2 Season 2, Spy x Family Season 3, and CITY THE ANIMATION.

Our Reason: Witch Watch is just a really fun series with a deep narrative, basically shrouded in comedy. Furthermore, we’re going to make a statement that might say it all for our pick reasoning: We barely saw another comedy series like Witch Watch, which uses so much referencing, very much like Gintama, and doesn’t overuse blunder.

12 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Action Anime” – Solo Leveling Season 2

Nominations: Gachiakuta, Dandadan Season 2, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, One Piece, My Hero Academia Final Season, and Solo Leveling Season 2.

Our Reason: When it comes to action, no one puts the extra “oomph” as A-1 Pictures does, and what they did with the Sung Jinwoo vs Beru fight is the prime example. While many argue it was hyped up, the actual fight was masterfully choreographed and executed in Solo Leveling Season 2.

13 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Isekai Anime” – Campfire Cooking in Another World Season 2

Nominations: Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2, Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!, KonoSuba Season 3 Bonus, Re: Zero Season 3, and Zenshu.

Our Reason: Unlike many other Isekai anime series with vast narratives and constant action sequences, Campfire Cooking in Another World Season 2 is a laid-back and relaxing anime series. What makes it even more appealing is that everything about the anime is comforting – the food, the monsters, and the environment.

14 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Drama Anime” – Takopi’s Original Sin

Nominations: Anne Shirley, Blue Box, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Takopi’s Original Sin, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, and The Summer Hikaru Died.

Our Reason: If drama is what you want, Takopi’s Original Sin has it in abundance with every episode that aired. The series takes a gander at the dark undertones of everyday life and explores sensitive topics like bullying and suicide in the most dramatic way there is.

15 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Slice of Life Anime” – The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity

Nominations: The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, Anne Shirley, CITY THE ANIMATION, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, Spy X Family Season 3, and Blue Box.

Our Reason: Unlike typical high school romance stories, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity handles relationships with emotional intelligence. Coming to the Slice of Life aspect, the series is very laidback with soft, subtle animations that create the sense of ease and lean you right into the story without a complicated plot.

16 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Main Character” – Izuku Midoriya

Nominations: Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia Final Season), Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), Momo (Dandadan Season 2), Okarun (Dandadan Season 2), Rudo (Gachiakuta), and Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling Season 2).

Our Reason: Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia is one of the most versatile characters on Crunchyroll’s nomination list, and the Final Season expands on his versatility. From the dark vigilante side to a happy-go-lucky classmate, Deku showed us all of his sides.

17 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Supporting Character” – Jinshi

Nominations: Enjin (Gachiakuta), Jin Enjoji (Dandadan Season 2), Jinshi (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia Final Season), Loulan/Shisui (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), and Turbo Granny (Dandadan Season 2).

Our Reason: Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 isn’t just a good supporting character; he elevates the entire story. From driving major plotlines through politics to his dynamic with Maomao, he is almost the main character. While Bakugo and Enjin are good contenders, they bounce off the protagonist too much, unlike Jinshi.

18 “Must Protect At All Costs” Character – Takopi

Nominations: Anya Forger (Spy X Family Season 3), Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON), Kaoruko Waguri (The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity), Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2), Suika (Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE), and Takopi (Takopi’s Original Sin).

Our Reason: The cute little alien from Takopi’s Original Sin is going to be our pick for “Must Protect At All Costs” Character award this year. Takopi plays a very innocent role in the series and wants to see everyone happy-pi, no matter how much the others hurt or push him away.

19 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Anime Song” – “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu

Nominations: “In Bloom” by Lilas Ikuta (The Apothecary Diaries Season, “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc), “JANE DOE” by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc), “On The Way” by AiNA THE END (Dandadan Season 2), “ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)” by LiSA (Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-), and “Watch Me!” by YOASOBI (Witch Watch)

Our Reason: Compared to the other songs, “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is much more lively, and captures the essence of the movie perfectly. On top of that, the song has a very beautiful suspense and energetic vibe, which perfectly resonates with Reze’s character.

20 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Score” – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Nominations: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Satoru Kosaki, Kevin Penkin, Alisa Okehazama), Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Kensuke Ushio), Dandadan Season 2 (Kensuke Ushio), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina), Gachiakuta (Taku Iwasaki), and Solo Leveling Season 2 (Hiroyuki Sawano).

Our Reason: Best song aside, the overall background music score award belongs to the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle movie, hands down. If you had the chance to watch the movie, you would know that it is filled with intensity, emotions, and character turning points – everything that is complemented perfectly by the background scores from Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina.

21 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Opening Sequence” – “ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)” by LiSA

Nominations: “HUGs” by Paledusk (Gachiakuta), “Mirage” by Creepy Nuts (Call of the Night Season 2), “On The Way” by AiNA THE END (Dandadan Season 2), “ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)” by LiSA (Solo Leveling Season 2), “THE REVO” by PORNOGRAFFITTI (My Hero Academia Final Season), and “Watch Me!” by YOASOBI (Witch watch).

Our Reason: While choosing the best opening sequence, it’s necessary to keep the theme of the anime series, and not just the song quality. “ReawakeR” is the perfect example of how the beautiful blend of a song and anime visuals met for Solo Leveling Season 2; LiSA’s iconic voice was just another bonus.

22 Anime Awards 2026 “Best Ending Sequence” – “I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN

Nominations: “Actor” by Lilas Ikuta (SPY x FAMILY Season 3), “Beautiful Colors” by OneRepublic (Kaiju No. 8 Season 2), “Doukashiteru” by WurtS (Dandadan Season 2), “I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN (My Hero Academia Final Season), “Kawaii Kaiwai” by PiKi (My Dress-Up Darling Season 2), and “UN-APEX” by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure (Solo Leveling Season 2).

Our Reason: “I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN is not just an ending sequence for the My Hero Academia Final Season, it’s the entire story as a musical. The liveliness and bright tonality of the song perfectly capture Deku’s journey from a quirkless boy to a “Hero” with probably one of the greatest shonen anime finales.

If you had the chance to go through the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 nomination list, who are your top picks for the winners this year? And do you agree with our picks? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 will be live-streamed on their official YouTube channel on May 23, 2026.