Crunchyroll Unveils Nominees and Presenters for the 2025 Anime Awards

Crunchyroll has unveiled the nominees for the ninth edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which stands as the most significant global event celebrating the brilliance of Japanese animation. Fans from all corners of the globe are invited to take part in this celebration by casting their votes daily until April 14. This year’s nominations reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the anime community, featuring an extensive range of series, creators, and performances that have captured the hearts of viewers.

In addition to the nominees, Crunchyroll has announced an impressive lineup of presenters for the Anime Awards pre-show and live ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, May 25. Among the notable figures participating are Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in "Stranger Things," and Gaten Matarazzo, also from the same acclaimed series. The list continues with a variety of personalities such as Chocolate Planet, a comedic duo, and Dean Fujioka, a well-known Japanese actor and musician. Other prominent presenters include Kanata Hongo, Mayu Matsuoka, Saya Ichikawa, and the award-winning Brazilian pop star Pabllo Vittar. The lineup also features English boxer Ben Whittaker, Italian singer-songwriter Damiano David, and popular VTuber Ironmouse, among others. The event will be opened by Hiroki Totoki, the President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, with the hosting duties handled by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira.

Rahul Purini, the President of Crunchyroll, emphasized the significance of the Anime Awards, stating, “This is a vital time of year for fans as we hear their voices about the anime they cherish and honor the creative minds behind that passion.” He further noted that the awards are a reflection of the emotional connection anime has with its audience, ensuring a night filled with joy and pride for both fans and creators. This year’s nominations showcase over 50 series and films produced by more than 35 talented animation studios, underscoring the richness of the industry.

To build excitement leading up to the 2025 Anime Awards, Crunchyroll aims to help fans catch up on nominated titles. Selected series that are nominated will be streaming on Crunchyroll for free, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the stories and characters they might have missed. Additionally, the Crunchyroll Store is offering significant discounts on manga, collectibles, and other merchandise related to the nominees, providing fans with a chance to expand their collections.

Voting for the awards is open until April 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and fans can vote daily via the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Official Website. This year, for the first time, voting can also be conducted through the Crunchyroll mobile app, making it easier than ever for fans to support their favorite anime. The winners will be revealed during the live ceremony and through a global livestream, creating a shared experience for fans around the world.

The nominees for the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards are as follows:

Anime of the Year:

1. DAN DA DAN
2. Delicious in Dungeon
3. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
4. Kaiju No. 8
5. Solo Leveling
6. The Apothecary Diaries

Film of the Year:

1. HAIKYUU!! The Dumpster Battle
2. Look Back
3. Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain
4. My Hero Academia: You’re Next
5. SPY x FAMILY CODE: White
6. The Colors Within

Best Original Anime:

1. BUCCHIGIRI?! GIRLS BAND CRY
2. Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
3. Metallic Rouge
4. Ninja Kamui
5. Train to the End of the World

Best Continuing Series:

1. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
3. My Hero Academia
4. ONE PIECE
5. 【OSHI NO KO】
6. SPY × FAMILY

Best New Series:

1. DAN DA DAN
2. Delicious in Dungeon
3. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
4. Kaiju No. 8
5. Solo Leveling
6. The Apothecary Diaries

Best Opening Sequence:

1. Abyss – Yungblud – Kaiju No. 8
2. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts – MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES
3. The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc Fatal – GEMN – 【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
4. LEveL – SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Solo Leveling
5. Otonoke – Creepy Nuts – DAN DA DAN
6. UUUUUS! – Hiroshi Kitadani – ONE PIECE

Best Ending Sequence:

1. Antanante – riria. – Ranma 1/2
2. Burning – Hitsujibungaku – 【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
3. KAMAKURA STYLE – BotchiBoromaru – The Elusive Samurai
4. Nobody – OneRepublic – Kaiju No. 8
5. request – krage – Solo Leveling
6. TAIDADA – ZUTOMAYO – DAN DA DAN

Best Action:

1. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
2. DAN DA DAN
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
4. Kaiju No. 8
5. Solo Leveling
6. WIND BREAKER

Best Comedy:

1. Delicious in Dungeon
2. KONOSUBA -God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3
3. MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES
4. My Deer Friend Nokotan
5. Ranma 1/2
6. SPY × FAMILY Season 2

Best Drama:

1. A Sign of Affection
2. DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION
3. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
4. 【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
5. Pluto
6. The Apothecary Diaries

Best Isekai:

1. KONOSUBA -God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3
2. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (season 2, Cour 2)
3. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
4. Shangri-La Frontier Season 2
5. Suicide Squad ISEKAI
6. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3

Best Romance:

1. A Sign of Affection
2. Blue Box
3. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
4. Ranma 1/2
5. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
6. The Dangers in My Heart Season 2

Best Slice of Life:

1. Laid-Back Camp Season 3
2. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
3. Mr. Villain’s Day Off
4. My Deer Friend Nokotan
5. Sound! Euphonium 3
6. The Dangers in My Heart Season 2

Best Animation:

1. DAN DA DAN
2. Delicious in Dungeon
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
4. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
5. Kaiju No. 8
6. Solo Leveling

Best Background Art:

1. DAN DA DAN
2. Delicious in Dungeon
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
4. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
5. Pluto
6. The Apothecary Diaries

Best Character Design:

1. DAN DA DAN
2. Delicious in Dungeon
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
4. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
5. Kaiju No. 8
6. The Apothecary Diaries

Best Director:

1. Fuga Yamashiro – DAN DA DAN
2. Haruo Sotozaki – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
3. Keiichiro Saito – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
4. Megumi Ishitani – ONE PIECE FAN LETTER
5. Norihiro Naganuma – The Apothecary Diaries
6. Yoshihiro Miyajima – Delicious in Dungeon

Best Main Character:

1. Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
2. Kafka Hibino – Kaiju No. 8
3. Okarun – DAN DA DAN
4. Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries
5. Momo – DAN DA DAN
6. Sung Jinwoo – Solo Leveling

Best Supporting Character:

1. Fern – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
2. Himmel – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
3. Jinshi – The Apothecary Diaries
4. Seiko – DAN DA DAN
5. Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
6. Turbo Granny – DAN DA DAN

“Must Protect At All Cost” Character:

1. Anya Forger – SPY × FAMILY Season 2
2. Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
3. Okarun – DAN DA DAN
4. Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon