The most important weekend of the year for anime fans worldwide has just concluded! The prestigious Anime Awards 2026 were presented live in Tokyo. Marking its spectacular 10th anniversary edition, the award show shattered all records with an incredible 73 million votes cast by passionate fans and experts from across the globe.
Are you looking for your next binge-watch obsession, or do you want to find out if your ultimate favorite took home a trophy? We have rounded up the biggest winners and most exciting surprises from the official ceremony!
Anime of the Year
There was no stopping the hype train: My Hero Academia: FINAL SEASON has officially been crowned Anime of the Year! The ultimate climax of Studio Bones’ superhero epic left an indelible mark on the community. In addition to taking home the night’s biggest honor, the franchise also secured awards for Best Ending Sequence (“I” by BUMP OF CHICKEN) and Best Supporting Character (Katsuki Bakugo). It is a well-deserved tribute to a series that has dominated the anime landscape for a generation.
Film of the Year
When it came to mind-blowing animation and cinematic grandeur, one movie reigned supreme in the most competitive theatrical category:
Film of the Year: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. This visual masterpiece was the biggest earner of the evening, sweeping up a total of 7 awards, including the highly coveted prize for Best Score.
Top Newcomers and Genre Highlights
In the mood for something fresh to add to your watchlist? These are the standout hits that dominated their respective categories:
Best New Series: The gritty, stylized, and universally acclaimed Gachiakuta was voted the best new series of the year. With its unique aesthetic and raw energy, it instantly captured the hearts of voters.
Best Comedy Anime: The chaotic and wildly entertaining hit series DAN DA DAN Season 2 walked away with the award for Best Comedy. This came as no surprise, considering the show was the most-nominated title of the evening with an impressive 20 nominations!
Best Drama: The beautifully written and mystery-packed The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 claimed victory in the drama category. On top of that, it secured Best Director, and its brilliant protagonist Maomao (voiced by Aoi Yuki) was officially crowned Best Main Character.
Fan Favorites and 'Must-Protects'
Naturally, the most beloved icons were not left empty-handed. When it came to the most heartwarming category of the night, the “Must Protect At All Costs” Character, our favorite telepathic orphan Anya Forger from SPY x FAMILY Season 3 rightfully secured the crown once again.
Overview of the Main Winners (Anime Awards 2026):
| Category | Official Winner |
|---|---|
| Anime of the Year | My Hero Academia: FINAL SEASON |
| Film of the Year | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle |
| Best Original Anime | Lazarus |
| Best Continuing Series | One Piece |
| Best New Series | Gachiakuta |
| Best Comedy | DAN DA DAN Season 2 |
| Best Drama | The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 |
| Best Action | Solo Leveling season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- |
| Best Isekai Anime | Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World season 3 |
| Best Main Character | Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries Season 2) |
| Best Supporting Character | Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia: FINAL SEASON) |
| Must Protect Character | Anya Forger (SPY x FAMILY Season 3) |
| Best Anime Song | “Iris Out” — Kenshi Yonezu — Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc |
| Best Opening Sequence | “On The Way” – Aina the End – Dan Da Dan season 2 |
| Best Ending Sequence | “I” — BUMP OF CHICKEN (My Hero Academia) |
| Best Voice Artist Performance (Japanese) | Aoi Yuki — Maomao — The Apothecary Diaries season 2 |
| Best Voice Artist Performance (English) | Lucien Dodge — Akaza — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle |
| Best Director | Akinori Fudesaka, Norihiro Naganuma — The Apothecary Diaries season 2 |
What Do You Think of the Results?
Did My Hero Academia deserve the grand prize for its epic conclusion, or were you rooting for DAN DA DAN or Gachiakuta? Let us know your thoughts in the comments on our social media channels, and stay tuned to madeinasia.nl for all your latest anime news and updates!
