The 9th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, held on May 25, 2025, at Tokyo’s Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, celebrated the best in anime from October 2023 to December 2024. This year’s ceremony was a testament to anime’s global influence, featuring high-profile performances and celebrity appearances, including J Balvin, Kacey Musgraves, and Stranger Things actors Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo .
🏆 Major Winners
Solo Leveling: A Historic Sweep
“Solo Leveling” dominated the awards, securing nine wins out of 13 nominations—a record-breaking achievement. The series clinched top honors, including Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Best Action Anime, Best Score, and Best Ending Sequence for “Request” by krage. Its protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, was named Best Main Character, and the series also received accolades for its exceptional global voice talent .
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End: Emotional Resonance
“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” captivated audiences with its poignant storytelling, earning awards for Best Drama, Best Background Art, and Best Director for Keiichiro Saito. The character Fern was recognized as Best Supporting Character, highlighting the series’ depth in character development .
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Technical Excellence
Continuing its legacy, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” won Best Continuing Series and Best Animation for its Hashira Training Arc. The series’ consistent quality in storytelling and animation was acknowledged, though some fans expressed mixed reactions, feeling other deserving series were overshadowed .
Dandadan: Artistic Innovation
Despite leading with 22 nominations, “Dandadan” secured wins in Best Character Design and Best Opening Sequence for “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts, showcasing its unique artistic flair .
Look Back: Best Film
“Look Back” was honored as Best Film, recognized for its compelling narrative and emotional depth .
🎭 Voice Acting Highlights
Aoi Yuki: Awarded Best Japanese Voice Actor for her role in “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” .
Miguel Ángel Leal: Won Best Latin American Voice Actor for portraying Eren Jaeger .
📺 Notable Omissions
Netflix’s “Delicious in Dungeon” garnered 16 nominations, including Anime of the Year, yet did not secure any wins. This outcome sparked discussions about potential biases against content from competing platforms .
🌐 Event Highlights
The ceremony was streamed globally via Crunchyroll’s YouTube and Twitch platforms, marking anime’s continued mainstream success and cultural relevance. The event featured global stars like J Balvin, Kacey Musgraves, and Stranger Things actors Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, turning the ceremony into a cultural spectacle .
For a complete list of winners and more details, visit the official Crunchyroll Anime Awards page.
