The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards is gearing up to deliver one of its biggest shows yet, marking its 10th anniversary with a global livestream straight from Tokyo. Hosted by Crunchyroll, the ceremony will take place on May 23 and stream worldwide across YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. The pre-show begins at 5:00 PM JST, followed by the main event at 6:00 PM JST, with international timings making it accessible for fans across multiple regions, including India.
This year’s event is positioned as a milestone celebration, recognizing a decade of anime’s expanding global influence. With a mix of industry recognition, celebrity appearances, and musical performances, the Anime Awards continue to grow beyond a niche event into a mainstream entertainment spectacle. The ceremony will once again spotlight the creators, performers, and series that have defined the past year in anime.
Star Power Takes Center Stage at This Year’s Awards
A major highlight of the 2026 ceremony is its lineup of global presenters and performers. The Weeknd will present the highly anticipated Anime of the Year award, bringing mainstream attention to the event. He will be joined by notable names such as RZA and Winston Duke, alongside artists like Young Miko and K-pop stars BamBam and TEN.
The show will also feature live performances tied closely to anime culture, including acts from DEAN FUJIOKA, PORNOGRAFFITTI, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, and Yoko Takahashi. These performances are expected to lift the event beyond a traditional awards show, blending music and anime into a single global experience. The inclusion of internationally recognized artists reflects anime’s growing crossover appeal in mainstream entertainment.
Anime of the Year Nominees Lead a Competitive Lineup
At the center of the event is the Anime of the Year category, which features six standout nominees. This year’s contenders include DAN DA DAN Season 2, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, Takopi’s Original Sin, The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2), and The Summer Hikaru Died. Each title represents a different genre and storytelling style, highlighting the diversity of modern anime.
In total, awards will be presented across 32 categories, covering everything from animation and direction to voice acting and music. The complete nominee list showcases a wide range of talent from across the industry, reinforcing the event’s role as a comprehensive celebration of anime. This broad recognition helps spotlight both mainstream hits and critically acclaimed projects.
Global Livestream Brings the Event to Fans Everywhere
Crunchyroll continues to expand the reach of the Anime Awards by offering the livestream in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Spanish, French, and more. Fans can tune in through official YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as TikTok, making the event accessible across different platforms and regions. This multi-platform approach ensures that viewers can watch the ceremony in a way that suits their preferences.
The global accessibility of the event reflects the platform’s larger vision of making anime a core part of worldwide pop culture. With millions of viewers expected to tune in, the Anime Awards have become a key moment for fans to come together and celebrate the medium. As anticipation builds, all eyes are now on May 23 to see which titles and creators will take home the biggest honors of the night.