Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- added another major achievement to its legacy this week after Season 3 won Best Isekai Anime at the 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The ceremony was held on May 23, 2026, at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan, bringing together some of the anime industry’s biggest creators, performers, and studios.
The award arrives during a significant year for the franchise, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its anime adaptation. Since debuting in 2016, Re:ZERO has grown into one of the most recognizable modern isekai series, building a dedicated audience across streaming platforms worldwide.
Re:ZERO Continues Its Strong Run in the Isekai Genre
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards have become one of the most visible global celebrations of anime since launching in 2017. Winners are determined through a combination of fan voting and selections from an international judging panel, making the awards a reflection of both critical appreciation and audience popularity.
Re:ZERO Season 3 winning the Best Isekai category further reinforces the series’ influence within the genre. The anime has remained relevant over the years thanks to its darker storytelling approach, emotional character arcs, and unpredictable narrative structure centered around Subaru Natsuki’s repeated deaths and psychological struggles.
The latest season continued adapting the story from Tappei Nagatsuki’s original light novels while expanding the scale of the series’ conflicts and character development. Its combination of emotional tension and fantasy action helped the season maintain strong momentum among viewers.
Director Masahiro Shinohara Shares His Reaction
Following the awards ceremony, director Masahiro Shinohara participated in a press interview discussing the recognition and the work behind the latest season.
“Winning this award for the second consecutive year is a truly profound honor,”
Shinohara said during the interview.
“This achievement is the direct result of our staff and voice actors working together as a united team. I am incredibly grateful and happy.”
His comments emphasized the collaborative effort behind the production, crediting the animation staff and cast for helping the series maintain its quality and emotional impact across multiple seasons.
A Finale Decision That Nearly Did Not Happen
One of the more interesting moments from the interview involved a behind-the-scenes story about the ending of Season 3’s final episode. According to Shinohara, there was internal disagreement over how the finale should be presented.
“For the very end of the final episode of Season 3, my original plan was to play the music and roll the episode subtitle simultaneously,”
he explained.
“However, our sound director initially opposed this idea.”
Despite the concerns, Shinohara decided to stick with his vision. He later said the choice ultimately helped create a more emotional ending that resonated strongly with viewers.
The story offers insight into the production process behind Re:ZERO and highlights how small creative decisions can shape audience reactions in major ways.
A Decade of Re:ZERO and Growing International Support
This year marks the anime’s 10th anniversary since Season 1 premiered in 2016, making the latest award particularly meaningful for longtime fans. Over the past decade, Re:ZERO has evolved from a breakout fantasy series into one of the most recognizable names in anime streaming.
Shinohara also used the interview to acknowledge the international audience that has supported the franchise throughout its run. “We can truly feel your incredible passion and energy reaching us from across the ocean,” he said. “I truly believe this series progresses hand-in-hand with all of our fans.”
That global support has played a major role in the series’ longevity, especially as anime streaming continues expanding internationally through platforms like Crunchyroll.