The 2025 edition of the best anime awards brought out anime’s brightest stars and global icons in a dazzling celebration hosted by Crunchyroll. Held for the third consecutive year by fan-favorites Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira, the show underscored anime’s growing cultural influence worldwide, with a lineup of presenters as diverse as the genre itself.

Best Anime Awards 2025

A-Listers Embrace Anime Culture

This year’s Crunchyroll Anime Awards welcomed appearances from major international stars, including GRAMMY-winner Kacey Musgraves, Stranger Things duo Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, Latin music sensation J Balvin, and award-winning Japanese talents Mayu Matsuoka and Kanata Hongo. They were joined by global music and fashion icons such as Rina Sawayama, Pabllo Vittar, Dean Fujioka, Damiano David (of Måneskin), and model Saya Ichikawa, reflecting the ever-expanding reach of anime fandom.

Attack on Titan Honored With Global Impact Award

One of the night’s most emotional highlights was the presentation of the first-ever Global Impact Award to Attack on Titan, honoring the franchise’s decade-long influence on anime and pop culture around the globe. Director Yuichiro Hayashi accepted the award on behalf of Studio MAPPA following the series finale, Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK, which aired in late 2024.

Musical Moments That Rocked the Stage

Fans were treated to electrifying live performances throughout the night. Viral sensation Creepy Nuts performed their hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” from Mashle: Magic and Muscles, while legendary rock band FLOW paid tribute to Eureka Seven with a rendition of “DAYS.” J-pop icon LiSA delivered a powerhouse medley that included her timeless hit “Gurenge” from Demon Slayer.

Crunchyroll President Celebrates Fan Power

“With an incredible 51 million votes this year, the 2025 Anime Awards are celebrating the creators in Japan who have captured the hearts of fans and are powering anime’s prominence in global pop culture,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “These works are more than entertainment — they’re part of who we are as fans.”

Best Anime of the Year 2025 and Other Major Wins

The coveted Anime of the Year went to Solo Leveling, which also swept categories like Best New Series, Best Action, and Best Main Character. The emotional and artistic Look Back won Film of the Year, while Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End took home several awards including Best Drama, Best Background Art, and Best Supporting Character.

Here’s a quick look at the major 2025 Anime Award winners:

  • Anime of the Year: Solo Leveling
  • Film of the Year: Look Back
  • Best Continuing Series: Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
  • Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui
  • Best Opening Sequence: “Otonoke” – Creepy Nuts (Dan Da Dan)
  • Best Score: Solo Leveling – Hiroyuki Sawano
  • Best Director: Keiichiro Saito (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Voice Acting Honors Across the Globe

The awards also highlighted anime’s multilingual reach, with Aleks Le (English voice of Sung Jinwoo) and Aoi Yuki (Japanese voice of Maomao) winning for their voice performances. Winners from countries including Brazil, India, Spain, and Italy show how anime now resonates in every corner of the world.

Crunchyroll’s Expanding Footprint

The show, produced in partnership with Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions, streamed across Crunchyroll’s YouTube, Twitch, and Sony Group platforms. With 17 million subscribers worldwide, Crunchyroll continues to grow as a core pillar in Sony’s global content strategy. Major collaborations are on the horizon, including the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy and an anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima.

Final Thoughts: Anime’s Cultural Moment

From emotional tributes and epic performances to groundbreaking wins, the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards captured the spirit of what makes anime a beloved force in global entertainment. As fans continue to champion their favorite stories and characters, these awards serve as a vital tribute to the artistry, emotion, and magic that define the best in anime.

# Written by Elliyas Ahmed