On May 25, 2025, Crunchyroll, LLC hosted the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025” ceremony at Hiten, Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Toukyou. This event celebrates the achievements of anime works, characters, and creators selected by the votes of anime fans worldwide.
This marked the 9th iteration of the awards and the 3rd time it was held in Nihon, the “sacred ground of anime.” This year’s awards saw a record-breaking number of votes from anime fans, exceeding 51 million. Before the awards ceremony, a dazzling array of renowned celebrities from both Nihon and overseas graced the orange carpet. These included comedy duo Chocolate Planet, actor Hongou Kanata, HIP HOP unit Creepy Nuts, ‘Stranger Things’ actors Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, and Damiano David, the lead vocalist of the rock band Måneskin.
A glimpse at some of the winning titles:
Best Continuing Series: Kimetsu no Yaiba “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen
Best New Series: Ore dake Level Up na Ken
Best Original Anime: NINJA KAMUI
Best Animation: Kimetsu no Yaiba “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen
Best Character Design: Dandadan
Best Director: Sousou no Frieren
Best Background Art (New Category): Sousou no Frieren
Opening Ceremony and Special Performances
Following the orange carpet reception, the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025” ceremony kicked off with a dynamic opening performance by Creepy Nuts, performing “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” the opening theme for the second season of Mashle -MASHLE- Kami Kakusha Kouho Senbatsu Shiken Hen. Their energetic show instantly raised the temperature in the venue, setting the stage for the awards. MCs John Kabira and Sally Amaki then appeared, greeted by resounding applause as the ceremony officially began.
In addition to presenting the awards to the winners, special performances punctuated the introductions of the nominated works. FLOW, known for performing many anime songs including opening themes for NARUTO -Naruto-, took the stage. They performed “DAYS,” the opening theme song for Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. From the moment the music started, the audience was captivated by their ability to draw listeners into the story.
Later in the ceremony, artist LiSA appeared and performed a total of three songs: “crossing field,” the opening song for Sword Art Online, “Datte Atashi no Hero.,” the ending song for Boku no Hero Academia, and “Gurenge,” the opening song for Kimetsu no Yaiba. Her breathtakingly powerful performance filled the venue with overwhelming emotion.
Highlighting the Award Winners
As glamorous celebrities continued to announce the awards, building excitement in the venue, the prestigious Anime of the Year award was presented to Ore dake Level Up na Ken. Director Nakashige Shunsuke, who accepted the award on behalf of the production, expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Today, I am truly honored to receive such a wonderful award. I deeply feel that this award is thanks to the staff and cast members who poured immense passion into creating the work, and the fans who embraced it. It is truly moving to see their efforts and passion rewarded in this way, and as a director, I feel a sense of relief. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, cast, and all the fans who supported us. Thank you very much.” He passionately spoke about his strong feelings towards everyone involved in anime production and the fans who love the works. The “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025” ceremony concluded with thunderous applause, surrounded by the individuals who continue to provide us with incredible anime works, bidding farewell with a sense of longing.
In other award categories, the first award announced was Best Animation, which went to “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen. Actor Dean Fujioka appeared as the presenter. He delivered a passionate speech about creators and his love for anime, stating, “The creators here know the immense effort behind brilliant art. And tonight, that culminates in deep respect and admiration from the entire culture of anime.”
The new category, Best Isekai Anime, was awarded to Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3rd season. Model and TV personality Ichikawa Saya served as the presenter. She gave a speech eloquently describing the charm of isekai anime, saying, “The protagonist is born and raised in a normal world we know. From there, they are suddenly taken or wander into another world that only existed in the creator’s mind. Along with the protagonist, we viewers are also guided to an unknown world. Isekai anime gives us experiences that transcend reality.”
Best Continuing Series was also awarded to “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen. Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo appeared as presenters. Showing their friendly rapport, they spoke about their love for anime, commenting, “We often talk about how great it is when a series is so amazing that you never want it to end. That’s exactly what this award means. It’s an award that celebrates anime that captivate audiences and become more and more charming with each episode and each season. The ability to expand the world, develop the characters, and push to new heights is what makes anime so interesting.”
Best Original Anime went to NINJA KAMUI. Comedy duo Chocolate Planet presented the award. Matsuo commented, “Creators come up with bold and original ideas, spinning stories no one has ever seen before.” Nagada followed, “Creating something directly from your own brain makes your head hurt so much. As a creator myself, I understand the pain and difficulty of creation. Sometimes I feel like smoke might come out of my ears…”
Matsuo then interjected, “Ahahaha! I don’t think that happens. Now, creators, harness your creativity and vision to captivate, excite, and surprise viewers in every scene.” Nagada added with his unique choice of words, “That’s right. I would pay any amount of money if I could tour the factory inside the creators’ heads (Mr. Nagada).” They passionately spoke about the appeal of creators with their distinctive sense of humor.
Best Anime Song was awarded to “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts, featured in Dandadan. Brazilian pop icon Pabllo Vittar appeared as the presenter. They gave a passionate speech about how anime songs deeply affect our hearts, saying, “When the song plays, my pulse naturally quickens, my skin tingles, and before I know it, I feel completely and deeply drawn into that moment. I’m drawn into the story, emotional scenes hit even harder, and farewell scenes feel even more poignant. A perfect theme song sets the tone for the entire work. This award celebrates songs that stay deep in our hearts and evoke emotions no matter how many times we listen to them.”
Best Slice of Life was awarded to Make Heroine ga Oosugiru! Actress Matsuoka Mayu presented the award. She spoke about her unchanging love for anime since childhood, saying, “I entered the world of acting when I was a child, but anime was by my side long before that. It was just naturally there, my greatest joy as a child. The time spent talking about our thoughts with friends at school after a broadcast feels distant now. The genre that was by my side for as long as I can remember was indeed slice of life. That hasn’t changed even as an adult, and it continues to support me.”
Best Composition was awarded to Ore dake Level Up na Ken. Actor and voice actor Hongou Kanata presented the award. He spoke about his thoughts on anime music with a beautiful analogy, saying, “Music is the heartbeat and blood of anime. Carefully crafted music has the power to give the story mood, energy, pace, and tension. Music that fits the work sometimes gently, sometimes intensely, guides the viewer on a journey of the heart to the final destination.”
Best Director was awarded to Sousou no Frieren. Screenwriter Zack Penn appeared as the presenter. He spoke about an important theme in anime, saying, “This Best Director award celebrates the directors who brilliantly handled the most captivating works of the year. They are each masters of their craft, employing unique visions and creative approaches that set new standards in filmmaking. These animated stories, though depicting worlds as different as reality and fantasy, are united by a common, cherished theme: deep familial love at the heart of every narrative.”
The Global Impact Award was awarded to Shingeki no Kyojin. Italian singer-songwriter Damiano David presented the award. He spoke passionately about the global impact, stating, “Over the past decade, ‘Shingeki no Kyojin’ has transcended being just an anime work to become a cultural phenomenon, gaining high acclaim. This work set a new standard in storytelling while also redefining the anime industry itself, and continues to exert a tremendous influence on the next generation of creators. ‘Shingeki no Kyojin’ was a special turning point among them, symbolizing the dawn of a new era in the anime world.”
Film of the Year was awarded to Look Back. Musician and actor Rina Sawayama presented the award. She praised the creators and spoke with strong emotion, saying, “Film directors pour their heart and soul into every single cut, are not afraid to take creative risks, and continue to challenge the possibilities of storytelling. That is truly the power of ‘vision’ – the power to capture moments that awaken emotions and memories as images. These films draw us deeply into the worlds of heroes, spies, and ghosts. Each work is vivid, yet driven by something deeply human.”
And the esteemed Anime of the Year was awarded to Ore dake Level Up na Ken. Singer-songwriter and musician Kacey Musgraves appeared as the presenter. She concluded her speech with respect for the award, saying, “Anime of the Year is an award supported by the passion of the fans. This award is given to the work that generated the biggest buzz, sparked various fan theories and discussions, and deepened the bonds of the community day by day. Heart-stirring stories, deeply memorable characters, and countless famous scenes that captivated the world – such works truly deserve to be Anime of the Year.”
Full Interview Transcripts Below
Anime of the Year: Ore dake Level Up na Ken Director: Nakashige Shunsuke
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: To be honest, I’m so nervous right now that I feel like running away (laughs). But even so, I am truly happy from the bottom of my heart. As I mentioned earlier, I believe I was able to get this far because of the efforts of the staff, the hard work of the cast, and most importantly, the passion of the fans. I am sincerely happy and honored that all of that has been recognized in this way.
Q: Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the recording or production?
A: The production was truly grueling. It might sound a bit exaggerated to say this, but it was such a tough “battle” that I can’t express it all in a single sentence. Among those experiences, the scene that left the deepest impression on me personally was the one where the protagonist, Mizushino Shun, sheds tears in Episode 21. During the recording for that scene, I told the main voice actor, Saka Taito-san, “I’ll leave the acting entirely up to you. You understand the character better than anyone!” and I just added, “I’ll figure out the visuals somehow!” As a result, he delivered a truly wonderful performance, but I never expected to end up drawing that scene myself, so that was a bit of a surprise (laughs). It’s a scene filled with such memories.
Q: What kind of anime would you like to challenge yourself with in the future?
A: Honestly, since the second cour finished broadcasting at the end of March, I haven’t fully recovered yet. So, my true feeling is that I’d like to rest a bit longer, but if I were to answer, I’d like to try a work without action next time. Personally, I like cute girls, so I’d be happy if I could be involved in such a project. However, I’m also a little anxious, feeling that I’ll probably get another offer for an action project.
Q: Do you have a message for the anime fans watching not only in Nihon but all over the world?
A: I am basically always in Nihon, so it’s difficult for me to hear directly from overseas fans, but through the feedback I hear around me, I truly feel that the work is very popular overseas. I’ve also heard stories like “it’s been played hundreds of millions of times,” and I strongly feel the passion of overseas anime fans in real-time. In fact, when I had the opportunity to speak at an event in Germany once, I felt the warm support of the local fans firsthand, and I was very grateful. The original work is still ongoing, so I would be very happy if you continue to support it.
Best Animation: “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen Voice Actor: Sakurai Takahiro (as Tomioka Giyuu)
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: I was aware that we were nominated, but I didn’t expect it to be the first award announced, so I was nervous. However, Dean Fujioka-san greeted me with a kind smile, and thanks to that smile, I was able to speak in a relaxed manner.
Q: Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the recording or production?
A: Since this work has been recorded over many years, the recording sessions themselves always proceed very smoothly. However, as the story approaches its climax, I feel that the level of focus and the enthusiasm of the cast at the recording site are incredible every time I participate in the voice recording.
Q: How do you feel about the international response to the work?
A: Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Mexico and Brazil for the world tour of this work, and I was incredibly happy to be greeted with such overwhelming enthusiasm that transcended borders. Although this work is a fantasy that deals with traditional old Japanese culture, I felt firsthand that it was accepted without any feeling of strangeness, which made me very happy.
Q: Do you have a message for overseas fans?
A: Thank you very much for this wonderful award. Kimetsu no Yaiba will continue from here on. I sincerely ask for everyone’s continued support.
Best Anime Song: Dandadan “Otonoke” Singer: Creepy Nuts
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: DJ Matsunaga: I am very happy. And to be nominated for two songs, “Otonoke” and “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” is truly an honor. We have always strived to deliver better HIP HOP in our own way, so being recognized like this makes us happiest of all.
A: R-Shitei: That’s right. Due to the nature of HIP HOP culture, we ultimately sing about ourselves. Since there were many common points between the anime characters and ourselves this time, I am very happy that such a song has reached so many people.
Q: How has the international response been?
A: DJ Matsunaga: I believe that a synergy was created when our music combined with the wonderful animation that adapted the originally popular source material, leading to a great deal of response. I am genuinely happy to be evaluated positively by people overseas.
Q: Do you have a message for overseas fans?
A: R-Shitei: For those who got to know our music through anime theme songs, I hope you will listen to our albums as well. We also want to perform live overseas with those albums, so when we come for concerts, I hope you’ll have fun with the music together.
A: DJ Matsunaga: That’s right. When I’m creating music, the thing that gives me the most sense of accomplishment is creating a genre of music that doesn’t exist yet. When I see that combined with an anime opening sequence, it’s something I haven’t seen much before in an opening sequence. I just keep making songs, but I always want to create works that make me feel like I’ve discovered or reached something new, something that surpasses the previous one.
Best Continuing Series: “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen Voice Actor: Hanazawa Kana (as Kanroji Mitsuri)
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: I felt everyone’s support firsthand during the world tour, so I’m very happy to feel that support again in this form.
Q: Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the recording or production?
A: For the Hashira Geiko Hen, I remember the Hashira gathered together, and it was a friendly atmosphere. I recall being particularly amused by the fact that many of the veteran cast members playing the Hashira were talking about how their bodies were starting to feel the wear and tear (laughs).
Q: Do you have a message for overseas fans?
A: Thank you all very much for your support. From now on, Kimetsu no Yaiba will head towards the Final Battle Arc, “Mugenjou Hen.” The production staff are currently working with incredible passion, so I would be very happy if you would come to the theaters to see it.
Best Film of the Year: Look Back Director, Screenwriter, Character Designer: Oshiyama Kiyotaka
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: To be honest, I never thought I would actually win, so I was truly surprised when my name was called. I was so nervous that I couldn’t speak well once I was on stage.
Q: Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the recording or production?
A: We produced this work as a mid-length film of about 58 minutes at our small anime studio called “Studio Durian.” However, since the number of animators involved was limited, the burden on each person was very large. I myself, while serving as director, drew more than half of the key animation in the film, pushing myself into a considerably tough situation. Anime production is always difficult, but I felt that this production site was particularly challenging.
Q: Do you have a message for overseas fans?
A: Japanese anime production is truly supported by a large number of animators and staff from various professions involved in anime. I believe it is thanks to the efforts of everyone that so many works are born and high-quality anime is produced. And in this era, I feel that delivering anime not only within Nihon but to people all over the world is connected to the future of anime production. That is why I am truly honored that people involved in anime production are celebrated in the form of awards for fans all over the world, like Crunchyroll. I recently participated in an anime event held in America and had the opportunity to speak on a panel. By interacting directly with the local fans, I felt that the distance between Japanese creators and them had shortened a little. I would be happy if such exchanges continue to expand in the future.
Global Impact Award: Shingeki no Kyojin Director: Hayashi Yuuichiro
Q: How do you feel right now after receiving the award?
A: In a global setting like this, I am once again reminded of how much of a significant impact Japanese animation has had on the world. I believe that the achievements built by the directors other than myself, starting from Season 1 of the work ‘Shingeki no Kyojin,’ are very large. Amidst that, being able to finish the final season myself and have its culmination accepted by people all over the world is truly an honor, and also a great source of pride for me.
Q: Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the recording or production?
A: As I mentioned earlier, I joined from the final season, but at first, I heard that the series would conclude much sooner. I started production with that in mind, but it ended up being a long project that took nearly three or four years, so I was involved with ‘Shingeki no Kyojin’ for a very long time. Because of that, my feelings for this work became very strong, and there were times when I felt anxious, wondering if I could really see it through to the end. Despite that, we were able to complete it safely with the combined strength of all the staff, and I am truly relieved now and wholeheartedly grateful to all the staff members.
Q: Do you have a message for overseas fans?
A: I honestly believe that the reason we were able to complete it this far is because we felt the reality of anime fans all over the world watching this work. To be honest, before working on ‘Shingeki no Kyojin,’ I strongly felt that I was mainly creating my works for Japanese anime fans. But through ‘Shingeki no Kyojin,’ I realized that people all over the world are truly watching anime, and that was a big realization for me. Having experienced the production of this work, the awareness that ‘animation is something to be sent out to the world’ blossomed, and I feel that my production style itself has greatly changed since then. That is why I am sincerely grateful to the fans all over the world who have supported us. Thank you very much.
Full List of Winners: The 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025
Here is the complete list of winners announced at the ceremony:
| Category | Winner | Associated Name/Role (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Anime of the Year | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | |
| Best Continuing Series | Kimetsu no Yaiba “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen | |
| Best New Series | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | |
| Film of the Year | Look Back | |
| Best Original Anime | NINJA KAMUI | |
| Best Animation | Kimetsu no Yaiba “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Hashira Geiko Hen | |
| Best Character Design | Dandadan | |
| Best Director | Sousou no Frieren | |
| Best Background Art (New Category) | Sousou no Frieren | |
| Best Romance | Ao no Hako | |
| Best Comedy | Mashle -MASHLE- Kami Kakusha Kouho Senbatsu Shiken Hen | |
| Best Action | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | |
| Global Impact Award | Shingeki no Kyojin | |
| Best Isekai Anime (New Category) | Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3rd season | |
| Best Drama | Sousou no Frieren | |
| Best Slice of Life | Make Heroine ga Oosugiru! | |
| Best Main Character | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | Mizushino Shun |
| Best Supporting Character | Sousou no Frieren | Fern |
| “Must Protect At All Costs” Character | SPYxFAMILY Season 2 | Anya Forger |
| Best Anime Song | Dandadan | “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts |
| Best Composition | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | |
| Best Opening Sequence | Dandadan | “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts |
| Best Ending Sequence | Ore dake Level Up na Ken | “request” by kurage |
| Best Voice Artist (Japanese) | Kusuriya no Hitorigoto | Yuuki Aoi (as Maomao) |
| *Other Voice Artist awards for dubbed versions (Arabic, Castilian (Spanish), English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish (Latin America)) can be found on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards website. | ||
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 Event Overview
Official Name: “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025”
Date & Time: Sunday, May 25, 2024, 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Venue: Hiten, Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa (Address: 3-13-1 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Toukyou)
Guest Celebrities
(Titles omitted, in no particular order):
- Finn Wolfhard
- Gaten Matarazzo
- Pabllo Vittar
- Ben Whittaker
- Damiano David
- Ironmouse
- d4vd
- Chloe Kim
- Plastique Tiara
- Paloma Mami
- Gigguk
- J. Balvin
- Kacey Musgraves
- Zack Penn
- Creepy Nuts
- LiSA
- FLOW
- Chocolate Planet
- Dean Fujioka
- Hongou Kanata
- Rina Sawayama
- Matsuoka Mayu
- Ichikawa Saya
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