The highly anticipated international animation film festival, Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2026 (TAAF2026), is set to light up Ikebukuro, Tokyo, from March 13 to March 16, 2026. This exciting event has just unveiled its stunning main visual and officially kicked off the beloved fan voting project, “Minna ga Erabu Best 100” (Top 100 Voted by Everyone)!
The Tokyo Anime Award Festival is a premier celebration of animation, structured around three core pillars. Its “Competition Division” highlights animated works from around the globe that have yet to be screened in Japan, offering audiences a rare glimpse into international talent. The “Anime of the Year Division” recognizes outstanding animated productions released within Japan, celebrating the best of local creativity. Finally, the “Anime Kouro Division” (Anime Achievement Award Division) honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the animation industry, acknowledging their invaluable legacies.
An Unforgettable Main Visual for TAAF2026
For its 13th iteration, TAAF2026 presents a vibrant main visual, a collaborative masterpiece crafted by none other than Tanitabe Touko and Ichioka Mai. Both artists were recipients of individual awards in the Anime of the Year Division at TAAF2025; Tanitabe Touko for the Animator category and Ichioka Mai for the Art, Color, and Cinematography category. This dynamic duo also famously worked together on the character design and art direction for the acclaimed film, Kitaro Tanjou: Gegege no Nazo.
The visual itself is a gorgeous tableau, featuring iconic Japanese symbols like the majestic Mt. Fuji and delicate cherry blossoms. It beautifully captures the essence of spring, with people of all ages joyfully celebrating the season’s arrival, creating a truly festive atmosphere. Tanitabe Touko expressed her hopes, stating, “I would be honored if I could add even a small touch of flair to the Tokyo Anime Award Festival, a grand celebration where animation creators from all over the world gather in Ikebukuro, Japan. I sincerely wish for it to be a wonderful film festival, filled with many smiles and kandou (deep emotion)!” Ichioka Mai added her sentiment, saying, “I hope that the beautiful characters feel even more vibrant and splendid.”
Cast Your Vote: “Minna ga Erabu Best 100” is Open!
The highly anticipated “Minna ga Erabu Best 100” voting for the Anime of the Year Division has now begun! This is your chance to champion your favorite animated works. Eligible entries include all animation works screened, broadcast, or distributed in Japan between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. During the voting period, each person can cast a single vote, selecting up to three TV series and three theatrical films. Don’t miss out – voting closes on November 30!
Full Comments from the Creators
Tanitabe Touko
Every year “Tokyo Anime Award Festival”‘s main visual has always captivated me with its charming and wonderful illustrations. To think that I would be asked to create it this year was a delightful surprise!
During our discussions with the TAAF Secretariat, I received numerous motif ideas that embodied the “TAAF spirit.” From those, I chose elements such as Mt. Fuji, symbolizing Japan, an owl, representing Ikebukuro (the host city), and cherry blossoms, fitting for the March event, and incorporated them into the visual.
Additionally, I had the impression that past visuals often depicted people of all ages having fun, so I tried to fill the screen with as many joyful characters as possible this time too. I had to find a balance; making the characters too strong, like in commercial anime, might lessen the festival’s unique feel, while being too simple might not leave an impression. It was a fun process of exploring that balance.
For the background art, I reached out to Ichioka Mai-san, with whom I’ve worked before, and she truly enhanced the beautiful depiction of the cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji.
I would be honored if I could add even a small touch of flair to the Tokyo Anime Award Festival, a grand celebration where animation creators from all over the world gather in Ikebukuro, Japan. I sincerely wish for it to be a wonderful film festival, filled with many smiles and kandou (deep emotion)!
■Biography
Tanitabe Touko began creating short, hand-drawn animations independently during her student years. In 2014, she joined Studio Color as an in-between animator. She made her key animation debut with Nihon Animator Mihonichi (2015). Afterward, she began working as a freelance animator and director. Her major works include storyboard and direction for Ryuu no Haisha (2017), assistant director for Shin Evangelion Gekijouban:|| (2021), director for EVANGELION:3.0(-46h) (2023), and character design and chief animation director for Kitaro Tanjou: Gegege no Nazo (2023).
Ichioka Mai
I am grateful that Tanitabe-san reached out to me, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to work together again. I hope that the beautiful characters feel even more vibrant and splendid.
■Biography
Ichioka Mai has served as art director for several notable works, including Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo R, Gekijouban Fate/Grand Order Shinsei Entaku Ryouiki Camelot Kouhen Paladin; Agateram, Digimon Ghost Game, and Kitaro Tanjou: Gegege no Nazo.
TAAF2026 Event Overview
Dates: March 13 (Friday) – March 16 (Monday), 2026
Venue: Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Organizers: Tokyo Anime Award Festival Executive Committee, The Association of Japanese Animations
Co-organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Secretariat: Tokyo Anime Award Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (within The Association of Japanese Animations)
(C) TAAFEC. All Rights Reserved.
Illustration: Tanitabe Touko Art: Ichioka Mai (Mihou Co., Ltd.)
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《Takahashi Katsunori》
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