The pre-show kicks off at 5 p.m. JST, followed by the main event at 6 p.m. JST. You can watch the live stream on Crunchyroll’s Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as SONY PICTURES CORE and the Sony Group Corp Global YouTube Channels.
2025 Anime Awards: A Night of Celebration
The Anime Awards 2025 promises to be an unforgettable night, celebrating the best in anime from the past year. From stunning animation to captivating stories, the nominees represent the pinnacle of creativity and artistry in the industry. Let’s dive into the categories and nominees, and get ready to celebrate the winners!
Anime of the Year 2025
The most coveted award of the night, Anime of the Year, recognizes the anime series that has captivated audiences and critics alike. The nominees for this year are:
- DAN DA DAN
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- Solo Leveling
- The Apothecary Diaries
Winner: To Be Announced
Anime Film of the Year
This award celebrates the best anime films that have graced the big screen, offering breathtaking visuals and compelling narratives. The nominees are:
- HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle
- Look Back
- Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain
- My Hero Academia: You’re Next
- SPY x FAMILY CODE: White
- The Colors Within
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Continuing Anime Series
This category recognizes the anime series that have consistently delivered high-quality storytelling and animation over multiple seasons. The nominees are:
- BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
- My Hero Academia Season 7
- ONE PIECE
- OSHI NO KO Season 2
- SPY x FAMILY Season 2
Winner: To Be Announced
Best New Anime Series
This award celebrates the fresh and innovative anime series that have made a splash in their debut season. The nominees are:
- DAN DA DAN
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- Solo Leveling
- The Apothecary Diaries
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Original Anime
This category recognizes the anime series that are not based on existing manga or light novels, showcasing the creativity and originality of the anime industry. The nominees are:
- BUCCHIGIRI?!
- GIRLS BAND CRY
- Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
- Metallic Rouge
- Ninja Kamui
- Train to the End of the World
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Animation
This award celebrates the anime series that have demonstrated exceptional animation quality, bringing characters and worlds to life with stunning visuals. The nominees are:
- DAN DA DAN
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- Solo Leveling
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Character Design
This category recognizes the anime series that have created memorable and visually appealing characters, contributing to the overall aesthetic and appeal of the show. The nominees are:
- DAN DA DAN
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- The Apothecary Diaries
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Director
This award celebrates the directors who have skillfully guided their teams to create exceptional anime series, bringing their vision to life with creativity and precision. The nominees are:
- Fuga Yamashiro (DAN DA DAN)
- Haruo Sotozaki (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc)
- Keiichiro Saito (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
- Megumi Ishitani (ONE PIECE FAN LETTER)
- Norihiro Naganuma (The Apothecary Diaries)
- Yoshihiro Miyajima (Delicious in Dungeon)
Winner: To Be Announced
Best Background Art
This category recognizes the anime series that have created immersive and visually stunning backgrounds, enhancing the overall atmosphere and world-building of the show. The nominees are:
- DAN DA DAN
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Pluto
- The Apothecary Diaries
Winner: To Be Announced
And More…
The Anime Awards 2025 also celebrates excellence in other genres and categories, including:
- Best Romance Anime
- Best Comedy Anime
- Best Action Anime
- Best Isekai Anime
- Best Drama Anime
- Best Slice of Life Anime
- Best Main Character
- Best Supporting Character
- “Must Protect At All Costs” Character
- Best Anime Song
- Best Anime Score
- Best Anime Opening Sequence
- Best Anime Ending Sequence
- Best Voice Artist Performances in multiple languages
The winners in these categories will also be announced live on May 25, 2025. Stay tuned for the full list of winners and celebrate the best in anime!
The Anime Awards 2025 is set to be a spectacular event, honoring the hard work and creativity of the anime industry. Make sure to tune in live and celebrate with fellow anime fans around the world!