The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards recently concluded, recognizing the most impactful series of the last year. One Piece was named Anime of the Year, while My Hero Academia earned accolades for both its film and final season.

One Piece and My Hero Academia Secure the Top Prizes

The most prestigious honor of the evening, Anime of the Year, was awarded to One Piece, cementing the long-running epic's continued relevance in a crowded market. According to the report, My Hero Academia also enjoyed a massive night, claiming the award for best anime film of the year.

The success of the My Hero Academia franchise extended into the television categories, where My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON was named Best Continuing Series.. This double victory suggests a strong emotional resonance with audiences as the series reaches its conclusion, further highlighted by Katsuki Bakugo winning the award for Best Supporting Character.

Solo Leveling Season 2 Claims Technical Victory

Technical excellence was dominated by Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-, which took home awards for both Best Action and Best Animation. As the source notes, the series has set a new benchmark for visual fidelity in the action genre, reflecting a broader industry trend toward high-budget, cinematic production values for "power fantasy" narratives.

This trend of visual spectacle is often what separates modern hits from their predecessors, and the double win for Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- indicates that the production's ability to render complex combat sequences was a deciding factor for the judges or voters.

Akaza’s Voice Acting Sweep Across Five Languages

The character of Akaza from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle achieved a rare feat by winning Best Voice Artist Performance across five different languages. The awards went to Lucien Dodge (English), Charles Emmanuel (Brazilian Portuguese), Carles Teruel (Castilian Spanish), Gerrit Schmidt-Fö (German), and Jose Antonio Toledano (Latin Spanish).

This widespread recognition for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle underscores the globalized nature of anime consumption. While Aoi Yuki won for her role as Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries (season 2) for the Japanese performance, the sheer volume of wins for the character of Akaza highlights the importance of high-quality localization in maintaining a franchise's international appeal.

The Apothecary Diaries and Re:ZERO’s Genre Dominance

Genre-specific awards showcased the enduring popularity of established worlds, with Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 winning Best Isekai Anime. This win reinforces the dominance of the "trapped in another world" trope, which continues to be a primary driver of viewership and critical acclaim within the medium.

Meanwhile, The Apothecary Diaries (season 2) proved its critical strength by securing the Best Director award for Akinori Fudesaka and Norihiro Naganuma. The combination of directorial praise and Aoi Yuki's voice acting win suggests that The Apothecary Diaries is being recognized for its sophisticated storytelling and character development rather than just visual flair .

The Missing Details on the 2026 Voting Process

Despite the comprehensive list of winners, several key details regarding the 2026 ceremony remain unverified. The source does not specify whether the winners were determined by a fan vote, a professional jury, or a hybrid system, nor does it provide the total number of nominees in each category.

Furthermore, the report lacks a specific date and location for the event, leaving it unclear if the ceremony was a physical gathering or a digital broadcast. Without these details, it is difficult to determine if the wins for One Piece and My Hero Academia reflect a critical consensus or the sheer volume of a dedicated global fanbase.