#Japan #Tokyo #Crunchyroll #Leveling Up My Life #Anime Awards

Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025

The highly anticipated Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 took place in Japan, celebrating the best in anime over the past year. This year's standout winner was "Leveling Up My Life" which earned the coveted title of Anime of the Year. As a cornerstone of the anime community, the awards showcase the incredible talents of creators, musicians, and voice actors recognized by fans worldwide.

This year marked the ninth edition of the annual awards, which resonated with fans as it continues to grow in prestige. Hosted by popular figures, Sally Amagi and John Kabira, the event captivated audiences with a live stream extending far beyond Japan's borders.

Notable presenters at the awards included a variety of celebrities who share a love for anime:

• - Kacey Musgraves - Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
• - Finn Wolfhard - Canadian actor and musician known for Stranger Things
• - Gaten Matarazzo - American actor also from Stranger Things
• - J Balvin - Grammy-nominated global superstar from Colombia
• - Damiano David - Italian singer-songwriter
• - Rina Sawayama - Musician and actor
• - Pabllo Vittar - Brazilian pop icon
• - Chloe Kim - American snowboarder
• - Zak Penn - Screenwriter for Ready Player One
• - Chocolate Planet - Comedic duo featuring Shohei Nagata and Shun Matsuo
• - Dean Fujioka - Actor and musician
• - Kanata Hongou - Actor
• - Mayu Matsuoka - Actress
• - Sayaka Ichikawa - Model and talent

Prior to the main event, a pre-show hosted by Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu brought in influencers and celebrities like:

• - Plastique Tiara - World-renowned drag queen
• - Ben Whittaker - Professional boxer from the UK
• - d4vd - American recording artist
• - Paloma Mami - Chilean-American singer
• - Ironmouse - VTuber or 'Demon Queen'
• - Gigguk - Pioneer of anime-related content on YouTube

The awards evening was highlighted by exhilarating performances from several notable musical acts. The hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts delivered their opening theme "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" from MASHLE, thrilling fans worldwide. The legendary rock band FLOW celebrated the 20th anniversary of Eureka Seven by performing their iconic song "DAYS". An exhilarating medley from LiSA, featuring her hits including "crossing field" and Demon Slayer's smash hit "Gurenge", brought the audience to their feet. Additionally, a special recorded performance of Creepy Nuts’ song from Dandadan showcased their unique appeal.

The night also saw the prestigious Global Impact Award presented to Attack on Titan, marking a milestone in anime's cultural significance. This award honors groundbreaking creators and works that leave a lasting impact across history and audiences. The recognition was accepted by Yuichiro Hayashi from MAPPA, the studio behind the stunning series.

Raul Prina, President of Crunchyroll, emphasized the deep emotional connection anime fans have with the art form. As he eloquently stated, "Anime is not just a series; it shapes the identities of its fans. This year, we witnessed a record-breaking 51 million votes from fans globally, further solidifying anime's growth in popular culture and honoring the creators behind these beloved works."

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards serve as an annual celebration aimed at recognizing the achievements of the anime community. The results reflect an impressive response from fans across various regions, including Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and the USA, with Canada and Chile making their debut in the top 10 voting standings.

Fans who missed the live stream can catch the awards on-demand via Crunchyroll's YouTube channel, Twitch, SONY PICTURES CORE, and the Sony Group’s YouTube channel. Those looking to experience the event in Japanese can refer to SONY PICTURES CORE for localized content.

Managed by Sony Music Solutions and Dempsey Productions, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 promises to highlight even more dynamic talent and creativity in the future.

Award Winners Summary:

• - Anime of the Year: Leveling Up My Life
• - Film of the Year: Look Back
• - Best Original Anime: NINJA KAMUI
• - Best Continuing Series: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Pillar Training Arc
• - Best New Series: Leveling Up My Life
• - Best Action: Leveling Up My Life
• - Additional awards touched on various categories including comedy, drama, romance, and animation.

About Crunchyroll: Crunchyroll, LLC is the world's leading anime brand, dedicated to expanding fan appreciation worldwide. It offers an extensive library focused on anime, allows viewing via multiple platforms, and regularly engages audiences through events, theater presentations, merchandise, and news.