By Penny Theodorakopoulou,
From Tokyo’s Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa on May 25, anime’s most important night was both extravagant and incredibly emotional. Jon Kabira and Sally Amaki, the hosts, began by congratulating fans everywhere, saying, “This night is yours.” They then launched into 32 categories that featured everything from Best Isekai Anime to Best Voice-Acting in Hindi. But when the awards were handed out, Solo Leveling, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’s Hashira Training Arc were the three anime that stole the show.
Let’s start with the basics: the big categories!
Anime of the Year: Solo Leveling
After fierce competition from Dandadan, Delicious in Dungeon, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Kaiju No. 8, and The Apothecary Diaries, the dominant powerhouse Solo Leveling emerged victorious. The audience screamed as Chugong’s Sung Jinwoo came to life on the enormous displays. As the audience erupted in both applause and tears, producer Kim Ji-hoon remarked, “I never dreamed of a fandom this passionate.”
Film of the Year: Look Back
Haikyū!! The Dumpster Battle and My Hero Academia: You’re Next lost to Look Back, a quiet storm from Studio Durian, which took the title of Film of the Year. In a silence of respect, creator Kiyotaka Oshiyama gave his consent. He whispered, “This story was born in my heart and now it lives in yours.”
Best New Series: Solo Leveling
There was no denying Solo Leveling‘s breakthrough success. Its two awards, Best New Series and Anime of the Year, demonstrated how Sung Jinwoo’s journey resonated on a worldwide scale. One fan exclaimed, “That bass drop nearly took my soul!” in response to Hiroyuki Sawano’s powerful composition, which was appropriately awarded Best Composition.
Best Continuing Series: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc
Ufotable’s Hashira Training Arc defeated One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia in a victory that caused the Demon Slayer fans to cheer —and groan— a little. Director Yuki Kajiura laughed, “Yes, it was mostly breathing and backstories,” when Go Shiina and Kajiura agreed. “But we swear the cinematography counts!”
Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui
Echigo Studio’s Ninja Kamui easily defeated Metallic Rouge and Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night to win this inaugural award. The stunt squad was commended by writer/director Hiro Murata, who said, “If you heard that noisy shuriken, thank our grip crew!”
Best Animation: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Despite disagreements among animation enthusiasts, Demon Slayer won the trophy for the second time that evening, defeating heavyweights Solo Leveling (A-1 Pictures), Dandadan (Science SARU), and Kaiju No. 8 (Production I.G). “Ufotable painted a masterpiece one brushstroke at a time,” one viewer wrote in a tweet.
Best Character Design: Dandadan
Dandadan Science Turbo Okarunin won the prize thanks to SARU’s intensely stylized Dandadan, surpassing both Delicious in Dungeon and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. “Sketching those monster grins was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” said Okarunin with a smile.
Best Director: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Keiichiro Saito
For his moving pacing in Frieren, Madhouse’s Keiichiro Saito won Best Director, surpassing industry stalwarts like Naoko Yamada (Delicious in Dungeon). “Every quiet moment you cried on the couch” is what he dedicated it to.
Best Background Art: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Another award for the infamous series, it won against Dandadan, Delicious in Dungeon, Pluto, and The Apothecary Diaries.
Best Score: Solo Leveling – Hiroyuki Sawano
Solo Leveling‘s sweep was interspersed with Sawano’s flamboyant themes. On stage, the composer dead-panned, saying, “ If the characters aren’t fighting, my music will.”
Best Opening Sequence: “Otonoke” – Creepy Nuts (Dandadan)
One of the most memorable starts of the year was created by the mesmerizing rap duo Creepy Nuts (the ones responsible for Mashle: Magic and Muscles’s opening as well, Bling-Bang-Bang-Born), who held nothing back.
Best Ending Sequence: “request” – krage (Solo Leveling)
The prize was won by Solo Leveling‘s eerie closer “request,” which defeated Ranma ½‘s “Antanante,” Oshi no Ko 2‘s “Burning,” BotchiBoromaru‘s “KAMAKURA STYLE,” and OneRepublic‘s “Nobody.”
Best Anime Song: “Otonoke” – Creepy Nuts (Dandadan)
“Otonoke” also doubled up here, demonstrating that voters were as enthralled with Dandadan‘s musical universe as with its narrative.
Moving on to the Genre Awards!
- Best Action Anime: Solo Leveling
- Best Comedy Anime: Mashle: Magic and Muscles – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
- Best Drama Anime: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Best Slice of Life Anime: Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
- Best Isekai Anime: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
- Best Romance Anime: Blue Box
Now the Character Awards!
- Best Main Character: Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)
- Best Supporting Character: Fern (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
- “Must Protect At All Costs” Character: Anya Forger (Spy × Family Season 2)
It’s time for the Voice Actor Awards — for they give voices to our favorite characters!
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Japanese: Aoi Yuki as Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Arabic: Hiba Snobar as Anya Forger (Spy × Family Season 2)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Brazilian Portuguese: Charles Emmanuel as Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Castilian Spanish: Masumi Mutsuda as Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – English: Aleks Le as Sung Jinwoo (Solo Leveling)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – French: Adrien Antoine as Kafka Hibino (Kaiju No. 8)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – German: Daniel Schlauch as Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Hindi: Lohit Sharma as Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Italian: Ilaria Pellicone as Kyomoto (Look Back)
- Best Anime Voice Artist Performance – Latin Spanish: Miguel Ángel Leal as Eren Jaeger (Attack on Titan: Final Season: The Final Chapters Special 2)
Last but not least, a special award was given this year: the Global Impact Award, which was given to —of course, might I add— Attack on Titan, for its worldwide impact it had on its viewers, both in a good or bad way, as it resonated to most of us.
The 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards may have generated controversy —MAPPA devotees protested; Demon Slayer fans felt undervalued— but the event also honored animation as a dynamic art form supported by a worldwide fan base. One thing is certain as we get ready for the Infinity Castle trilogy later this summer: we all love these worlds more and more. Continue to vote, continue to watch anime, and most importantly, continue to feel every minute till next year.
Reference
- Crunchyroll Reveals 2025 Anime Awards Winners: Full List, deadline.com, Available here
