In its 10th year, the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards mark a major milestone for the annual celebration where global fan voting plays a direct role in deciding which series, films, and creators take home the trophies.
The awards return to Tokyo, Japan on May 23, 2026 celebrating the event’s tenth anniversary. Popular voice actress and performer Sally Amaki and veteran Japanese entertainer Jon Kabira return as co-hosts for the fourth consecutive year.
Sally Amaki is a U.S.-born, Tokyo-based bilingual voice actress and idol, best known as a member of 22/7 and for roles in Tomo-chan Is a Girl! and BOCCHI THE ROCK!. She has also voiced Kiriko in Overwatch 2 and is a frequent host at major anime events, including the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Jon Kabira is a veteran Japanese broadcaster from Okinawa who joined J-WAVE at its launch in 1988 and has since hosted major radio, TV, and live programs. He is a multiple award winner, including Galaxy Awards and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Radio Show Grand Prize.
Music will also take center stage. Legendary singer Yoko Takahashi — a veteran Japanese singer who debuted in 1991 and is best known for Neon Genesis Evangelion themes “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” and “Soul’s Refrain” — is set to perform a special 30th anniversary tribute to Neon Genesis Evangelion, including its iconic opening theme.
The ceremony will also feature symphonic performances by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hirofumi Kurita.
If you want your favorites to win, here’s exactly how to vote, when voting opens, and what to expect from this year’s event.
2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards voting period
Fan voting for the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards begins on April 2, 2026, and runs through April 15, 2026.
The official list of nominees will be announced on April 2, the same day voting opens.
Eligible titles are selected from anime that premiered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, with nominees chosen by an independent panel of judges made up of global creatives, critics, and industry voices. From there, fan votes help determine the winners across all categories.
During this window, fans can:
- Vote once per day
- Resubmit their ballot daily with a single click
- Support nominees across 32 award categories
Voting is global, meaning fans from around the world collectively shape the final results.
How to vote in the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Voting is designed to be quick and repeatable, encouraging daily participation throughout the voting period.
Step-by-step voting guide
- Sign in with your Crunchyroll account
- Select your favorite nominees in each category
- Submit your ballot
- Return the next day to vote again
You can resubmit your choices every day until voting closes, so consistency matters if you’re rallying behind a specific title or creator.
Where to watch the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards live
The ceremony will be livestreamed worldwide on May 23, 2026 on Crunchyroll’s official YouTube channel.
The global pre-show is once again hosted by Lauren Moore, Crunchyroll’s Associate Creative Director of Social and an on-camera host with over a decade of experience in the anime industry, and Tim Lyu, a host and writer for Crunchyroll who has been a familiar face at major events and industry panels since joining in 2018.
Fans who vote can tune in live to see whether their picks take home the awards.
