The latest additions include Thai K-pop artist BamBam, Thai singer and dancer TEN, contemporary musician Ethan Bortnick, and Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican artist Young Miko.

The 2026 edition of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, bringing together anime creators, performers, musicians, and international celebrities for one of the medium’s biggest yearly celebrations.

Kpop stars at The Crunchyroll Anime Awards continue anime’s global crossover era

The presence of Kpop stars at The Crunchyroll Anime Awards reflects anime’s growing influence far beyond Japan, especially within music and youth culture.

BamBam, best known as a member of GOT7, has steadily built a successful solo career since 2021, expanding beyond his rapper image with a more vocal-focused sound and broader artistic identity.

TEN, meanwhile, remains one of K-pop’s most internationally recognized performers through his work with NCT and WayV.

After making his solo debut with “Nightwalker” in 2024, his 2025 EP “Stunner” topped iTunes album charts across 19 countries, with Billboard later naming it among the best K-pop songs of the year.

Joining the K-pop-heavy lineup is Young Miko, whose genre-blending music and global online reach have made her one of Latin music’s fastest-rising artists.

Contemporary musician Ethan Bortnick will also appear at the event, bringing his classical-meets-modern musical style to the Anime Awards stage.

These newly announced names join an already high-profile presenter roster that includes actress Asuka Saito, rapper and producer RZA, Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, actor Winston Duke, and global music superstar The Weeknd.

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards livestream schedule and hosts

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards ceremony will be hosted by Japanese entertainer Jon Kabira alongside voice actress Sally Amaki.

The Orange Carpet Pre-Show begins at 5pm JST | 4pm GMT+8 | 10am CEST | Saturday, May 23, 2026 1am PST.

This is followed by the main ceremony at 6pm JST | 5pm GMT+8 | 11am CEST | Saturday, May 23, 2026 2am PST.

Global viewers will be able to watch the livestream through Crunchyroll’s Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube channels, alongside the Sony Group’s Japanese and global YouTube channels.

This year’s broadcast will also support nine languages, including English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, and Latin Spanish.

Kpop stars at The Crunchyroll Anime Awards highlight anime’s worldwide reach

Over the years, The Crunchyroll Anime Awards has evolved beyond a traditional awards show into a larger celebration of anime’s cultural influence worldwide.

The continued appearance of Kpop stars at The Crunchyroll Anime Awards signals how deeply anime culture now overlaps with music fandoms, creator communities, and international entertainment industries.

Rather than treating anime as a niche space, the event increasingly positions it as a global entertainment force capable of bringing together artists from entirely different creative worlds.

With BamBam, TEN, Young Miko, and Ethan Bortnick joining this year’s ceremony, the 2026 Anime Awards is shaping up to be one of Crunchyroll’s most internationally diverse celebrations yet.

Fans are encouraged to plan ahead and dive into the full booth lineup, schedule, and exclusive rewards.

Taking place from May 30, 2026 to May 31, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok, Crunchyroll at AFA Thailand 2026 will run as a dedicated social space for fans to watch, discover, and celebrate anime together.

The booth will be located at E01, operating as one of the festival’s key attractions across the weekend.

Kikunosuke Toya meets fans in Thailand for the first time

A major highlight of Crunchyroll’s participating in AFA Thailand 2026 is the appearance of Kikunosuke Toya, the Japanese voice actor of Denji from Chainsaw Man.

Toya will take part in an exclusive guest panel followed by a fan meet-and-greet session, where he will share behind-the-scenes insights from the series, reflect on key moments in voicing Denji, and engage directly with fans in a live setting.

Ani-May stamp rally: Challenges and rewards

Crunchyroll at AFA Thailand 2026 will also feature its global Ani-May celebration, bringing a stamp rally system that encourages fans to complete interactive booth challenges in exchange for rewards.

Each activity is designed to bring popular anime series into a physical, hands-on format. Fans can expect themed challenges such as football precision tests inspired by Blue Lock, fitness-based tasks linked to Solo Leveling, and creative expression walls themed around Attack on Titan.

Completing these activities allows fans to collect stamps and unlock exclusive Ani-May merchandise throughout the event.

Rewards include:

• Blue Lock stickers
• Solo Leveling stickers
• Crunchyroll foldable reusable bags
• Chainsaw Man-themed headbands

which are all designed as collectible event exclusives.

Watch anime in Thai, together

Beyond interactive experiences, Crunchyroll at AFA Thailand 2026 also features a dedicated Thai sub and dub watch zone, where fans can enjoy a curated selection of anime in a communal viewing space.

The zone highlights Crunchyroll’s growing library of localized content, making it easier for Thai audiences to access both subtitled and dubbed anime in one place during the festival.

The Crunchyroll at AFA Thailand 2026 experience doesn’t stop inside QSNCC. From May 16, 2026 to May 31, 2026, the brand will roll out large-scale out-of-home activations across Bangkok’s central business districts, featuring Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and other popular titles.

Across streaming, games, social platforms, and real-world events, this year’s edition leans hard into what fans actually care about: early access, exclusive rewards, community moments, and reasons to stay plugged in all month.

The celebration stretches across May with a steady cadence of premieres, collaborations, and fan-driven activities designed to keep momentum going week after week.

What anime fans actually get out of Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026

Where Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026 stands out is how it goes beyond passive viewing. This isn’t just a content drop — it’s structured around different ways fans engage with anime culture:

• Watch: New releases, seasonal hits, and major events
• Play: In-game rewards and collaborations
• Engage: Watch parties, creator content, and social challenges
• Collect: Merch drops and limited-time offers

The goal is simple: make anime feel present in your daily routine for an entire month.

Mark your calendar for the big show

Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026 is anchored by one of anime’s biggest global events: the 10th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards happening on May 23, 2026, at 12pm GMT+8 | 6am CEST | May 22, 2026 9pm PST.

Streaming across YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, this year’s awards feature a high-profile lineup including The Weeknd, Winston Duke, and RZA — blending anime with mainstream pop culture in a way that reflects how far the medium has come globally.

From streaming to gaming: rewards beyond anime

One of the more interesting hooks in Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026 is how it extends into gaming.

Forza Horizon 6 launches on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with early access starting Friday, May 15, 2026, and ties directly into Ani-May through exclusive in-game rewards.

Forza Horizon 6 takes the series to Japan for the first time, dropping players into a massive open world that blends neon-lit city streets with winding mountain roads and countryside routes.

This entry shifts the structure slightly — you start as a newcomer building your reputation, rather than an established star.

Beyond its setting, the game doubles down on freedom and scale. Expect a huge car roster, deeper customization, and evolving seasonal conditions that change how races play out.

Like past entries, it’s as much about exploring and collecting as it is about winning, positioning it as a long-term driving sandbox rather than a traditional racer.

Crunchyroll subscribers receive a Car Voucher, letting them unlock any vehicle in the Autoshow — a surprisingly high-value crossover perk.

Meanwhile, Crunchyroll’s Game Vault expands with new titles during the month, reinforcing that subscription value goes beyond just streaming.

Social, creators, and the rise of community viewing

Ani-May also leans heavily into shared experiences.

Weekly YouTube watch parties, a seven-day Twitch anime marathon, and TikTok live events turn viewing into something communal rather than solo.

Weekly YouTube watch parties schedule for Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026

• Week 1: Action – May 2
• Week 2: Sports – May 9
• Week 3: Isekai – May 16
• Week 4: Shojo – May 23
• Week 5: Catalog Gems – May 30

Week 1 is already heating up with episodes from Sentenced to Be a Hero, Black Clover, Solo Leveling, Wistoria: Wand and Sword, Hell’s Paradise, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

There’s even influencer-led content and the Ani-May Challenge — where creators take on anime-inspired tasks. The ambassador lineup includes:

Rei Ami, a South Korean-American artist who earned a dedicated cult following through her genre-blurring solo tracks, a momentum that eventually propelled her to global stardom as the singing voice behind Zoey in the blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters.

Big Sean, who has solidified his place in hip-hop as a Grammy-nominated heavyweight with a string of chart-topping albums, yet he remains just as defined by his deep-rooted love for anime, frequently layering its themes and aesthetics into the very fabric of his music.

Noah Lyles, who redefined what it means to be an Olympic gold medalist by bridging the world of elite track and field with vibrant fandom, often celebrating his status as the world’s fastest man by channeling his favorite anime characters through high-profile cosplay and social media.

Real-world events bring Ani-May offline

For Southeast Asian fans, Crunchyroll Ani-May 2026 isn’t confined to screens.

At Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026, held from May 30 to May 31, 2026, fans can attend panels and meet Kikunosuke Toya, the Japanese voice of Denji from Chainsaw Man.

What’s more, Ani-May also doubles as one of the best entry points for new or returning subscribers.

Discounted Fan and Mega Fan memberships roll out globally across platforms like PlayStation, Prime Video Channels, and mobile ecosystems. With Game Vault access bundled in, it adds even more value.

Thai fans of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc can look forward to an up-close experience with the voice behind Denji, as Toya makes his first-ever appearance in Thailand.

The event takes place across the weekend from May 30 to 31, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, marking a major moment for regional anime fans eager to connect with talent from one of the industry’s biggest hits.

A rare chance to meet Chainsaw Man Denji voice actor in Southeast Asia

At AFA Thailand 2026, Kikunosuke Toya will participate in a series of exclusive appearances designed to bring fans closer to the world of Chainsaw Man.

Attendees can expect a special meet-and-greet session, followed by a guest panel where Toya will share behind-the-scenes insights into voicing Denji—one of anime’s most chaotic and compelling protagonists.

The panel will cover:

• Memorable moments from the series
• His approach to the character
• Live fan interactions

Overall, it offers a deeper appreciation of the performance that helped define Chainsaw Man’s global success.

Crunchyroll continues to expand anime experiences in Asia

Crunchyroll’s decision to bring Toya to Thailand underscores its ongoing push to connect international audiences with the creators and voices behind their favorite anime.

As Chainsaw Man continues to dominate conversations worldwide with its bold storytelling and striking characters, fan engagement events like this play a key role in sustaining its momentum.

Following the film’s global theatrical success, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is also set to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll in Thailand this Spring, giving fans another way to experience the latest chapter in Denji’s story.

Kikunosuke Toya’s other notable voice acting roles

While best known as Denji, Kikunosuke Toya has quickly built a reputation as one of the industry’s promising young voice actors. His performances often highlight a strong emotional range, bringing intensity and nuance to his characters.

He plays Choji Tomiyama in Wind Breaker, the ruthless leader of the Shishitoren gang, initially serving as a major antagonist obsessed with strength and hierarchy. You might also have recognized him as Cheslock in Black Butler, a sharp-tongued member of the Purple House.

In addition, Toya has lent his voice to characters in newer and supporting roles across seasonal anime, steadily building a diverse portfolio that highlights his versatility as a rising talent in the industry.

As his career continues to expand, he is quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising young voice actors to watch.

At the heart of it all is a story about a world frozen in time, a long-awaited reunion, and the unbreakable bond between a spring goddess and the guard who never gave up on her. The Agents of the Four Seasons English voice actors bring all of these to life.

If you’re curious about the voices behind your favorite characters, this guide has everything you need.

What is Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring all about? Plot, animation studio, and more

Agents of the Four Seasons is a Japanese light novel series written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Suoh, published under ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko imprint beginning in April 2021.

The anime centers around Hinagiku Kayou, the Agent of Spring. When Hinagiku is abducted, the world enters a never-ending winter.

Her guard, Sakura Himedaka, searches for her for years. When Hinagiku suddenly returns, the two set out to restore the spring season, confront their pasts, and reclaim what they lost emotionally.

The anime television series is produced by Wit Studio and directed by Ken Yamamoto, with Kazuhiro Furuhashi serving as animation adviser, Ayumu Hisao handling series composition, and Kensuke Ushio composing the music.

With the English dub bringing the story to global audiences, let’s take a closer look at the Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring English dub cast and the characters they bring to life.

Full list of Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring English dub cast: All Agents of the Four Seasons English voice actors

Celeste Perez as Hinagiku Kayou and Marisa Duran as Sakura Himedaka lead the Agents of the Four Seasons English voice actors, heading a talented ensemble cast you can find in full below.

AGENTS OF THE FOUR SEASONS ANIME CHARACTER	DESCRIPTION	AGENTS OF THE FOUR SEASONS ENGLISH VOICE ACTORS	OTHER FAMOUS ROLES
Hinagiku Kayou	Hinagiku is the Agent of Spring, entrusted with the power to awaken the season and stimulate the growth of life across the land. Warm-hearted and gentle by nature, she was kidnapped as a child and spent 10 years missing — her absence leaving the world locked in unending winter.	Celeste Perez	Chizuru Ichinose (Rent-a-Girlfriend) Rin Shima (Yuru Camp) Trunks (Dragon Ball Daima) Sakura Kouno (Horimiya) Amo Empool (Gachiakuta)
Sakura Himedaka	The Guard of Spring and Hinagiku’s most loyal attendant — a young woman who spent 10 years refusing to give up on finding her Lady. She carries deep guilt for failing to protect Hinagiku when it mattered most, a wound that has quietly shaped everything she is.	Marisa Duran	Kyoko Hori (Horimiya) Laufen (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) Hana Ichijo (Aoashi) Sagiri Yamada Asemon (Hell’s Paradise)
Rousei Kantsubaki	He is the Agent of Winter, wielding the power to freeze all living things in their tracks. Hinagiku was his first love.	Alejandro Saab	Kaigaku (Demon Slayer) Kaiju no 9 (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) Anton Ivanov (Zenless Zone Zero)
Itechou Kangetsu	He is the Guard of Winter, serving Kantsubaki with calm, composed professionalism that makes him the model of what a bodyguard should be.	Christopher Wehkamp	Aizawa (My Hero Academia) Erwin Smith (Attack on Titan) Nobunaga Hazama (Psycho Pass) Goto Ryuji (Solo Leveling)
Ruri Hazakura	Ruri is the Agent of Summer, gifted with the power to command living beings to her will. Bright and full of warmth, she carries the kind of sunny energy that matches her season.	Alexis Tipton	Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-sama: Love is War) Kurumi Tokisaki (Date A Live) Reze (Chainsaw Man) Inori Yuzuriha (Guilty Crown) Moka Akashiya (Rosario to Vampire)
Ayame Hazakura	She is Ruri’s older sister and the Guard of Summer, a role she stepped into out of love when her sister was chosen as the Agent. She has given herself fully to that duty, but with marriage on the horizon, she intends to finally step down.	Hayden Daviau	Onna Shinkan (Goblin Slayer) Mary (Pokemon) Rina Tennoji (Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club) Vanessa Enoteca (Black Clover) Nobuko Ishihara (Lovely Complex)
Nadeshiko Iwaizuki	Nadeshiko is the Agent of Autumn and the youngest of Yamato’s living gods. She possesses the ability to decay all things and absorb the life within them.	Emi Lo	Maomao (Apothecary Diaries) Columbina (Genshin Impact) Lucy (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners) Ruan Mei (Honkai Star Rail) Keigo Takami (My Hero Academia)
Rindou Azami	Rindo is the Guard of Autumn. He watches over Nadeshiko with a care and protectiveness that goes well beyond duty.	Lee George	Gin Gagamaru (Blue Lock) Min Byung-gu (Solo Leveling) Zoe Ivy (The Ancient Magus’ Bride) Himuro (The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague)
Nazuna	A young girl from Ryugu who crosses paths with Hinagiku and Sakura during their ascent of Mount Ryugu.	Sarah Wiedenheft	Power (Chainsaw Man) Phosphophyllite (Houseki no Kuni) Takagi (Teasing Master Takagi-san) Tooru (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid) Charmy Pappitson (Black Clover)
Koubai Yukiyanagi	Hinagiku’s mother and the Agent of Spring who came before her.	Monica Rial	Yuuko Sakurabe (18if) Izumi Tachibana (A3!) Sayaka Imamiya (Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi) Taeko Nagafuji (Adachi and Shimamura)

Where to watch Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring English dub

You can watch the anime on the streaming platforms below.

Availability may differ depending on your region.

Protagonist Coco is a young girl who dreams of magic in a world where it is a birthright she seemingly does not possess.

While the award-winning manga already has a massive following, the Witch Hat Atelier English dub offers a fresh way to experience her journey through a talented cast that captures the heart of the series.

What is the Witch Hat Atelier anime about? Plot, animation studio, and more

Witch Hat Atelier is a seinen manga written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama. It has been serialized in Kodansha’s Morning Two magazine since July 2016, and was later licensed for an English release by Kodansha USA in July 2018.

Since then, the series has won the Harvey Award for Best Manga in 2020 and 2025, the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia, AND has surpassed 7.5 million copies in circulation in March 2026.

The story follows Coco, a seamstress’s daughter who dreams of becoming a witch in a world where magic is believed to be an inborn gift. When she secretly watches the witch Qifrey cast spells by drawing seals, she attempts to replicate the magic herself, accidentally turning her mother to stone.

Now apprenticed under Qifrey, Coco must master the art of magic while racing to undo the harm she caused.

The anime adaptation is produced by BUG FILMS and directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a screenplay by Hiroshi Seko, character designs by Kairi Unabara, and music composed by Yuka Kitamura.

With the English dub bringing the story to global audiences, let’s take a closer look at the talented Witch Hat Atelier English voice actors and the characters they bring to life.

Full list of Witch Hat Atelier English dub cast: All Witch Hat Atelier English voice actors

Anjali Kunapaneni as Coco and Joshua Waters as Qifrey lead the Witch Hat Atelier English voice actors, heading a talented ensemble cast you can find in full below.

WITCH HAT ATELIER ANIME CHARACTER	DESCRIPTION	WITCH HAT ATELIER ENGLISH VOICE ACTORS	OTHER FAMOUS ROLES
Coco	A village tailor’s apprentice who enters the world of magic after accidentally witnessing the wizard Qifrey perform a spell, uncovering a secret that changes her life forever.	Anjali Kunapaneni	Yuki Tsukumo (Jujutsu Kaisen) Yihwa Yeon (Tower of God) Lemon Irvine (Mashle Magic and Muscles) Nao Hagino (Go Go Loser Ranger)
Qifrey	A kindhearted wizard who takes Coco on as his apprentice to protect her after she accidentally discovers and uses forbidden magic.	Joshua Waters	Phainon (Honkai Star Rail) Yoshikazu Miyano (Sasaki and Miyano) Klein Moretti (Lord of Mysteries) Kuranosuke Shiraishi (The Prince of Tennis) Minami Nanba (Hana Kimi)
Agott	A highly skilled and ambitious apprentice from a prestigious lineage of magical librarians, she possesses a serious nature and a fierce drive to prove her talent.	Madeleine Morris	Rudeus Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei) Eru Chitanda (Hyouka) Miko Iino (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War) Kabane Kusaka (Kemono Jihen) Nagisa Minase (Girlfriend, Girlfriend)
Tetia	A bright and energetic apprentice who serves as the life of the party while dreaming of one day drifting off to sleep on a flying cloud.	Sarah Wiedenheft	Power (Chainsaw Man) Phosphophyllite (Houseki no Kuni) Takagi (Teasing Master Takagi-san) Tooru (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid) Charmy Pappitson (Black Clover)
Richeh	A quiet and independent perfectionist who takes immense pride in her craft, specializing in the meticulous art of drawing small, intricate casting seals.	Nerida Bronwen	Sashay (LOL Surprise Winter Fashion Show)
Olruggio	A caring and protective wizard who serves as the Watchful Eye of the atelier and has been Qifrey’s closest friend since childhood.	Reagan Murdock	Aki Hayakawa (Chainsaw Man) Itsuomi Nagi (Yubisaki to Renren) Shion Yamada Asaemon (Jigoraku) Pipimi (Pop Team Epic) Hokuto Umeda (Hana Kimi)
brushbuddy	A friendly, brush-furred creature drawn to the scent of magical ink that has become a loyal companion to Coco and the members of the atelier.	Bryn Apprill	Anya Forger (Spy x Family) Akeno Himejima (High School DxD) Yotsuba Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets) Kobeni Higashiyama (Chainsaw Man) Hiyori Iki (Noragami)
Iguin	A mysterious member of the Brimmed Caps who kickstarted Coco’s journey with a magical book and continues to haunt her by tempting her with the power of Forbidden Magic.	Erin Nicole Lundquist	Masachika Kuze (Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian) Pairin (The Apothecary Diaries) Pii-chan (Sasaki to Pii-chan) Archnemon (Digimon Ghost Game) Yulishia (The Unaware Atelier Meister)

Where to watch Witch Hat Atelier English dub

You can watch the anime on the streaming platforms below.

Availability may differ depending on your region.

The global superstar will appear at the 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, taking place on May 23, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan, Crunchyroll announced.

Best known for blending cinematic visuals and cross-cultural influences into his music, the Grammy-winning artist will present the night’s most prestigious award: Anime of the Year.

Global voting for Crunchyroll Anime Awards is only until April 15

Fans worldwide can help decide the winners by casting their votes across 32 categories.

Voting is currently open via the official Anime Awards website, Crunchyroll, and MyAnimeList, and will run until April 15 at 11:59pm PT | April 16 at 2:59pm GMT+8.

This year’s Anime of the Year nominees include:

• Dan Da Dan Season 2
• Gachiakuta
• My Hero Academia Final Season
• Takopi’s Original Sin
• The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2)
• The Summer Hikaru Died

The final winner will be revealed live during the ceremony, with The Weeknd taking the stage to present the award.

The Weeknd’s anime roots grew early

Beyond his role as a presenter, The Weeknd’s connection to anime runs deep.

He shared that one of his first anime experiences as a child included Sailor Moon, which he humorously described as his “first crush,” alongside Dragon Ball’s Goku as his “first imaginary sparring partner.”

Music also played a role, with Daft Punk’s “One More Time” leaving a lasting impression through its iconic anime-style music video.

However, it wasn’t until his teenage years that anime truly reshaped his creative direction.

How Samurai Champloo shaped The Weeknd’s sound

The turning point came with Samurai Champloo, directed by Shinichiro Watanabe. The series’ seamless blend of samurai storytelling and hip-hop music left a profound impact on The Weeknd’s artistic identity.

He described the experience as transformative, highlighting how the works of Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature introduced him to a new way of experiencing music and visual storytelling.

This influence carried directly into his breakthrough project, House of Balloons. Tracks like “The Morning,” “Glass Table Girls,” and “Loft Music” were written over Nujabes’ instrumentals—something he credits as foundational to his sound.

Without Watanabe and Nujabes, he stated plainly, House of Balloons wouldn’t exist.

Anime’s lasting influence on The Weeknd’s visual identity

The impact didn’t stop at music. The Weeknd also cited legendary creators such as Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo as key inspirations behind the visual DNA of his work.

Through their storytelling and artistic direction, anime helped shape the darker, cinematic tone that has become synonymous with his brand.

For The Weeknd, anime isn’t just a passion—it’s a defining influence on his career.

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards is a global celebration of anime culture

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards continues to stand as the premier global event celebrating anime creators, musicians, and performances.

The 2026 edition marks its milestone 10th anniversary, with support from Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions.

The ceremony will be livestreamed worldwide, allowing fans everywhere to tune in and celebrate the medium’s biggest achievements.

About Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is a genre-blending anime that first aired in 2004, created and directed by Shinichiro Watanabe and produced by the studio Manglobe.

Set in an alternate Edo-period Japan, the series follows three unlikely companions—Mugen, Jin, and Fuu—as they travel across the country in search of a mysterious “samurai who smells of sunflowers.”

What set the show apart at the time was its bold fusion of traditional samurai storytelling with modern hip-hop culture, both in its visual style and soundtrack.

The music was a defining element of the series, featuring influential artists like Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature, whose lo-fi beats and experimental sounds helped shape its unique identity. This seamless blend of historical narrative and contemporary music made Samurai Champloo a cult classic, widely praised for its storytelling, direction, and cultural impact—especially for audiences who connected with both anime and hip-hop.

After watching episodes 1 and 2, you’ll notice that the Liar Game anime 2026 adaptation wastes little time introducing its high-stakes premise, where honesty becomes a weakness and deception can quickly spiral into crushing debt.

Even for viewers unfamiliar with the source material, the opening episodes do a solid job of establishing the series’ tense atmosphere and strategic hook.

If you’ve been wondering “Is Liar Game anime worth watching?”, the early answer is promising — though the anime’s slower pacing and old-school presentation may not immediately click with everyone.

What is the Liar Game?

Before diving deeper into this Liar Game anime review, it helps to understand why the series has carried such a strong reputation for years.

Liar Game is a Japanese psychological thriller manga written and illustrated by Shinobu Kaitani, a mangaka best known for strategy-heavy and mind-game-driven works such as One Outs.

The series was first serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump on February 17, 2005, and it continued until January 22, 2015. Its chapters were later collected into 19 tankobon volumes, released from September 16, 2005 to April 17, 2015.

At its core, Liar Game follows Nao Kanzaki, a painfully honest college student who suddenly receives 100 million yen and an invitation to participate in the mysterious “Liar Game.”

The rules are simple on paper but ruthless in execution:

• Deceive your opponent
• Take their money
• Avoid falling into debt yourself

After quickly getting swindled, Nao seeks help from Shinichi Akiyama, a brilliant former con artist who becomes her partner in navigating the increasingly complex rounds of the competition.

What made Liar Game stand out during its manga run was how heavily it leaned into strategy, psychology, manipulation, and social pressure instead of physical conflict. The appeal of the series comes from watching how people behave when money, fear, trust, and self-preservation are all put under extreme pressure. Rather than relying on action, the story thrives on negotiation, bluffing, and mental warfare.

The franchise had already built a loyal following long before the anime. It previously inspired several live-action adaptations, including the original Japanese television drama in April 2007, a second season in November 2009, and later films such as Liar Game: The Final Stage and Liar Game: Reborn.

These helped solidify the series as a cult favorite among fans of psychological suspense even without an anime adaptation for years.

That finally changed when the anime adaptation was officially announced in August 2025, with more production details released on December 18, 2025. Produced by Madhouse, it is the studio behind acclaimed series like Hunter x Hunter, Trigun, and Death Note, and more recently, Frieren Beyond Journey’s End.

Liar Game anime review

One of the biggest takeaways from this Liar Game anime review is how different the series feels compared to modern anime, not just in pacing, but in presentation.

Visually, the anime is clearly an upgrade from the original manga, but it still carries a distinctly old-school aesthetic. From exaggerated character movements, like Nao Kanzaki’s flailing run, to the overall character designs, Liar Game often feels like a series pulled straight out of the early 2000s and released in 2026.

That feeling becomes even more noticeable when compared to modern anime like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which tend to prioritize sleeker character art, cleaner motion, and a more contemporary visual language.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with Liar Game’s presentation, but it definitely feels like an acquired taste. Watching it can feel less like experiencing a modern seasonal anime and more like discovering an older psychological series that somehow arrived in 2026.

That dated feel extends to the character designs too. The cast often looks awkward and lanky, and the anime leans hard into dramatic facial shifts whenever a character’s true nature starts to slip through.

During some of its “evil reveal” moments, the characters suddenly take on expressions that feel closer to horror imagery than standard anime reactions. It’s striking, and at times effective, but it also makes you keenly aware just how far Liar Game veers off from current anime trends.

Pacing is another area where the series may divide viewers. Based on the first two episodes, Liar Game takes a slower, more deliberate approach to setting up its first major conflict.

Unlike many modern anime that try to make a huge impression immediately, this one spends a lot of time establishing the game, its rules, and the psychology behind how its players behave.

That can make the opening feel a bit draggy, especially since the first two episodes don’t fully deliver the kind of payoff some viewers may expect from an anime premiere. In fact, Liar Game feels almost stubbornly patient.

Whether that works for you will probably depend on how much you enjoy slow-burn psychological setups over immediate spectacle.

Is Liar Game anime worth watching?

What keeps the show engaging is the strength of the concept itself. The Liar Game places people into situations where trust, manipulation, and self-interest all collide — like Netflix’s Squid Game. It’s the kind of setup that naturally makes you imagine what you would do in that position, and that’s where the series does some of its best work.

The characters help sell that dynamic, even if they don’t feel especially layered yet. Nao Kanzaki is almost impossibly honest, to the point where her kindness and trust can feel frustrating. She is the kind of character who will probably either endear herself to viewers or completely test their patience.

Meanwhile, Shinichi Akiyama offers the opposite energy: calm, observant, and far more realistic about how cruel people can be when money is involved.

That contrast gives the show its emotional and thematic backbone. Nao represents idealism pushed to an extreme, while Akiyama feels like someone shaped by experience and disappointment.

What makes their pairing interesting is that Akiyama seems to see something in Nao that goes beyond simple sympathy, hinting that there is more to his interest in her than the first two episodes fully explain.

Even so, both characters currently come across as somewhat one-dimensional. Nao is almost entirely defined by her honesty, and Akiyama by his intelligence and detached coolness.

And that’s ultimately where Liar Game shines the most.

Like Squid Game, even if the execution and medium may vary, both series are built around ordinary people being thrown into high-pressure games that expose greed, fear, and desperation.

The difference is that Liar Game is far more cerebral. The tension here doesn’t come from physical danger or violence, but from the constant pressure of trying to outsmart, outwit, and outmaneuver everyone around you.

This makes the anime especially appealing to viewers who enjoy thought-provoking stories. The strongest moments in these opening episodes come from the scenarios themselves—how rules are manipulated, how people react under pressure, and how quickly morality bends when debt is on the line.

That is the real promise of Liar Game. Even if the pacing is slow and the presentation feels dated, the core setup is compelling enough to make you want to see where the game goes next.

Watch the Liar Game anime on Crunchyroll from April 6, 2026 onwards.

From thrilling fantasy adventures to heartwarming romances, the Crunchyroll Spring 2026 Anime schedule has something for every type of viewer.

Many series will feature English and regional dubs, making it easier than ever to enjoy these anime in your preferred language. With simulcasts rolling out across March and April, fans can keep up with episodes almost in real time.

In this guide, we break down the full Crunchyroll Spring 2026 Anime schedule and spotlight top titles you won’t want to miss.

Crunchyroll Spring 2026 anime calendar: All premiere dates, dubs, and our top picks

March 2026

Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring

Winter once ruled alone, but loneliness led to the creation of Spring, then Summer and Autumn.

The cycle is maintained by the Agents of the Four Seasons. Hinagiku, the Agent of Spring, disappeared ten years ago, taking the season with her.

After enduring hardships, she returns to restore balance and send love to Winter.

WIT Studio is known for visually stunning anime and compelling stories, with hits like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga. Their latest, Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring, continues this tradition with breathtaking animation and memorable characters.

April 2026

Dorohedoro Season 2

In Hole, sorcerers use residents as guinea pigs. Caiman, with a lizard head and no memory, hunts sorcerers with Nikaido to reclaim his past. Season 1 is also available on Crunchyroll.

Go For It, Nakamura-kun!!

In Go For It, Nakamura-kun!!, Okuto Nakamura’s heart skips for dreamy classmate Aiki Hirose, but he’s shy and clumsy. Can he escape the friendzone?

The Beginning After the End Season 2

Arthur and Jasmine undertake quests and sharpen their skills. Invited to a mysterious mission, Arthur accepts it as his final quest before the Academy—but tragedy awaits.

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 3

Boxxo, reincarnated as a vending machine, navigates his strange new life. He can see and hear but cannot move freely. How will he survive?

Classroom of the Elite 4th Season: Second Year, First Semester

Ayanokoji’s class is back at Class D. Paired with new students including a White Room assassin, bonds are tested as a new semester of deception begins.

Dr. Stone Science Future Cour 3

Senku and his team return to the Kingdom of Science. Their journey to the Americas begins as they aim to gather materials for the Moon project. Science and teamwork guide their fight to save humanity.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4

Rimuru’s dream of an alliance between humans and monsters progresses. Clashes arise with Granville Rozzo, Maribel, and Demon Lord Leon as a new hero awakens.

One Piece – Elbaph Arc

The Straw Hats, joined by the Giant Warrior Pirates, reach Elbaph. Reunions and new adventures await as they pursue the ultimate treasure, the One Piece.

Liar Game

Nao Kanzaki enters the Liar Game with 100 million yen at stake. With former con artist Shinichi Akiyama, she navigates a web of lies, betrayal, and strategy.

MARRIAGETOXIN

For centuries, the deadly arts have been honed by masters, with the Five Great Families holding unmatched power and influence.

Hikaru Gero, heir to the Gero family, thrives as an elite assassin in the underworld. When his sister is pressured to produce an heir, Hikaru enlists Mei Kinosaki, a brilliant marriage swindler, to find him a suitable bride. What follows is the most challenging mission of his life.

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-

Re:ZERO returns with Season 4, continuing directly from the events of Season 3.

This chapter adapts Arc 6 of the light novels, known as the Loss Arc, and follows Subaru and his allies as they navigate the aftermath of the Priestella battle, confronting lost memories, fractured relationships, and new challenges.

The Drops of God

When world-famous wine critic Toyotaka Kanzaki dies, he leaves behind a remarkable collection of wines.

His will promises his estate to whoever can correctly identify the brand and year of the twelve greatest wines he selected, including the legendary “Drops of God” at the very top.

The contenders are his son, Shizuku Kanzaki, and Issei Tomine, a young critic adopted by Toyotaka, each vying to claim the ultimate prize.

Paired with sweeping classical opera music that lends an air of gravitas, every tasting becomes something more than indulgence—it becomes a search for meaning.

In this world, the path to divinity begins with a single sip. Our protagonist Kanzaki Shizuku, however, would vehemently disagree—at least at the start of the story where all this begins.

The anime adapts Drops of God (Kami no Shizuku), a Japanese wine-themed manga written by Tadashi Agi—the joint pen name of siblings Shin Kibayashi and Yuko Kibayashi—and illustrated by Shu Okimoto. The manga has a total of 44 volumes across 439 chapters that ran until June 2014.

It was first published in Weekly Morning by Kondasha in 2004, the same year that Bartender came out in Super Jump by Shueisha.

The Drops of God anime: What to expect in the story

Despite debuting more than 20 years ago, Drops of God surprisingly never got its anime adaptation until now. Instead, it received several live-action adaptations over the years.

The first was a Japanese TV drama, Kami no Shizuku, which aired on Nippon TV from January to March 2009. Starring Kazuya Kamenashi as Shizuku Kanzaki, the series ran for nine episodes and brought the wine-focused story to a wider television audience.

More than a decade later, the franchise received a new interpretation with the 2023 international series Drops of God, produced through a collaboration between Japan, France, and the United States and released globally on Apple TV+.

This version reimagined the narrative by introducing a French protagonist named Camille while keeping the central rivalry over the legendary wines at the heart of the story.

The original story centers on Shizuku Kanzaki, the estranged son of a renowned wine critic. After his father passes away, Shizuku discovers that the late critic’s vast wine collection will be inherited by whoever can correctly identify twelve legendary wines described through poetic clues, known as the “Twelve Apostles.”

His chief rival is Issei Tomine, a talented wine critic who had been adopted by Shizuku’s father shortly before his death.

Their rivalry eventually leads both men on a quest to uncover the legendary wine referred to as the “Drops of God.”

The manga became a worldwide phenomenon and even had a real-world impact on the wine industry, with bottles featured in the story often seeing spikes in demand after appearing in the series. The anime could very well inspire the same.

The Drops of God anime review: Is this worth your time?

Get treated to swirling visuals and animation

I don’t usually watch food or drink-centered anime because if you’ve ever played Genshin Impact at 11pm (or Final Fanstay 15 for that matter), you would know how dangerously tempting supper becomes.

My first brush with any alcohol-induced anime came last year when I took a chance on the 2024 reboot of Bartender Glass of God—and loved it. While it still hasn’t convinced me to try the Singapore Sling despite being Singaporean, I became very interested in every other drink that Ryu made in the 12-episode series.

So when I got the chance to dip into the first episode of The Drops of God anime for this review, I took it because I’m still on the quest to find God in all the liquor I’ve been drinking.

Besides being hit with high octave opera in the first few frames, you’ll quickly notice that The Drops of God anime style, colors, and tones used are very 2000s, which stays true to the original manga.

Produced by Satelight, this is the same studio behind Fairy Tale, Log Horizon, and boys love anime, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!.

Known for their bold use of color and lighting, Satelight excels at dramatizing moments, creating cinematic, immersive worlds where CGI and 2D animation blend seamlessly in action-packed or highly stylized scenes.

This works perfectly for The Drops of God anime, where the first sip in wine tasting transforms into a defining moment of revelation, aroma, flavor, and emotion, unfolding like a symphony on the palate.

You must understand—it’s always challenging for anything olfactory or gustatory to be translated onto the screen, especially in animation. Prepare to be amazed by how creative director Kenji Itoso weaves Eishi Segawa’s music with fantastically colorful visuals—especially since both rivals spend much of each episode tasting wine.

A once in a lifetime voice actor cast

Kanzaki Shizuku is actually not voiced by a seiyuu (Japanese voice actor by profession). Instead, we’re going full circle—the original Japanese actor who played him in the live-action series Kami no Shizuku, is back to lend his vocals.

Also a singer, model, host, and producer, it is Kazuya Kamenashi’s first-ever voice acting role in his illustrious 28-year long career in the entertainment industry.

More often seen playing lead roles in TV dramas (Shoutai, The Scales of Justice, I’m Your Destiny), he splits screentime with veteran seiyuu Takuya Satou (Zayne in Love and Deepspace, Albert James Moriarty in Moriarty the Patriot, Ayato Yuri in Yarichin Bitch Club), who voices Issei in The Drops of God anime.

On top of all this sexy talent, we have Maaya Uchida (Fischl in Genshin Impact, Hiyori Iki in Noragami, Christine in Lazarus) playing Miyabi Shinohara who eases Kanzaki into the world of wine that he’s completely unfamiliar with despite being the son of a world-renowned wine critic. She even sings the ending song, Kami no Shizuku!

The final critique

As far as Spring 2026 anime goes, The Drops of God anime could’ve well flown under your radar. After all, we’ve got a couple of returning blockbuster titles like ReZero Starting Life in Another World Season 4, Dr Stone: Science Future Part 3, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, and The Beginning After the End Season 2.

As if those aren’t enough, there’s also new hype anime like Witch Hat Atelier and Liar Game.

The Drops of God anime isn’t here to compete with any of these titles. If you want something different that may be out of your comfort zone where you learn many new things about wine, its real world production, and the vineyard business, this is definitely worth your while.

Drawing a parallel, I started Bartender Glass of God being totally uninterested in hard liquor. Colored by society’s often negative portrayal of drinking at bars, I was glad that Bartender had completely changed my mind by the end of the series.

I’m not a big fan of wine either—so I’m expecting The Drops of God anime to change my view as well. And while it may sometimes be difficult to imagine just how velvety and viscous one sip may be, at the very least, you can be sure that your ears will be treated to voice acting that’s smoother than fine wine.

And while it’s too early to say from just one episode, I would definitely want to see increasing levels of love-hate tension between Shizuku and Issei. After all, fujoshis are the best appreciators of well-pressed grapes.

Catch The Drops of God on Crunchyroll from Friday, April 10, 2026 with weekly episode releases.