The anime landscape is vast and varied, with numerous titles vying for the top spot in fans’ hearts each year. The 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, held on May 25, showcased incredible talent within the anime industry and recognized the works that have made a lasting impression on viewers. From best new series to outstanding voice performances, numerous accolades were presented to celebrate the remarkable contributions to anime culture. A highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of the inaugural Global Impact Award to the beloved series Attack on Titan, a recognition of its profound influence on the medium and its fans.
The 2025 Anime Awards Ceremony
The event unfolded at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo with an audience filled with anime lovers, industry experts, and celebrities alike. Hosted for the third consecutive year by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira, the ceremony promised an engaging experience, revealing the winners through a star-studded lineup of presenters that included Grammy-winning actress Kacey Musgraves and Finn Wolfhard, famed for his role in the popular series Stranger Things.
This year, fans cast an incredible 51 million votes, demonstrating the depth of investment and enthusiasm from the global anime community. The event was also streamed live, allowing fans around the world to join in celebrating their favorite series and creators.
Major Winners at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
The hunger for accurate recognition in the anime realm was palpably satisfied as notable awards were revealed: the highly coveted Anime of the Year went to Solo Leveling, a series that has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and stunning animation. Below is the complete list of winners across various categories:
- Anime of the Year: Solo Leveling
- Best Anime Song: Otonoke – Creepy Nuts – from DAN DA DAN
- Best Score: Hiroyuki Sawano – Solo Leveling
- Film of the Year: Look Back
- Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui
- Best Continuing Series: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Hashira Training Arc
- Best Drama: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Best New Series: Solo Leveling
This year was marked by a diverse range of genres, showcasing the variety and depth of storytelling in anime. Performances by artists such as Creepy Nuts and LiSA enriched the evening, transforming the awards into a vibrant celebration of anime culture.
Highlight: Attack on Titan’s Global Impact Award
Attack on Titan not only stood out for its narrative depth but also paved the way for new discussions about the anime medium on a global scale. The series, based on Hajime Isayama’s award-winning manga, has sold over 140 million copies worldwide, setting a benchmark for popularity. The Global Impact Award, as articulated by Crunchyroll, underscores the importance of celebrating series that have profoundly influenced both popular culture and their audiences.
“The Global Impact Award is our way of honoring works that have significantly changed the landscape of anime and its connection with fans around the world,” stated Gita Rebbapragada, COO of Crunchyroll.
The award was accepted during the ceremony by Yuichiro Hayashi, representing MAPPA, the studio behind the breathtaking animation of the series. This event marks just one of the many recognitions that underscore Attack on Titan as a towering figure in anime history.
The Legacy of Attack on Titan
Since its premiere in 2014, Attack on Titan has captivated audiences with its intricate world-building and deeply personal storytelling. Its final film, Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, released in late 2024, brought closure to a saga that has heavily influenced the minds of fans worldwide. This depth of impact is reflected in Crunchyroll’s study which reveals that approx 40% of Gen Z anime fans consider anime a meaningful part of their identity, with many stating it has influenced their outlook on life.