Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 celebrated the best in anime this year, and one title stood far above the rest. Solo Leveling, the hit adaptation of the Korean manhwa, swept the night with nine awards, including Anime of the Year.
Solo Leveling Takes Center Stage
In a historic moment, Solo Leveling became the first manhwa-based anime to win Anime of the Year. It also claimed Best New Series, Best Action, Best Soundtrack, and Best Main Character for Sung Jinwoo.
This victory highlights the global appeal of Korean content in the anime space—and fans are here for it.
Best Anime Film: Look Back
The touching film Look Back, directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, was awarded Best Anime Film. The movie impressed audiences with its emotional storytelling and unique art direction.
Best Director: Keiichiro Saito for Frieren
Keiichiro Saito, at just 32 years old, won Best Director for his sensitive and faithful work on Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. His direction helped elevate the source material while respecting its tone.
More Winners: Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan
- Demon Slayer took home Best Animation and Best Ongoing Series for the Hashira Training Arc.
- Attack on Titan earned the Global Impact Award, recognizing its influence on anime fans worldwide despite mixed reviews of its ending.
Star-Studded Event
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 were held in Tokyo and featured live performances by LiSA, FLOW, and Creepy Nuts. Presenters included global stars like Finn Wolfhard and Pabllo Vittar, adding an international flair to the event.
Biggest Snub: Delicious in Dungeon
Despite earning 16 nominations, Delicious in Dungeon went home empty-handed. This sparked discussion online, with some fans accusing the awards of favoring bigger streaming platforms over Netflix-backed productions.
This year’s Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 reflected both the global reach of anime and its growing diversity in storytelling. With Solo Leveling taking the crown and newer voices like Look Back getting recognized, the anime industry shows no sign of slowing down.
