The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 delivered an unforgettable celebration of creativity, storytelling, and animation brilliance. Held on May 25, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. This event honoured the finest talents and masterpieces that shaped the anime universe over the past year.
Whether you’re a seasoned Otaku or a serious newcomer, highlights emotional moments and celebrates fan-favourite series with passion.
Anime of the Year 2025: Solo Leveling
Taking the crown was Solo Leveling, a spectacular adaptation that captivated global audiences with its slick animation, overpowered protagonist and emotionally charged arcs.
Why It Won:
- Jaw-dropping action sequences
- Excellent pacing and visual storytelling
- Hero’s journey of Sung Jinwoo resonated deeply
Nominees:
- Dandadan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- The Apothecary Diaries
Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong’s South Korean web novel & manga of the same name. While Noboru kimura is the writer and series composer for the anime adaptation Solo leveling captivated global audiences with its slick animation, overpowered protagonist and emotionally charged arcs. It’s about an underdog story of a weak hunter who discovers a mysterious power that let’s him level up like a video game. Dark fantasy meets high-octane action with a gripping transformation arc.
Anime Film Of The Year 2025: Look Back
Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, this emotional masterpiece adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga Look Back won the hearts of critics and fans alike.
Why It Won:
- Visually stunning and poignant
- Explored the soul of artistic friendship and tragedy
- Subtle, minimalist storytelling that hit hard
Nominees:
- Haikyuu !!! The Dumpster Battle
- Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain
- My Hero Academia: You’re Next
- Spy x Family Code: White
- The Colors Within
It’s a deeply emotional tale about two aspiring manga artists whose lives intersect through their shared passion. Quiet, reflective and touching. This short film explores creativity, grief and friendship.
Best Continuing Anime Series: Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
Despite of criticism, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba continues to capture global audiences. As Fans were unhappy that Demon Slayer won only 2 awards. Demon Slayer secured two major accolades; Best Continuing Anime Series & Best Animation. Their Cinematic visuals and spellbinding fight choreography continue to set the industry standard.
Nominees:
- BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War-The Conflict
- My Hero Academia Season 7
- One Piece
- Oshi no ko Season 2
- Spy x Family Season 2
A beautifully animated continuation where elite demon slayers, known as the Hashira, prepare for their toughest battle yet. Expect jaw-dropping visuals and character growth, a perfect bridge before the story’s of climax.
Best Director & Best Background Art: Keiichiro Saito-Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
A richly emotional journey about time, memories and moving forward, Frieren became a quiet classic. Saito’s directorial precision brought out the melancholic brilliance of every scene.
Nominees:
- Fuga Yamashiro (Dandadan)
- Haruo Sotozaki (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc)
- Megumi Ishitani (One Piece Fan Letter)
- Norihiro Naganuma (The Apothecary Diaries)
- Yoshihiro Miyajima (Delicious in Dungeon)
The story follows an elf mage after the end of a great quest. It’s a calm, introspective journey through memory, grief new beginnings, blending fantasy with philosophy and emotional depth.
Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui
This gritty, hyper-violent original series by Sunghoo Park redefined what action anime could be in 2025. With a revenge-fueled narrative and killer animation, Ninja Kamui Carved out a fierce legacy.
Nominees:
- Bucchigiri?!
- Girls Band Cry
- Jellyfish Can’t Swim In The Night
- Metallic Rouge
- Train To The End Of The World
Ninja Kamui is about a stylish brutal ninja revenge thriller with modern visuals and martial arts mastery. It’s raw, fast-paced and ideal for fans of dark action and anti-hero protagonists.
Best New Anime Series: Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling took the anime world by storm, earning the title of Best New Anime Series for its powerful storytelling, breathtaking animation and thrilling action sequences. Adapted from a globally popular webtoon, the anime delivered exactly what fans had been hoping for and more.
Nominees:
- Dandadan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No. 8
- The Apothecary Diaries
What made it stand out ?
- Strong Fanbase & Anticipation: Anime lovers and webtoon readers (Mangaka) had long awaited this adaptation and the series lived up to the hype.
- Top-Tier Animation Quality: From fast-paced battles to dramatic moments, the visuals were consistently polished and cinematic.
- Immersive Sound Design: The soundtrack and voice acting added emotional weight and intensity and enhancing every episode.
- Compelling Protagonist Journey: Viewers were instantly hooked by the main character’s transformation and growth, which unfolded with mystery and excitement.
- Fresh World-building: The anime introduced a unique, dangerous world filled with secrets, systems and suspense keeping fans curious and engaged.
With it’s perfect blend of style, substance and suspense. Solo Leveling didn’t just debut it dominated making it a clear favourite for Best New Anime Series.
Best Animation: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
When it comes to breathtaking visuals in anime, Demon Slayer has set a new gold standard. It’s win for Best Animation wasn’t just expected it was well deserved. Among strong competitors, Demon Slayer stood out for its flawless fusion of traditional Japanese art styles with cutting-edge animation technology.
Nominees:
- Dandadan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Solo Leveling
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Kaiju No.8
Here’s Why It Claimed The Top Spot:
- Ufotable’s Unmatched Craftsmanship: The animation studio behind Demon Slayer, Ufotable is known for its cinematic quality. Their use of dynamic camera angles, seamless CGI integration and glowing hand-drawn effects turned every scene into a visual masterpiece.
- Fluid and Explosive Battle Sequences: Every fight felt like a big-screen experience. The movement, the impact, the lightning and the speed were all choreographed with incredible precision and care.
- Unique Artistic Style: The anime blends traditional Japanese art motifs like brush-stroke effects and natural elements with modern anime aesthetics, creating a visually rich and culturally immersive experience.
- Consistent High Quality Across Episodes: While many anime peak during key moments, Demon Slayer maintains a high standard from start to finish, episode after episode.
- Emotional Visual Storytelling: Beyond action, the anime captures characters emotions, backgrounds and inner struggle with visual depth and detail, making the story even more impactful.
In a year full of strong contenders, Demon Slayer didn’t just animate, it elevated the art form. Its award for Best Animation was a nod to the meticulous work, passion and innovation that brought every frame to life.