Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: The Ultimate Guide to This Year’s
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.
“Start Here: The Ultimate Anime Starter Pack For Beginners”
Anime isn’t just genre…..it’s a whole universe of unforgettable adventures, emotional rollercoasters, mind-bending twists, and powerful life lessons. But if you’re just starting your anime journey, you might feel overwhelmed by thousands of titles available. That’s why I have curated the ultimate beginners guide to anime – featuring series that are easy to follow, emotionally gripping, visually stunning, and widely loved around the world.
Whether you’re a student or a working professional or just curious to watch these mind blowing anime, this list is your golden ticket into the wonderful world of anime.
Why This List Is Perfect For You
- Beginner-Friendly: No prior knowledge or anime lingo required.
- Easy to Access: Available on Major Platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime & more.(Locals website too)
- Emotionally Engaging: Deep Characters, powerful stories, and moments you’ll never forget.
- Genre Variety: From action-packed adventures to emotional slice-of-life stories.
Death Note : The Ultimate Cat and Mouse Game
"A gripping mind battle between justice and power that will leave you questioning right and wrong."
Genre: Supernatural, Thriller, Mystery
Episodes: 37
Platform: Netflix , Crunchyroll
If you’re into mind games and moral dilemmas, Death Note is a must-watch. It’s a psychological thriller where a brilliant student finds a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name. The intense battle of wits between Light Yagami and detective L is nothing short of legendary.
Why beginners love it:
- Short but gripping
- Introduces deep philosophical themes
- Epic plot twists
Attack on Titan : Humanity’s Fight for Survival
"An intense, emotional fight for humanity's survival against terrifying giants and hidden truths."
Genre: Action, Drama , Post-Apocalyptic
Episodes: 94
Platform: Crunchyroll , Netflix , Prime Video
Imagine giant humanoid creatures devouring humans and a desperate humanity fighting back. Attack on Titan delivers heart-pounding action, emotional deaths, and mind-blowing twists that will keep you hooked till the end.
Beginner highlights:
- Powerful storytelling
- Top-notch animation (especially in later seasons)
- A mix of action, mystery, and tragedy
Demon Slayer : Breathtaking Visuals and Heartfelt Bonds
"A heartwarming tale of sibling love wrapped in stunning visuals and fierce demon-slaying action."
Genre: Action, fantasy, Supernatural
Episodes: 63
Platform: Netflix , Crunchyroll
When Tanjiro’s family is slaughtered by a demon and his sister turns into one, he sets off on a journey to cure her and defeat evil. Demon Slayer stands out for its gorgeous animation, emotional storytelling, and epic fight scenes.
Perfect for newbies because:
- Easy to follow plot
- Jaw dropping visuals
- Emotional family bond
My Hero Academia: Heroes, Dream and Friendships
"Watch a powerless boy rise to heroism in a world full of quirks, dream's and epic rivalries."
Genre: Superhero, Action, School Life
Episodes: 159 + 10 OVAs
Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Set in world where people have superpowers (quirks), My Hero Academia follows a boy name Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who dreams of becoming greatest hero. With a mix of humour, action and heart.
Why you should start here:
- Superhero fans will feel right at home
- Inspiring character arcs
- Powerful friendship and rivalries
One Punch Man: Hilarious, Overpowered and Addictive
"A bored Superhero who can defeat anyone with a single punch - prepare yourself for laugh and chaos."
Genre: Action, Comedy, Parody
Episodes: 24
Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Saitama is a hero who defeats any opponent with a single punch but, that’s his biggest problem! One Punch Man is a brilliant satire of a superhero tropes with a jaw-dropping fights and laugh-out-loud humor.
Great for firts-timers because:
- Light hearted tone
- Short and bingeable
- Smart comedy and insane action
Naruto : The Journey of an Evil Child
"The inspiring Story of a Orphan child chasing his dream to become Hokage, transitioning from Evil child to village Superhero."
Genre: Action, Adventure, Ninja
Episodes: 720 (Naruto+ Naruto Shippuden)
Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Naruto is a Mischievous ninja with a dream – to become the Hokage (Strongest leader of a Leaf Village) and gain everyone’s respect. His journey is full of hardships, battles and emotional moments that build deep connections with viewers.
Why Naruto is beginners Goldmine:
- Strong Motivational themes
- Memorable Side Characters like Kakashi, Itachi and Jiraya
- Addiction to Ninjutsu
Spy x family: Family, Comedy and Espionage
"A spy, an assassin and a telepath-child form the most wholesome fake family you'll ever love."
Genre: Comedy, Action, Slice of Life
Episodes: 37
Platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll
A spy, an assassin and a telepathic child form a fake family for a mission but, end up becoming a real one. Spy x family blends heart warming moments with hilarious and stylish action, making it a unique, feel good watch.
Perfect for beginners who wants:
- Light wholesome content
- Fun spy action with comedy
- Family- centered theme
Fullmetal Alchemist: A story of a Brotherhood, Sacrifice and Truth
"An unforgettable journey of sacrifice, brotherhood, and the pursuit of truth through alchemy.”
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
Episodes: 64
Platforms: Netflix , Crunchyroll
Edward and Alphonse Elric try to revive their mother using forbidden alchemy but they end up facing tragic consequences. FMA: Brotherhood is a perfect mix of action, emotion, philosophy and plot depth, making it one of the most critically acclaimed anime ever.
Why you shouldn’t miss it:
- Thought provoking themes
- Rich story from start to finish
- Amazing character development
Haikyuu
"A volleyball underdog story bursting with passion, teamwork and electrifying energy."
Genre: Sports, Comedy, Drama
Episodes: 85 + 5 ovas
Platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll
One of the best Sports anime that I have ever watched. Even if you are not into sports, Haikyuu!! will pull you in with it’s infectious energy, lovable characters, and inspiring underdog story of a little boy name Hinata Shoyo. Yes it’s a Volleyball, but so much more than that.
Why you shouldn’t miss it:
- It has engaging story
- Character development
- Humor and heart
Hunter X Hunter
"In a world where power has rules and danger has layers, a boy's pure heart become his sharpest weapon."
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 148
Platform: Crunchyroll
Hunter X Hunter is the gold standard of adventures anime for beginners, A thrilling journey of a young boy in search of his father turns into a unforgettable journey filled with deadly challenges, deep friendship and one of the most brilliant power systems in anime history.
Why you shouldn’t miss it:
- Old School anime feel
- Unique power system
- Balance between action and character
Conclusions: Start With What Resonates
The anime world is incredibly diverse. From action and fantasy to slice of life and deep psychological thrillers, there’s something for everyone. The key is to start with stories that move you, excite you, or even make you laugh. Once you start, you’ll find yourself discovering worlds, emotions, and characters that stay with you forever.
Your anime journey starts today.
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