Crunchyroll will be bringing the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards to Tokyo, Japan this upcoming May 23, in addition to a livestream of the event for global audiences. With returning co-hosts entertainer Jon Kabira and voice actress Sally Amaki, the Anime Awards’ 10th celebration will feature a global pre-show hosted by Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu. More information will be announced before May 23, including other special surprises in store for attendees.

The Anime Awards aren’t the only anniversary being celebrated, as Neon Genesis Evangelion’s famous theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” will be performed by Yoko Takahashi as a 30th anniversary tribute to the legendary 1995 anime. Hirofumi Kurita will conduct the symphonic suites of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged by Kazunori Miyake to complement Yoko Takahashi’s vocals in the live ceremony.

“For the past decade, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards has been shaped by the fans who show up every year to celebrate the stories and creators they love,” President of Crunchyroll, Rahul Purini, commented. “What began with a few million votes in 2017 has grown into tens of millions of voices from around the world, reflecting how deeply anime has become part of people’s lives. Returning to Japan is about celebrating where these stories begin and the fans everywhere who make them live far beyond the screen.”

On April 2, the global fan voting will begin and nominees will be unveiled. Fans can look forward to 32 different categories that recognize anime’s everlasting impact on pop culture, celebrating both the medium itself and the creators behind the beloved series, films, and performances. Nominees for each category will be chosen by the independent 2026 Anime Awards judges, from eligible titles premiering exclusively from January 1 to December 31 in 2025. More information on the listed categories is available on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Official Website.