Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Nominees to live streaming, all you need to know

India Today

24-05-2025

Crunchyroll Anime Awards returns this weekend, all set to stream live on May 25 globally. With a dazzling lineup of presenters, international musical acts, and a stellar roster of nominated series, this year's edition promises to be one of the most star-studded celebrations in anime history.From J Balvin to Stranger Things duo Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, global celebrities are lending their sparkle to a ceremony that blends anime fandom with mainstream pop culture like never before.advertisementTaking place at 6 PM JST [2:30 PM IST] on May 25 in Japan, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards are streaming worldwide. A pre-show kicks off an hour earlier, setting the stage for a night celebrating anime's finest across dozens of categories. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, a loyal follower of Solo Leveling, or grooving to Creepy Nuts' viral opening tracks, this year's show has something for everyone.
In a striking show of anime's global reach, the list of celebrity presenters this year reads like a red carpet from Cannes to Coachella. From Grammy-winning country star Kacey Musgraves to Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim, and from Japanese heartthrob Dean Fujioka to Brazilian drag sensation Pabllo Vittar, the awards are truly going international. Some of the biggest names presenting at the main event include: J Balvin, Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, Italian singer Damiano David, and Mayu Matsuoka, among others. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The awards will also feature a mix of creators, athletes, and actors from across the globe — a clear sign of anime's permeating influence far beyond Japan.advertisementMoreover, Creepy Nuts, the hip-hop duo behind the electrifying Otonoke (Dan Da Dan) and Bling-Bang-Bang-Born (Mashle), will bring their anime anthems to life on stage. They're joined by the likes of FLOW, the legendary rock band marking 20 years of Eureka Seven and LiSA, returning with her powerhouse vocals from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.The Race for Anime of the Year:Six standout series are contending for the top honor, Anime of the Year:Dan Da DanDelicious in DungeonFrieren: Beyond Journey's EndKaiju No. 8Solo LevelingThe Apothecary DiariesEach one made a splash in 2024, with Frieren and Dan Da Dan also dominating across multiple categories, including Best Main Character, Best Animation, and Best Score. Other nominations include:Best Film: Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, Spy x Family CODE: White, and Look Back lead the pack.Best Original Anime: BUCCHIGIRI?! and Ninja Kamui stand out in an eclectic lineup.Best Isekai: A genre staple, this year sees Re:Zero, Suicide Squad ISEKAI, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime in the fray.Fan-favorite categories like 'Must Protect At All Costs' feature beloved characters such as Anya Forger (Spy x Family) and Senshi (Delicious in Dungeon).Meanwhile, Dan Da Dan emerges as a powerhouse, earning nods in nearly every major category — from Best Action to Best Character Design to multiple performance awards for its Japanese and English voice cast.advertisementWith high-wattage stars from Hollywood, Tokyo, Latin America, and beyond showing up to present and perform, the line between anime and pop culture continues to blur. So whether you're tuning in to root for Solo Leveling's Sung Jinwoo or to see J Balvin hand out an award, one thing's for sure — anime is no longer a niche. It's the moment.Watch the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 live on Crunchyroll's official platforms and YouTube channel on May 25.