Crunchyroll Awards 2025: Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer win top honours of the night

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 took place on May 25 and anime fans around the world tuned in for one of the most dazzling celebrations in the industry’s history. 

Streaming live from Japan at 6 PM JST (2:30 PM IST) on 25 May, the event delivered a powerful mix of star power, musical performances, and heartfelt tributes to the best in anime.

Celebrating the best in anime

This year’s edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards set a new benchmark, with dozens of categories highlighting excellence in animation, music, direction, and storytelling. Titles like "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End" and "Solo Leveling" dominated conversations as well as the winners list.

Check out the list of winners:

Anime of the Year: Solo Leveling

Film of the Year: Look Back

Best Animation: Demon Slayer

Best Director: Keiichiro Saito for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 

Best Original Anime: Ninja Kamui

Best Anime Song: Otokone by Creepy Nuts for Dan da Dan

Best Romance Anime: Blue Box 

Best Score: Solo Leveling

Best Slice of Life Anime: Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! 

Best Main Character: Sung Jinwoo - Solo Leveling 

Best Voice Actor (Hindi): Lohit Sharma as Satoru Gojo for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

Best Comedy: Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Best Ending Sequence: Request by Krage

Best Continuining Series: Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc

Global Impact Award: Attack on Titan

A star-studded line-up

Adding to the spectacle was a glittering roster of celebrity presenters and international performers. J Balvin, the Colombian music sensation, took centre stage alongside Stranger Things stars Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo, lending the event a powerful dose of Hollywood flair.

Also appearing tonight were Grammy-winning singer Kacey Musgraves, Olympic gold medallist Chloe Kim, Japanese star Dean Fujioka, and Brazilian drag icon Pabllo Vittar. They’re joined by Maneskin's frontman Damiano David and acclaimed actress Mayu Matsuoka, rounding out a lineup that mirrors anime’s global popularity and influence.

From chart-topping music acts like Creepy Nuts to breakout hits and beloved classics, the event highlighted how deeply anime now resonates across pop culture. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the medium, tonight’s show offered something for everyone.