The Weeknd Presents at 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo

The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards landed in Tokyo on May 23, and The Weeknd was front and center, presenting the top prize at one of anime's biggest annual nights. My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON took home anime of the year, with director Kenji Nagasaki accepting the award. The ceremony was held at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa and marked the 10th edition of the awards.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle dominated on the film side, winning film of the year along with best score for composers Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina. Kenshi Yonezu picked up best anime song for "IRIS OUT" from Chainsaw Man: The Movie: Reze Arc, adding to a winning streak that has made him one of the most decorated artists in the anime music world.

The Weeknd, RZA, and a Global Presenter Lineup

The Weeknd has been vocal about anime shaping his creative identity, and his presence here was more than a celebrity appearance. He stood alongside RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Puerto Rican artist Young Miko, and K-pop figures BamBam and TEN as presenters, a lineup that reflects how deeply anime culture has woven itself into global music and creative communities.

Fan voting hit a record 73 million ballots cast worldwide this cycle, up from previous years and a real signal of where the audience for this culture sits. This is not a niche awards show anymore. It is a genuinely global creative event.

The ceremony also included a posthumous Global Impact Award for director Tatsuya Nagamine, who passed in August 2025. Animator Masayuki Sato accepted on his behalf. Performances spanned a 30th anniversary tribute to Neon Genesis Evangelion, a My Hero Academia 10th anniversary set by PORNOGRAFFITTI, and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION performing their classic NARUTO opener "Haruka Kanata."

Why This Matters for Creators and Culture Watchers

For anyone building at the intersection of music, visual storytelling, and global fandoms, this night is worth paying attention to. The music categories here, best song and best score, are increasingly competitive and increasingly tied to artists who move on mainstream charts too. Kenshi Yonezu is a real force in that space.

More broadly, the fact that an event like this pulls in The Weeknd, RZA, and Young Miko as genuine fans and not just paid placements says something about where anime sits in the creative ecosystem. It is a reference point for a generation of artists, producers, and visual creators who grew up on it and are now driving culture.

If you are a creator, designer, or music artist building something with anime influence, the conversation is happening whether you are in it or not. Check our [events page](/events) to find community nights and creative showcases in LA where this world collides with independent work. And if you are making music in this lane, [submit your work](/submit) so we can put it in front of the right eyes.