Anime Awards 2023 Winners: Anime of the Year and Full List
Note: If you’re reading this before the show, stay tuned! We'll be adding each of the category winners as they're announced during the live show in a few hours.
The votes have been counted, the judges have been heard and the orange carpet has been rolled out. At an incredible event hosted by Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, the winners of the 2023 Anime Awards have officially been revealed!
It was a stacked eligibility year for the Anime Awards, with the Anime of the Year category representing some of our favorite series, including Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc, Lycoris Recoil, Ranking of Kings Cour 2, and SPY x FAMILY.
The 2023 Anime Awards start on March 4 at 1:30 a.m. PT / 3:30 a.m. CT / 4:30 a.m. ET on Crunchyroll’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
- Anime of the Year
- Best Original Anime
- Best Anime Character Design
- Best Animation
- Best New Anime Series
- Best Continuing Anime Series
- Best Anime Opening Sequence
- Best Anime Ending Sequence
- Best Anime Score
- Best Anime Film
- Best Anime Song
- Best Anime Director
- Best Main Anime Character
- Best Supporting Anime Character
- Best "Must Protect At All Costs" Anime Character
- Best Action Anime
- Best Comedy Anime
- Best Drama Anime
- Best Fantasy Anime
- Best Romance Anime
- Best Voice Acting Performance (Japanese)
- Best Voice Acting Performance (English)
Anime of the Year
This is the show that sets the standard for anime over the last year, towering over all others. Its compelling story, beautiful artistic execution, unforgettable characters all combine in a unique way to create a masterpiece that deserves singular recognition. Whether the show was an unexpected hit, or delivered on fans’ high expectations, Anime of the Year represents absolute excellence.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Lycoris Recoil
- Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- SPY x FAMILY
Best Original Anime
An original anime is not adapted from source material; it is entirely a unique creation. While that itself is an accomplishment, these shows also present an impactful and entertaining story that elevates the title to another level.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- BIRDIE WING -Golf Girls’ Story-
- Healer Girl
- Lycoris Recoil
- The Orbital Children
- Vampire in the Garden
- YUREI DECO
Best Anime Character Design
This category celebrates artists who have either created iconic anime characters or breathed life into one from other sources like manga or light novels. Thanks to their understanding of design principles, great character designers can tell a story from how someone is drawn, while the legendary ones create characters you recognize by their silhouette.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Akira Matsushima, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Atsuko Nozaki, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Kazuaki Shimada, SPY x FAMILY
- Kazumasa Ishida, My Dress-Up Darling
- Masanori Shino, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
- Yo Yoshinari, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Best Animation
Here we recognize anime that are visually stunning in the ways they bring their stories to life. No matter the style of animation, these shows provide a visual feast for viewers to enjoy, immersing audiences into previously unimaginable worlds.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- SPY x FAMILY
Best New Anime Series
While countless new anime are created each year, this category honors the series and spin-offs that stand out. These instant classics possess something unique that keep viewers transfixed and passionately awaiting season two.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Call of the Night
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Lycoris Recoil
- My Dress-Up Darling
- SPY x FAMILY
- Ya Boy Kongming!
Best Continuing Anime Series
Sustaining excellence is no small feat, particularly when it comes to anime. Considering all the creativity, effort, and planning that goes into one season, the ability to hold a fan’s attention year after year is worthy of celebration.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
- One Piece
Best Anime Opening Sequence
Through striking visuals and irresistible music, a great opening sequence sets the table for what’s to come. Whether it’s creating a quirky mood for an off-beat rom-com, or striking a dark and serious tone for suspense, a memorable opening has as much creativity and passion as the show it introduces.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- “Chikichiki Banban” by QUEENDOM, Storyboard and Direction from 10GAUGE, Ya Boy Kongming!
- “Mixed Nuts” by Official HIGE DANdism, Storyboard and Direction from Masashi Ishihama, SPY x FAMILY
- “Naked Hero” by Vaundy, Storyboard and Unit Direction from Shingo Yamashita, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- “The Rumbling” by SiM, Storyboard and Direction from Takashi Kojima, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- “This Fffire” by Franz Ferdinand, Animation Direction from Hiroyuki Imaishi, Storyboard from Kai Ikarashi, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- “Zankyosanka” by Aimer, Storyboard from Haruo Sotozaki, Animation Direction from Akira Matsushima, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Best Anime Ending Sequence
Similar to the opening, an unforgettable ending sequence pairs design and music to delight and surprise. Often a place where the art style can be taken in entirely new directions, a great closing sequence lets viewers catch their breath and enjoy small moments with a character.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- “Akuma no Ko” by AI HIGUCHI, Storyboard and Direction from Paraco Shinohara, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- “Comedy” by Gen Hoshino, Storyboard and Direction from Atsushi Nishigori, SPY x FAMILY
- “Koi no yukue” by Akari Akase, Storyboard and Direction from Futata, My Dress-Up Darling
- “Koshaberibiyori” by FantasticYouth, Storyboard and Direction from Kouki Fujimoto, Komi Can’t Communicate (2nd series)
- “My Heart Has Surrendered” by Airi Suzuki, Storyboard and Direction from Nichika Ono, Animation Direction from Norifumi Kugai, Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- “Yofukashino Uta” by Creepy Nuts, Storyboard and Direction from Tomoyuki Itamura, Animation Direction from Haruka Sagawa, Call of the Night
Best Anime Score
A vital part of an unforgettable anime is the original music composed for it. A well-crafted score adds another dimension of depth and emotion to any scene with compositions that are not only tightly associated with an anime, but can also stand alone as masterpieces of music.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- (K)NoW_NAME, SPY x FAMILY
- Akira Yamaoka, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Genki Hikota (Hifumi, Inc.), Ya Boy Kongming!
- Kevin Penkin, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
- Kohta Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Sawano, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Yuki Kaijura and Go Shiina, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Best Anime Film
Here we celebrate non-episodic anime with runtimes longer than a standard episode, whether they were released in theaters, on home video, or online. The best of the best live up to the hype, leaving fans wondering where the time went.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
Best Anime Song
This category recognizes a vocalist, instrumental, soloist, duo, group, or collaborative recording played during any part of an anime series. These are the songs that get stuck in your head, make you want to sing along, or give you a rush of emotion.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- "Chikichiki Banban" by QUEENDOM, Ya Boy Kongming!
- "Comedy" by Gen Hoshino, SPY x FAMILY
- "My Nonfiction" by Miyuki Shirogane (CV: Makoto Furukawa) and Chika Fujiwara (CV: Konomi Kohara), Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- "Shall We Dance?" by ReoNa, SHADOWS HOUSE -2nd Season-
- "The Rumbling" by SiM, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- "New Genesis" by Ado, One Piece Film Red
Best Anime Director
To paraphrase Hayao Miyazaki, “An anime is a reflection of its director.” Of central importance, directors work behind the scenes, conveying their vision and imagination to animators, making critical decisions, and managing the creative aspects of production.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Haruo Sotozaki, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Hiroyuki Imaishi, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Kazuhiro Furuhashi, SPY x FAMILY
- Shingo Adachi, Lycoris Recoil
- Yosuke Hatta, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Yuichiro Hayashi, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
Best Main Anime Character
Whether hero, anti-hero, or villain, a main character is the face of their series. But it’s not just their personalities or characteristics that make them beloved, it’s their well-developed stories and the journeys they take us on that make them worthy.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Bojji, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Chisato Nishikigi, Lycoris Recoil
- David Martinez, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Eren Jaeger, Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Loid Forger, SPY x FAMILY
- Marin Kitagawa, My Dress-Up Darling
Best Supporting Anime Character
This category celebrates sidekicks like they were number one. Supporting characters come in all shapes and sizes, but the best among them are able to shine as bright as their main character counterparts when called upon.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Ai Hayasaka, Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- Anya Forger, SPY x FAMILY
- Kage, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Rebecca, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Tengen Uzui, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Yor Forger, SPY x FAMILY
Best "Must Protect at All Costs" Anime Character
These are the characters that make the world feel like a kinder, more special place. Whether they're an earnest protagonist who always gets back up or a pure hearted cinnamon roll who holds a group together, these characters remind us that there are some things in life worth protecting.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Anya Forger, SPY x FAMILY
- Bojji, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Kage, Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Kotaro Sato, Kotaro Lives Alone
- Marin Kitagawa, My Dress-Up Darling
- Shoko Komi, Komi Can’t Communicate (2nd series)
Best Action Anime
This category rewards a show that has action at its core. These titles should leave the audience with their hearts pounding, their palms sweaty, and everyone gasping for breath at the mind-blowing sequences that were depicted.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
- Lycoris Recoil
- SPY x FAMILY
Best Comedy Anime
Whether they catch you off guard with a unique point of view, or the dialogue seems crafted by a stand-up comedian, these are the shows that make you laugh out loud and have your side hurting by the end.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- Kotaro Lives Alone
- My Dress-Up Darling
- SPY x FAMILY
- UNCLE from ANOTHER WORLD
- Ya Boy Kongming!
Best Drama Anime
These anime convey something essential about the human experience. Their mastery of building and relieving tension sets fans on the edge of their seats, feeling all their feelings, compelling them to invest deeply in the characters and their stories.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- 86 EIGHTY-SIX Part 2
- Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Dance Dance Danseur
- Kotaro Lives Alone
- Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
Best Fantasy Anime
Best Fantasy is all about imagination, creativity, and a bit of magic. These shows don’t just take us to other worlds, they craft deep, original universes full of mythical creatures where even the smallest detail is fueled by ideas that previously were unthought.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 1, 2nd Cour
- OVERLORD IV
- Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- The Case Study of Vanitas (Cour 2)
Best Romance Anime
A great romance can thaw the heart of the coldest cynic. These captivating stories draw us in and remind us of the best part of being alive. With their hopeful messages, these shows find a way to make you believe in the power of love.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Call of the Night
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
- Komi Can’t Communicate (2nd series)
- Love After World Domination
- My Dress-Up Darling
- Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie
Best Voice Acting Performance (Japanese)
Renowned voice artists not only breathe additional life into design, they also re-envision what a character sounds like in a different language. Through their command of tone and the emotions their voices elicit, these talented artists add depth, transforming anime characters into anime icons. This award will be honored to voice actors across Japanese.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Atsumi Tanezaki, Anya Forger in SPY x FAMILY
- Chika Anzai, Chisato Nishikigi in Lycoris Recoil
- Fairouz Ai, Jolyne Cujoh in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
- Misaki Kuno, Faputa and Irumyuui in Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun
- Sun Natsuki Hanae, Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Best Voice Acting Performance (English)
This award will be honored to voice actors across English.
Winner: TBA
Nominees:
- Amanda Lee (AmaLee), Marin Kitagawa in My Dress-Up Darling
- Cherami Leigh, Kotaro Sato in Kotaro Lives Alone
- Natalie Van Sistine, Yor Forger in SPY x FAMILY
- SungWon Cho (AKA ProZD), Kage in Ranking of Kings (Cour 2)
- Zach Aguilar, David Martinez in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Zeno Robinson, Gamma 2 in Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO
Did your predictions take home the prize? Let us know in the comments!
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