The anime industry continues to thrive year after year, and the Best Anime Awards 2025 was no exception. This year’s event celebrated a diverse lineup of shows that captivated audiences around the world with stunning animation, powerful storytelling, and unforgettable characters. From action-packed epics to heartwarming slice-of-life tales, the awards highlighted the best of what anime had to offer over the past year.

The coveted Anime of the Year title went to Chainsaw Man Season 2. With its gritty animation style, bold direction, and emotionally driven arcs, Chainsaw Man stood out among fierce competition. Studio MAPPA delivered once again, pushing the boundaries of anime visuals and storytelling. Fans and critics alike praised its blend of horror, humor, and heart, making it a deserving winner. Best Animation was awarded to Jujutsu Kaisen: Shibuya Incident Arc. This intense and visually stunning arc brought breathtaking fight sequences and masterful animation that raised the bar for the shonen genre. The work of the animators at MAPPA was widely recognized for its fluid motion, dynamic effects, and emotionally charged action scenes.

In the Best Director category, Sunghoo Park took home the honor for his direction of Jujutsu Kaisen. His ability to pace action scenes while maintaining emotional weight helped make the series one of the most talked-about anime of the year. One of the biggest surprises came in the Best New Series category, where Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End won the hearts of viewers. This unique fantasy anime, which focuses on the quiet moments of an elf mage’s journey after the hero’s quest is over, offered deep philosophical themes wrapped in beautiful animation and rich world-building.

For Best Character Design, Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc impressed with its detailed and vibrant looks. The combination of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern anime flair earned the show praise across the board. The Best Boy award went to Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen, a fan-favorite character known for his charisma, power, and tragic depth. Meanwhile, Best Girl was awarded to Marin Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling, whose outgoing personality and emotional complexity made her a standout character. The Best Soundtrack category was dominated by Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 4, composed by Kohta Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Sawano. The epic and emotional music matched the dark, dramatic tone of the series perfectly.

Best Voice Performance (Japanese) went to Kana Hanazawa for her role in Frieren, while Best Voice Performance (English) was awarded to Zeno Robinson for his energetic portrayal in My Hero Academia. In conclusion, the Best Anime Awards 2025 celebrated a wide range of talent and creativity within the anime community. With innovation in storytelling, breathtaking animation, and emotionally powerful performances, this year's winners prove that anime continues to grow as a powerful form of art and entertainment across the globe.