“Jujutsu Kaisen” Dominates Nine Categories at the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024” Ceremony Report

The “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024,” a ceremony celebrating the achievements of anime works, characters, and creators chosen by anime fans worldwide, was held on March 2nd at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo. Let’s report on the atmosphere of the day’s venue.

Since its inception in 2017, marking its 8th year, the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards” is an annual award program by Crunchyroll, which operates anime and manga streaming services in over 200 countries and regions. It honors a variety of works, characters, creators, musicians, and cast members released on TV anime and theaters. Past winners of the “Anime of the Year,” the highest honor, include “Yuri!!! on ICE” (2017), “Made in Abyss” (2018), “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2020), and “Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 1” (2022).

The “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024” considered anime broadcasted or streamed within a certain period from 2022 to 2023. From over 50 works across more than 30 anime studios and five streaming services, a selection committee consisting of anime industry professionals and media experts from around the world nominated six candidates per category. Then, members of the global selection committee and anime fans worldwide voted to determine the winners in each category.

Before the award ceremony, the orange carpet was graced by celebrities who are public anime fans, including actress Chiaki Kuriyama, businessman ROLAND, talent Takeshi Tsuruno, American drag queen Aquaria, film director Bong Joon-ho known for “Parasite,” and Joaquim Dos Santos, director of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Popular anisong artists such as LiSA and the music unit YOASOBI also made appearances, enlivening the atmosphere.

Hiroyuki Sawano, who composed the music for “Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2,” won the Best Score Award for the second consecutive year. The new theme song for the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards” performed by Hiroyuki Sawano and KOHTA YAMAMOTO was premiered. The ceremony, hosted by freecaster Jon Kabira and popular voice actress Sally Amaki, opened amidst great applause with each announcement of the 23 award categories’ winners and recipients.

With over 34 million votes from anime fans worldwide, the coveted “Anime of the Year” was awarded to “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 “Shibuya Incident.” MAPPA’s producer Keisuke Seshimo, representing the team, stated, “It’s an honor to receive such an award. We will continue to strive and contribute to the anime industry.”

Furthermore, “Jujutsu Kaisen” also won “Best Action,” “Best Character Design,” “Best Director” (Shohei Tsuchiya), “Best Opening” (“Ao no Sumika” by Tatsuya Kitani), “Best Ending” (“Tomoshibi” by Shogo Yano), “Best Supporting Character” (Satoru Gojo), and “Best Voice Actor (Japanese)” (Satoru Gojo voiced by Yuichi Nakamura), dominating a total of nine categories. Director Tsuchiya expressed gratitude to everyone involved, highlighting the collective effort behind the success.

“Kimetsu no Yaiba: Swordsmith Village Arc” was nominated for “Anime of the Year” and won “Best Animation,” “Best Art,” and “Best Fantasy.” Natsuki Hanae, voice of Tanjiro Kamado, shared the enthusiasm and love received from fans worldwide.

“Jujutsu Kaisen” and other highlighted works at the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024” demonstrated the global impact and appreciation of anime, marking another successful celebration of the industry’s creativity and talent.

“Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024” Ceremony Details

Date: March 2, 2024
Location: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Tokyo
Celebrity Guests: Megan Thee Stallion, Iman Vellani, Aquaria, Shea Couleé, Rina Sawayama, Yaeji, OMA, Ilona Garcia, DeMarcus Lawrence, Joaquim Dos Santos, Liza Soberano, Bong Joon-ho, Mercedes Bernard, Rashmika Mandanna, Vinnie Hacker, LiSA, ROLAND, YOASOBI, Takeshi So, and Chiaki Kuriyama (in no particular order, titles omitted)

Award Results

• Anime of the Year
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2

• Best Action
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2
• Best Animation
  “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc” – Presenter: Kengo Kawanishi

• Best Anisong
  “Oshi no Ko” / “Idol” by YOASOBI
• Best Art
  “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc”
• Best Character Design
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 – Tadashi Hiramatsu & Sayaka Koiso; Presenter: Tadashi Hiramatsu

• Best Cinematography
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2
• Best Comedy
  “SPY×FAMILY Season1 Part 2”
• Best Continuing Series
  “ONE PIECE” – Presenter: Yasunori Koyama

• Best Director
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 – Shota Goshozono

• Best Drama
  “Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2”
• Best Ending
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 / “Tomoshibi” by Shogo Yano
• Best Fantasy
  “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc”
• Best Feature
  “Suzume no Tojimari”
• Best Lead Character
  “ONE PIECE Monkey D. Luffy”
• Best New Series
  “Chainsaw Man”
• Best Opening
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 / “Ao no Sumika” by Tatsuya Kitani
• Best Original Anime
  “Buddy Daddies”
• Best Romance
  “Horimiya -piece-” – Presenter: Shinji Ishihama

• Best Score
  “Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2”
• Best Slice of Life
  “Bocchi the Rock!” – Presenter: Kerorira

• Best Supporting Character
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 / Satoru Gojo
• Best Voice Actor (Japanese)
  “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2/ Satoru Gojo by Yuichi Nakamura
• “Protect at All Costs” Character Award
  “SPY×FAMILY Season1 Part 2” / Anya Forger

Best Voice Actor in Dubbed Versions

• Best Voice Actor (English): Ryan Colt Levy
• Best Voice Actor (French): Martial Le Minoux
• Best Voice Actor (Castilian Spanish): Joel Gómez Jiménez
• Best Voice Actor (Latin American Spanish): Emilio Treviño
• Best Voice Actor (Italian): Moses Singh
• Best Voice Actor (Portuguese): Léo Rabelo
• Best Voice Actor (German): Franziska Trunte
• Best Voice Actor (Arabic): Talib Al Rifai
• Images provided by Crunchyroll

Award Winner Interviews (In no particular order)

[Anime of the Year]
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
Speaker: Anime Producer – Keisuke Seshita

How do you feel about winning the award?
Seshita: I’m surprised. I’m very happy about it. Winning this award means a lot of people enjoyed Jujutsu Kaisen, which is incredibly gratifying.

Your thoughts on the international reaction?
Seshita: While I was in Japan during the production and airing, I could only grasp how international fans were enjoying Jujutsu Kaisen through social media and event scenes. Knowing fans worldwide enjoyed our work is very rewarding, fulfilling the wish of all staff members involved in its creation.

What kind of anime would you like to challenge in the future?
Seshita: In terms of future challenges for Jujutsu Kaisen, our focus isn’t solely on the expression of animation but on how we can continue to entertain our audience and deliver the most enjoyable experience. We want to honor Gege Akutami’s original work with the utmost respect and produce something that the fans, eagerly awaiting the anime, will appreciate.

A message for anime fans around the world?
Seshita: Thank you to everyone who watched Jujutsu Kaisen. The anime will continue, and though it will eventually conclude alongside the manga, we, the anime staff, will put our all into producing it. Please continue to support us until the end. Thank you very much.

[Best Original Anime Award]
Title: Buddy Daddies
Speaker: Director Yoshiyuki Asai

How do you feel about winning the award?
Asai: I’m honestly very surprised. It’s been a little while since the show aired, but receiving such a prestigious award now is truly delightful.

What kind of anime would you like to challenge in the future?
Asai: Like Buddy Daddies, I find the most fulfillment in creating comedies that make people laugh. Winning this award has boosted my confidence in animation, and I hope to continue creating enjoyable anime for everyone.

A message for international fans?
Asai: On behalf of the main characters of Buddy Daddies – Zero, Kazuki, and Miri – thank you for this incredible award. As the director, I’m very proud. Thank you very much.

[Best Anisong Award]
Title: “Oshi no Ko”
Speakers: YOASOBI (Ayase/ikura)

How do you feel about winning the award?
Ayase: It’s a great honor to receive such an award. As the person who composed the song, I’m thrilled that a song I created, along with the beloved “Oshi no Ko,” has reached people around the world.
ikura: I’m glad that “Oshi no Ko” and the song “Idol” could reach a global audience together.

Your thoughts on the international reaction?
ikura: It’s been amazing to see how “Oshi no Ko” and “Idol” reached beyond our expectations. Collaborating with anime culture has brought our music to many people, and we value this connection as we continue our musical journey.

What are the particular points of interest in the song “Idol”?
Ayase: YOASOBI is a unit that turns novels into music, and while we typically compose music after receiving an offer, I was already a fan of “Oshi no Ko” and had a demo ready when we received the offer. It felt like destiny. “Oshi no Ko” is a work I love deeply, and having our music reach so many people alongside it is truly gratifying.

A message for fans around the world?
Ayase: Thank you to everyone who has supported “Oshi no Ko” and our song “Idol.” As “Oshi no Ko” continues, we’ll keep creating music with the love for “Oshi no Ko” in our hearts, aiming to bring joy through our songs. Please continue to support us.

ikura: Writing the opening theme for the anime “Oshi no Ko,” titled “Idol,” was a precious and grateful experience. It’s a collaboration between the immense efforts of those who created the animation and our music coming together. This song, born from such a partnership with “Oshi no Ko,” has become a significant event for us as it reached many people alongside the anime. As YOASOBI, we hope to continue weaving music, embracing collaborations with animations, and enjoying the journey of music creation. We look forward to your continued support.

[Best Art Direction Award] Title: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Swordsmith Village Arc
Speaker: Natsuki Hanae (voice of Tanjiro Kamado)

How do you feel about winning? Hanae: As a fan of the anime, I eagerly awaited each episode. Considering the high quality of Demon Slayer that makes you wish to see it in theaters, winning the Best Art Direction is genuinely delightful.

Any characters or projects you’d like to try? Hanae: I haven’t played many villains, so I’d love to tackle a role like that, such as Muzan Kibutsuji from Demon Slayer.

A message for international fans? Hanae: We’re currently touring the world, receiving warm feelings and love from fans everywhere. It motivates us to continue striving. We hope to return these feelings and create even better work, so please keep supporting us.

[Best Music Award] Title: Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 1
Speakers: Hiroyuki Sawano and KOHTA YAMAMOTO

How do you feel about winning? YAMAMOTO: Having concluded both the work and “Attack on Titan” team last year, winning this prestigious award again is truly gratifying. It’s a testament to the strength of Attack on Titan and a thank you to its fans worldwide.

What makes the music special, and how do you want fans to enjoy it? Sawano: We’ve tried various things and hope to create works that can be enjoyed internationally. We aim to produce music that not only complements the anime’s world but also stands alone for fans to enjoy in various life scenarios.

A message for international fans? Sawano: Though Attack on Titan has concluded, we hope it continues to be loved and enjoyed alongside its music. YAMAMOTO: The series may have ended, but it remains an exceptional work we hope new viewers will see. Thank you to all the fans who voted for us.

All images provided by Crunchyroll