Anime of the Year 2026: Winners, Nominees and Biggest Highlights
The 2026 anime season brings strong winners, exciting nominations and many titles that fans will be talking about for a long time. This year’s lineup shows how diverse modern anime has become, mixing action, drama, comedy, romance, emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters.
Among the biggest names in this year’s awards are My Hero Academia, The Apothecary Diaries, Dandadan, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc and The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity. Each of these titles represents a different side of anime and proves that 2026 is packed with memorable series and movies.
Anime of the Year 2026 — Winner: My Hero Academia
The main award, Anime of the Year 2026, goes to My Hero Academia. It is a powerful choice, especially for fans who have followed the story of heroes, rivals and personal growth for years. The series continues to stand out thanks to its emotional battles, character development and intense action.
The nominees in this category were:
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- Gachiakuta
- The Apothecary Diaries
Anime Movie of the Year 2026 — Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc
The award for Anime Movie of the Year 2026 goes to Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc. With cinematic animation, dramatic battles and high emotional stakes, this title feels like one of the most anticipated anime movie events of the year.
The nominees were:
- The Colors Within: Reze’s Story
- Blue Lock: Episode Nagi
- The Rose of Versailles
Best Drama 2026 — The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries wins Best Drama 2026. The series stands out because of its intelligent storytelling, palace intrigue, elegant atmosphere and one of the most interesting heroines in modern anime.
The nominees in this category were:
- Oshi no Ko — Season 2
- To Your Eternity — Season 2
- Taxi Driver’s Soliloquy — Season 2
Best Opening 2026 — Dandadan “On The Way”
Dandadan wins Best Opening 2026 with the song “On The Way”. The opening perfectly matches the chaotic, supernatural and energetic personality of the series.
The nominees were:
- “Red” — The Magical Battle
- “Last Hero” — My Hero Academia
- “Screamer” — Kaiju No. 8
Best Main Character 2026 — Maomao
The winner of Best Main Character 2026 is Maomao from The Apothecary Diaries. She stands out through intelligence, curiosity, calm confidence and a sharp personality that makes every scene more engaging.
The nominees were:
- Rudo
- Okarun
- Midoriya
Best Supporting Character 2026 — Bakugo
Bakugo wins Best Supporting Character 2026. His long character journey, emotional development and intense personality make him one of the most memorable supporting characters of the year.
The nominees were:
- Suguru
- Hoshina
- Shin
Best Romance Anime 2026 — The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity wins Best Romance Anime 2026. The series offers a gentle, emotional and sincere romance built on subtle character moments and a warm school atmosphere.
Best Comedy Anime 2026 — Dandadan
Dandadan wins Best Comedy Anime 2026. Its mix of supernatural chaos, absurd humor, fast pacing and strong character chemistry makes it one of the most entertaining anime titles of the year.
Character You Would Protect at All Costs 2026 — Anya
Anya wins the category of Character You Would Protect at All Costs 2026. Her charm, humor, expressive reactions and innocent personality make her one of the most lovable characters in modern anime.
Best Japanese Voice Actor 2026 — Aoi Yuki
Aoi Yuki wins Best Japanese Voice Actor 2026 for her role as Maomao. Her performance captures Maomao’s intelligence, dry humor, subtle reactions and calm confidence perfectly.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 anime awards highlight how strong and varied the current anime landscape is. My Hero Academia takes the biggest title, while The Apothecary Diaries shines through Maomao and Aoi Yuki. Dandadan also proves its strength by winning in both opening and comedy-related categories.
From action and drama to romance, comedy and music, the 2026 anime season offers something for almost every fan. These winners and nominees show why anime continues to grow as one of the most exciting forms of modern entertainment.