The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) 2026 announced the winners of its “Anime of the Year” division, with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX winning the Best Work (film) and Best Work (television), respectively.
TAAF officials said this year’s competition considered 452 anime titles that were released, broadcast, or streamed between Oct 1, 2024, and Sept 30, 2025.
The winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals, including producers, directors, animators, and representatives from media and merchandise sectors. A separate “Anime Fan Award” was decided through public online voting.
Beyond the Best Work prizes, several creators were recognized with Individual Awards.
Manga artist Uoto (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, 100 Meters) won in the Original Work/Screenplay category. Director Yohei Kameyama, known for Milky Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, received the Best Director Award.
Animator Shuto Enomoto was honored for his work in the Animator Division, while Yusuke Takeda (Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc) took the award for Background/Coloring/Visual Category. Musician Kenshi Yonezu was recognized in the Sound and Performance category.
The Anime Fan Award went to the film Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle. Festival organizers said the title secured 8,024 votes out of 17,412 total ballots.
TAAF had previously announced its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients on Dec 3. Check them out below:
- Producer: Takayuki Matsutani (Astro Boy, Black Jack, Legend of the Forest)
- Author: Keiko Takemiya (To Terra, Kaze to Ki no Uta, Andromeda Stories)
- Screenwriter: Tomoko Konparu (The Rose of Versailles 2025, Soreike! Anpanman: Inochi no Hoshi no Dolly)
- Director: Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Angel’s Egg, Gosenzo-sama Banbanzai!)
- Manga Creator/Animation Director/Designer: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island, Giant Gorg)
- 3D Animator/Doll Artist: Masaaki Mori (Garagara Hebi ga Yatte Kuru, Gaja Imo, Honey and Clover)
- Art Director: Nizo Yamamoto (Castle in the Sky, Grave of the Fireflies, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time)
- Voice Actor: Mami Koyama (Arale from Dr. Slump, Minky Momo from Magical Princess Minky Momo, Vermouth from Detective Conan)
- Anime Historian: Takashi Namiki (Gauche the Cellist, Kono Hoshi no Ue ni, Lupin III: Part II)
In 2025, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End won the Best Work in the television category and Look Back in the film category.
The TAAF 2026 awards ceremony will take place from March 13-16.
Source: Comic Natalie, ANN