3 Anime That Nearly Took Crunchyroll’s 2026 Anime of the Year Instead of My Hero Academia

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The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 have concluded, and My Hero Academia’s final season was named Anime of the Year. Given the series’ popularity since it began and the emotional impact of its 10-year run coming to an end, fans were thrilled to see it celebrated at such a major event.

Honestly, while I thought the winner was deserving, the other nominees definitely put up a fight. There were three anime in particular that almost stole the show – their 2025 seasons were just that good. They really stood out as some of the most impressive series I’ve seen in a long time.

3) Dandadan Season 2

The fact that Dandadan has been nominated for this award for two years in a row shows just how exceptional the anime is. It excels in so many ways – from its dynamic animation that perfectly matches the on-screen action, to its heartfelt stories, thrilling fight scenes, and quirky humor. Season 2 of Dandadan built on the success of the first season, taking everything to the next level.

The second season was especially strong, wrapping up a significant storyline with the epic scope of a movie. Both seasons of this anime have been consistently excellent, making it a strong contender for awards and demonstrating its innovative approach to modern anime.

2) Gachiakuta

Gachiakuta quickly became recognized as one of the best new anime, and that success was confirmed when it won Best New Anime at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards. The show stands out because it offers a new take on the popular shonen genre, suggesting that traditional shonen storylines are becoming less common. It’s a bold and realistic series with a distinctive main character, which seems to connect with today’s viewers in a way that classic shonen anime often doesn’t.

The animation studio Bones delivered consistently outstanding work throughout the series, making every scene visually impressive with rich detail, impactful music, and a style that perfectly matched the show’s dark atmosphere. Gachiakuta stands out as one of the most unique shonen anime of recent years, and its win for Best New Anime was well-deserved, cementing its status as a strong contender for Anime of the Year.

1) Takopi’s Original Sin

Takopi’s Original Sin is a truly unique anime that stood out this year. It’s surprising, then, that it didn’t win any awards despite being nominated for seven, including Anime of the Year, Best New Anime, and Best Drama. The show was incredibly popular during its Summer 2025 release, with fans helping it achieve a rare feat: maintaining a 9-star rating on every episode – leading many to believe it would win big.

The anime’s failure to win any awards felt like a letdown. It was memorable for its surprising plot and unsettling mood, particularly how it used children to create a disturbing contrast with viewers’ initial expectations. It was a strong contender for Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, arguably as deserving as My Hero Academia, but My Hero Academia ultimately won thanks to its long history and the emotional connection fans have with the series after ten seasons.

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2026-05-24 15:11