Fans eagerly look forward to the Crunchyroll Awards every year, which celebrate the best anime series from the previous year. The biggest honor is, of course, being named Anime of the Year. While *Solo Leveling* winning in 2025 caused some debate, the competition for the 2026 award is already shaping up to be even more intense with several promising new series in the running.
While the official nominees aren’t known yet, these shows are strong contenders and could both be nominated and ultimately win.
Sakamoto Days Season 1
Underwhelming Animation, But A Great Story
The first season of *Sakamoto Days* began in 2025 with a lot of hype, as the manga was already well-loved. However, the anime adaptation didn’t quite live up to expectations when compared to other shows that year.
Even though the animation isn’t top-notch, the story and characters are strong enough that *Sakamoto Days* could still be a contender for Anime of the Year in 2026.
Solo Leveling Season 2
An Action-Packed Anime
The anime *Solo Leveling* season 1 was named Anime of the Year in 2025, a major accomplishment considering the strong competition. Season 2, which premiered in 2025, proved even more popular, particularly with its standout Jeju arc.
Many anime fans predict *Solo Leveling* will be the top series in 2026. If it wins, it would be a significant achievement, not just for the show itself, but for anime adapted from Korean webcomics (manhwa) as well.
Dandadan Season 2
Alien and Supernatural Series That Keeps Getting Better
Dandadan has quickly become a popular anime series. The first season was very well-received, and fans enjoyed the second season even more, leading to anticipation for a third season. While Dandadan didn’t win at the 2025 Crunchyroll Awards, it’s considered a strong contender for the Anime of the Year award in 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
The Highest Rated Anime of 2025
As of now, *The Apothecary Diaries Season 2* is the top-ranked anime of 2025 on MyAnimeList. Fans are really enjoying this new season, with many saying it’s even better than the first. While it was a nominee in 2025, it didn’t win. There’s hope it will win the award in 2026, though *Solo Leveling* will be a tough competitor.
Takopi’s Original Sin
A Short Anime That Left Many Shocked
Despite only having six episodes, the anime series *Takopi’s Original Sin* really resonated with viewers. While it appears adorable at first glance, the show is surprisingly dark and tackles heavy themes. It’s been highly praised this year and is a strong contender for Anime of the Year in 2026.
My Hero Academia Season 8
The Finale of a Legendary Franchise
As a huge fan, it’s hard to believe, but *My Hero Academia* is nearing its end! The manga wrapped up last year, and now the anime is getting ready to finish the story too. It’s definitely bittersweet, and a lot of us are feeling pretty sad about it. But the good news is, the final season is coming in October, and it’s promising to be packed with amazing action! Honestly, it would be the perfect send-off if *MHA* could snag Anime of the Year in 2026 – it truly deserves it!
Lord of the Mysteries Season 1
Put Donghua on Fans’ Radars
| Release Date | June 28, 2025 |
| Studio | B.CMay Pictures |
| Creator | Cuttlefish That Loves Diving |
Premiering in late June 2025, *Lord of the Mysteries* rapidly gained popularity, becoming one of the most well-known animated series from China (Donghua). Similar to *To Be Hero X*, it’s introduced many viewers to Donghua for the first time, and fans are quickly becoming captivated. With a successful launch, viewers are eagerly anticipating what will happen next in the story. If nominated for a Crunchyroll Award, *Lord of the Mysteries* could be the first Donghua to ever win one.
Gachiakuta Season 1
A Fresh Series With Darker Elements
I’ve been watching the first season of *Gachiakuta*, and it’s really grabbed people’s attention. The original manga wasn’t widely known, but the anime adaptation has quickly become one of the most popular shows on Crunchyroll this year.
I’m totally hooked on this anime! It’s got such a distinct look and isn’t afraid to get into some really compelling, darker themes. And the best part? It’s still airing, so there’s so much more story to come – I can’t wait to see what happens next!
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2025-09-29 13:35