{"id":49324,"date":"2026-04-13T07:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T07:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=49324"},"modified":"2026-04-13T07:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T07:57:08","slug":"crunchyrolls-2026-awards-lineup-makes-it-clear-the-streaming-giant-isnt-ready-to-accept-animes-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=49324","title":{"rendered":"Crunchyroll’s 2026 Awards Lineup Makes It Clear The Streaming Giant Isn’t Ready To Accept Anime’s Future"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Crunchyroll\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> Anime Awards began with their first announcement in December 2016, and every year since, the streaming platform has invited global audiences to vote for their favorite series across multiple categories. Now, with voting currently underway for the 2026 ceremony, anime fans around the world have turned their attention to the titles that have defined the past year, only to find that some are notably missing. <\/p>\n

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Several major anime<\/strong><\/a> that aired last year, from manhwa adaptations to donghua, are not part of Crunchyroll\u2019s Anime of the Year lineup, with certain titles not receiving any nominations despite their large and growing fan base. It\u2019s an imbalance that is hard to overlook and raises questions about whether the streaming giant, or even Japan for that matter, is ready for the evolution taking place in the animation industry.<\/p>\n

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\n Several Titles Are Notably Missing From This Year\u2019s Crunchyroll Awards
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The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards have officially opened<\/a> for voting on April 2, driving countless fans to take part in the awards by choosing their favorites across 32 categories. However, there are some anime that seem to be missing from the lineup, whether entirely or in specific categories. These include major manhwa adaptations and donghua that exploded in popularity last year, including Solo Leveling<\/em>, Lord of Mysteries<\/em>, and To Be Hero X<\/em>.<\/p>\n

For Anime of the Year, many fans were quick to note that Solo Leveling <\/em>didn\u2019t get a nomination this year<\/a>, despite winning the award last year. Many fans have voiced their frustration with this choice, especially given that a vast majority of viewers consider the second season to surpass the first. Given that the series boosted interest in manhwa adaptations and drew many new viewers to the platform to check it out, its absence leaves a noticeable void.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, there is the fact that both Lord of Mysteries<\/em> and To Be Hero X<\/em> are missing from every category, despite the number of viewers each series drew in. When considering that both donghua pushed the boundaries of animation in their own ways, Lord of Mysteries <\/em>with exceptional, eye-catching visuals, and To Be Hero X<\/em> with its bold experimentation, their absence comes across as an intentional snub, discrediting both series.<\/p>\n

While it could be argued that Lord of Mysteries <\/em>and To Be Hero X<\/em> were excluded due to the fact that they are donghua, originating from China and not technically anime, the fact remains that Crunchyroll is becoming the distributor of these titles. As the animation industry continues to evolve and Crunchyroll positions itself as the distributor of these new titles, it only makes sense for the platform to extend the same recognition and opportunities to donghua.<\/p>\n

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\n The Absence of Manhwa and Donghua Raises Bigger Questions
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\n <\/picture>Custom Image by Ana Nieves<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The omission of these series from certain categories, or altogether, in Crunchyroll\u2019s anime awards raises questions about how these awards will be approached in the future and whether they deserve major credibility. For example, the absence of Solo Leveling<\/em> in the Anime of the Year lineup this year raises major questions as to what makes a series eligible or ineligible for nomination.<\/p>\n

The series’ widespread appeal and its role in popularizing manhwa <\/em>have earned Solo Leveling<\/em> its place among the best and most popular titles<\/a>. However, given the fact that it won last year\u2019s Anime of the Year award, the reason behind its absence could be to simply give other series a chance to win. Yet, if that\u2019s the case, anime fans must question the validity of the fairness and transparency behind the awards.<\/p>\n

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The success of these adaptations is likely only the beginning, kicking off an era where multiple regions will shape modern animation in unique ways.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Given that the Crunchyroll Awards have always been fan-voted, it\u2019s expected that the most popular series will win in each respective category, rather than based on objective merit and criteria. Due to that, it\u2019s another factor that anime fans must consider when weighing out the legitimacy of each result. That said, due to the subjective nature of the awards, it makes even less sense that hit titles like Lord of Mysteries <\/em>and To Be Hero X<\/em> are completely excluded.<\/p>\n

As series that experimented with style and narrative approach, both To Be Hero X <\/em>and Lord of Mysteries<\/em> have achieved what few other series have<\/a>, reaching a global audience while pushing artistic and storytelling boundaries. By omitting these series solely because of their place of origin, Crunchyroll is further invalidating its own platform by refusing to acknowledge the evolving landscape of the animation industry.<\/p>\n

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\n Manhwa and Donghua Adaptations Are Reshaping the Anime Industry
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Klein Moretti from Lord of Mysteries donghua<\/figcaption>Custom Image by Diana Acu\u00f1a<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

If both Lord of Mysteries <\/em>and To Be Hero X<\/em> are excluded from the Crunchyroll Awards for a reason other than their place of origin, it’s a little more than a blatant oversight that fails to give credit to major series that have earned a place among the best titles of 2025.<\/span> It would be especially shocking given that donghua, as well as manhwa adaptations, are steadily growing in popularity.<\/p>\n

Paired with the breakout success of Solo Leveling<\/em><\/a>, it’s beyond clear that the animation industry is undergoing an evolution that opens the door to new perspectives and thrilling, experimental approaches to storytelling that are going to challenge Japan\u2019s long-held dominance over the industry. The success of these adaptations is likely only the beginning, kicking off an era where multiple regions will shape modern animation in unique ways.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t5 Exclusive Anime on Crunchyroll That Are 100% Worth Your Money
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Discover the top 5 exclusive anime series on Crunchyroll worth every penny, with unique power systems, gripping stories, and unforgettable characters.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

This, along with audiences around the world craving fresh ideas and artistic visions, suggests that the future of manhwa and donghua will only become brighter and more apparent in time. The growing desire for variety and innovation will only fuel the animation industry\u2019s transformation, leading to evolutions that both audiences and industry professionals must be ready for.<\/p>\n

With manhwa and donghua growing in popularity<\/a> and gaining greater global reach, the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, not including these titles or blocking them from certain categories in Solo Leveling\u2019s case, is immensely attention-grabbing. It shows just how inconsistent the criteria and boundaries for when and how a title is recognized are being drawn, especially at a time when the industry is undergoing significant change. If Crunchyroll wishes to remain the central hub for anime, manhwa adaptations, and donghua, it must evolve to better represent these series, which the 2026 Anime Awards is currently overlooking.<\/p>\n