Crunchyroll announces The Weeknd as presenter for Anime of the Year at the 2026 Anime Awards, highlighting his long-standing anime influence.
Crunchyroll confirms that global artist and longtime anime fan The Weeknd will appear at the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The event marks the tenth edition of the ceremony and takes place on May 23, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.
The Weeknd will present the night’s top honor, Anime of the Year. Furthermore, fans around the world will help decide winners across 32 categories. Voting runs through April 15 at 11:59 PM PT via the Anime Awards website, Crunchyroll, and MyAnimeList.
The announcement places The Weeknd among a growing list of celebrity presenters. These appearances reflect anime’s expanding global cultural influence and its reach across music, film, and fashion.
Anime’s Influence on The Weeknd’s Artistry
The Weeknd has long credited anime as a major creative influence. He highlights early exposure to series like Sailor Moon and films that shaped his visual imagination. However, he points to Samurai Champloo by Shinichiro Watanabe as a defining inspiration.
He explains that the blend of samurai storytelling, hip-hop culture, and the music of Nujabes reshaped his artistic direction. In addition, he connects that influence to his early work, including House of Balloons. He notes that several tracks drew from Nujabes instrumentals during his creative process.
Moreover, he cites directors such as Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo as key influences on his visual style. These works helped shape the tone and identity of his artistic universe.
The Weeknd expresses gratitude for anime’s impact on his career. He praises the creators behind the medium and acknowledges its role in shaping his music and vision.
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards remains a leading global celebration of anime. Crunchyroll organizes the event with support from Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions. The ceremony will stream worldwide for fans.
About The Weeknd
The Weeknd stands as a multi-platinum, 7x Diamond-certified artist who reshapes modern R&B and pop. He ranks among the most streamed artists of the 21st century. In addition, he attracts over 115 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He also holds the record for the most songs surpassing one billion streams on the platform.
His After Hours Til Dawn Tour breaks records as the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist, crossing $1 billion in revenue. Furthermore, Guinness World Records names him the “Most Popular Artist in the World.” His album After Hours leads as the most streamed R&B album of all time. His hit “Blinding Lights” also holds the title of the top Billboard Hot 100 song in history.
About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll operates as a global anime brand that connects fans to anime culture worldwide. It builds its platform to expand anime’s presence in pop culture. Furthermore, it delivers a premium streaming experience with a large and dedicated anime library.
The platform offers more than streaming. It provides events, theatrical releases, games, merchandise, and timely news. In addition, it supports multi-device access across mobile, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktops. This allows fans to watch anime anytime and anywhere.
Crunchyroll, LLC operates as an independently managed joint venture. Sony Pictures Entertainment in the United States and Aniplex in Japan jointly support it. Both companies operate under Sony Group Corporation based in Tokyo.
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