Crunchyroll, AnimeJapan Launch New Creator Awards for Anime Talent

Crunchyroll and AnimeJapan have announced a new initiative called the New Creator Awards, aimed at discovering and supporting young anime talent in Japan. Announced Wednesday, the competition invites short film submissions of up to 15 minutes from animation students.

The goal is to nurture the next generation of creators as Japan’s anime industry faces growing global demand for original content. Winning films will stream on d-Anime Store in Japan and on Crunchyroll worldwide, reaching over 200 countries and territories.

Awards, Prizes, and Global Exposure

Entrants will compete for seven awards. The Grand Prix and Crunchyroll Award each include a 1 million yen (about US$6,780) prize, while four category awards for technical application, direction, character design, and art each grant 300,000 yen (about US$2,030). The AnimeJapan Special Award winner will showcase their short at major anime conventions in Japan and abroad.

Entries close on Jan. 31, 2026, with winners announced on March 28, 2026, during the next AnimeJapan event. Judging will be conducted by the AnimeJapan Executive Committee, which includes representatives from 22 anime companies and one organization.

Next year’s AnimeJapan will run from March 28 to 31 at Tokyo Big Sight, with public and business days following the usual format. The 2025 edition drew 152,400 attendees, a 15 percent increase from last year, and reported that 10 percent of visitors came from overseas, the highest in its history.