The Weeknd joins as presenter at 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards

Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd is set to present the Anime of the Year award at the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026, taking place on May 23, 2026, at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan. 

The Weeknd, 36, will join a lineup of musicians, artists, and other celebrities participating in the event. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards are held annually to recognize the best anime series, films, characters, and creators from the preceding year.

The announcement was made on April 10 through a joint post from Crunchyroll and The Anime Awards’ official social media accounts, confirming that the Grammy-winning global artist—who is also a longtime anime fan—will take on a major presenting role.

In a statement shared through Crunchyroll, The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, reflected on how deeply anime has shaped his creative life.

The Weeknd said he was first introduced to the genre as a child through shows like “Sailor Moon” and characters like “Goku.” He found a deeper connection later on during his teenage years with “Samurai Champloo” by creator Shinichirō Watanabe. 

He described how its mix of samurai storytelling and hip hop and music from Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature had a lasting impact on his early music work.

He also credited that influence with shaping his career, pointing to work from his "House of Balloons" era as being inspired by those sounds. 

Beyond that, The Weeknd mentioned creators like Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo as key influences on his visual style. “It completely reshaped the way I watched films and listened to music,” he said, adding that the experience stayed with him throughout his creative journey.

“I wouldn’t be here without anime. It’s an honor to celebrate the artists behind it and a medium that continues to inspire the world,” he concluded.

The Weeknd is a multiple Grammy Award–winning artist known for global hits like “Blinding Lights,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Starboy,” and “The Hills.”

A total of 32 categories will be awarded during the event, including Anime of the Year, Best Anime Song, Film of the Year, Best Director, Best Animation, Best Main Character, and more. 

This year’s Anime of the Year nominees are “DAN DA DAN Season 2,” “Gachiakuta,” “My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON,” “Takopi’s Original Sin,” “The Apothecary Diaries Season 2,” and “The Summer Hikaru Died.”