Did Solo Leveling Really Deserve Anime of the Year?

Last night, as my instant ramen (yeah, that generic, questionable-flavor kind) bubbled and I donned my Totoro pajamas, I tuned in live to the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025. It felt like watching the Oscars, but with far fewer tuxedos, more hoodies, and people yelling their lungs out: "WHY ON EARTH DIDN'T FRIEREN WIN ANIME OF THE YEAR?!" Ah, the anime community passion!

The ceremony, as always, was a rollercoaster of emotions, animated tears (and frustrated audience tears), and, of course, decisions that spark some serious Twitter debates. But let's start with what actually happened and left more than a few jaws dropped and conspiracy theories brewing: Solo Leveling took home almost everything on stage.

Ruler of the Year: Solo Leveling Took Home Everything

Yes, folks. If there was one undisputed protagonist of the night, it was Solo Leveling. The anime series not only clinched the highly coveted Anime of the Year award, but it also accumulated an impressive number of other accolades, proving its undeniable impact. Among the statuettes it brought home were: 

Anime of the Year

BOOM! Straight to the top.

Best New Series

This was expected. Jinwoo's arrival on the big screen (or small, if you watched it on your phone like me) was an unstoppable phenomenon.

Best Action

Every punch, every shadow that appeared, every level Sung Jinwoo gained was pure adrenaline. If you didn't get hyped during any of his fights, I think you should check your pulse.

Best Score (featuring Hiroyuki Sawano)

This is where Hiroyuki Sawano (the god of explosive soundtracks, I can't say it enough) worked his magic again! Solo Leveling's music plunges you right into the action, making you feel the weight of every moment. If "LEveL" didn't give you goosebumps, something's wrong.

Best Ending Sequence ("request" by krage)

This song absolutely hijacked my playlist from the first listen. Incredibly catchy and emotional. It's been on repeat since last night!

Best Main Character: Sung Jinwoo

Who doesn't love a protagonist who starts as a nobody and becomes the most powerful and coolest emo of 2025? Jinwoo won our hearts and admiration with every step.

Best Castilian Spanish Voice Artist Performance: Masumi Mutsuda

All my respect here! Masumi Mutsuda's voice gave Jinwoo that perfect blend of determination, melancholy, and power that made him shine even brighter. A truly brutal performance!

The Best of the Rest

While the night was dominated by the hunter's ascension, other top anime titles shone brightly and took home well-deserved awards, proving that diversity and quality remain the pillars of our beloved industry.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Ah, Frieren! The elf who taught us to cry with every memory and every flower. It won key awards that, while not Anime of the Year (it still stings!), certainly recognized its undeniable mastery.

·          Best Drama

·          Best Director (Keiichiro Saito)

·          Best Background Art

·          Best Supporting Character: Fern

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc

The Demon Slayer machine continues its unstoppable run.

·          Best Continuing Series

·          Best Animation

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

Only major win:

·          Best Hindi Voice Artist Performance: Lohit Sharma (Satoru Gojo)

Look Back

A must-watch short-form film:

·          Film of the Year

Dan Da Dan

·          Best Opening Sequence: "Otonoke" by Creepy Nuts

·          Best Character Design

Mashle: Magic and Muscles – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc

·          Best Comedy

Attack on Titan Final Season: THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2

·          Global Impact Award

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3

·          Best Isekai Anime

Ninja Kamui

·          Best Original Anime

Blue Box

·          Best Romance

SPY x FAMILY Season 2

·          Must Protect At All Cost Character: Anya Forger

Other Noteworthy Categories

Best Villain: Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen S2)

Best Japanese Voice Artist: Aoi Yuki (Maomao, The Apothecary Diaries)

Best English Voice Artist: Aleks Le (Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling)

Best Arabic Voice Artist: Hiba Snobar (Anya Forger, SPY x FAMILY S2)

Best Brazilian Portuguese Voice Artist: Charles Emmanuel (Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling)

Best French Voice Artist: Adrien Antoine (Kafka Hibino, Kaiju No. 8)

Best German Voice Artist: Daniel Schlauch (Monkey D. Luffy, ONE PIECE)

Best Hindi Voice Artist: Lohit Sharma (Satoru Gojo, Jujutsu Kaisen S2)

Best Italian Voice Artist: Ilaria Pellicone (Kyomoto, Look Back)

Controversies and Fan Reactions

Like any good awards show, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 weren't without controversy. The anime community is more divided than ever, and while half the internet celebrated Jinwoo's reign, the other half kept shouting for justice for Frieren.

There was also noticeable "Demon Slayer fatigue." And what about Jujutsu Kaisen? Only getting "secondary" awards (and one of them as specific as Hindi voice acting) when it carried half the industry in 2023... highly suspicious!

Conclusion: A Night to Remember

The 2025 edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards left us with a clear moral: if your anime has great music, intense action, a protagonist who looks like they stepped out of a gothic manhwa, and insane hype, prepare to dominate.

But it also reminded us that the anime community is more alive than ever – loud and always ready to debate with memes, endless threads, and conspiracy theories. That's what makes this so fun, right?

Do you think the Crunchyroll Awards 2025 winners were fair?

Did Solo Leveling deserve the throne, or was someone else unfairly overlooked?