The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) has announced its 2025 winners, with “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and “Look Back” taking home the top honors. The annual festival recognizes outstanding achievements in animation, celebrating both the creative works and the individuals behind them. The awards were officially announced on January 31, 2025, and the festival is scheduled to take place from March 7-10.
TAAF’s Anime of the Year Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Animation
The Tokyo Anime Award Festival stands as a significant event in the anime industry, dedicated to recognizing excellence in animation achievements. Inaugurated in 2002, it officially adopted the name Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2005. Each year, the festival highlights the most exceptional anime works and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the field.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Anime of the Year awards involves several stages. It begins with a public vote where anime fans select their top 100 works, comprising 20 theatrical films and 80 TV series. These selections are then reviewed by a panel of animation industry professionals, including producers, creators, and distributors, who vote for the “Best Work” in both the feature film and TV series categories. The “Anime Fan Award” is also determined by a separate vote from the general public. This comprehensive approach ensures that both critical acclaim and popular support are considered in the final selection.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ – Best TV Anime
“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”, produced by Madhouse, secured the ‘Best TV Anime’ award in the ‘Best Works’ category. This captivating fantasy series has garnered widespread acclaim for its emotional storytelling and breathtaking visuals. The anime, adapted from the manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, follows the journey of the elf Frieren as she grapples with the passage of time and the fleeting lives of her companions. The first season, consisting of 28 episodes, aired from September 2023 to March 2024, and a second season is already in development.
Previous winners in this category include popular titles such as “Spy x Family,” “Zombieland Saga,” and “Jujutsu Kaisen,” placing “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” among esteemed company. The series has resonated with audiences for its unique blend of adventure, introspection, and poignant exploration of life and loss.
‘Look Back’ – Best Theatrical Film
“Look Back”, created by Tatsuki Fujimoto of “Chainsaw Man” fame and produced by Studio Durian, won the award for ‘Best Theatrical Film’ in the ‘Best Works’ category. This 58-minute anime film, based on Fujimoto’s coming-of-age manga, was released in Japan on June 28, 2024, and grossed 2.04 billion yen (approximately 13 million USD) during its domestic run.
“Look Back” tells a powerful story about creativity, ambition, and the complex relationship between two young artists. The film has been praised for its compelling narrative, stunning animation, and emotional depth, cementing its place as a standout in the anime film landscape.
The film has also garnered significant critical acclaim. Robbie Collin of The Telegraph gave the film a perfect score, lauding its visuals and philosophically rich plot.
Past winners in this category include notable films like “One Piece Film: Red”, “The First Slam Dunk”, and “Violet Evergarden: The Movie”, highlighting the prestige of this award.
‘The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe’ – Anime Fan Award
“The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe”, produced by Toei Animation, received the ‘Anime Fan Award’ with an impressive 21,316 votes. This film celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of the iconic “GeGeGe no Kitaro” manga. The film was released in two versions: a PG12-rated version on November 17, 2023, and an R15+ rated version (“Shinsei-ban”) on October 4, 2024. The combined box office revenue of both versions exceeded three billion yen (approximately 19 million USD).
The Anime Fan Award reflects the enduring popularity and cultural significance of “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” a series that has captivated audiences for decades with its unique blend of folklore, humor, and supernatural themes.
Individual Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Talent
In addition to the awards for best works, the Tokyo Anime Award Festival also recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the creation of anime. The Individual Awards celebrate talent across various roles, from writing and directing to animation and sound design.
Individual Award Winners
- Original Work/Screenplay: Hiroyuki Yoshino (“The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe”)
- Director: Kiyotaka Oshiyama (“Look Back”)
- Animator: Tōko Yatabe (“The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe”)
- Background/Coloring/Visual: Mai Ichioka (“The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe”)
- Sound/Performance: Evan Call (“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”)
These awards highlight the collaborative nature of anime production and the importance of individual expertise in bringing these stories to life.
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Honoring Industry Legends
The Tokyo Anime Award Festival also presents Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the anime industry throughout their careers. These awards recognize the dedication, innovation, and impact of industry veterans who have shaped the landscape of Japanese animation. The winners of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Awards, announced on November 28, are:
2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
- Producers: Masami Iwasaki (“Moomin,” “New Moomin,” “Mobile Suit Gundam – The Movie Trilogy”) and Takayuki Yoshii (“Mashin Hero Wataru,” “Dirty Pair,” “Crusher Joe: The Movie”)
- Animators: Kazuhide Tomonaga (“Lupin III: Part II,” “The Cat Returns,” “Castle in the Sky”)
- Color Designers: Sachiko Nonaka (“Ghost in the Shell,” “Shin chan,” “Doraemon films”)
- Editors: Shūichi Kakesu (“Ghost in the Shell,” “Jin-Roh – The Wolf Brigade,” “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie”)
- Music Directors: Seiji Suzuki (“Soreike! Anpanman,” “Lupin III: Part II,” “Golgo 13”)
- Voice Actors: Kenyu Horiuchi
These honorees represent a wide range of talents and contributions, from producing iconic series to crafting memorable characters and stories. Their work has enriched the anime industry and inspired generations of creators and fans alike.
Conclusion: A Testament to the Power of Anime
The Tokyo Anime Award Festival continues to play a vital role in celebrating the artistry and innovation of Japanese animation. The 2025 awards highlight the diverse range of talent and creativity within the industry, from the emotional depth of “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” to the introspective storytelling of “Look Back” and the enduring appeal of “GeGeGe no Kitaro”. As the festival prepares to take place in March, it serves as a reminder of the power of anime to captivate, inspire, and connect audiences around the world.
