The 52nd Annual Annie Awards, honoring the best in animation from 2024, took place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at UCLA’s Royce Hall. While the ceremony celebrated a wide range of animated works, one noticeable absence was a significant win for anime productions. DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” emerged as the night’s big winner, snagging nine awards, including Best Feature.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Annie Awards
- “The Wild Robot” Sweeps the Competition: DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” directed by Chris Sanders, dominated the awards, winning in categories such as Best Feature, Direction, Character Animation, Character Design, and Voice Acting.
- Arcane’s Triumphant Return: Netflix’s video game-based drama “Arcane” continued its winning streak, taking home all seven awards it was nominated for in the television categories.
- Independent Animation Recognized: Latvian indie film “Flow” won Best Feature – Independent, showcasing the strength of independent animation.
- Netflix Leads in Nominations: Despite “The Wild Robot’s” dominance, Netflix had the most nominations overall, highlighting its significant presence in the animation industry.
Notable Winners
Several other productions also earned recognition at the Annie Awards:
- Best Feature: “The Wild Robot” (DreamWorks Animation)
- Best Feature – Independent: “Flow” (Dream Well / Take Five / Sacrebleu)
- Best Special Production: “Orion and the Dark” (DreamWorks Animation)
- Best Short Subject: “Wander to Wonder” (Circe Films, Kaap Holland Film, Les Productions de Milou, Beast Animation, Blink Industries & Pictanovo)
- Best TV/Media Production for Children: “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney Channel)
- Best TV/Media Production – Limited Series: “Dream Productions” (Pixar Animation Studios for Disney+)
- Best Student Film: “Adiós” (National Film and Television School)
Absence of Anime Victories
While the Annie Awards celebrate animation from around the world, this year saw a lack of wins in major categories for anime productions. Although “Ultraman: Rising,” a Netflix production in association with Tsuburaya Productions, was nominated for Best Feature, it ultimately lost to “The Wild Robot.”
Possible Factors Contributing to the Lack of Anime Wins
- Competition from Western Animation: Western animated films, particularly those from major studios like DreamWorks and Pixar, often have larger budgets and wider distribution, potentially influencing voting patterns.
- Categorization Challenges: Some anime productions may be submitted in categories that don’t fully showcase their strengths, leading to them being overlooked.
- Cultural Differences: Cultural nuances and storytelling styles in anime may not always resonate with the Annie Awards’ voting body, which primarily consists of ASIFA-Hollywood members.
Anime’s Continued Influence
Despite the lack of wins at the 2025 Annie Awards, anime continues to be a major force in the global animation landscape. Its unique art style, complex narratives, and dedicated fanbase have made it a significant cultural phenomenon.
A Look at “The Wild Robot’s” Success
“The Wild Robot’s” impressive performance at the Annie Awards highlights its critical and commercial success. The film, based on the novel by Peter Brown, tells the story of a robot named Roz who becomes stranded on an uninhabited island and must learn to survive.
Key Elements of “The Wild Robot”
- Compelling Story: The film’s heartwarming story of survival, adaptation, and found family resonated with audiences of all ages.
- Stunning Visuals: “The Wild Robot” features breathtaking animation and production design, creating a visually immersive experience.
- Strong Performances: Lupita Nyong’o’s voice acting as Roz was particularly praised, earning her an Annie Award.
- Direction: Chris Sanders’ direction brought the story to life with emotion and visual flair.
- Music: Kris Bowers’ musical score enhanced the emotional impact of the film.
“Arcane’s” Continued Dominance in Television
“Arcane,” the animated series based on the video game League of Legends, continued its winning streak at the Annie Awards. The show’s second and final season swept the television categories, winning awards for:
- Best FX: Guillaume Degroote, Aurélien Ressencourt, Adam Bachiri, Guillaume Zaouche, Jérôme Dupré
- Best Character Animation: Tom Gouill
- Best Direction: Arnaud Delord, Pascal Charrue, Bart Maunoury
- Best Music: Ryan Jillian Santiago, Alexander Seaver, Simon Wilcox
- Best Production Design: Arnaud-Loris Baudry, Julien Georgel, Faustine Dumontier, Charlotte O’Neill
- Best Storyboarding: Joséphine Meis
- Best Editorial: Nazim Meslem, Gilad Carmel, Roberto Fernandez
Why “Arcane” Resonated with Viewers
- Compelling Characters: The show features complex and well-developed characters with relatable motivations.
- Intricate Plot: “Arcane’s” storyline is full of twists and turns, keeping viewers engaged from beginning to end.
- Unique Visual Style: The show’s blend of 2D and 3D animation creates a visually stunning and immersive world.
- Mature Themes: “Arcane” explores mature themes such as political conflict, social inequality, and personal trauma, appealing to a wider audience.
Independent Animation Shines with “Flow”
Gints Zilbalodis’ “Flow” won Best Feature – Independent at the Annie Awards, highlighting the importance of recognizing animation outside of major studio productions. The Latvian film tells the story of a cat who must overcome his fear of water to survive.
What Makes “Flow” Special
- Unique Storytelling: “Flow” uses a minimalist approach to storytelling, relying on visuals and sound to convey its message.
- Beautiful Animation: The film’s animation style is both simple and elegant, creating a visually captivating experience.
- Universal Themes: “Flow” explores themes of fear, courage, and adaptation that resonate with audiences from all backgrounds.
The Annie Awards’ Significance
The Annie Awards, presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, are considered one of the most prestigious honors in the animation industry. They recognize excellence in a variety of categories, including:
- Animated Feature
- Animated Feature-Independent
- Television/Media Productions
- Short Subject
- Student Film
- Achievement and Honorary Awards
Promoting Excellence in Animation
The Annie Awards play a crucial role in promoting excellence in animation and celebrating the artists who bring these stories to life. By recognizing outstanding achievements in the field, the awards help to raise the profile of animation and inspire future generations of animators.
The Future of Animation
The 2025 Annie Awards showcased the diverse and innovative landscape of animation. From the sweeping success of “The Wild Robot” to the continued dominance of “Arcane” and the recognition of independent films like “Flow,” the ceremony highlighted the power of animation to entertain, inspire, and connect people from all over the world. While anime may not have had a major win this year, its continued influence and popularity suggest that it will remain a significant force in the animation industry for years to come.
