Many of you may have voted in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards this year and noticed that My Hero Academia wasn’t listed in every category (look at previous results and you’ll understand why). Please understand that I love MHA but sometimes it’s nice for the other anime shows to get some recognition. So as promised I will share my votes with you and whether or not I think it will win. I am only going to go into detail about anime of the year category as some of the reasoning behind my voting in other categories may include spoilers.
Anime of the Year – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
I voted for Demon Slayer for anime of the year as it is my favourite anime currently and I am extremely passionate about it. The reason why I think Demon Slayer should win is that everything about it is outstanding. From the first episode to the last, the story grabs you and eagerly pulls you along the protagonist’s journey. The animation is beautiful especially the fight scenes which are animated to feel more like a dance sequence than a battle at times. Fights can also last for a couple of episodes, which is what Shonen anime and manga is all about! The character designs are beautiful with a lot of thought going into colours and each character’s clothing patterns. The soundtrack and SFX are fantastic and really enhance the viewing experience, for example the high-pitched hollow sound used for The Drum Demon’s drum (Demon Slayer, episode 11) adds a feeling of anxiety in a battle that the protagonist is struggling in. Last of all, the ‘extra bit’ at the end of Demon Slayer is very amusing. The animation is limited but it’s light hearted, funny and helps break the tension after watching an intense episode. If you don’t know what the ‘extra bit’ is you’ll have to watch Demon Slayer in Japanese and wait until the end of the credits.
If you would like more information about Demon Slayer check out one of my previous blogs! – HERE
I voted for Demon Slayer however I think it will be in close competition with The Promised Neverland.
Best Protagonist – Tanjiro Kamado, Demon Slayer
How can he not win this? Although, once again, Emma from The Promised Neverland could get this award as they both have similar roles in their respective anime.
Best Antagonist – Isabella, The Promised Neverland
In a category including the main villain of MHA voting for Isabella may seem strange, but she is scary! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you’ve seen The Promised Neverland you’ll understand why I have chosen her.
Best Boy – Tanjiro Kamado, Demon Slayer
Tanjiro is so wholesome and determined. He will do anything to help others, he even has sympathy for the demons!
Best Girl – Nezuko Kamado, Demon Slayer
She’s a female demon, that fights other demons to save humans. Like her brother, Tanjiro, Nezuko will do anything to help. She can also change size, so kawaii!!
Best Director – Tetsuro Araki, Attack on Titan Season 3
There are some amazing scenes in AoT season 3, especially in the first part. I really can’t go into detail on this as there are far too many spoilers. You’ll have to watch it to understand my justification.
Best Animation – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
As I’ve explained in the ‘Best Anime’ category, the animation is beautiful, graceful and well thought out. A joy to watch.
Best Character Design – Dororo
The character design in Dororo is beautiful. You can almost read the characters backstory through their design. I haven’t watched Dororo yet, but through studying the characters and artwork it has moved up my watch list. Surprisingly Fire Force and Demon Slayer weren’t included in this category, which would also have been feisty contenders.
Best Score – Go Shiina and Yuki Kajiura, Demon Slayer
The opening soundtrack to Demon Slayer is Gurenge by LiSA which in itself is quite chilling in parts. The continuous use of this song throughout the series, especially in key moments with the rest of the score makes my hair stand on end at times. Whenever I hear the song I am transported back to those scenes.
For next few categories all I’m going to do is reveal who I think deserves to win and we will see on the 15th of Feb 2020 who did!
Best Fight Scene – Tanjiro & Nezuko vs. Rui, Demon Slayer
Best Couple – Ymir & Historia, Attack on Titan Season 3
Best Voice Acting Performance (JP) – Yuuko Kaida, Isabella, The Promised Neverland
Best Voice Acting Performance (EN) – Billy Kametz, Naofumi, The Rising of the Shield Hero
Best Comedy – KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR
Best Fantasy – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Best Drama – The Promised Neverland
Best Opening Sequence – Fire Force
Music: Inferno by Mrs.GREEN APPLE, Directed: Hideyuki Morioka
Best Ending Sequence – Fire Force
Music: veil by Keina Suda, Directed: Taiki Konno
The results of the Crunchyroll awards will be announced and live streamed on February 15, 2020.
Published: 2020.01.31
