Japanese Anime Awards: New Nippon Anime Awards set for 2027 ceremony

Japanese animation fans and industry professionals will see a new awards program debut in 2027. The Association of Japanese Animations, known as AJA, announced the name of the prize as the Nippon Anime Awards on November 2. The first ceremony is scheduled for November 21, 2027, at SGC Hall Ariake in the Ariake district of Tokyo. This new event aims to recognize top anime titles and the creators behind them, with a focus on both domestic and international audiences.

The announcement took place at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall. It marked the end of Tokyo Anime Next, a multi-day program that ran from October 30 to November 2. Most of the activities were held in the Ikebukuro neighborhood. AJA president Ishikawa Kazuko presented the name on stage. She also introduced the awards' slogan: “Moving Frames. Moving Hearts. Moving the World.” The organization plans to use the ceremony to launch initiatives with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. These efforts target new business opportunities for the animation sector and the development of young talent.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko sent a message to attendees. She stated, “The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue to provide strong support for anime and everyone involved in bringing it to life.” The main event lasted about 90 minutes. The second half featured the Orchestra Premium Stage. The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra performed with specially edited footage from three anime series.

Nakagawa Nami sang “Kamado Tanjiro no Uta” during the segment for “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” The orchestra also played the score cue “Demon Slayer Corps.” Higuchi Ai performed “Akuma no Ko,” the closing theme for “Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2.” This followed an orchestral performance of “Ashes on the Fire.” The evening concluded with a segment for “Detective Conan,” which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Kuraki Mai, who has recorded many songs for the series, sang “Secret of My Heart” with the orchestra.

Ishikawa said the group hopes to share the appeal of anime with a wider global audience. She added that they want to build that future together with the public. The event also included a panel on the international reach of anime. The panel featured comedian Itakura Toshiyuki of the duo Impulse, singer Nakagawa Shoko, and Sally Amaki of the group 22/7. Amaki, who was raised in Los Angeles, said she discovered anime music through Nakagawa Shoko’s song “Sorairo Days.” That track served as the opening theme for “Gurren Lagann.” Amaki noted that she sang the song at her voice actor audition.

Nakagawa Shoko expressed her happiness at becoming an anime singer. She said, “I’m so glad I became an anime singer.” Beyond the main stage, the festival included various educational and screening events. On October 30, a symposium at the TIFFCOM market during the Tokyo International Film Festival discussed the purpose of the new awards. Over the following weekend, 14 titles screened at three cinemas in Ikebukuro. Most of these were theatrical features. Cast and crew participated in talk sessions for four of the screenings.

The lineup included the world premiere of episode one of “Lona.” This is a TV series from screenwriter Nogi Akiko and Wit Studio. Production classes were held at the Toshima Civic Center. Staff from “Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” and “Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe” led these sessions. The program also featured a look at a Japan-Saudi Arabia co-produced animation created for Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day. Children participating in the event used studio light tables to trace frames from “Chibi-Maruko-chan.”

The AJA organized Tokyo Anime Next. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government co-organized the event. Toshima City served as the special sponsor. Sony Music Solutions handled the event secretariat. The Nippon Anime Awards will now proceed toward the November 21, 2027, date at SGC Hall Ariake.