Crunchyroll has announced that The Weeknd will take part in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026. He will present one of the biggest prizes of the night: Anime of the Year.
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The Weeknd artist photo:
The global star shared his long-time love for anime and how it influenced his music and creativity. As a child, he watched Sailor Moon and admired Goku. Later, as a teenager, he discovered Samurai Champloo by Shinichirō Watanabe, which had a major impact on him.
He explained that the mix of anime storytelling and hip-hop music in Samurai Champloo, with artists like Nujabes, inspired his own work. This influence can be heard in his early project House of Balloons.
The Weeknd also mentioned other influential creators such as Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo, who helped shape his visual style. He said anime played a key role in his career and that he is honored to celebrate the artists behind it.
Fans can now vote for their favorite series across 32 categories, including Anime of the Year, until April 15.
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