AnimeJapan has officially revealed the 13 nominated works for the inaugural AnimeJapan New Creator Awards 2026, a student-focused short anime competition designed to spotlight emerging talent across Japan. The winners will be announced during AnimeJapan 2026 on March 28 at Tokyo Big Sight, marking a major milestone for aspiring creators.
The competition, launched by the AnimeJapan Association with support from Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, attracted submissions from approximately 50 educational institutions nationwide. After a rigorous evaluation process, a final shortlist of 13 standout projects has been selected, showcasing a wide range of creative styles and storytelling approaches.
Full List of Nominated Works
The nominated titles (listed in Japanese alphabetical order) include:
- The Sea Where Ao Disappeared
- Backstreet Café
- Requiem of Eternal Night
- Offbeat
- Together With This Town
- Tadao Shizuki: The Man Who Wrote “Sakoku”
- Shinran (Heart Blue)
- Remnants of Summer
- Vidro
- POLICE MEN
- Magokoro Musubi – Feelings Packed with Care
- Morning Match
- Live in Red
These works represent students from leading institutions such as Kyoto Seika University, HAL Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts, and more, reflecting the diversity and depth of Japan’s next generation of anime creators.
The winners will be announced during a live ceremony scheduled for:
- Date: March 28, 2026
- Time: 16:05 JST
- Location: BLUE STAGE, Tokyo Big Sight (AnimeJapan 2026)
The event will also be livestreamed globally via ABEMA, NicoNico Live, and YouTube, making it accessible to international audiences.
Adding to the excitement, Sakurazaka46 will appear as official ambassadors, while media personality Misato Ugaki will host the ceremony. Renowned anime director Yuichiro Hayashi will serve as the head judge.
Awards and Prizes
The competition offers substantial incentives for emerging creators:
- Grand Prize: ¥1,000,000
- Crunchyroll Award: ¥1,000,000 scholarship
- Category Awards (¥300,000 each):
- Technical Achievement
- Direction
- Character Design
- Art
Additionally, recipients of the AnimeJapan Special Award may receive opportunities such as invitations to international events like Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, with travel and accommodation fully covered.
Now in its 13th year, AnimeJapan continues to expand as one of the world’s largest anime conventions. The 2026 edition will utilize multiple exhibition halls at Tokyo Big Sight, offering an even larger experience than previous years.
- Public Days: March 28–29
- Business Days: March 30–31
- Family Anime Festa: March 28–29 (free entry for families)
The event is expected to draw massive crowds, building on last year’s attendance of over 150,000 visitors.
The New Creator Awards represent a strategic push to nurture young talent within the anime industry. By providing funding, exposure, and global opportunities, AnimeJapan is helping bridge the gap between student creators and professional production pipelines.
With high-profile judges, major industry backing, including Crunchyroll, and international exposure, this competition could become a key launchpad for the next generation of anime directors and storytellers.
