Wit Studio President George Wada Says Japanese Anime Awards Need a Stronger Global Presence

Wit Studio president George Wada believes Japan needs a stronger way to recognize its anime creators on the international stage.

In a recent interview with Polygon, Wada discussed the motivation behind Tokyo Anime Next, an upcoming event intended to connect Japanese animation with audiences and creators around the world.

George Wada Wants Japanese Anime to Receive Recognition From Japan

Wada explained that Tokyo Anime Next was created to give the work of Japanese creators a fair evaluation from a distinctly Japanese perspective before presenting it to an international audience.

“The biggest reason for establishing Tokyo Anime Next is to give the delicate nuances that Japanese creators put into their work a fair evaluation from a Japanese point of view, and to send that out to the world.”

Wada believes this approach has become increasingly important as anime continues to grow internationally. He specifically wants greater recognition at home to give creators more pride and motivation, while an internationally visible Japanese awards platform could strengthen the industry’s reputation worldwide.

“Showing the world an award unique to Japan will raise the brand value of the anime industry as a whole.”

The comments come at an important moment for Japan’s animation industry. The Tokyo Anime Award Festival, which had operated for 13 years, concluded in September 2026, while Tokyo Anime Next is scheduled to take place in Tokyo from October 30 to November 2, 2026.

Tokyo Anime Next is being organized by the Association of Japanese Animations in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The 2026 event is positioned as a launch project for a larger international animation event planned for 2027, with screenings, exhibitions, workshops and other programs designed to showcase Japanese animation while connecting it with the global industry.

Wada’s wider ambitions extend beyond awards. He also said he wants to discover previously unknown creators and help bring their original work to audiences worldwide, reflecting his belief that the next generation of anime talent still has significant untapped potential.