The race
for the most prestigious award in Japanese cinema has begun. The nominees
for the 2026 Japanese Academy Awards (49th edition) have been
revealed, and the animation category promises an epic battle between the
decade's biggest franchises and auteur gems.
Best
Animation Nominees at the 2026 Japanese Academy Awards
The
Association announced on Monday the winners of the "Excellence", who
automatically become the final nominees for the ceremony on March 13.
The five contenders for the title of Best Animated Film are:
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Infinity Castle (First
film in the trilogy).
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze
Arc.
- Detective Conan: One-eyed
Flashback.
- Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise (War Historical Drama).
- 100
meters (Hyakuemu).
Surprises
in Live-Action: Makoto Shinkai and Indie Horror
Outside of
animation, adaptations also shone. The live-action version of 5
Centimeters Per Second (original work by Makoto Shinkai) received
multiple awards, including Best Actor for Hokuto Matsumura. On the
other hand, the adaptation of the viral horror video game The Exit 8 (8-Ban
Deguchi) achieved a nomination in Editing and Best New Actor.
