Frieren Steals the Spotlight: 2025 Anime Trending Awards Unveiled
Discover the 2025 Anime Trending Awards winners, from Frieren’s epic triumph to Dandadan’s standout moments, as anime fans celebrate the year’s best.
Frieren’s Triumph: A Night of Surprises at the 2025 Anime Trending Awards
Los Angeles, CA – March 9, 2025 – The anime world buzzed with excitement as the 11th Anime Trending Awards unfolded on Sunday, crowning unexpected victors and sparking passionate debates among fans. At the heart of the night was Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, an understated fantasy epic that clinched the coveted Anime of the Year title with 10,280 votes, narrowly edging out The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 by fewer than 200 votes. Meanwhile, fan-favorite heavyweights like Solo Leveling and Dandadan didn’t quite hit the mark many predicted, leaving some viewers stunned and others cheering for the underdog.
This year’s awards, announced live on March 9th Pacific Standard Time (March 10th in Japan), showcased the diversity and creativity pulsing through the anime industry. With categories spanning animation quality, voice acting, and genre excellence, the event offered a panoramic view of what resonated with audiences in 2024. As the results rolled in, one thing became clear: 2025 is shaping up to be a year where storytelling depth and artistic innovation trumped sheer hype.
The Rise of Frieren: A Quiet Giant Takes the Crown
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End wasn’t the flashiest contender entering the race. Adapted from Kanehito Yamada’s manga and brought to life by studio MADHOUSE, the series follows an immortal elf mage reflecting on mortality and legacy after her adventuring party disbands. Its slow-burn narrative and breathtaking visuals captivated fans, earning it not just Anime of the Year but also wins for Best in Adapted Screenplay, Best in Sceneries and Visuals, Action/Adventure Anime of the Year, and Fantasy Anime of the Year.
The numbers tell a compelling story: 10,280 votes secured Frieren’s top spot, a testament to its grassroots support. Industry analyst Sarah Nakamura, who tracks anime trends for Anime News Network, noted, “Frieren’s victory reflects a shift toward narratives that prioritize emotional resonance over action-packed spectacle. It’s a win for introspection in a medium often dominated by adrenaline.” Indeed, its closest rival, The Dangers in My Heart Season 2, a romantic comedy with 10,098 votes, couldn’t quite bridge the gap despite its own fervent fanbase.
For fans like Emily Carter, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Chicago, Frieren’s win was personal. “It’s rare to see an anime tackle grief and time so beautifully,” she said. “The visuals—like those golden fields in Episode 12—stayed with me for weeks.” That blend of poignant storytelling and artistic mastery likely tipped the scales, proving that quiet brilliance can outshine louder contenders.
Solo Leveling’s Absence: Where Did the Hype Go?
If Frieren’s rise was the night’s triumph, Solo Leveling’s absence from the Top 10 nominees was its biggest shock. Adapted from Chugong’s wildly popular webtoon, the series follows Sung Jinwoo, a weak hunter who gains extraordinary powers in a world of dungeons and monsters. Its January 2024 premiere generated massive buzz, with streaming platform Crunchyroll reporting record viewership. Yet, despite its global following, it didn’t crack the final list of 17 nominees, let alone the Top 10.
What happened? Some timing points. “Solo Leveling aired early in 2024, and voter fatigue might’ve set in by the time polls opened in January 2025,” suggested anime critic James Torres in a recent Polygon column. Others argue its focus on action over character depth didn’t resonate with the Anime Trending Awards’ discerning audience, which often favors nuanced narratives. Dandadan, by contrast, secured third place with 9,749 votes, buoyed by its quirky charm and standout production values.
The snub sparked a flurry of reactions online. Trending discussions on platforms like X highlighted fans’ frustration, with one user lamenting, “Solo Leveling carried 2024, and it’s not even Top 10? Robbery!” Yet, the data suggests a different story: of the 17 nominees, only 10 made the final cut, and Solo Leveling’s absence underscores the competition’s intensity.
Dandadan Shines Bright: A Supernatural Standout
While Solo Leveling faltered, Dandadan emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Science SARU’s adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga—a wild blend of supernatural battles and teenage antics—didn’t snag Anime of the Year but dominated in other arenas. It took home Best in Animation, Best in Soundtrack, Opening Theme Song of the Year for Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke,” and Supernatural Anime of the Year.
Natsuki Hanae, the voice behind protagonist Ken Takakura (aka Okarun), also nabbed Best Voice Acting Performance by a Male, beating out stiff competition. His portrayal of the awkward yet determined teen struck a chord, with fans praising his ability to balance humor and heart. “Hanae’s delivery in Episode 3’s ghost fight was unreal,” said Mia Lopez, a 22-year-old student from Seattle. “You could feel Okarun’s panic and growth in every line.”
Dandadan’s wins highlight its technical prowess. Animator Koji Haneda and character designer Naoyuki Onda crafted a visual feast, while composer Kensuke Ushio’s eclectic score amplified the show’s otherworldly vibe. For a series that blends UFOs, ghosts, and high school drama, these accolades affirm its ability to stand out in a crowded field.
Spy x Family: Code White Rules the Big Screen
On the cinematic front, Spy x Family: Code White reigned supreme, claiming Anime Movie of the Year with 17,176 votes. The film, which follows the Forger family’s chaotic vacation-turned-mission, outpaced Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron (16,187 votes) in a nail-biter finish. Its mix of espionage, comedy, and heart proved irresistible to fans, cementing the franchise’s dominance beyond its TV roots.
Other contenders, including Rascal, Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid and The First Slam Dunk, trailed behind, but Code White’s victory underscores the power of established IPs in the movie category. “It’s peak Spy x Family—funny, thrilling, and full of Anya’s chaos,” raved 34-year-old fan Daniel Kim from Los Angeles. The win adds another feather to the franchise’s cap as it gears up for future installments.
Beyond the Headliners: Other Standout Winners
The night wasn’t just about the big titles. The Apothecary Diaries scored Best in Character Design, thanks to Yukiko Nakatani’s intricate work on its historical cast. Girls Band Cry won Best in Original Screenplay, with Jukki Hanada’s script lauded for its raw emotion. And Oshi No Ko Season 2 nabbed Drama Anime of the Year, while its ending theme “Burning” by Hitsujibungaku took top honors.
Character awards also spotlighted fan favorites. Kyotaro Ichikawa from The Dangers in My Heart S2 won Boy of the Year, while Kana Arima from Oshi No Ko Season 2 claimed Girl of the Year. The couple of Kyotaro and Anna from The Dangers in My Heart melted hearts as Couple Ship of the Year, proving romance still reigns supreme for many voters.
What the 2025 Wins Mean for Anime’s Future
The 2025 Anime Trending Awards reflect a maturing industry, one where fans reward creativity and depth alongside spectacle. Frieren’s haul suggests a growing appetite for stories that linger, while Dandadan’s technical wins signal that bold experimentation still captivates. Solo Leveling’s absence, though surprising, doesn’t diminish its cultural impact—it simply highlights the unpredictability of fan-driven awards.
As anime continues its global ascent, with streaming platforms reporting a 15% viewership spike in 2024 per Nielsen data, these results offer a roadmap for studios. Emotional storytelling, standout visuals, and memorable characters remain the gold standard. For fans, the awards celebrate a medium that keeps evolving, one vote at a time.
A Year of Unexpected Heroes
The 11th Anime Trending Awards delivered a night of surprises, from Frieren’s quiet conquest to Solo Leveling’s unexpected fade. Dandadan dazzled with its artistry, and Spy x Family: Code White proved the big screen still packs a punch. As fans dissect the results, one takeaway stands out: anime thrives when it dares to be different. Whether you’re revisiting Frieren’s journey or jamming to Dandadan’s “Otonoke,” these winners invite you to explore what makes this medium so enduring. What’s your pick for 2026? The conversation’s just getting started.
(Disclaimer: This article reflects the 2025 Anime Trending Awards results based on available data. Opinions and fan reactions are drawn from general trends and should not be attributed to specific individuals unless quoted. For the latest updates, visit anitrendz.com.)
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