The Weeknd to Attend Crunchyroll's 10th Annual Anime Awards in Tokyo: A Celebration of Anime and Music Fusion

The Weeknd to Attend Crunchyroll's 10th Annual Anime Awards in Tokyo: A Celebration of Anime and Music Fusion

The Weeknd, a Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, will be attending Crunchyroll's 10th annual Anime Awards in Tokyo on May 23, 2026. The event celebrates creativity and artistic achievement in the global anime industry. The Weeknd's love for anime dates back to his childhood, with Sailor Moon and Goku being early influences. It was during his teenage years that Samurai Champloo by Shinichiro Watanabe had a profound impact on him, blending anime and hip hop seamlessly.

The fusion of a samurai story with music from Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature in Samurai Champloo was transformative for The Weeknd. This influence carried through to his mixtape House of Balloons, where he wrote songs over Nujabes' instrumentals. The visual aesthetic of influential artists like Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo also shaped The Weeknd's artistic style.

The Weeknd credits anime for playing a crucial role in his career, stating that he wouldn't be where he is today without it. Fans worldwide can vote for their favorite anime in 32 award categories, including Anime of the Year, until April 15. The Anime Awards show will be produced by Sony Music Solutions Inc. and Dempsey Productions. It's an honor for The Weeknd to celebrate the artists and medium that continue to inspire the world.