Solo Leveling Wins Big at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Was Frieren Robbed?
Crunchyroll had its Anime Awards on May 25, 2025, and to everyone’s absolute surprise, a totally unexpected anime swept the awards. Yeah right! Sorry, that didn’t happen.
As expected, Solo Leveling won almost everything it was nominated for. And the internet had a field day with it. Every anime-related influencer cried that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sousou no Frieren) was robbed. But let’s be real everyone knew that Solo Leveling (read our review here) was going to win Anime of the Year. It’s a fan-voted award, and even though Frieren arguably deserved it more, it probably never stood a chance.
I would’ve loved to see Gigguk (Grant) say Sousou no Frieren on stage. Tbh, I think he would’ve loved that too.
Why Frieren Losing Isn't Shocking—But Still Hurts
Even fans of Frieren would probably agree that while younger audiences might understand it on a surface level may be intellectually or conceptually but Frieren truly resonates with people who’ve actually faced loss. It hits differently if you’re in your late 20s or older, yes the so-called Uncs get it.
So no, I’m not surprised Frieren lost. Sad? Yes. But was Frieren robbed for Anime of the year? Depends on whether you think emotional storytelling should lose to aura flexing and level-up montages.
Sung Jinwoo as Best Main Character? Really?
Now here’s the bigger injustice—Sung Jinwoo winning Best Main Character for Solo Leveling Season 1? Really?
Look, I love the show. It’s all hype and spectacle. But Sung Jinwoo as a character? Not more deserving than, say, Kafka Hibino. Or Okarun and Momo, who brought fresh energy and complexity. Even the title “Sousou no Frieren” has more emotional weight than Jinwoo’s entire character arc in Season 1.
And what about Maomao? (Read our The Apothecary Diaries review here.) One of the most nuanced female leads in recent years. But alas, no aura-farming or level-up system. Just her brains and skills. Tough luck, I guess.
Demon Slayer Over One Piece? Huh?
Another overlooked moment was Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc winning Best Continuing Series over One Piece. In what world?
The entire season felt like a filler arc. They stretched about 9–12 manga chapters into a full season. Yes, the last episode was great and set the final arc up nicely (Kokushibo vs Hashiras, that Zenitsu fight well lets just say I’m waiting). But beating One Piece? The biggest thing in anime?
I’m speechless.
Some Awards We Can Agree On
Let’s give credit where it’s due Look Back winning Best Anime Movie was a great call. If you haven’t watched it, consider this your sign.
As for Best Romance, Best Comedy, and Best Isekai strong categories this year:
Comedy: Mashle won. Deserved. Mash is hilarious and wholesome. (Though personally? I liked Delicious in Dungeon more.)
Romance: Blue Box took it. Beautifully animated and popular. But something about Dangers in My Heart just hit differently for me.
Isekai: Re:Zero won—no complaints.
My faves, Shangri-La Frontier and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime had weaker seasons. Shangri-La had its moment but ended just as it was about to get good. Tensura Season 3 Part 1? Kinda flat. Not because there were too many meetings (meetings are part of the charm), but because the direction made them feel repetitive. Part 2 handled that better.
The Awards I’m Pretending Didn’t Happen
Let’s not even talk about Best Original Anime or Best Score. Lol.
Fern Wins, And That’s a Win for Us All
At least my girl Fern won Best Supporting Character. Yaay.
I swear I’m done complaining. (Okay, maybe not. I did just rant about a fan-voted anime awards show six days late.)
Voice Actors, Openings, and Closings Deserve Love
Honestly, the Best Opening and Ending Sequences category was packed with great choices. Most of them fit their shows beautifully.
And shout-out to all the Voice Actors across all languages. The talent is unreal. They give anime its soul. Mad respect to every one of them.
Final Thoughts: Was Frieren Robbed?
So yeah, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 came and went. Whether you liked the winners or not, here’s the reality:
In 2035, Solo Leveling will have a shiny trophy shelf, and Frieren will have a bunch of 30-somethings (like me) still calling it the true winner.
Maybe the online outrage for Frieren is a good sign. Maybe next year, people vote with their hearts and brains.
Solo Leveling is fantastic. No doubt. But was Season 1 the best show of the year?
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