BURBANK, CA – The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has officially unveiled the nominations for its 53rd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the pinnacle of achievement in animation for the past year. Leading the charge with ten nominations each are Pixar/Disney’s “Elio” and Sony/Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” while a diverse array of acclaimed projects, including “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,” “DAN DA DAN,” and Mamoru Hosoda’s “Scarlet,” have also secured significant nods across various categories. The winners will be celebrated at a gala ceremony on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
The Annie Awards, often a strong indicator of future Academy Award success in animation, cover 37 categories, spanning animated features, independent features, television productions, short subjects, and individual achievements in areas like directing, writing, character animation, and music.
Feature Film Contenders: A Mix of Studio Giants and Independent Gems
The prestigious Best Animated Feature category sees a strong competition this year. Pixar Animation Studios’ “Elio” and Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” are joined by “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” (Maybe Movies, Ikki Films, Distributed by GKIDS), “The Bad Guys 2” (DreamWorks Animation), and “Zootopia 2” (Walt Disney Animation Studios). Both “Elio” and “KPop Demon Hunters” dominated the nominations, each securing ten nods including for Best Feature, Writing, Character Animation, Production Design, and Best Music.
In the Best Animated Feature – Independent category, Studio CHIZU’s “Scarlet” from renowned director Mamoru Hosoda earned a nomination. This category highlights features with a smaller distribution footprint than major studio releases, offering a platform for diverse and innovative storytelling. Other nominees in this category include “A Magnificent Life,” “Arco – Remembers,” “I’m Frankelda,” and “Lost In Starlight.”
Anime’s Strong Showing: Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc and DAN DA DAN Recognized
Japanese animation continues to make a significant impact on the international stage, with several high-profile anime projects earning Annie Award nominations.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc in Best Direction
MAPPA Studios’ highly anticipated “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” received a nomination for Best Direction – Feature, specifically recognizing Tatsuya Yoshihara. This acknowledges the intricate and dynamic storytelling often praised in the Chainsaw Man franchise.
DAN DA DAN Lands Multiple Nominations
The television anime series “DAN DA DAN,” produced by Science SARU and Mainichi Broadcasting System, distributed by GKIDS, garnered attention with multiple nominations. Its episode “Clash! Space Kaiju vs. Giant Robot!” was nominated for Best Direction – TV/Media, with Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Góngora recognized for their work. This showcases the series’ innovative animation and compelling narrative.
Other Notable Nominations
Beyond the aforementioned titles, the 53rd Annie Awards recognize excellence across a broad spectrum of animated content. Projects like “My Melody & Kuromi,” “Star Wars: Visions Volume 3,” “Devil May Cry,” and “Sonic Racing CrossWorlds” also received nominations in various categories.
“Common Side Effects” received multiple nominations, including for Best Music – TV/Media and Best Direction – TV/Media. Similarly, “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” also saw nominations, including for Best Direction – TV/Media.
The Annie Awards Ceremony
The 53rd Annie Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place live and in-person on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The event will include a pre-reception and red carpet, followed by the awards ceremony, and an after-party. This annual event brings together the animation industry to celebrate the creative achievements and artistic excellence that push the boundaries of the medium. The deadline for professional members to renew their ASIFA-Hollywood membership and submit voting applications for the 53rd Annie Awards is January 26, 2026, with online balloting commencing on February 6, 2026, and concluding on February 14, 2026.
