A new Japanese anime award is scheduled to debut in 2027.
The name and specific outline of the prize will be revealed on 2 November during the closing event of Tokyo Anime Next. Tokyo Anime Next takes place from 30 October to 2 November in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the AJA co-host the event.
Saito Masaya stated that Toho assisted in developing the concept for the award. Saito Masaya said the prize could offer fans a closer link to the individuals responsible for the global popularity of anime.
The company intends to "help achieve a wider reach to anime fans and help give them a wider perspective," Saito Masaya said. Saito Masaya added that the award can contribute to changing the ways audiences enjoy anime. Saito Yuichiro noted that there are many different branches of work beyond the award itself.
Saito Yuichiro compared the situation to the Academy Award in the United States, which is a domestic award that now features a global membership. Saito Yuichiro expressed a hope to blur the boundaries between different areas of the world with these awards, stating that borderlessness is very important.
Shimizu said, "anime is different from Disney, it is different from Pixar." Shimizu argued that Japanese anime is a standalone established category with a very unique workflow and processes. Shimizu emphasized that creators should be highlighted and put in the limelight.
