Japan plans new anime award for 2027 to spotlight creators
Industry leaders say the award should put anime creators in the limelight and help fans connect with the people behind the medium's global popularity.
Japan is planning a new anime award for 2027 that will focus on highlighting creators, industry leaders said at TIFFCOM during the Tokyo International Film Festival. The award's name and details will be revealed on November 2 at Tokyo Anime Next's closing event.
Shimizu Akira, a director of the Association of Japanese Animations and president of A-1 Pictures, said creators should be highlighted and put in the limelight. Saito Masaya, chief manager of Toho's animation division, agreed that creators should be the focus and said the award could give fans a more direct connection to the people behind anime's global popularity.
The 2027 launch date has not been confirmed. The panelists stressed their views were not the award's official positions. Saito Yuichiro, president of Studio Chizu and an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member, said an award is only one part of what organizations like the Academy do, noting they also provide training and succession planning for the industry.
The award is being developed by the Association of Japanese Animations and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Tokyo Anime Next ran from October 30 to November 2 in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district.
Source: variety.com
