Anime at the Oscars: What Was Missed and What’s Next

Anime fans are disappointed after seeing the 2025 Oscar nominations, which feature little representation from the anime industry. While animation remains a strong category, no anime films were nominated for “Best Animated Feature” this year.

However, Toei Animation’s short film Amedama earned a nomination for “Best Animated Short Film.” The CG-animated story follows a boy who gains the power to hear people’s thoughts through a magical piece of candy.

Missing Anime Films

Many anime fans hoped to see Look Back, a film by Studio Durian and Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, among the nominees. The heartfelt story about friendship and creativity received critical acclaim, boasting a 100% critic score and 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Other anime films like Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, and The Colors Within also had strong stories and emotional impact, making them worthy of Oscar recognition.

Past Anime Wins

Studio Ghibli remains one of the few anime studios to win at the Oscars. Its iconic films, such as Spirited Away and The Boy and The Heron, won “Best Animated Feature” in previous years. Fans hope anime will receive more acknowledgment at future Academy Awards.