Crunchyroll Reveals Anime Awards Guests
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards are the only awards of their kind. Dedicated to celebrating excellence in anime, the winners are voted on by the fans.
This year the awards are going to Japan for the first time and will stream live from Tokyo. Crunchyroll has announced a line-up of celebrity anime fans will make an appearance at the March 4 ceremony. They include Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, film director Robert Rodriguez, WWE Superstar Zelina Vega and popular streamer Valkyrae.
"I love anime, it’s an art form that has always inspired me. For the creators, it’s unbound creativity and freedom of expression, where they can make truly iconic, creative worlds and characters," said Rodriguez, writer-director of films including Desperado, Alita Battle Angel and Sin City. "Anime is a crucible for new ideas and fresh perspectives in entertainment. So I’m very excited to help celebrate the grand winners being honoured at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Japan."
Confirmed Guests
• Aidan Hutchinson, American football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.
• Finn Wolfhard, actor, musician and director (Stranger Things, Pinocchio, Ghostbusters, IT)
• Hunter Schafer, actress and artist (Euphoria and the upcoming The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
• Jacob Bertrand, actor (Cobra Kai)
• Juju Smith-Schuster, American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League
• Robert Rodriguez, film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel)
• Zelina Vega, WWE Superstar
• Sykkuno, one of the largest streamers on YouTube Gaming (9.8M+ followers)
• Valkyrae, one of the biggest female streamers in the world (13M followers) and the co-owner of 100 Thieves
Additional global talent and musical performances will be announced soon.
"I have been a huge anime fan since I was a kid. It has been a part of my whole life, till this day, it has helped me so much. I’m an NFL athlete and I get to represent this anime world. So for me to present an Anime Award to some of the greatest shows in the world, it's the best," said Juju Smith-Schuster, Superbowl winning American Football star.
This year's nominees come from more than 30 anime studios, from eight streaming platforms and feature more than 50 TV series and movies and more than 50 voice actors.
The ceremony will take place at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo and will be streamed worldwide via YouTube and Twitch. The awards will be hosted by voice actor Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira.
