The Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2025 (TAAF 2025) held its awards ceremony on March 10, announcing the winners across various categories. The TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End won the "Anime of the Year" (TV Series Category), while Evan Call, the composer behind the series’ soundtrack, received the "Best Sound & Performance" award.

Producer Ichiro Fukushima’s Gratitude for the Award

Accepting the Best TV Series award, Frieren's animation producer Ichiro Fukushima expressed deep gratitude:

"Frieren was made possible by the incredible dedication and passion of countless anime staff. Seeing how many people have embraced the series has been truly moving."

He also reflected on the growth of the team:

"Working alongside such talented individuals, I’ve watched them evolve to the next stage in their careers. This award is a testament to their dedication, and we will continue to build on this legacy to contribute to the future of the anime industry."

Evan Call's Emotional Acceptance Speech

Receiving the "Best Sound & Performance" award, Evan Call was visibly moved:

"This is the first time I’ve received an award like this, and I couldn’t be happier! I owe everything to the amazing Frieren team."

He also shared his journey in the industry:

"Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved anime—not just as a fan, but to the point where it became my passion. That love brought me to Japan 13 years ago, and I’ve worked hard in the industry ever since."

"At first, my Japanese wasn’t great, but the kindness and support of people in the anime industry helped me grow. Thanks to them, I’m here today, and I plan to dedicate my life to anime."

About Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since April 2020, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a fantasy "after-story" about the world after the Demon King’s defeat. It follows the elven mage Frieren, who embarks on a new journey with different companions following the passing of her former allies.

The anime aired from September 2023 to March 2024, with Season 2 set for January 2026.

TAAF 2025: Full List of Award Winners

🏆 Competition Category
Grand Prize (Feature Film): A Boat in the Garden
Excellence Award (Feature Film): Clarice's Dream
Grand Prize (Short Film): Loneliness & Laundry
Excellence Award (Short Film): The Bear and the Bird
Toshima City Mayor’s Award: Pietra
Student Award: Yobi and Amari: Story of Spares
Governor of Tokyo Award: Given to Grand Prize winners

🏆 Anime of the Year
Best TV Series: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Best Film: Look Back

🏆 Individual Awards
Best Writer/Screenplay: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Gegege no Kitaro: The Birth of Kitaro - The Mystery of Gegege)
Best Director/Direction: Kiyotaka Oshiyama (Look Back)
Best Animator: Tōko Yatabe (Gegege no Kitaro: The Birth of Kitaro - The Mystery of Gegege)
Best Art/Color/Visual Effects: Mai Ichioka (Gegege no Kitaro: The Birth of Kitaro - The Mystery of Gegege)
Best Sound & Performance: Evan Call (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

🏆 Anime Fan Award
Gegege no Kitaro: The Birth of Kitaro - The Mystery of Gegege

🏆 Achievement Awards (Anime Industry Contributors)
Masami Iwasaki (Moomin, Fang of the Sun Dougram – Producer)
Takayuki Yoshii (Crusher Joe, Brave Exkaiser – Producer)
Kazuhide Tomonaga (Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, Little Nemo – Animator)
Sachiko Nonaka (Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan – Color Designer)
Shuuichi Kakesu (Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie – Editor)
Seiji Suzuki (Golgo 13, Anpanman – Sound Director)
Ken'yuu Horiuchi (Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ – Voice Actor)

TAAF 2025 & Its Mission

The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF), now in its 12th year, is an international animation festival with three core categories:
1️⃣ Competition Category – Recognizing global animated films not yet released in Japan.
2️⃣ Anime of the Year Category – Honoring domestic anime series and films.
3️⃣ Achievement Category – Celebrating veteran anime industry professionals.

With the slogan "Tokyo: The Hub of Animation", the event aims to foster global creative exchange, support emerging talent, and promote Tokyo’s cultural appeal through animation.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Announcement Movie

Source : ORICON NEWS