A Deal so Good it Should Be Illegal: DNFC Launches on EPIC with a Free Game Giveaway! 

Macclesfield, UK – 29 January 2026  

Silver Lining Interactive and Dope Games are thrilled to announce that the cynically hilarious, satirical business-management sim, Definitely Not Fried Chicken, is now available on Epic Games Store. Not only that, it’s launching with a free giveaway! 

The “definitely-not-drugs” game has gathered a cult following since its launch first into Early Access and through to V1.0 – and it’s ready for a new wave of players to dive into mayhem, management, and mayhem again.

‘We’ve smuggled this game onto Epic like a suspiciously heavy duffel bag in the trunk of a borrowed car,’ joked Ross, Head of Marketing at Silver Lining. ‘Finally hitting the platform means thousands of new players can begin their journey from ‘average fast-food chain worker’ to ‘please-don’t-ask-what’s-in-the-basement’ boss.’

Build Your Empire – Legal Fronts, Illegal Gains

Definitely Not Fried Chicken throws players into a sunny, 1980s-style cityscape where you run a fried-chicken restaurant, laundromats, nightclubs, donut shops and more. Behind the scenes? You’re masterminding a full-blown alternative-medicine empire, producing and distributing substances while juggling legal fronts to launder your money.

Ready to dive into the chaos?Play Definitely Not Fried Chicken for FREE on Epic Games Store now, and start building your fast-food empire – basement secrets included.

Key Features

• Start from scratch: Acquire plots, build your first fried-chicken joint and hire staff!
• Grow your underground business: Cultivate strains, manage production rooms, storage, and deliveries.
• Dual-business balancing act: Run your “legal” businesses to keep revenue flowing and cover your tracks while managing the high-risk illegal operations.
• Deep management and strategy: Customize facilities, plan supply chains, manage staff needs, and expand strategically across the city. 
• Satirical, stylised setting: The game leans heavily into dark comedy, parodying drug-empire tropes with a voxel-style, isometric aesthetic. 

About Silver Lining Interactive 

Silver Lining Interactive is an independent games publisher based in the North of England. Founded by a team of seasoned professionals for two decades, this studio has been a cornerstone of the indie game scene. With a passion for fostering creative talent and great games, Silver Lining Interactive is committed to bringing innovative, high-quality games to players worldwide, physically and digitally.

An Adventure Built on Mystery 

Bristol, UK – January 29, 2026 – Yogscast Games is thrilled to share more details on Rhell: Warped Words & Troubled Times, ahead of its March 12, 2026 release to help players understand what they can expect from this semi-open world game.

Rhell: Warped Worlds and Troubled Times is a mystical adventure that welcomes players into a realm entrenched with ancient magic and wonder. Players take on the role of the titular character Rhell, who sets out on an intriguing journey to return a vanished world to its former glory. It’s an exciting start to get familiar with the game as important rules are explained upfront with the remaining to be uncovered by exploring the unknown.

The game is an invitation for players to enter a magical world filled with cryptic encounters and solve puzzles using unorthodox methods as curiosity is rewarded and mysteries will unfold in unexpected moments of discovery. “Magic in Rhell isn’t just something the player uses” says game creator Alice Jarratt from SlugGlove “Every location carries traces of ancient influence, and we designed the adventure so players uncover that history organically, rather than being told how to navigate it.”  

There are 14 main areas in the game which players can explore by solving a series of puzzles. Puzzles are solved by casting spells using unique combinations of magical keywords called “runes”. Whether players are exploring environments or interacting with NPC’s, the journey serves as a constant reminder that something mystical is at play. 

These main areas also hold meaningful hidden secrets, and the choices players make will alter the game’s outcome. The element of experimentation differentiates Rhell from other adventure games – as players are not guided through a pre-determined path but are put amidst a world which slowly reveals itself.     

Developed by SlugGlove, Rhell will be released on Steam on March 12, 2026. Keep up-to-date with the latest news and information, visit theYogscast Games website.

About Yogscast Games 

Yogscast Games was established in 2017, with a simple goal: to work with independent teams to develop and publish games which are as fun to watch as they are to play. Responsible for a string of hits such as PlateUp!, which has sold over two million copies on Steam, and Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, which grossed over $1m in its first month on sale, it prides itself in working with tiny teams doing brilliant things.

Unleash your inner designer and experience the meditative zen and tranquility of home improvement and decoration one room at a time!

SEATTLE – Jan. 29, 2026 – Publisher tinyBuild and developer Come On Studio have cuddled up with a warm mug and blanket to reveal the March 30, 2026, Steam launch date for their calming, comfy, cozy home renovation game, Hozy! With over 250,000 wishlists, Hozy promises players a neglected big-city neighborhood to restore, one dusty room at a time. Paint, scrape, wipe, and more to clean to your heart’s content, then use those organizational skills to arrange each room as you see fit!

In Hozy, you’ll renovate and decorate abandoned homes with a variety of satisfying mechanics and intuitive controls. Enjoy the little details of home design and improvement as you interact with tools, items and furniture to bring each space back to life, restoring not only rooms, but the memories and stories of a whole community!

Key Features

• The Hozy Flow: Hozy is about slowing down. There are no timers, scores, or penalties, and absolutely no stress. Just you, your tools, and the simple joy of making spaces beautiful again. Whether you’re wiping windows, choosing the perfect wallpaper, or placing a sofa, it’s all about that satisfying flow! 
• Coziness In Every Detail: Immerse yourself in the ultimate cozy atmosphere. Every small action delivers a micro-dopamine hit and a tiny “aha!” moment. Plants sway, candles can be lit, and trash realistically tumbles in and out of the bin. Open the window to hear natural sounds and invite the wind to play with dust particles. 
• Unleash Your Inner Designer: Utilize a designer-curated collection of furniture and décor, carefully tuned to complement one another. Rotate, move and place items freely. Match wall colors and flooring from a palette of harmonized tones. Use the array of tools at your disposal to create spaces worthy of an interior-design magazine!

Embrace your inner DIY home renovation expert in Hozy on March 30 on Steam via PC and Mac! Wishlist the game and treat yourself to a comfy little break with Hozy’s free Steam playtest, available now!

About Come On Studio

A small, passionate team of graphic, visual and web design professionals, working on their first game, Hozy.

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can’t miss. The company’s dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including the Hello Neighbor series, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, DUCKSIDE, The King is Watching and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle Area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the US, Netherlands, and Eastern Europe. https://www.tinybuild.com

A Story-Driven WWII FPS Portraying the Fire and Fury of the Mysterious Eastern Battlefield.

For decades, World War II games have returned to the same frontlines – the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of North Africa, the cities of Western Europe. Entire wars have been retold through familiar lenses. 

But World War II was larger than that.

Announced today by publisher 4Divinity, a publishing label of GCL Global Holdings [NASDAQ: GCL] and developer Hoothanes,The Defiant is a story-driven first-person shooter set in the Asian theatre of World War II, placing players in the midst of China’s War of Resistance against Japan,  a vast, brutal conflict that cost the lives of countless Chinese soldiers and civilians, yet has remained largely unexplored in games. The Defiant aims to reframe how the FPS genre approaches history, offering a perspective rarely seen in interactive entertainment.

The Defiant is set to launch for PC via Steam and consoles. 

“The latest trailer for The Defiant captures exactly what 4Divinity represents,” said Sebastian Toke, Group CEO of GCL. “We are building a portfolio of bold, story-driven games that bring fresh perspectives to familiar genres. The Defiant shines a light on an important and rarely explored chapter of World War II, delivering a cinematic, authentic experience that reflects our commitment to supporting ambitious creators and meaningful storytelling.”

The latest trailer, released today, offers an early glimpse at the game’s locations, combat, and overall tone, revealing an experience shaped not only by spectacle but by history and cultural identity.

At its core, The Defiant delivers a cinematic narrative experience. The game unfolds across occupied villages, frozen forests, fortified supply routes, and enemy-controlled urban zones, where every environment is shaped by the realities of guerrilla warfare and survival behind enemy lines.

The combat reflects the nature of the conflict itself. Missions shift fluidly between stealth infiltration, close-quarters firefights, sniping, urban espionage, code-breaking operations, vehicular combat, and sudden large-scale assaults. There are no clear frontlines here, only tension, unpredictability, and moments where careful strategy can be as effective as combat.

Built in Unreal Engine 5 by a veteran team of filmmakers and game developers, The Defiant adopts a restrained yet authentic, human-centred approach to storytelling. The studio’s goal is not only to depict combat, but to convey the emotional weight of resistance and people fighting for survival, identity, and homeland.

Weapons in The Defiant are treated as historical artefacts, not just tools. Players will wield a wide range of firearms rooted in China’s modern wartime history, including the Hanyang Type 88, Mauser C96, Bergmann submachine gun and more. Each weapon is recreated with attention to its origin and role, carrying with it the memory of the era it represents. 

The Defiantis set to launch on PC via Steam and consoles. Wishlist now on Steam.

Legendary Demon Artist, Kazuma Kaneko of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei Fame, Brings His Latest Project to Consoles

Tokyo, Japan (January 29, 2026) – Japanese developer Colopl today announced KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI for the Nintendo Switch. KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI combines strategic battle elements of a deck-building RPG, the exploration of a tower dungeon roguelike, and the creative artwork of industry legend, Kazuma Kaneko, into a thrilling experience exclusive to the Nintendo Switch family of systems. KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI will be available digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop on April 23, 2026 with a MSRP of $24.99 / £24.99 / €24.99.

In KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI, the story unfolds within “THE HASHIRA,” a state-of-the-art skyscraper towering over the Tokyo Bay area. Players take on the role of four Jinma Hunters as they make their way through the demon infested floors of The HASHIRA. It has been sealed off by a barrier placed by Noriko Tomi, the owner of the facility. Each of the four hunters come with their own style of gameplay, allowing for players to customize and outfit different decks for the correct situation.

KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI is a brand new title, reborn from TSUKUYOMI – The Divine Hunters, released in 2025 for mobile and PC platforms. This reborn version of TSUKUYOMI includes a brand-new character, expanded story elements, an updated user interface, rebalanced gameplay, and new card art from Kazuma Kaneko, along with 3,600 cards chosen in collaboration with the community from the original game. The returning cards were created by a generative AI model called AI KANEKO, that would generate new art trained on works from Kazuma Kaneko based on player actions and decisions within the original game. KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI for the Nintendo Switch is an offline title and does not utilize generative AI to create new cards.

“As generative AI emerged, I had a desire as an artist to create something with this new technology in a similar way when digital art evolved from pen and paper,” said Kazuma Kaneko of Colopl. 

“As this desire took shape we created and released TSUKUYOMI: The Divine Hunter which featured an AI trained on my art where players could create unique cards by playing the game. Through the AI, it felt as if I could connect with everyone around the world, and wondered if we could use these cards to create something new. The result is KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI, a special game born from the connection between you all and myself through AI.”

For more information on KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI, please visit: https://tsukuyomi-game.com. 

TSUKUYOMI: The Divine Hunter for mobile and PC has begun sunsetting and will no longer be supported as of April 21, 2026 at 11:00PM PT. Players can bring three randomly selected cards from their favorites list from the mobile and PC version of the game into the Nintendo Switch version by logging into TSUKUYOMI – The Divine Hunters and generating a unique passcode. Please log into the TSUKUYOMI – The Divine Hunters app for complete information. 

About COLOPL, inc.

Colopl provides a wide variety of mobile games that transcend specific genres. From the world’s first location-based game, “Colony Life”, to the authentic action RPG “Shironeko Project” and “Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter” which utilizes generative AI, we strive to create new forms of entertainment using cutting-edge technology under our mission of “Entertainment in Real Life.

Discover new music, menu themes, a new hero, and an entirely new way to play!

TOKYO –Jan. 29, 2026 – Asobism is excited today to launch a major new update for ShapeHero Factory, the Factory-Builder Tower Defense Roguelike which launched on Steam, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 last fall. Today’s update brings new quality-of-life features, additional music and themes, a new hero, and a new mode removing timers and roguelike elements to allow you to optimize your factory to your heart’s content.

ShapeHero Factory’s new update is available on all platforms now – dive in with a 25% discount on Steam today!

Update Features

• New Game Mode – Minions’ Dan Dojo: Minions’ Dan Dojo is a whole new way to play ShapeHero Factory! In this mode, there are no battles or time limits. Instead, use limited resources to optimize your factory to earn in-game achievements. The Dojo is a major new addition sure to catch the eye of traditional factory builder game fans.
• New Hero – Dullahan: The new Minion Master Dullahan joins the factory, using their powers to target the closest enemies. It can summon four clones of itself and apply burn to enemies it attacks. Dullahan’s recipe can be obtained from a Surprise Event in-game.
• Box Selecting: The long-requested box-selecting feature is now here, letting players select facilities in a 12×12 area to move, delete and copy. (Copy and Paste is only usable in Free Control mode for game balance.)
• Lobby Themes: Enjoy four new lobby themes, each available for 100 Arcane Knowledge Points.
• Extended Tracks: Short BGM loops have been extended into full-length BGM tracks. You can swap between short and long music in the options menu!

ShapeHero Factory is available now on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 for $23.99. A free demo for the game is also available on Steam!

About ShapeHero Factory

In ShapeHero Factory, you’re the engineer of an ever-evolving paint-fuelled factory that spits out magical, shape-based warriors. Send them into battle – to death or glory – then build an even better factory on your next run. Combining automation, factory building, tower defense, and roguelike genres, ShapeHero Factory is an addicting “just one more run” experience!

ShapeHero Factory hit the top of Steam New & Trending and hit number one on the Nintendo Switch 2 download charts.

About Asobism

Founded in 2005 and based in Tokyo, Asobism Co., Ltd. is a Japanese game developer known for creating engaging and original gaming experiences. The company has produced popular mobile titles such as Castle & Dragon and Dragon Poker, and has since expanded into PC and console gaming with the Steam hits ShapeHero Factory and Vivid Knight.

Visit https://www.asobism.co.jp/en for more info.

Saber Interactive, Paramount and AMC team up to bring you one of the most terrifying, action-packed, co-op crossover events ever!

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Jan. 29, 2026 – Today two of the most terrifying apocalypses meet at last in the new World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC for World War Z, the best-selling co-op zombie shooter from Saber Interactive, based on the blockbuster Paramount Pictures film. This new campaign episode will take players to the legendary world of AMC’s The Walking Dead to experience a new battle for survival against the undead nightmare!

The end of the world will never be the same.

Available today for $9.99 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, the World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC features three new story chapters featuring some of the most legendary characters and locations from AMC’s iconic franchise.

Play as Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Negan, and Michonne – with the voices of Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus reprising their fan-favorite characters – and battle the undead from the Prison to the Alexandria Safe Zone and all the way to Grady Memorial Hospital. You’ll fight to survive against new versions of World War Z’s infamous Zeke swarms inspired by The Walking Dead’s slower-moving – but no less deadly – Walkers.

World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC Features:

• Experience a new story campaign set in the world of AMC’s The Walking Dead
• Take on three new chapters inspired by some of The Walking Dead’s most iconic locations: the Prison, Alexandria Safe Zone and Grady Memorial Hospital
• Four playable survivors: Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Michonne, and Negan
• Two new melee weapons: Michonne’s Katana and Negan’s Bat “Lucille”
• Two new weapon skins: Rick’s Revolver and Daryl’s Crossbow
• New enemies: World War Z’s signature Zekes have been transformed into deadly Walkers
• New special Zeke – Spiked Walkers: An even deadlier variant of Walker with tougher defenses that is impervious to melee until it’s been knocked prone. Force them to the ground with enough damage, then go in for a quick melee kill before they rise again!

Powered by the next generation of Saber’s dynamic Swarm Engine™, World War Z lets you play solo with AI squadmates or in co-op for up to four players with full crossplay between PC and consoles. Take on hordes of ravenous zombies on screen at once in New York, Moscow, Jerusalem, Tokyo, Marseille, Rome/Vatican City, and the Kamchatka peninsula, as well as DLC campaign episodes in Las Vegas, Arizona, and the world of AMC’s The Walking Dead!

For more World War Z, visit WWZgame.com.

About Saber Interactive

Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 15 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, Jurassic Park: Survival, Turok: Origins, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, Road Kings, World War Z, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game and RoadCraft. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with leading developers and publishers, including producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others. Learn more at https://saber.games.

About AMC Networks

AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is home to many of the greatest stories and characters in TV and film and is the premier destination for passionate and engaged fan communities around the world. The Company creates and curates celebrated series and films across distinct brands and makes them available to audiences everywhere. Its portfolio includes targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and HIDIVE; cable networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (which includes U.S. distribution and sales responsibilities for BBC News), IFC, SundanceTV and We TV; and film distribution labels IFC Films and RLJE Films. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite original franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; and AMC Networks International, its international programming business.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.

February’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup is a bumper one, with four titles available to PS Plus members. Battle to victory in the ring in boxing sim Undisputed, survive an alien world in Subnautica: Below Zero, mix combat and gardening in Ultros, and take to the skies in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. All these titles will be available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday, 3 February until Monday, 2 March. 

Undisputed | PS5

Become Undisputed and rule the ring in the most authentic boxing game to date! Featuring true-to-life visuals, bone-jarring action, and 70+ licensed fighters, Undisputed gives you unprecedented control to master every inch of the ring. Includes 50 Attributes & Traits to differentiate styles and capabilities of fighters. Play through the epic journey from amateur boxing tournaments, all the way to becoming Undisputed Champion, in the true-to-life Career Mode. Create your own fighter with Character Creator, customising everything from build to tattoos, to shorts and gloves.

Subnautica: Below Zero | PS5, PS4

Submerge yourself in an all-new, sub-zero expedition in an arctic region of Planet 4546B. Arriving with little more than your wits and some survival equipment, you set out to investigate what happened to your sister. Below Zero presents entirely new environments for you to survive, study, and explore. Survive the harsh climate by constructing extensive habitats, scavenging for resources, and crafting equipment. Keep your wits about you: not all creatures in this strange world are friendly.

Ultros | PS5, PS4

Grounded in science fiction, Ultros comes wrapped in both an eccentric art style from the visionary El Huervo, renowned for his work on Hotline Miami, and a mystical soundtrack composed and performed by Ratvader – Oscar Rydelius. Experience brutal, intimate, close-quarter combat with cosmic lifeforms. Yet this intense combat is juxtaposed with cultivating the greenery and tending to plant life in The Sarcophagus, providing precious moments of contemplation and peace. In turn, this grants deeper access to obscured paths. A unique loop-based mechanic will allow you to start over at key moments in the story, providing opportunities to unfold such secrets, unlock different areas of the world and new abilities on a branching skill tree.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown | PS4

Strap yourself into the cockpit of some of the world’s most formidable fighter planes and skim through the clouds, engaging in daring aerial stunts and nerve-shredding tactical dogfights. In Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, you take on the role of an Ace – an elite fighter pilot tasked with patrolling the most open and intimidating space on Earth: the sky. Choose from an array of authentic modern and futuristic aircraft and load them up with an arsenal of cutting-edge super weapons as unfolding events drive you into ever more dangerous aerial face-offs.

Last chance to add January’s PlayStation Plus Monthly Games to your library 

PlayStation Plus members have until Monday, 2 February to add Need For Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper to their game library. 

To learn more about the full lineup, visit the PlayStation Blog.

For the latest PlayStation news, follow PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

“Overwhelmingly Positive” Japanese indie gem gets console release after 30,000 reviews across all platforms

TOKYO, Japan — Jan. 28, 2026 — DigDigDrill, the cozy underground mining collectathon developed by Toorai and published by Phoenixx Inc., breaks ground on Nintendo Switch on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with pre-orders beginning on the My Nintendo Store Feb. 18th.

Excavate treasure-filled earth in search of resources in a world free from enemies and time limits. Build a custom drill, mine away to harvest riches at any pace, and dig through subterranean layers in an attempt to reach the 999th underground floor.

Gather as much raw material, ore, and hidden chests as possible, then return to the surface and exchange ore for upgrades like stronger dirt-destroying powerups, movement speed, and increased haul capacity. Keep an eye out for drill blueprints that fit together like puzzle pieces, connecting them to access new ore types, max out stats for new drills, and discover satisfying abilities.

Craft custom builds to unlock item synergies and activate abilities like explosion-enhancing drill tips that increase the size of a dynamite blast when ignited, decimating chunks of earth with ease. Watch out for mysterious curses haunting the depths, which can hamper the day’s haul. 

“We aimed to make gameplay as meditative as it is immersive, and there’s an element of getting lost underground that adds intrigue to DigDigDrill’s cozy gameplay,” said Toorai, the creator of the title. “Switch users will be able to take their digging sessions on the go very soon!”

DigDigDrill will come to Nintendo Switch on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with language support in English and Japanese. To learn more, check out Phoenixx Inc.’s official website, and follow Toorai and Phoenixx Inc. on X/Twitter.

About Toorai

Toorai is a solo developer based out of Japan, and the creator of DigDigDrill, which is currently available on PC via Steam with more than 500 “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews. 

About Phoenixx Inc.

Established in 2019 by industry veterans, Phoenixx Inc. aims to support innovative and creative developers from Japan and around the world. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one creator, one game, and one community at a time.

Nominees Revealed on April 2, Alongside the Start of Global Fan Voting Performances to Include Neon Genesis Evangelion 30th Anniversary Tribute by Yoko Takahashi; Symphonic Suites by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Sydney, Australia (January 29, 2026) – After a breakout year for anime across streaming and on the big screen, Crunchyroll announced the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards will return to Tokyo, Japan on May 23. The marquis tenth celebration will be punctuated by a global pre-show, star-studded orange carpet, and once-in-a-lifetime performances, all in support of honouring nominees across thirty-two categories of anime.  

Popular voice actress and performer Sally Amaki and renowned entertainer Jon Kabira will return as co-hosts for the fourth straight year.

Crunchyroll also revealed a preliminary music lineup for the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi will perform a 30th anniversary tribute to 1995’s seminal anime Neon Genesis Evangelion featuring the renowned theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” Symphonic suites conducted by Hirofumi Kurita, performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and arranged by Kazunori Miyake will accent the ceremony. More to be announced soon!

“For the past decade, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards has been shaped by the fans who show up every year to celebrate the stories and creators they love,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “What began with a few million votes in 2017 has grown into tens of millions of voices from around the world, reflecting how deeply anime has become part of people’s lives. Returning to Japan is about celebrating where these stories begin and the fans everywhere who make them live far beyond the screen.”

Nominees will be revealed on April 2 alongside the start of global fan voting. Fans are invited to mark their calendars and fight for the series, films, creators and performances they loved, helping determine winners across 32 categories that capture the medium’s contributions to entertainment. The full list of categories can be found on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Official Website.

The nominees in each category will be selected from eligible titles that premiered between January 1 and December 31 in 2025 by the passionate and independent 2026 Anime Awards judges who represent global creatives, tastemakers, experts, and influencers.

The global pre-show preceding the ceremony will once again be hosted by Crunchyroll’s Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu.

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards is the leading yearly awards program honoring the creators, musicians, and performances powering the global love of anime. Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions will support Crunchyroll in the execution of the event. The event will be livestreamed for global audiences.

More information can be found on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Official Website.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.