Complete List of Winning Japanese Animation (2007-2025)
The Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year is a prestigious award presented annually by the Japan Academy Film Prize Association to honor the best animated film of the year in Japan. Introduced in 2007, this category recognizes outstanding achievements in Japanese animation, celebrating films that showcase exceptional storytelling, artistic innovation, and cultural significance.
Learning Japanese by watching animation is a fun and immersive way to engage with the language, offering a unique opportunity to hear natural conversational Japanese in a variety of contexts. Anime and animated films often feature a wide range of speech styles, from casual dialogue to formal language, helping learners become familiar with different levels of politeness and vocabulary. The combination of visual storytelling, context, and sound effects also makes it easier to understand new words and phrases, even without subtitles. For those taking Japanese language classes, anime provides a rich cultural context that can enhance comprehension and foster a deeper appreciation for the language.
Here is a complete list of best Japanese animations that won Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation of the Year from 2007 to 2025.
2007: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
(時をかける少女, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo)
Makoto, a high school student, discovers she can leap through time. Initially using this power for trivial gains, she soon learns the consequences of altering events and must make a critical decision about her newfound ability.
2008: Tekkonkinkreet
(鉄コン筋クリート, Tekkon Kinkurīto)
In Treasure Town, orphaned boys Black and White defend their city from developers and yakuza. The story explores the brothers’ relationship and their battle to preserve the spirit of their home.
2009: Ponyo
(崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo)
A magical fish named Ponyo escapes the ocean and befriends a human boy, Sōsuke. As Ponyo becomes human, her actions disrupt nature, forcing them to restore balance to the world.
2010: Summer Wars
(サマーウォーズ, Samā Wōzu)
Kenji, a math prodigy, accidentally triggers chaos in the virtual world “OZ.” Alongside a quirky family, he must stop the rogue AI Love Machine to save both the virtual and real worlds.
2011: The Secret World of Arrietty
(借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arietti)
Arrietty, a tiny Borrower, forms an unlikely friendship with a human boy named Shō. Their bond puts her family’s secret existence at risk in this heartwarming tale of trust and survival.
2012: From Up on Poppy Hill
(コクリコ坂から, Kokuriko-zaka Kara)
Umi and Shun, two teens in 1963 Yokohama, work to save their school’s clubhouse while uncovering long-buried family secrets. Their journey captures the nostalgia of post-war Japan.
2013: Wolf Children
(おおかみこどもの雨と雪, Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki)
Hana raises her half-human, half-wolf children alone after her husband’s death. The story explores her struggle to protect their dual identities and their coming-of-age.
2014: The Wind Rises
(風立ちぬ, Kaze Tachinu)
This fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of WWII fighter planes, intertwines his love for aviation with his romance with a terminally ill woman.
2015: Stand by Me Doraemon
(STAND BY ME ドラえもん)
Nobita, guided by the robotic cat Doraemon, tries to improve his life and win over his crush, Shizuka, in this emotional 3D retelling of classic Doraemon stories.
2016: The Boy and the Beast
(バケモノの子, Bakemono no Ko)
A runaway boy named Ren stumbles into the Beast Kingdom and becomes the apprentice of Kumatetsu, a gruff warrior. Together, they learn about strength, family, and self-acceptance.
2017: In This Corner of the World
(この世界の片隅に, Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni)
Suzu, a young bride in wartime Hiroshima, faces life’s adversities with hope and creativity. The film beautifully depicts daily life amidst the devastation of war.
2018: Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
(夜は短し歩けよ乙女, Yoru wa Mijikashi Aruke yo Otome)
During a surreal night in Kyoto, a young man attempts to confess his feelings to a spirited woman while encountering a series of bizarre and whimsical adventures.
2019: Mirai
(未来のミライ, Mirai no Mirai)
Kun, a jealous young boy, meets future versions of his family members, including his sister Mirai, in a magical garden. Their interactions teach him about love and family.
2020: Weathering with You
(天気の子, Tenki no Ko)
Hodaka, a runaway, meets Hina, who can control the weather. Their love grows as they confront the consequences of her powers and the larger forces of nature.
2021: Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
(劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編, Gekijōban “Kimetsu no Yaiba” Mugen Ressha-hen)
Tanjiro and his friends join the Flame Hashira, Rengoku, on a train to confront a demon that traps passengers in a dream-like state, leading to an emotional battle.
2022: Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
(シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版, Shin Evangerion Gekijōban)
The final chapter of the Evangelion series concludes Shinji’s emotional journey and humanity’s fight against the mysterious Angels in a breathtaking finale.
2023: The First Slam Dunk
(ザ・ファースト・スラムダンク, Za Fāsuto Suramu Danku)
Ryota Miyagi, a basketball prodigy, leads Shohoku High School in the national championships, reflecting on his personal journey and his bond with his late brother.
2024: The Boy and the Heron
(君たちはどう生きるか, Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka)
In a semi-autobiographical fantasy, a boy grieving his mother’s death embarks on a journey into a magical world, discovering truths about life, love, and himself.
2025: Look Back
(ルックバック, Rukkubakku)
Fujino and Kyomoto, aspiring manga artists, navigate their creative rivalry and the impact of a tragedy that shapes their artistic paths and friendship. This introspective story delves into ambition, loss, and the redemptive power of art.
Incorporating animation into your Japanese learning journey can be both enjoyable and educational, allowing you to connect with the language and culture in a way that textbooks alone may not. Whether you’re studying in a classroom setting or taking online Japanese classes, watching animated films and series provides a dynamic, real-world context for the language. So, next time you tune into an anime or animated film, you’ll be practicing your Japanese in a fun and effective way, all while experiencing the magic of Japanese animation.
