The streaming service Crunchyroll has expanded its program today to include seven anime short films. We summarize the details.
New Creator Awards Winner
The short films, which are between 45 seconds and ten minutes long, are the winners of the New Creator Awards, which were announced today at AnimeJapan 2026. Specifically, the following titles can now be found under the “AnimeJapan Awards 2026” entry on Crunchyroll:
- Episode 1 – Grand Prix / AnimeJapan Special Award: “Police Men”
A Kyoto-set dramedy about three police officers with completely different personalities who oscillate between cooperation and conflict as they work together to catch a perpetrator. - Episode 2 – Crunchyroll Award / AnimeJapan Special Award: “One with the City”
A look at the everyday life of police officers in Aichi, who act as protectors in the background to ensure security and assume responsibility by putting on their uniform. - Episode 3 – Technical Award: “Off-Beat”
Leo feels empty and meaningless until he finds something that once brought him joy and thereby rediscovers the meaning and beauty of life. - Episode 4 – Direction Award: “Requiem of the Endless Night”
After a catastrophe, an old man lives alone on an alien planet and returns to his homeland for a final farewell after decades of hopelessness. - Episode 5 – Character Design Award: “Magokoro Musubi – Rice full of feelings”
Riceball Shio feels inconspicuous until an encounter shows him that he too is special. - Episode 6 – Art Award / AnimeJapan Special Award: “Traces of Summer”
A young woman returns to her homeland and finds new inner peace and hope through memories of summer. - Episode 7 – AnimeJapan Special Award: “Live in Red”
In an isolated city on a red planet, a giant robot breaks through the protective barrier and plunges the residents into chaos.
All short films, which were honored with prize money of between 300,000 and 1 million yen (around 1,620 to 5,400 euros) in addition to the global VOD release, are available in the original Japanese language with German subtitles.
More on the topic:
© New Creator Awards