by The 12th annual international animation film festival, the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2025, held its awards ceremony on the 10th. The theatrical animation Look Back and the TV anime The Funeral of Frielen won the Best Picture award.
The theatrical animation Look Back and the TV anime The Funeral of Frielen won the Best Picture award in the Anime of the Year category. This award is given to the best works and individuals among the works screened, broadcast, and distributed in Japan that year. Look Back won the theatrical film category, and The Funeral of Frielen won the TV series category.
Theatrical Film Section “Look Back” Producer: “The endless days spent creating a film”
“Look Back” is based on a short story by Tatsuki Fujimoto, known for “Chainsaw Man” and other works. It tells the story of two girls who meet through manga. At the awards ceremony, Oyama Ryo, who planned and produced the film, took to the stage.
He expressed his joy at receiving the award, saying, “I am thrilled that the endless days I spent working on the film have been recognized in this way. I will use this award as motivation to continue to deliver my work carefully.”
Director Oshiyama Kiyotaka also won an individual award in the Director and Direction category, commenting, “Look Back was a fortunate film in the sense that it reached many people, but I am thrilled to receive an individual award in addition to the Best Picture award this time.”
TV Series Category: “Furiren’s Funeral” Animation Producer: “It’s an honor to have worked with this production team.”
“Furieren: The Funeral of Frieren,” which also won the Best Picture award, is set in a world “after” a hero and his party defeat the Demon King. It depicts the journey of Frieren, a magician who has lived for over a thousand years and defeated the Demon King with the hero and the people she meets.
Animation producer Yuichiro Fukushi took to the stage at the awards ceremony. “I think this award is a recognition of the efforts and talent of the staff. It’s an honor to have been involved in the production,” he said, expressing his joy from seeing the staff work up close. He continued, “I will take this award seriously and work hard with the staff who are working hard now to contribute to the future development of the anime industry.”
Additionally, awards were given in the “Anime Achievement Division,” which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the development of the animation industry and culture. Awards were presented to voice actor Kenyu Horiuchi, who plays Mashymre Cello in “Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ,” among others.
