Oscar Voters Ignore Two Top-Rated Anime Blockbusters
Two of 2025's highest-rated animated films were completely shut out of the 2026 Oscar nominations, leaving anime fans questioning the Academy's selection process for the Animated Feature category.
The 2026 Academy Awards nominations dropped a bombshell on anime enthusiasts worldwide. Two critically acclaimed animated features that dominated 2025 got completely shut out of the Animated Feature category, sparking outrage across social media platforms.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc both failed to secure nominations despite earning exceptional critical praise. The Academy instead selected KPop Demon Hunters and Little Amélie or The Character of Rain, along with Disney's Elio and Zootopia 2.
Critical Success Meets Academy Indifference
The numbers tell a compelling story. Demon Slayer achieved a stunning 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Chainsaw Man earned 96% from critics. Both films received widespread recognition for exceptional animation quality and storytelling depth.
Social media erupted with disappointment. X user Luiz Fernando expressed shock at the minimal anime representation, questioning how two Disney productions secured spots over these critically acclaimed Japanese films.
Box Office Dominance Ignored
Financial success couldn't sway Academy voters either. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle became 2025's biggest animated success story, earning $779 million globally. The film now holds the record as the highest-grossing Japanese anime movie ever made.
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc generated $184 million worldwide. Critics positioned it among 2025's finest films across all categories, not just animation.
Many expected this year would break the Academy's pattern of overlooking Japanese animation. The combination of critical acclaim and commercial triumph seemed like a winning formula.
Where to Watch These Snubbed Films
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle remains exclusive to theaters since its July 2025 Japanese debut. Crunchyroll hasn't announced streaming or digital release plans, though availability is expected sometime this spring.
The film follows Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps battling through Muzan Kibutsuji's fortress headquarters.
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc became available for digital rental and purchase on December 9, 2025. Crunchyroll streaming is anticipated before Demon Slayer's home release. The story continues Denji's journey as he faces the dangerous Bomb Devil, Reze, in a battle mixing romance with survival horror.