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Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025: Must-Watch Nominated Anime You Shouldn't Miss
Another major contender, Demon Slayer took home Best Animation and Best Continuing Series and nominations in Best Character Design, Best Director and various other categories. The Hashira Training Arc dives into intense character development and preparation for the ultimate battle against Muzan. Visually stunning and emotionally rich, this is a must-watch continuation of the beloved series.
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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer fans — watch out for ‘exclusive episodes' and leaked scenes. Here's why
If you're a fan of anime classics like Naruto , One Piece , Demon Slayer , Attack on Titan , or Jujutsu Kaisen , here's an important warning: beware of any links offering exclusive episodes, leaked scenes, or premium access. They could be traps set by cybercriminals. According to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, over 251,000 attempts were made to deliver malware or unwanted files disguised as content from these popular anime titles. These scams often exploit Gen Z's strong connection to anime by using clickbait to lure unsuspecting users. Among the top targets: Naruto topped the list with 114,216 attack attempts — proving its enduring popularity despite airing over 20 years ago. Demon Slayer followed with 44,200 attempts, fueled by its recent global success. Live Events Attack on Titan ranked third with 39,433 malicious activity detections. But it's not just anime. Kaspersky also tracked malware campaigns using the names of hit Gen Z favorites like Shrek, Stranger Things, Twilight, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. These titles alone were linked to over 43,000 attack attempts in early 2025 — with Shrek surprisingly leading the way, spiking to more than double its 2024 monthly average in March. Cybercriminals are also targeting streaming platform names. Kaspersky detected over 96,000 attempts involving fake branding of services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video , Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max . Netflix was most exploited, with 85,679 attack attempts and over 2.8 million phishing pages mimicking its look. 'From beloved anime like Naruto to blockbusters like Inside Out 2, scammers are exploiting Gen Z's passion for digital content,' said Vasily Kolesnikov, a security expert at Kaspersky. 'As these threats grow, it's critical for young users to stay alert and learn how to protect themselves online.' Bottom line: If a link promises free access to unreleased content — think twice. It could cost more than you expect. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and more anime targeted by cybercriminals: Kaspersky report
Anime fans may be under serious threat. A new report by Kaspersky has found out over 2,50,000 potential cyber attacks disguised as popular anime on streaming platforms. These shows, which are hugely popular among younger audiences, have a massive fan base. In order to spread awareness about the cyber risks of streaming content online, the popular anti-virus provider has launched Case 404, an interactive cybersecurity game. Streaming has become a way of life for most members of Generation Z as it instantly helps in forging a connection with characters, worlds, fandoms which go on to define their identity. According to a CBR report, over 65 per cent of Gen Z watch anime regularly. For the latest study, experts and Kaspersky's selected five anime titles that are popular among Gen Z – Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan, Naruto, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, etc. The experts found 2,51, 931 attempts to deliver malware or unwanted files disguised under names of these anime titles. According to the report, cybercriminals were tapping into the trust Gen Z has for these series. They often use bait like 'exclusive episode', 'leaked scenes', or 'premium access.' When it comes to titles, Naruto had the most with 1,14, 216 attempted attacks. Demon Slayer followed with 44,200 attack attempts, and at the third spot is Attack on Titan with 39, 433 detected attempts to distribute malicious content. Apart from anime, Kaspersky also analysed five films and series that continue to resonate with Gen Z: Shrek, Stranger Things, Twilight, Inside Out 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine. These shows accounted for 43,302 attack attempts with a pronounced spike in attention to these titles from cybercriminals at the beginning of 2025. All of these are primarily related to the rise of attack on Shrek with over 36,000 attempts in all and a steep rise in March 2025. While OTT platforms have reshaped the anime watching experience, this has also created a fertile ground for cybercriminals. Kaspersky detected 96,288 attempts to distribute malicious or unwanted files disguised as the names of these major streaming platforms. According to the report, among streaming services, Netflix stood out with 85,679 attack attempts related to over 2.8 million phishing pages imitating its branding. Cybercriminals take advantage of the constant traffic, frequent subscription-based activity, and global reach. Experts said that scammers mimicked login pages, shared free trial links or spoof password reset emails. Kaspersky's game, Case 404, invites players to become cyber-detectives and solve immersive cybercrime cases. With this game, Kaspersky aims to empower Gen Z to develop their mindset and skillset to stay safe in an increasingly vulnerable online world. 'As the world of entertainment continues to evolve, so do the tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit popular content, whether through fake downloads or fraudulent merchandise offers. From beloved anime like Naruto and Demon Slayer to the latest blockbusters like Inside Out 2, scammers have found new ways to take advantage of Gen Z's affinity for digital culture and streaming platforms. With the rise of these cyberthreats, it's more important than ever for young users to stay vigilant and understand how to protect themselves online,' said Vasily Kolesnikov, security expert at Kaspersky. To safeguard one online while streaming content, Kaspersky recommends the following steps: 📌Use a legitimate, paid subscription when accessing streaming services and ensure you're using apps from official marketplaces or the official websites. 📌Verify the authenticity of websites before entering any personal information. 📌Stick to trusted, official pages when watching or downloading content and double-check URLs and company name spellings to avoid phishing sites. 📌Be cautious about the file extensions you're downloading. Video files should not have .exe or .msi extensions, these are usually associated with harmful programs. 📌Use a reliable security solution to detect malicious attachments that could compromise your data 📌Ensure secure browsing and safe messaging with reliable VPN, protecting your IP address and preventing data leaks.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Global anime wave is real and India is racing on
Remember Pokemon, Shin Chan and Doraemon? What was once a post-school indulgence, anime in India is no longer just a nostalgic throwback. It's a full-blown cultural movement. From Delhi University campuses and Mumbai's comic-cons to Instagram Stories of A-list celebrities, India's anime awakening is both emotional and the numbers are backing it up. 'India is the biggest market outside Japan and China,' said Gita Rebbapragada, Chief Operating Officer at Crunchyroll, one of the world's largest anime streaming platforms. 'If our aspiration is to super-serve anime fans, we have to be where the fans are. And India is brimming with them - whether it's Naruto nostalgia or Solo Leveling obsession.' In fact, Crunchyroll Anime Awards saw one of the biggest voting numbers coming from India this year, alongside Mexico, USA, Italy among others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ShowMo (@showmo_india)advertisementCrunchyroll has made a strategic push into the Indian market with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs - and it's paying off. Shows like Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer, and Frieren regularly rank among the top-viewed series. 'We're seeing near-primetime viewing spikes,' she said and added, 'People are watching anime like appointment television.' India Today was in Tokyo for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024, where anime's emotional pull was echoed by stars across the globe - and many had India on their home, Indian celebrities are wearing their anime love with pride. Tiger Shroff channels his inner Goku on and off-screen. Rashmika Mandanna has a soft spot for Naruto. And Disha Patani, once Crunchyroll's brand ambassador, often recommends Death Note on social media.'These celebrities don't just endorse anime - they live it,' stated Rebbapragada. "They talk about their favourite arcs, their emotional connections to the characters. That kind of authenticity resonates with fans. It's what creates real cultural momentum," she remarked. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crunchyroll India (@crunchyroll_in)And that momentum is also reflected KIM: ANIME GOT ME THROUGH TOUGH TIMESAmerican Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, who was present at the Anime Awards, told India Today that anime helped shape her identity. 'Growing up in America, there weren't many characters who looked like me or shared my emotional journey. Anime gave me that space,' she said. She mentioned that her favourites include the likes of Demon Slayer, Wind Breaker, and Hunter x Hunter. 'Killua is my favourite. And yes, I haven't finished Pokmon, but I started Journeys because I saw Ash finally became Champion. That storyline? It just brings everything back.' She added, 'Anime brought me joy in tough times. Being in a room full of people who get that? That's special.'DAMIANO DAVID: I WOULD LOVE TO SCORE FOR ANIMEMneskin frontman Damiano David, who presented an award in Tokyo, has long spoken about his obsession with Attack on Titan. 'It's surreal - going from watching at home to announcing a winner onstage,' he said, adding, 'It's not even about the spotlight. It's about being part of something meaningful.'advertisementHe confessed he's behind on new hits like Solo Leveling, but remains a fan of anime's escapist storytelling: 'It's real enough to relate to, but exaggerated enough to escape into. That kind of storytelling is powerful.' Does their storytelling style influence his music? 'In a subconscious way, maybe. Artists absorb things constantly,' he said. 'Anime music is incredible but very different from what I do. That said, if I ever got the chance to score an anime like Nana, I'd say yes in a heartbeat,' he band's song, The Loneliest, was recently featured on an anime soundtrack. He chuckled, 'It was the one about the samurai - I can't remember the name!'Could a Damiano-led anime theme happen in the future? 'Why not? If someone asked me, I'd do it.'SAMMY AMAKI: ANIME IS COOL NOW. I GOT BULLIED FOR IT AS A TEENAGERHowever, for Sally Amaki - an idol, voice actor, and podcast host from Japan, voicing her fondness for anime was a recent trend. Back in 2016, she hid her love for anime while living in the US. 'I'd got bullied for it,' she recalled. But when she returned to LA recently, she was stunned. 'Anime merch was in mainstream stores. I was like - wait, it's cool now?!,' she anime went mainstream, so did Sally's career. Today, she's a go-to name in bilingual voice acting. 'They don't want the cutesy voice anymore. They want someone strong, confident, intelligent.' she explained. Her personal favourite is Gintama. She explained that anime sometimes disguises social messaging in humour, which was one of the things that got her through. during difficult times. 'It looks like a comedy, but it's so deep. It got me through tough teenage years,' she stated. She's even considered getting an anime tattoo - specifically, a quote from Haikyuu!!: 'There's no time to feel down when you're so average. The only thing you can do is keep going.' With her signature blend of dry humour and earnest reflection, Amaki is part of the generation helping redefine anime's voice - literally. And when told about anime's rising popularity in India, she perked up, saying, 'Would I go to India? Do people there know me? Really? Well then, I would love to.'advertisementWHY INDIA'S ANIME CHAPTER IS JUST THE BEGINNINGWhat makes India's anime fandom unique is its emotional intensity and dual devotion - a reverence for classics like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z, mixed with an insatiable appetite for newer hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, Blue Lock, and Frieren. It's a fandom that's deeply community-driven - spanning oversized One Piece tees, jam-packed convention halls, cosplay meetups, and even anime-inspired tattoos. It transcends age, gender, and Rebbapragada said, 'India remains one of our major focuses for anime market globally.'Or, as Chloe Kim puts it best: 'Anime isn't just a genre anymore. It's a feeling. And once you connect to it - there's no going back.'Must Watch
