Japan’s new anime awards program will be called the Nippon Anime Awards, with its first ceremony set for Nov. 21, 2027, at SGC Hall Ariake in Tokyo’s Ariake district. The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) announced the name on Nov. 2 at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall, during the closing event of Tokyo Anime Next.

AJA president Kazuko Ishikawa unveiled the name and the awards’ slogan: “Moving Frames. Moving Hearts. Moving the World.” The program will recognize anime titles and the people who create them, with a focus on audiences in Japan and overseas. The ceremony will also include initiatives with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to support new business opportunities for the animation industry and the development of young talent.

Tokyo Anime Next ran from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, with most events held in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood. Its four-day program included screenings, workshops, live performances and industry sessions. At three Ikebukuro cinemas, 14 titles were screened, most of them theatrical features; four screenings were followed by talks with cast or crew. The program also presented the world premiere of the first episode of “Lona,” a TV series from screenwriter Akiko Nogi and Wit Studio.

The closing event featured the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra performing alongside footage from three anime series. Nami Nakagawa sang “Kamado Tanjiro no Uta” during the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” segment, while Ai Higuchi performed “Akuma no Ko,” the ending theme for “Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2.” The finale celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Detective Conan,” with Mai Kuraki performing “Secret of My Heart.”

Other events included production classes with staff from “Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” and “Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe,” as well as a session on an animation co-produced by Japan and Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day. Children also used studio light tables to trace frames from “Chibi-Maruko-chan.”

Tokyo Anime Next was organized by the AJA and co-organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, with Toshima City as special sponsor. Sony Music Solutions managed the event secretariat.

Sources: Variety.