Dan Da Dan Season 2 Won Best Comedy and Best Opening at Crunchyroll 2026 and It Deserved Both

Dan Da Dan Season 2 walked away from the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards with two wins — Best Comedy and Best Opening Sequence for “On The Way” by AiNA THE END. Both were correct decisions. The show led all nominees with 20 total nominations, making it the most celebrated title of the awards season even though it did not take home Anime of the Year. In a field that included My Hero Academia’s final season and Gachiakuta, 20 nominations and two wins is a result that reflects how seriously the anime community took Dan Da Dan Season 2’s craft and energy.

The show’s premise is built on a collision of genres — supernatural horror, romantic comedy, and shonen action — that should not cohere but absolutely does. Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura stumble into each other’s belief systems and upend both of their lives. Season 2 deepens the relationship between the two leads while escalating the supernatural threats surrounding them. The comedy is genuinely funny rather than relying on reaction shots and safe gags. The horror elements have actual weight. The romance is handled with care. For a show juggling this many tones, the consistency is remarkable.

Best Opening Sequence for “On The Way” by AiNA THE END is worth discussing separately. The opening animation is visually inventive in a way that goes beyond what most anime openings attempt. The song is legitimately excellent on its own terms — AiNA THE END has a distinctive voice that works perfectly against the show’s chaotic energy — and the animation paired with it commits fully to the show’s visual identity. Best Opening was not a sentimental pick. It was the obvious front runner from the moment the season aired.

For viewers who have not started Dan Da Dan, Season 2 follows directly from Season 1 and the story does not slow down for newcomers. Watch Season 1 first — 12 episodes and it sets up every character and relationship that Season 2 builds on. This is one of the most rewatchable anime in recent memory.

My take: Dan Da Dan Season 2 winning Best Comedy in a year this strong is proof that the Crunchyroll voters take comedy as seriously as drama or action. The 20 nominations it received reflect what a genuinely exceptional season this was. If you are not watching Dan Da Dan you are skipping one of the best anime of the decade so far.