KPop Demon Hunters Sweeps Annie Awards with Ten Nominations

There’s no slowing down for KPop Demon Hunters, which has found itself at the centre of the animation world’s attention after securing ten Annie Award nominations. The film, already a favourite for its lively plot, memorable tracks, and striking visuals, now finds its creative team recognised across nearly every major category at what many consider the animation industry’s highest honour.

The Annie Awards, often likened to the Oscars but for animation, cast a wide net—celebrating not just films, but also television, video games, and even animated effects in live-action productions. This year, KPop Demon Hunters has made a proper splash, with its name cropping up repeatedly on the shortlist.

Nominations Across the Board

Among the ten categories, the film is up for Best Feature, with Sony Pictures Animation representing the project for Netflix. The technical wizardry behind the film’s effects has also been spotlighted, with Filippo Macari, Nicola Finizio, Simon Lewis, Naoki Kato, and Daniel La Chapelle all named for Best FX – Feature.

Character animation and design haven’t gone unnoticed either. Ryusuke Furuya is in the running for Best Character Animation, while Scott Watanabe and Ami Thompson are up for Best Character Design. Direction is another strong suit, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans both nominated for their work at the helm.

Music, Voice, and Writing Shine

Music has played a significant role in the film’s global appeal, and the KPop Demon Hunters Music Team is now vying for Best Music – Feature. The production design team—Helen Chen, Dave Bleich, Wendell Dalit, Scott Watanabe, and Celine Kim—are also in the spotlight for their contributions.

Voice acting is another area where the film stands out. Arden Cho, who voices Rumi, has been nominated for Best Voice Acting – Feature. The writing team, comprising Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, and Chris Appelhans, is up for Best Writing, while the editorial team is recognised for their work in Best Editorial – Feature.

Notable Omissions and Industry Context

The only major Annie Award category where KPop Demon Hunters missed out is Best Storyboarding. In a curious twist, Pixar’s Elio also received ten nominations, matching KPop Demon Hunters in nine categories. However, Elio picked up a nod for Best Storyboarding, while missing out on Best Music.

Music from the film has been particularly well received. The track ‘Golden’ has climbed to the top of the charts, and ‘What it Sounds Like’ has been singled out as one of the standout songs of 2025.

For those keen to see what all the fuss is about, KPop Demon Hunters is currently streaming on Netflix. If you’re after more recommendations, there’s no shortage of standout series to explore on the platform.