INTERVIEW: Meet Anime Awards Judge Kaho Shibuya

 

Voting for the Anime Awards is now open, and to mark the occasion, we're publishing a series of interviews with some of the event's judges! Today, we'll be talking to Kaho Shibuya, a streamer and media personality, about her lifelong love of anime, what it was like to be a judge, and what he looked for when selecting nominees for the Anime Awards. 

 

Before reading the interview below, make sure to cast your vote for your favorite anime series from the last year by heading over to the Anime Awards site!

 

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Crunchyroll: Hello! Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Kaho Shibuya: My name is Kaho Shibuya, and I've been streaming, writing, anison DJ-ing, cosplaying.... the list goes on. I'm based in Tokyo, born and bred, but I've had the opportunities to guest at anime conventions overseas as well. I really enjoy seeing how much anime has been accepted and grown outside of Japan.

How did you first become involved with the Anime Awards as a judge? Were you excited to join the panel?

Shibuya: I've been nominated as a judge 2 years in a row since Crunchyroll opened the public nominations for judges. I appreciate all the votes, and it's such an honor to participate in the biggest international anime awards. 

I was therefore extremely excited to be asked directly by Crunchyroll to judge again, now for the 3rd time for 2023.

Can you tell us about your relationship with anime? What makes you interested in the medium and what about it do you love?

Shibuya: Growing up in Japan, anime has always been there on TV and toys. As a kid, I loved reading stories and emotionally diving into such fantasy worlds, with art being my favorite subject. So I naturally enjoyed manga and anime. 

Anime's strongest suits are obviously voice, music, and action. It can add depth to manga when making its anime adaptation. However, since a lot of anime shows are based on not only manga but light novels or games, I always had a hard time choosing my "favorite anime", for I do consume other forms of a same title and they're usually responsible for the storyline. I was hence happy to see the "Best Original Anime" category this year, so that we can formally send kudos to anime for their amazing characters and plots too. They definitely deserve acclaims.

 

How do you feel your career as a streamer and media personality gives you a unique perspective as a judge?

Shibuya: Being a streamer and media personality, you get to have access to more opinions, not just the people you follow or Twitter trends in your region. That is, I believe, an awesome advantage.

Being able to talk to many anime fans about your favorite shows is super rewarding. I hope I get to return the favor by helping promote the awards.

What is the most challenging aspect of judging an awards show like this? What parts of it are the most fun?

Shibuya: The most challenging and fun parts are in fact the same; we fans get to judge.

Having power to decide is both exhilarating and scaring, though it's a great opportunity to let the anime creators know that we understand and appreciate their efforts, that we notice and care about all the details, that we are worthy of their entertainment. We do our best to let them know we care.

What makes awards shows like these important for the industry?

Shibuya: International awards can easily convince the anime industry that they have a bigger audience to reach out to. At the same time, the fan voting system shows the community's passion for the contents that it's more than just another business chance. Crunchyroll Anime Awards should greatly encourage the industry.

As a returning judge, how do you think the awards changed and evolved over the years?

Shibuya: To hold a physical event since the pandemic, and also have it in Japan is a massive change to everyone.

As a judge, the nomination process has been hugely changed in a very positive way. It used to be more confusing as to which show can be eligible, given the fact releasing time is different in each country. For that, some newer shows that were still starting at the time of our 1st judging process got named so heavily (because they're so fresh in our memory, plus sakuga in early episodes tend to be better in general) that it almost felt too soon to be considered in each category.

This year, it's simple; 2021 November to 2022 September. I think it was incredibly fair and brave to say "2022 Fall shows from October won't take part", for they've been all over on social media when judging started.

Crunchyroll has even given us a long list for which anime is eligible, in both original Japanese title and English title. Although the number of TV series were impossible to be covered (they even stated that other titles besides the list can be included, if only they meet the requirement. And I came up with only one title that wasn't on the list), it was helpful to see all the movie names with their international release dates. Films are the contents we have a big gap in availability.

Actually, I have mentioned in my 2nd year of judging that "Why don't we have the Best Film category?". So I'm glad it has continued. I hope great animation on a gigantic screen gets to be more of a regular thing in the US too, not just a special screening for a day or a week.

When selecting nominees, what do you focus on? What aspects of an anime do you hone in on to make your selections?

Shibuya: Story, animation, music are the three pillars. Then pacing comes next. Last but not least, public reactions such as if the shows have been popular outside of the anime fan community like with live action adaptation and promotional events, or how much they have been talked about on social media, are also a good factor too. Personally, when we get to celebrate the biggest category "Anime of the Year", I'd like to thank the show for bringing more fans.

Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans around the world?

Shibuya: Thank you for allowing me to follow my passion and enjoy my hobbies to the point that I get to be an official judge for Crunchyroll Anime Awards. You have no idea how much it helps me to be taken seriously, and I'm so grateful for that.

Lastly, is there anything you want to say to anime fans leading up to the Anime Awards?

Shibuya: With anime getting more and more popular as content, there are shows acknowledged largely by the public. Because of that, as a judge, I feel like it's my duty to make sure rather obscure or lesser known shows won't be overlooked in the awards too, not just the obvious ones.

I hope voters try to watch all the nominees as much as possible, after we help narrow down the choices. And trust me, it was already hard to choose only 6 for some categories...

 

 

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Kaho has been a guest so frequently at international anime conventions—not to mention anime podcasts and YouTube shows—they now consider her a regular. She's also a DJ with a deep anime playlist and is excited to return for her 3rd year as a judge in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

 

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Let your voice be heard by voting in the Anime Awards here!

 

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