The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024, an eagerly anticipated event in the anime community, recently unveiled the winner of the coveted Best Main Character award, none other than Monkey D. Luffy, the charismatic protagonist of Toei Animation’s epic, One Piece.
This revelation brought immense joy to fans, particularly after the earlier controversy when One Piece was surprisingly absent from the nominations for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 Anime of the Year category.
The 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards took place in Tokyo, Japan, on March 2, 2024. Commencing at 6 p.m. JST, the event was charmingly hosted by Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira, featuring a star-studded lineup of presenters from the realms of music, acting, directing, and streaming.
Monkey D. Luffy Wins the Best Main Character Award at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024
Emiru, the American Twitch streamer, cosplayer, and podcaster, had the honor of presenting the Best Main Character award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024.
The choice of Monkey D. Luffy as the winner resonated strongly with fans who had the privilege to cast their votes daily.
In light of One Piece’s vast and dedicated fan base, Luffy’s triumph was almost inevitable.
Yet, the character has faced criticism for perceived one-dimensionality and limited character development compared to more intricate figures like Thorfinn.
However, dismissing Luffy’s victory would oversimplify matters. The Wano arc, concluding last year, showcased a transformative journey for Luffy.
Facing the formidable Kaido, touted as the strongest man on earth, Luffy underwent life-threatening battles, culminating in the groundbreaking introduction of Gear 5.
In a departure from previous Gear transformations rooted in his Devil Fruit powers, Gear 5 marked the awakening of Luffy’s Devil Fruit, elevating him significantly above Kaido.
The animation spectacle, curated by various talented animators, added a new layer to Luffy’s character.
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 Best Main Character category boasted strong contenders:
- Luffy from One Piece
- Hitori Gotoh (a.k.a. Bocchi) from Bocchi the Rock!
- Denji from Chainsaw Man
- Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan The Final Chapters: Special 1
- Shigeo Kageyama (a.k.a. Mob) from Mob Psycho 100 III
- Thorfinn from Vinland Saga season 2
The year 2023 treated anime enthusiasts to an array of unforgettable series and films, reflected in the exceptional nominations across categories.
In the captivating narrative of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy, inspired by legendary pirates like Gol D. Roger and Shanks, aspires to become the Pirate King. Leading a diverse crew, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the coveted treasure, One Piece, facing challenges from the World Government and rival pirates along the vast seas.