Toho Executive Proposes Peer Review System For Anime

Anime fans know that the medium grows bigger every single year. According to Toho executive Masaya Saito, Japan now produces more than 300 television anime series and 80 animated films in a typical year. Speaking at a recent symposium during TIFFCOM, Saito pointed out that this massive volume makes it impossible for any single person to watch everything.

To solve this issue, Saito is suggesting an industry wide peer review approach. Instead of relying on a small group of judges, creators and professionals would work together to evaluate these massive numbers of releases. This discussion is part of planning for a proposed international anime award that is expected to launch around 2027.

This matters to fans because a better award system could finally shine a light on hidden gems that get lost in the seasonal rush. As the anime community waits for more details on the 2027 launch, this conversation shows that the industry is trying hard to keep up with its own incredible growth.