Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Tokyo Anime Awards began in 2002 under the label Competition at the Tokyo International Anime Fair. The inaugural ceremony awarded Spirited Away the Grand Prix, setting a high standard for future winners.
The judges for the first event numbered 127, including 72 staff members and industry professionals. This panel included university professors, producers, chief editors, and fans to ensure a balanced perspective.
By 2014, the festival restructured itself into the Tokyo Anime Awards Festival and introduced separate categories for film and television. New awards for individual contributions such as Best Director and Best Screenplay were also added to highlight collaborative production.
The Anime Fan Award allows fans to vote from a pool of over 300 to 400 titles to narrow down to the best 100. The initial qualification required titles to have aired from November of the previous year to October of the current year, though this schedule was adjusted in 2017 and 2020.
Flutter by Howie Shia became the first non-Asian work to win the Open Entry Awards in 2007. This award provides a grand prize of one million yen to amateur creators from around the world.
Mikiko Watanabe was awarded posthumously for her work on Violet Evergarden after being killed in the Kyoto Animation arson attack. This recognition underscores the festival's respect for the industry's history and commitment to honoring significant contributions.