It's almost the end of the year, which means it's time to look back and share our highlights – and is there a better way than by revisiting the best anime of 2025? For lovers of the medium, we don't think so.
All in all, 2025 was an excellent year for anime. From new exciting titles to long-anticipated second parts and even decades-in-the-making conclusions, this year had it all. Of course, we can't talk about anime in 2025 without giving an honourable mention to the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc — three films that congregated anime fans in theatres around the world while amassing great successes at the box office.
However, to keep this list short and sweet, we've excluded the films and rounded up the 11 best anime shows of 2025 below, in no particular order. A word to the wise: add these titles to your watch lists STAT if you haven't already. These anime are the best TV shows to enjoy under a warm blanket with a hot cup of coffee, in our humble opinion.
Gachiakuta
One of the most exciting new titles of 2025 is, without a doubt, Gachiakuta. Adapted from Kei Urana's debut manga series, which she wrote and illustrated, Gachiakuta is a sharp social critique of overconsumption and power systems, veiled in trash-punk aesthetics courtesy of graffiti artist Andō Hideyoshi.
The anime is directed by Fumihiko Suganuma and produced by Studio Bones, and follows the story of Spherite Rudo (and his most prized possession) after he's framed for murder and thrown from the confines of the city into the Pit, where he'll learn garbage is more than meets the eye.
One Piece: Egghead Island Part 2
If you want political and social commentary, One Piece is, well, the one. Eiichiro Oda's masterful creation has famously been airing since 1999, with over a thousand episodes to date and counting – and that's why the show's One Piece Egghead Island Part 2 deserves a spot on this list.
The second part of the arc began airing in April 2025 after a six-month break and sees the Straw Hats embroiled in new futuristic mysteries that advance the show's carefully crafted overarching lore. Come for the action, stay for the plot. If you haven't yet started One Piece, this is your sign to do so to be caught up in time for the looming final stretch. Plus, it's on BBC iPlayer!
Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Based on the Japanese light novel series by Hyūganatsu, which is illustrated by Touko Shino, season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries aired from January to July – bringing even more mysteries to Maomao's adventures in the imperial palace.
Praised for its immaculate pacing and intriguing storylines rife with plot twists, there's a reason The Apothecary Diaries was nominated for Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Season 2 might seem slower in comparison, but it's only because the enigmas lie heavier. (Also, yes, the show's already been confirmed for a third season, which will premiere in late 2026.)
Lazarus
As soon as you watch one second of Lazarus, you'd immediately recognise Shinichiro Watanabe's style. Produced in tandem by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment for Adult Swim, Lazarus, the latest offering from the legendary anime director behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, is an action-packed story set between 2049 and 2052.
Imagine what would happen if taking aspirin once were a death sentence and the world didn't even know? That's the premise of Lazarus, but instead of aspirin, it is a widespread analgesic drug known as ‘Hapna’. With great animation and even better music, which even earned it an Emmy nomination, Lazarus's 13 episodes will have you on the edge of your seat.
Dan Da Dan Season 2
When it first premiered, Dan Da Dan, based on the manga series by Yukinobu Tatsu, immediately scored spots on many ‘best shows of 2024’ lists, so it comes as no surprise that the show's sophomore season is one of the anime highlights of 2025.
Season 2 of Dan Da Dan premiered in July 2025 and added a third counterpart, Jiji, to Momo and Okarun's supernatural adventures. Once childhood friends, Jiji returns to Momo's with a hidden supernatural of his own, and all hell breaks loose after he gets possessed by the powerful Evil Eye. If 12 more episodes don't seem nearly enough, fret not, because Dan Da Dan season 3 has already been greenlit.
Solo Leveling Season 2
Solo Leveling came back for a second season at the beginning of the year, and Jinwoo's story gets even more intricate. Season 2 of Solo Leveling, officially subtitled Arise from the Shadow, kicks things up a notch with Jinwoo's powers becoming even more ever-expanding, making for an epic adventure with new faces galore.
Solo Leveling, which will soon be adapted into a live-action K-drama, won the top spot of Anime of the Year at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. While its popularity continued to escalate, the webtoon adaptation is yet to get greenlit for season 3 or a follow-up movie, so we'd best enjoy season 2 until we do.
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
Season one of Kaiju No. 8, based on the 2020 web manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto, premiered in 2024, and we all immediately felt drawn to underdog Kafka Hibino. In season 2, which premiered in the summer of 2025, we all were rooting for him.
More serious and more action-packed, season 2 of Kaiju No. 8 picks up after Kafka's kaiju form is discovered by the Defence Force. To prove he's on humanity's side, he joins the elite First Division to prove— all under the watchful eye of the (incredibly cool) Captain Gen Narumi.
The Summer Hikaru Died
Based on mangaka Mokumokuren's original illustrated series, The Summer Hikaru Died is a new Netflix Original anime series produced by CygamesPictures, which mixes romantic queer themes with elements of supernatural horror and classic anime slice-of-life.
The 12-episode anime, which has already been renewed for a sophomore season, follows the story of Yoshiki and Hikaru, two unlikely best friends. One day, Hikaru disappears. He's gone for a week before he returns. And Yoshiki knows something has changed. At times chilling, at times heartwarming, The Summer Hikaru Died is the eerie story you didn't know you needed.
Takopi's Original Sin
Takopi's Original Sin, initially a web manga series written and illustrated by Taizan 5, got the anime treatment as a bite-sized six-episode miniseries back in June. The show might be small format-wise, but it packs a punch — one that goes direct to the heart.
Takopi's Original Sin follows the story of Happian (a.k.a. Takopi), an octopus-shaped alien who arrives on Earth with the sole mission of spreading happiness. However, his entire perception on happiness, love, and life changes when he meets Shizuka, a lonely fourth grader who has forgotten how to smile.
My Hero Academia Final Season
Back in 2016, My Hero Academia premiered with the premise of recounting Izuku Midoriya's journey to becoming the world's greatest hero — and that journey is finally coming to an end with the eighth and final season of the hit anime.
Premiering in October and airing all through mid-December, the final season of My Hero Academia is full of tear-jerking plot twists and epic battles, weaving together the long-awaited conclusion of the series's heroes vs. villains arc.
Wind Breaker Season 2
Based on the manga by Satoru Nii, CloverWorks (Spy × Family, Bocchi the Rock!) first adapted Wind Breaker into an anime in April 2024, with the show's second season arriving exactly a year later.
Season 2 of Wind Breaker continues Haruka Sakura's story from high school delinquent to heroic legend, and also introduces one of his main antagonists: the alluring and mysterious Yamato Endo, a former student at Furin High School who immediately develops an interest in the titular character.
This article originally appeared in TeenVogue.
