7 Best Anime of 2025
List of the Best Anime Series to Watch in 2025
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We are already approaching the halfway point of the 2020s, when anime as a form of content has become even more widespread all over the world. Then, what kind of lineup of anime series awaits us in 2025, right in the middle of such an era?
Anime fans around the world can rest assured this year as well. That’s because, in addition to new seasons of hugely popular series, we can expect adaptation of beloved manga and light novels and even completely original anime. Many of these works will be produced by skilled anime studios and their talented staff. In Japan, they will be broadcast on TV, while globally, they will be distributed through major video platforms.
So, which anime titles should we pay attention to? In this article, I will introduce masterpieces that are expected to be called the best anime of 2025. Along with that, I will also provide background information such as the number of episodes and the production studio so that even newcomers to anime will understand how to enjoy these later anime series.
Additionally, at the bottom of the article, I will also introduce this year’s “worst anime.” However, I want to make it clear that the intention is not to blindly criticize these works. The “worst anime” mentioned here includes titles that failed to meet extremely high expectations or attempted something meaningful but couldn’t quite succeed, for example. In other words, these are still anime worth discussing.
1. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Season 3)
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活), which is the most famous and popular Isekai anime series among both anime beginners and lovers, has released its third and newest season since October last year. After the first season broadcast in 2016 and the second in 2020 and 2021, the third season of Re:Zero consists of two parts: 8 episodes as the Attack Arc in Autumn 2024 and another 8 episodes as the Counterattack Arc in Winter 2025. White Fox is responsible for the animation production throughout the entire season.
The latest part airing from February 2025 focuses on the epic battle between the Subaru side and the side of four Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult. The candidates and their allies are competing within the grand framework of the Royal Selection. At the same time, they must join forces to fight against an external enemy, the Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult. This dual structure makes the anime even more thrilling for viewers. If you have not watches the Re:Zero past episodes ever, 2025 is not too late for you to bear witness to this great series.
2. Sakamoto Days
Blending comedy, action, and slice-of-life elements, Sakamoto Days follows Taro Sakamoto, a former legendary hitman who retires to run a convenience store at peace with his wife and kid. At the same time, he finds himself constantly pulled back into his old life. With a unique no-kill rule and an arsenal of clever tactics, Sakamoto fends off assassins while maintaining his peaceful life. The manga’s fast-paced action and humor with various cool characters have made it a fan-favorite.
Many fans initially believed that the true star of the Winter 2025 anime season would be Sakamoto Days, and to be fair, it is an entertaining anime. However, given the popularity of the original manga, it wouldn’t have been surprising if it had completely dominated this season. That being said, the general impression so far is that it remains in the realm of “a well-made anime” rather than standing out as an absolute hit. With major manga like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen coming to an end, Sakamoto Days has taken on the role of representing Weekly Shonen Jump.
Of course, only the introductory episodes have aired so far, so there’s still plenty of room for its reputation to grow depending on how the adaptation unfolds. Let’s look forward to seeing how it develops. And don’t get the wrong idea: this is undoubtedly one of the must-watch anime of the year.
3. The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2)
In an era where anime categories have become more clearly defined, The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと) stands out as a somewhat unique presence. It is not just a mystery, nor just a comedy, romance, or historical drama—it is a fusion of all these elements. The first season of The Apothecary Diaries launched with 24 episodes in 2023 and 2024, adapted from Natsu Hyuga’s light novel series. And, the second season came back in the beginning of 2025.
Maomao’s sharp analysis of various incidents and power struggles, often involving mysterious deaths within the imperial harem, remains unchanged from the first season, almost as if she were a detective. Another key highlight of the new arc is the evolving relationship and shifting distance between her and Jinshi, the eunuch who serves as the other main character.
Additionally, the story casts a spotlight on foreign relations with this Chinese country and introduce new supporting characters, promising plenty of intriguing developments ahead. With its compelling contrast between serious cases and peaceful, comedic everyday moments, this anime is definitely worth keeping an eye on this year.
4. Dr. Stone: Science Future (Season 4)
The finest science-fantasy anime that transcends 3,700 years, which first began in 2019, has finally entered its final chapter. Titled Dr. Stone: Science Future, the fourth season started airing in January 2025. It has also been confirmed that this final season will be divided into multiple cours. Originally concluding the run of its manga series in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2022, Dr. Stone is now on the verge of having all 27 volumes adapted into anime by TMS Entertainment.
While Dr. Stone is driven by rational science, it carries a sense of wonder that almost feels like fantasy. In the Stone World, Senku and his allies have embarked on an ambitious project to build a spaceship from scratch. However, an enemy awaits at the end of their great voyage, where every achievement from their long journey will be put to the test. It has harnesses the power of science, which had once been Senku’s greatest advantage in this era.
5. Medalist
There are some successful anime that has a theme of figure skating, and Medalist (メダリスト) has the potential to be the most highly acclaimed in its genre, just like Yuri on Ice. Adapted from Tsurumaikada’s manga series published since 2020, it seems that this anime production by the studio ENGI has been warmly received among fans.
Medalist tells a story about how the dream of becoming a top figure skater can be realized, or whether it’s even possible at all. Moreover, the presence of parents and coaches, who may struggle just as much, if not more, than the skater themselves, enhances the realism of this anime.
6. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (チ。-地球の運動について-) is one of the best anime airing in 2025, whose first half actually began in end of 2024. In recent years, its original manga by Uoto has rapidly gained attention, and this particular work has been one of the most highly anticipated adaptations since then. Now that the anime has begun, the very first episode has already demonstrated a world of remarkable depth, fully meeting those high expectations.
Madhouse adapted the story up to volume 8 of the manga and condensed it into a single 25-episode season, which is a great decision. This structure ensures that even anime beginners will find it easy to follow.
Set in an era when the geocentric theory was endorsed by the Church, a highly intelligent boy named Rafal has a passion for astronomy. However, his surroundings expect him to study theology instead. Everything changes when he meets Hubert, a man branded a heretic, and learns that he is determined to prove the heliocentrism, which is being strictly forbidden. Their pursuit of a truth punishable by death shows a powerful aesthetic of intellectual defiance. This anime possesses a one-of-a-kind-uniqueness unlike anything seen before.
7. Blue Box
Though it is not purely an anime that began in 2025, Blue Box (アオのハコ) is one of the best features in the firs period this year, airing as the second cour following the first part that started in the last autumn. It is the romantic-comedy anime adaptation based on the popular manga serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump, which has brought to the world with unusual quality by Telecom Animation Film. It is also well known among manga fans that the original comic book is created by female mangaka Kouji Miura.
Blue Box mainly depicts high school students’ love life and club activities, and the love triangle between these three is interesting: Taiki, Chinatsu and Hina. There are certainly inner conflicts within each character, but there is no ugliness at all, which is what makes it so impressive. By the way, the surnames of these three characters represent “Ino Shika Cho” (Boar, Deer and Butterfly), a traditional card combination in the Japanese game Hanafuda. This trio is often associated with balance and harmony, but when applied to human relationships, it can also symbolize a delicate and sometimes unstable triangular dynamic.
Worst Anime of 2025
Zenshu
It’s disappointing to have to name Zenshu (全修。) as one of the “worst” anime of 2025. That being said, it’s not the absolute worst anime out there. The reason it’s being mentioned here is that, despite sky-high expectations before its release, it ultimately failed to meet them. Back in March 2024, Mappa, the anime studio behind recent mega-hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, announced that they would be producing a completely original anime. Naturally, many anime fans were incredibly excited.
The title Zenshu refers to a term in the Japanese anime industry meaning “complete revision” or “all retakes.” Early teasers and promotional materials suggested that the anime would depict the world of anime production. Many people, including me, expected something in the vein of that kind of anime like Shirobako.
However, when Zenshu finally aired, it turned out to be yet another Isekai anime, lacking much originality. The animation and worldbuilding are well done, and there are certainly viewers who will enjoy it. But given the hype surrounding it, many had hoped for something more unique and innovative. I’ll say it again. Being labeled as a “worst” here simply means that it is an anime worth discussing.
This article will be updated each season as new potential anime are released. Stay tuned for the latest developments in 2025 anime.
If you are interested in the best anime in these past few years, check these articles below!
▶ 2o Best Anime of 2024 from Dandadan to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
▶ 23 Best Anime of 2023 from Oshi no Ko to Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 3
▶ 23 Best Anime of 2022 from Lycoris Recoil to Chainsaw Man
▶ 20 Best Anime of 2021 from Mushoku Tensei to 86
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I'm writing by my motto: helping travelers spend their limited time experiencing something priceless in Japan. My articles won't let you down! Living in Tokyo and traveling many popular and hidden sites all over Japan, I deliver well-selected and latest tourist information to you from the perspective of “100% Japanese local”. My specific interests are island hopping, eating countless bowls of ramen, watching anime and reading manga. Enjoy Japan Web Magazine for recommended food spots, hidden gems Japanese Otaku (geek) culture, and everything about Japan :)
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