Top 10 Best Anime of 2025 So Far
#10: Sakamoto Days (2025)
Fans of the source material may have their grievances, but theres no denying the antics of this retired hitman have made for a solid watch, especially for us action junkies. Despite leaving the killing life behind him, Sakamoto is pulled back in when assassins start coming out of the woodwork, dead set on ending him. In spite of putting on a few pounds and starting a family, Sakamoto is no less of a beast. With an endearing supporting cast, splendid fights and some great gags, even if it falls short of peak, its still worth checking out for yourself.
#9: Witch Watch (2025)
A romantic comedy from the mad lad behind Sket Dance was always going to be a winner when it came to making us laugh. We just didnt expect it to be so cute! As a newly fledged witch eager to help out, Nicos spells more often than not bring more calamity than stability, which proves to be a major headache for her bodyguard/childhood friend/love interest Morihitowho also happens to be an ogre in disguise. Its a melting pot of tropes, teasing and surprisingly wholesome moments, and one were happy to see has thrived.
#8: Apocalypse Hotel (2025)
Possibly the biggest surprise of the year the last thing we had on our bingo cards was a beautifully animated, post-apocalyptic, slice of life teaming with dark comedy, all taking place in a hotel run by robots. After the planet becomes inhospitable, humanity makes a break for the stars, leaving the android staff of the Gingarou Hotel to continue maintenance until their return. As the centuries pass, the hotel finds itself catering to moreintergalactic clientele, including a family of alien tanuki. Weird and wonderful in equal measure, its not the first time that Cygames have dropped a banger this year
#7: Fire Force Season Three (2025)
Coming in hot once again, Shinras return to the shonen forefront was well worth the wait, and now it seems like were approaching the endgame. Framed by the White Clad, Company 8 are forced to go on the run, all the while trying to stop the cult of flame obsessed psychos from turning their world from becoming a second sun. Though now theyve got the strongest Fire Force commander in history under the Evangelists commandthats easier said than done. While we wont get the grand finale until next year, whats on offer is a burning bonanza not to be missed.
#6: Dr. Stone: Science Future (2025)
Leaving the stone age behind and heading right towards the space age, Senku and the rest of his fellow would-be scientists have never been closer to undoing the petrification that put civilization on pause. But, as always, theres a new obstacle in their way, and his name is Dr Xero. Just as smart and twice as ruthless, Xero serves as the perfect foil for Senkus idealistic view of science with his own callous calculations. As the technology between the two factions continues to flourish, the battle of wits becomes all the deadlier. As far as final arcs go, this one is top of the class.
#5: Medalist (2025)
Anime and figure skating have already proven themselves to be an unrivalled power dynamic, but even then, what Medalist has accomplished not only in terms of visual splendor but sheer emotional impact is astounding. When a former skater well-passed his prime sees potential in a gifted yet overly anxious girl, the two partner up with the goal of turning her into a professional on the ice. Calling it heartfelt would be doing it a disservice, as Inoris struggles and success are bound to turn even the most stone-faced viewer into a bubbling wreck.
#4: Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray (2025)
Its a horse girls world now, were just living in it. If youre not familiar with this gatcha phenomenon, Uma Musume has been dominating the conversation thanks to a combination of cute waifus and the thrill of seeing them compete in raceswhile they also channel the speed force with some of this years wildest animation. Cinderella Gray is their latest attempt at an anime adaptation, and it might be their best to date. We never thought seeing an anime girl with horse appendages going god mode would be this exciting to watch, but this latest season has proven us resoundingly wrong! Cygames really are killing it in the anime department!
#3: Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025)
Any time a new Gundam series drops its a huge cultural event for anime fans - and GQUUUUUUX was no different. With Khara taking the reins this time around, every week we got bombshell after bombshell in lore drops coupled with some of the best action the mecha genre has seen in years. The use of music in the series was masterful, youre practically guaranteed to get chills from some of the needledrops. Really our only complaint is that it was too short. Again though, we do not recommend jumping on this one if you havent watched the original series because, simply put, youre going to get filtered.
#2: Solo Leveling Season Two (2025)
Following on from his re-awakening, Jinwoos rise from the weakest to the strongest Hunter in existence quickly established itself as THE anime power fantasy. Thanks to his newly inherited ability to create shadowy minions from his conquered foes, it wasnt long before every battle in this series became an exercise in aura farming, especially with animation this flashy. Youd think after seeing every fight become a one-sided slaughter fest, it would make for a boring watch, but between the continued power creep of every foe thrown Jinwoos way along with every boss monster being turned into a potential summon, the excitement for this series has yet to fade.
Before we reveal our number one pick, here are some currently running anime that have only just gotten out of the gate, but have the potential to become contenders by the years end.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (2025)
New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (2025)
Gachiakuta (2025)
The Summer Hikaru Died (2025)
My Dress-Up Darling Season Two (2025)
Dandadan Season Two (2025)
#1: The Apothecary Diaries Season Two
Never bet against Maomao. With nothing more than her powers of observation, deduction and a high tolerance for poison, along with an unfathomable amount of sass, this herbalist won our hearts instantly, and her second coming has only strengthened that admiration. With the political strife among the Emperors inner circle only increasing, Maomaos mental fortitude is once again put to the test. The only thing more compelling than the political intrigue being her budding relationships with the Rear Palaces many courtesans, along with the ever mysterious, ever entrancing Jinshi. This anime truly is one of a kind.
Which series do you think will take best of 2025? Let us know in the comments.
