It’s too early to say if animanga fans find themselves in the midst of a renaissance, but there have been some absolutely killer releases in recent years. From huge adaptations likeDandadanto underrated gems likeOrb: On the Movements of the EarthandBartender: Kami no Glass, 2024 delivered a barrage of top-notch anime truly deserving of viewers' time. 2025 is promising the same; in fact, the year is absolutely stacked with choice titles that make it hard to whittle down the list.Winter 2025 alone is packed with amazing anime.
There are a number of honorable mentions, likeDandadan’s second season orthe comeback of major franchises likeLupin the ThirdandKATSEYE. Releases throughout the year are so promising that it almost feels sacrilegious to exclude them. Nonetheless, the whittling has happened: here’s a well-rounded sampling of the top anime 2025 has in store.
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
Cast
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- follows the story of Natsuki Subaru, a young man suddenly transported to a fantasy world. Struggling to understand his new environment, he discovers he has the ability to return from death, allowing him to change past events. With each resurrection, Subaru forges alliances and confronts the challenges of this alternate realm, endeavoring to protect those he grows to care for while unraveling the mysteries surrounding his predicament.
First up is a continuation ofRe:Zero’s stellar third season. For the uninitiated,Re:Zerois a genre-breaking isekaithat dabbles with the genre conventions of drama, romance, and psychological anime too. Centering around the protagonist Subaru Natsuki,Re:Zerofocuses on on his special ability, “Return by Death”, as he navigates the political and social dimensions of a world he’s more than happy to call home.Words can’t describe the sheer power that this series has—but they can try, and anybody who hasn’t given it a chance should at least do that much.
The first part ofRe:Zero’s third seasonbrought some of its best character development and world-building yet. Subaru convincingly went fromone of isekai’s most frustrating protagoniststo a full-throated leader, while heroine Emilia has shown her unique strength andRe:Zeroshows its singular emphasis on its supporting cast among its isekai competitors. The third season leaves off as Subaru and crew mount a counterattack against the Witch Cultists after they completely dominate the city of Priestella. So goes the “Attack” arc of season 3.On February 25, fans will get to return to Priestella to see how theRe:Zero’s “Counterattack” arc plays out.
Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
Solo Levelingsits alongsideTower of Godastwo majorly impactful manhwa in a sphere that traditionally has been Japan-only. Despite possessing a simple premise on its face—Sung Jin-woo’s combat level advances far faster than those around him—Solo Levelinghas won fans over with its hype action, compelling narrative, and lovable cast. The first season plainly established just why the series has been seen as a tour de force in manhwa communities for years.
Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-premiered on August 11, 2025. It’s been running steady ever since. Having started off by wrapping up the Red Gate arc and promising stable progress into the series' acclaimed Jeju Island arc,Solo Leveling’s second season is going to hit some of the series' highest notes. Airing now on Crunchyroll,Solo Levelingis a must-see anime functioning a loving ode to battle shōnen and isekai.
My Hero Academia
Anime series My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where most have them. Despite his lack of abilities, he enrolls in a prestigious hero academy, striving to learn the true essence of heroism and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.
Elephant in the room:My Hero Academia’s famously controversial ending. DespiteMy Hero Academia’s later epilogue, which some argue saved the series' finale, the ending already wasn’t bad on its own (albeit perhaps unexpected for longtime fans). In fact, viewers still have plenty of reasons to tune in for the final season of the beloved shōnen, with the “Star and Stripes”, “UA”, and “Final War” arcs still lying ahead. A precise date hasn’t been announced, but for now,My Hero Academia’s final seasoncan be expected in Fall 2025.
Lazarus
In 2052, humanity celebrates unprecedented peace, thanks to Hapuna—a miracle drug eradicating pain and illness. Three years later, its creator, Dr. Skinner, resurfaces with a grim revelation: Hapuna is a delayed toxin, and death looms for all who took it. With just 30 days to avert catastrophe, a global task force called Lazarus assembles to locate Skinner and develop a cure.
One of the most exciting projects ahead in 2025 is another original coming from the creator ofCowboy BebopandSamurai Champloo, animated by the capable hands at MAPPA and developed in conjunction with the minds behindJohn Wick. Of all director Shinichirō Watanabe’s projects,Lazaruspromises to be the true spiritual successor toCowboy Bebop.
If anybody could help with recapturing the iconic magic ofCowboy Bebop, it would bethe dream team joining hands with him.Lazarusis slated for a 2025 release, and it already looks fantastic based on the first looks fans have been given. Details are few and far between right now, but every anime enthusiast should keep their eyes peeled.
The Rose of Versailles
The Rose of Versailles is a film based on the life of Oscar François de Jarjayes, a noblewoman raised as a man in pre-revolutionary France. As commander of Marie Antoinette’s palace guard, she navigates the opulence and political intrigue of King Louis XVI’s court alongside her loyal servant, André.
The Rose of Versaillesis one of the most important shoujo series of all time. The series has a deeply compelling story behind its choices, which pushed the envelope for what shoujo series could do and talk about. Even today, it remains one of the most provocative and interesting stories around—one which just happens to serve as a landmark representative of the birth of modern shoujo’s most recognizable traits.
In spite of its profound influence and its singular perspective,The Rose of Versailleshasn’t actually been animated since its adaptation back in the late ’70s. MAPPA (Attack on Titan: Final Season,Jujutsu Kaisen,Chainsaw Man) has answered the colossal call, promising to bring the series to life yet againwith a new film to debut on Jul 23, 2025. The studio’s renowned ability to imbue storytelling deeply into animation is already evident inThe Rose of Versaille’s gorgeous trailer.
Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 follows Kafka Hibino, who dreams of joining The Defense Force alongside childhood friend Mina Ashiro in a world beset by Kaiju. Kafka’s path diverges as he works cleaning up post-battle, but his encounter with Reno Ichikawa reignites his vow to defend humanity. Released in 2024.
Kaiju no. 8hosts a perhaps familiar premise forAttack on Titanfans: in a world where the enemy is monsters, the protagonist ends up being able to turn into a monster. Don’t be misled, though; the series has an identity all its own, and its super engaging first season has fans hooked. Season 1 ended with protagonist Kafka being taken into custody.Kaiju no. 8’s second seasonwill premiere in July 2025, picking up where the first season left off as Kafka returns, his tactical value now proven, and the series turns the intensity up to 11.
Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is an anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity has been petrified for thousands of years. The story follows high school student Senku Ishigami who awakens and seeks to rebuild civilization from scratch using his extensive knowledge of science.
Dr. Stonehas easily won fans over through the years thanks to its novel approach in reworking science fiction through the lens of a battle/adventure shonen. It could even be argued to be an isekai, as genius Senku Ishigami tries to rebuild in a future where the technology viewers know and love has all but disappeared. The first three seasons have been absolutely fantastic,and the fourth season promises to be even better.
Dr Stone: Science Futureis a multipart seasonwhich premiered onJanuary 9, 2025. Its trajectory and its manga counterpart indicate that the season will do a lot of work in lore, world-building, and character departments as the main troupe sets off for the much-beloved South America arc. Anime fans need to catch up on the series if they haven’t seen it already, asthe tantalizing mystery at the core of the series—who petrified humanity in the first place?—comes closer to unraveling.
The Apothecary Diaries - Season 2
In 2024,The Apothecary Diarieswon viewers over withits effortless blend of romance, historical drama, and episodic medical mystery. Covering the travails of an apothecarial apprentice, Maomao, who’s kidnapped and sold off to a court in imperial China, the series' intriguing voicehas propelledThe Apothecary Diariesto be one of the top-selling light novels and manga for years. Its anime, streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix, has followed suit and broughtThe Apothecary Diarieseven further acclaim.
The second season ofThe Apothecary Diarieshas been hotly anticipated; the series is intoxicating on its own, and its episodic format has left fans craving more of the same.The first episode ofThe Apothecary Diariesseason 2has been lauded for reinforcing one ofThe Apothecary Diaries' core themes: how women get along in a male-dominated world, and what barriers exist for them. Since premiering on June 19, 2025,The Apothecary Diaries' second season has elegantly met expectations so far, with no signs of slowing down.
ZENSHU
After graduating from high school, Natsuko Hirose quickly rises in the animation industry and is celebrated for her directorial debut. However, her next project, a romantic comedy, hits a roadblock when she struggles to understand first love, something she’s never experienced. This internal conflict threatens the entire production.
One of the little moments 2024 provided was the author of award-winning mangaKeep Your Hands Off Eizouken!coming out with demands for a second season. It may not beEizouken, but it mirrors its premise of manga/anime as a craft. Above all,Zenshuis a MAPPA must-watch for 2025. Centering around a girl who gets sucked into a world that she created,Zenshuis a provocative take on isekai.
Zenshu’s heroine is already being comparedto the likes ofJujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo Satoru, one of the highest honors in the animanga world. The series isalready airing, havingpremiered onJanuary 5, 2025, and it shows MAPPA at the top of their game with gorgeous animation. The veteran studio reveal themselves astotal masters of the craft with an indefatigable love letter to animation as a whole.
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc follows Denji, a unique devil hunter known as Chainsaw Man, now part of Special Division 4. After an encounter with Reze, a café worker he meets while sheltering from the rain, Denji’s life takes an unexpected turn amidst his pursuit of personal dreams.
WithChainsaw Man’s first season premiering back in 2022, it’s been a while since fans of the franchise have gotten anything new. The end ofChainsaw Man’s first seasonhinted at the enthralling arc to follow with a shot of Reze. Denji falls for Reze and negotiates his struggles with his unique identity inChainsaw Man’s world; it’s sunshine, until the Bomb Devil appears.
Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arcis a promising conceptcovering a fan-favorite arc of the manga. While a concrete release date for Japanese cinemas hasn’t yet been provided, it’s known thatthe movie will come out at some point this year. Fans of the franchise should prepare for an intense, explosive ride.
