The fall 2024animeseason is officially over, and with it, the winter 2025 anime season can finally begin. As the first anime season of the year, the winter season always sets the tone for how good a year anime fans are in for, so more often than not, it’s the most important season to watch.
The winter anime season almost always needs to be big, and fortunately, 2025 will be no different. Between the return of established hits and the premieres of new anime that are sure to make names for themselves,the winter 2025 anime season will be another season filled with great anime for old and new fans alike. A few anime, in particular, are especially worth highlighting, as each one is sure to be among thebest anime to watch in 2025, as a whole.
Anime Series By Ajia-do Animation Works; Based On The Manga By Michiro Ueyama
Ajia-do Animation Works’From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!stars Kenzaburo Tondabayashi, a salaryman who, after getting into a car accident, reincarnates as Grace Auvergne, the villainess of his daughter’s favoriteotomegame,Magical Academy: Love & Beast. Kenzaburo tries to commit to his role as the villainess and let the story play out as smoothly as possible, but unfortunately, his experience as an adult and a loving parent causes things to derail more often than not.
Villainessisekaianime have become increasingly common over the years, but fortunately,From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!’s clever comedy writing and fun character interactions make it a great parody of the genre. Old and new fans alike will surely get a lot out of it, and it’s sure to be a fun series to watch from start to finish.
9Medalist
Anime Series By ENGI; Based On The Manga By Tsurumaikada
ENGI’sMedaliststars Inori Yuitsuka, a young girl whose dreams of becoming an Olympic figure skater are hampered both by her mother not wanting her to fail like her sister did and how even at 11, she’s considered too old for serious training. One day, however, Inori meets Tsukasa Akeuraji, a former ice dancer on the brink of giving up skating, and when Tsukasa agrees to become Inori’s coach, they both begin to show the world just how talented they are.
As niche as the appeal of figure skating may be,the engaging character writing ofMedalistgives it all the appeal of the best sports anime, all of which is further emphasized by the great direction and music showcased in the trailers.Medalistis bound to be a great anime to watch, and that should be true for people who don’t even normally watch sports anime.
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World
Cast
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World follows a ranger squad leader transported to a mystical realm. Embracing his newfound surroundings, he leverages his abilities to protect the vulnerable, embarking on a series of quests that test his courage and leadership in an unfamiliar world.
Satelight’sThe Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another Worldstars Togo Asagaki i.e. Kizuna Red, the Red Ranger of aSuper Sentaiteam who’s suddenly transported to a fantasy world. Said fantasy world is currently being plagued by demonic threats, and Togo, being the hero he is, decides to lend a hand in saving the world, even if his new friends find his methods utterly bizarre.
Not only does the anime look to have a highly pleasing art and animation style, butThe Red Ranger Becomes and Adventurer in Another Worldtakes full advantage of its parody stylings with how much it leans into the most absurd tropes of bothisekaiandSuper Sentai, making for one of the most unique takes on both genres in years. There’s plenty of appeal for fans of both genres, and overall, it’s a great one to look out for.
Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc
Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc (2024) continues the iconic wrestling saga, exploring the backstory of Kinnikuman. This new installment delves into the origins and adventures of the protagonist and his rivals, combining humor, action, and character development. Featuring new and returning characters, it aims to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.
Production I.G’sKinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arcis a sequel to the legendaryShonen JumpanimeKinnikuman. Shortly after the events of the original anime, the world falls under the threat of the Perfect Large Numbers, the true members of the villainous Perfect Chojin faction, and Kinnikuman must come out of retirement and team up with old allies and enemies alike to save the world once more.
While season 1 was notably underrated, it was still great to watch thanks to the fun story and incredible fight scenes, and based on the trailer,Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arcseason 2 will be a perfect continuation of season 1 with its great animation and even greater story beats. The series hasn’t been the best introduction toKinnikumanfor Western fans, but anyone who has been enjoying it will continue to find a lot to love.
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.
In the world of A-1 Pictures’Solo Leveling, people can awaken to supernatural abilities and work as “Hunters” who earn a living fighting monsters in dungeons. Jinwoo Sung is regarded as the world’s weakest Hunter for being an E-Rank Hunter, but when a near-death experience leaves him with video game-like powers, Jinwoo will use them to become stronger than anyone and earn enough money to support his family, regardless of how he might change in the process.
Solo Leveling’s gorgeous animation and fight scenes helped it take the world by storm in 2024,Solo Levelingseason 2,Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow, will be just as gorgeous to watch and make the story even better by fully showcasing Jinwoo’s new powers as the Shadow Monarch.Solo Leveling’s second season is when the anime will truly come into its own, and that will be great to see.
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.
MAPPA’sZenshustars Natsuko Hirose, a brilliant, yet antisocial animator who’s put under so much pressure to succeed that she ends up working herself to death. After dying, however, Natsuko finds herself in the world ofA Tale of Perishing, the anime that inspired her to become an animator, and while the story is supposed to end in tragedy, she takes it upon herself to try and give it a happy ending.
Isekaianime have long become contentious with fans and critics alike, but between the meta-narrative on the struggles of being in a creative field and the gorgeous visuals of a MAPPA production,Zenshuis set to be far better than the averageisekaianime thanks to its stellar visuals and clever writing. MAPPA tends to put out great work more often than not, and hopefully,Zenshuwill be no different.
Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days centers on Taro Sakamoto, a former top-tier hitman who has traded his life of crime for a peaceful existence running a convenience store. Despite his attempts to leave the underworld behind, Sakamoto’s past catches up with him as old rivals and dangerous enemies reappear, threatening his newfound tranquility. Forced to defend his family and business, Sakamoto must draw on his lethal skills while navigating the humorous and unexpected challenges of balancing his ordinary daily life with the chaos of his former profession.
TMS Entertainment’sSakamoto Daysstars Taro Sakamoto, a man who was once the world’s greatest assassin until he abruptly retired, started a family, and put on a lot of weight. Sakamoto would prefer to spend his days with his wife and child running the family convenience store, but circumstances beyond his control force him back into action, most notably those behind his mysterious retirement, in the first place.
TheSakamoto Daysmangahas been a hit for years thanks to its great comedy and intense action scenes reminiscent ofJohn Wick, and based on promotional material,theSakamoto Daysanime is going to do a great job of translating the writing and action of the manga into animation.Sakamoto Days’ anime has been hotly anticipated for years, and fortunately, it doesn’t look like it will disappoint, in the slightest.
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
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.
White Fox’sRe:Zero — Starting Life in Another Worldstars Subaru Natsuki, an ordinary boy who suddenly finds himself transported to a fantasy world. Rather than receive any overpowered abilities, however, Subaru finds himself with the power to return to specific points in time whenever he dies, and the series often uses that to have him die in increasingly horrific ways as he slowly gets involved in the darker elements of his new reality.
2024 saw the long-awaited premiere ofRe:Zeroseason 3, and while the first half was notably on the short side,Re:Zero — Starting Life in Another Worldseason 3 has been a great return with its stellar animation and consistently dramatic storytelling. The second half has a notably late premiere window in February, but even so, it’s sure to be another great continuation of the legendary anime.
The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, sold from her peaceful life to serve in the emperor’s palace. Her unique talents emerge when she solves a medical crisis involving the imperial heirs, attracting the attention of Jinshi, a palace official, and launching her into the complex world of palace intrigue and mysteries.
Toho Animation Studio and OLM, Inc.‘sThe Apothecary Diariestakes place in an Imperial China-esque setting and follows Maomao, a sharp-witted apothecary abducted and sold into the emperor’s palace. Using her extensive medicinal knowledge and keen observation skills, she demonstrates her value beyond just being a worker, andher talents soon attract the attention of the enigmatic eunuch Jinshi, leading to a deeper and more dangerous involvement in court affairs.
The Apothecary Diarieswas one of the breakout hits of late 2023 and early 2024 thanks to its great visuals and incredibly clever character writing, and if the trailers are anything to go on,The Apothecary Diariesseason 2will have everything great about season 1 while simultaneously taking things to an even higher degree.The Apothecary Diarieshas done a great job of making a name for itself in mainstream anime, and hopefully, season 2 won’t disappoint.
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You follows Rentaro Aijo, who, after being rejected 100 times in middle school, is told by the God of Love that he will meet 100 destined partners in high school, with dire consequences should they fail to reciprocate love.
Bibury Animation Studios’The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love Youstars Rentaro Aijou, an eccentric young boy who’s fallen in love 100 times and been rejected every time. One day, however, the God of Love tells Rentaro that he will gain 100 soulmates during his time in high school, all of whom he must love equally or else risk killing them for depriving them of a soulmate.
100 Girlfriendsseason 1 became a hit for how well it parodied the harem genre, and based on what little promotional material has been shown,The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love Youseason 2 will be even more absurd than season 1 was in all the best of ways. There’s no anime quite like100 Girlfriends, and that’s why season 2 is thebest anime to watch in winter 2025, by far.
