As the sun sets on 2025, I find myself sitting in a quiet room, reflecting on a year of television that felt surprisingly… different. If I’m being honest, 2025 as a year felt a bit lackluster compared to the back-to-back titans we’ve seen in previous seasons. There were gaps where the hype felt hushed, yet, in that quiet, some of the most notable shows I’ve ever seen managed to take root.
This year wasn’t just about watching shows; it felt like witnessing the end of an era while new legends quietly began to rise. This is my personal list of the best anime of 2025. It’s biased, it’s raw, and it’s a reflection of the stories that moved me long after the final credits rolled.
My Top 20 Best Anime of 2025
1. The Summer Hikaru Died
Haunting, atmospheric, and undeniably well-made. This adaptation captured a specific kind of rural dread that is so hard to get right. It’s my top anime of 2025 because it isn’t just horror; it’s a beautiful, terrifying look at grief and identity.
Related Post: The Summer Hikaru Died is a Quietly Devastating Masterpiece
2. My Hero Academia Final Season
An era has officially come to an end. I’ll admit to some recency bias here—I’m still reeling from the finale—but MHA proved why it is a modern shonen pillar. Watching Deku’s journey conclude was a triumph of emotional storytelling.
3. Takopi’s Original Sin
This one absolutely brought the house down. It’s a heart-wrenching psychological drama hidden behind a deceptive art style. It’s bleak and heavy, but easily some of the best storytelling of 2025.
4. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
A massive step up from the first season. The production team brought pure fire to every episode, especially the premiere. It solidified itself as a high-octane spectacle that never let up.
5. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
It is so rare to get a romance this raw, pure, and innocent. In a world of “will-they-won’t-they” tropes, this show makes you believe in the transformative power of love again. It’s a healing masterpiece.
6. Dr. Stone: Science Future (Part I & II)
The ride continues! This season was a fantastic, high-speed testament to human ingenuity. It’s science, it’s adventure, and it’s consistently some of the most fun I had watching anime this year.
7. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
While I still think the first season was superior in its cohesion, Maomao and Jinshi are a duo that simply cannot be beaten. Their chemistry remains one of the highlights of my week.
8. Sakamoto Days (Part I & II)
The choreography in Sakamoto Days is elite. Whether in Part I or II, the action beats are inventive and stylish. It’s the kind of show that reminds you why we love the medium of animation.
9. Medalist
For me, Medalist remains the superior sports drama of recent years. The emotional stakes are visceral; you feel every fall on the ice and every ounce of Inori’s determination.
10. Kaiju No. 8 2nd Season
It’s now a heavyweight. The second season doubled down on the action beats and expanded the world in a way that feels earned and exciting.
The 11–20 Rankings: The Not-to-Be-Missed
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Call of the Night Season 2 – Still the king of “vibe” anime.
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Secrets of the Silent Witch – A charming, understated surprise.
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GACHIAKUTA – Gritty, unique, and visually striking.
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Wind Breaker Season 2 – High-energy character growth at its best.
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Re:ZERO Season 3: Part II – The suffering continues, and it’s as compelling as ever.
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Dandadan Season 2 – Pure, unadulterated chaos in the best way.
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My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 – A sweet return to the characters we love.
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Fire Force Season 3 – Visual pyrotechnics that kept the screen glowing.
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Ruri Rocks – A quiet gem that deserves more eyes on it.
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Grand Blue Season 2 – The perfect comedic palette cleanser.
Honorable Mentions
These didn’t quite make the Top 20, but they deserve a spot in the conversation:
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The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2
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Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2
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With You and the Rain
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Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus
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May I Ask for One Final Thing?
Every list is subjective, and this one is deeply personal. You might notice some “sequel fatigue” in my lower rankings or a heavy preference for character-driven drama in my top five. While 2025 had its lackluster moments—times where the production schedules felt thin—the core strengths of these shows made them essential.
Whether it was the raw horror of Hikaru or the pure innocence of Fragrant Flower, these are the stories that reminded me why I keep coming back to anime every year.
Last Updated on December 29, 2025 by Yu Alexius
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