2025 is proving to be a spectacular year for anime. From high-stakes sequels to visionary originals, the medium continues to evolve with richer storytelling, breathtaking animation, and unprecedented fan energy. Whether you’re a long-time otaku or a newcomer, here’s your definitive guide to the top 10 anime that are defining the year—honoring both cultural impact and viewer buzz.
1. Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow (Season 2)
Aired: January 5 – March 30, 2025 (Midnight JST on January 4) on Tokyo MX and other networks.
Season 2 picks up immediately after the first arc, reintroducing Sung Jin-woo as the notorious Shadow Monarch. His internal journey deepens as he grapples with new threats—particularly a mysterious hunter who returns after a decade with dire forewarnings.
This season unpacks the Red Gate Arc and segues into the Demon Castle Arc, pushing Jin-woo’s strategic savviness and battlefield dominance to the limits. With A-1 Pictures at the helm, the animation is crisp and electrifying, matched by Hiroyuki Sawano’s adrenaline-pumping score. Fans in India streamed it exclusively on Crunchyroll, with the premiere timed at 11 PM IST on January 4.
Why it dominates 2025: It’s a textbook shōnen with compelling world-building, visual spectacle, and an emotionally complex protagonist who evolves beyond his underdog origins.
2. Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc
Japan Release Date: September 19, 2025 (Toho)
International Rollout: Beginning September 24, with the U.S. release on October 29.
This cinematic event adapts the Bomb Girl Arc (Chapters 40–52), focusing on Denji’s fateful meeting with Reze, a café-working “girl next door” with a terrifying secret: she’s the Bomb Devil.
The film reunites the core creative team—director Tatsuya Yoshihara, screenwriter Hiroshi Seko, and composer Kensuke Ushio—ensuring stylistic and narrative continuity from the anime series.
The tone oscillates between tender romance and explosive violence, gaining cinematic urgency under MAPPA’s animation and Toho’s distribution. Social buzz is high: one Redditor excitedly noted the confirmed September 19 release in Japan.Another fan weighed the tradeoffs of it being a movie instead of a series arc.
3. Gachiakuta
Premiere: July 6, 2025 on Crunchyroll (CBC, TBS in Japan)
A standout original shōnen from Bones Film, Gachiakuta centers on Rudo, a 15-year-old who slips into The Pit—a massive trash abyss in a dystopian floating city called Sphere. Society discards both objects and “inferior people,” spotlighting themes of social injustice and marginalization.
In a standout Episode 4 (released August 3, 2025), Rudo joins a group called the Cleaners, setting the stage for intense action, character dynamics, and an exploration of discarded humanity.
Bone’s animation brings The Pit’s gritty environment vividly to life—shocking in its detail yet poetic in execution. As one critic described: “Gachiakuta goes places I’ve never seen in an anime series.
Why it’s special: This isn’t just another shōnen. It wields social critique as the backbone of its narrative, wrapped in high-stakes visuals and emotional resonance.
4. Kaiju No. 8 – Season 2
While specific premiere dates are still under wraps, it’s confirmed for 2025 as part of an electrifying slate featuring Kaiju No. 8, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Dan Da Dan Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, and others.
Kafka Hibino returns, grappling with his dual-human, dual-kaiju identity amid escalating kaiju threat levels. The blend of heartfelt drama and transformative monster action remains the series’ unique strength.
What’s driving the hype: The series remains unmatched in turning kaiju destruction into deeply personal narrative fuel.
5. Dandadan – Season 2
Returning in summer 2025, Dandadan Season 2 brings back the irreverent supernatural romp with its famed “Evil Eye” arc. This surreal action-comedy blends ghostly chaos, absurd humor, and heartfelt character moments—amplified in its sophomore run.
Although specific air dates remain elusive, it’s part of a powerful summer lineup that also includes Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 and Sakamoto Days Part 2. If the first season’s genre-bending style remains intact, expect an even more wildly creative ride in 2025.
6. Sakamoto Days – Part 2
The action-comedy hit Sakamoto Days returns in Part 2, officially released globally on July 14, 2025. The trailers preview the opening theme “Method” by Kroi and promise a continuation of the blend of over-the-top fights and dry humor fans expect.
The second half continues the narrative arc from the first cour, expanding Taro Sakamoto’s (a formerly feared hitman turned family man) world. As episodes go live, new threats and character relationships—particularly involving Sakamoto’s connections and hidden past—come to the fo6. Sakamoto Days – Part 2
The action-comedy hit Sakamoto Days returns in Part 2, officially released globally on July 14, 2025. The trailers preview the opening theme “Method” by Kroi and promise a continuation of the blend of over-the-top fights and dry humor fans expect.
The second half continues the narrative arc from the first cour, expanding Taro Sakamoto’s (a formerly feared hitman turned family man) world. As episodes go live, new threats and character relationships—particularly involving Sakamoto’s connections and hidden past—come to the forefront.
However, not all feedback has been glowing. On Reddit, fans have expressed frustration with the adaptation’s execution, particularly around the fight choreography and pacing. One user lamented the animation turned “lifeless,” noting that skipping key chapters—like the “backpack chapter” which builds relationship depth—dampened emotional resonance.Others mention animation inconsistencies, praising certain early scenes (like Shin’s fight sequence), but criticizing a dip in quality thereafter.Despite this, some remain optimistic. Debates continue about Netflix’s production demands, tight schedules, and whether improvements in Part 2 might revive viewer enthusiasm.
Why it matters: Sakamoto Days Part 2 doubles down on its unique premise—an overweight family man with lethal skills—and fans hope it delivers more memorable action and humor, despite its mixed early reception.
However, not all feedback has been glowing. On Reddit, fans have expressed frustration with the adaptation’s execution, particularly around the fight choreography and pacing. One user lamented the animation turned “lifeless,” noting that skipping key chapters—like the “backpack chapter” which builds relationship depth—dampened emotional Others mention animation inconsistencies, praising certain early scenes (like Shin’s fight sequence), but criticizing a dip in quality thereafter. Despite this, some remain optimistic. Debates continue about Netflix’s production demands, tight schedules, and whether improvements in Part 2 might revive viewer enthusiasm.
Why it matters: Sakamoto Days Part 2 doubles down on its unique premise—an overweight family man with lethal skills—and fans hope it delivers more memorable action and humor, despite its mixed early reception.
7. Witch Hat Atelier
From the dream studios bringing the manga to life: Witch Hat Atelier, by Kamome Shirahama, will debut as an anime series in 2025, produced by Bug Films and directed by Ayumu Watanabe.
The series follows young Coco, whose dream to become a witch becomes reality after a magical accident turns her mother to stone. The world-building is rich with runic magic, fantasy intrigue, and an artistic style praised for its ethereal elegance.
Given Shirahama’s detailed art and the anime’s fantastical themes, fans anticipate a visual feast. Bug Films, the director, and composer Yuka Kitamura (known for evocative fantasy scores) are trusted choices to render the manga’s aesthetic with grace and wonder.
Why it matters: With its stunning visuals, emotionally resonant storyline, and high production pedigree, Witch Hat Atelier promises to enchant both fantasy lovers and art aficionados alike in 2025.
8. Lazarus
Legendary director Shinichirō Watanabe returns with Lazarus, a sci-fi action-thriller debuting April 6, 2025 (Japan & U.S. nearly simultaneously) on TV Tokyo and Adult Swim’s Toonami block.
Set in the near future (2052), the world has embraced a miracle drug called Hapna—until its discovery that users will die three years later unless inventor Dr. Skinner is found in time. The special team Lazarus embarks on a global mission to stop the crisis.
The series features high-octane choreography supervised by Chad Stahelski (director of John Wick), with jazzy, genre-blending music by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points—giving it a stylistic identity reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop. It’s produced by MAPPA, with production led by Sola Entertainment, and serves as a tribute to the late Keiko Nobumoto.
Watanabe cites real-world crises—like the opioid epidemic and climate change—as core inspirations, aiming to craft a reflective, impactful story rooted in futuristic realism.
Why it matters: Lazarus marks a major creative return for Watanabe, blending sleek action, socio-political commentary, and groundbreaking musical style, positioning it as one of the most anticipated and unique anime of 2025.
9. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Part 1
The monumental Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie premiered in Japan on July 18, 2025, delivering one of the biggest box office openings of the year. It hit international theaters starting August 8, expanding into IMAX and major cinema chains with digital streaming to follow on platforms like Crunchyroll and potentially Netflix later in the year.
Adapting the initial Final Battle arc of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, the film thrusts Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the Hashiras into the terrifying Infinity Castle to confront the Upper Moons. This high-stakes narrative continues from where the Swordsmith Village arc left off, delivering heightened emotional resonance and visual spectacle.
Like its predecessors, the film blends stunning animation, meaningful themes, and emotional catharsis, cementing Demon Slayer’s status as one of anime’s cinematic juggernauts.
10. Fire Force – Season 3
Fire Force Season 3 continues the fiery saga of Shinra Kusakabe and Company 8, delivering a blend of action, mystery, and emotional depth. Picking up from the explosive events of Season 2, the story pushes Shinra further into his quest to uncover the truth behind the Evangelist and the catastrophic Great Cataclysm. The world-building expands significantly, delving into hidden histories and ancient events that shaped the current flame-ravaged world. Alongside Shinra’s journey, characters like Arthur Boyle, Tamaki Kotatsu, and Captain Obi receive greater development, adding layers to their personalities and motivations. The stakes rise as the team faces more dangerous adversaries, from stronger Infernals to cunning members of the White-Clad.
Battles are more intense and visually breathtaking than ever, showcasing inventive uses of pyrokinetic abilities. Yet, the season is not just about action—it explores moral dilemmas, challenging the characters’ sense of justice in a world where survival often demands sacrifice. Every episode builds tension toward the inevitable final arc, setting the stage for an epic showdown that could decide the fate of humanity. With its mix of stunning animation, heartfelt moments, and high-stakes storytelling, Fire Force Season 3 keeps the flames of excitement burning bright.