The first half of 2025 has delivered a treasure trove of anime. From epic battles to gut-wrenching stories, here are the 10 series you absolutely can’t miss.
In the year 2025, anime has been nothing less than amazing. This year looks like it will be one of the best in recent memory. Studios are pushing the limits of stories and animation, and fans have finally been able to see manga adaptations come to life. So far, the lineup has something for everyone, whether you like fast-paced action, heartfelt romance, or tales that break your heart.
In this list, the 10 best anime shows of the year so far are ranked by how well they are made, by studio, and by what makes each show unique. Get ready, because you’ll want to keep an eye on all of these.
10. Gachiakuta
There is one show, Gachiakuta, that shows the shonen genre can still be changed in exciting ways. The anime is based on the popular book by Kei Urana and features character designs by graffiti artist Hideyoshi Andou. It is being made by Studio Bones, which also made My Hero Academia and Mob Psycho 100. Gachiakuta is one of the most visually fresh anime in years thanks to its use of raw street art and Bones’ lively animation.
In the story, Rudo, an orphan who acts out, is falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to the “Abyss,” a huge pit where criminals and society’s trash are dumped. While he is down there, he learns about the “Abandoned,” which are horrible creatures, and the evil society above. Not like most shonen stars, Rudo isn’t a happy-go-lucky person. He’s mean, angry, and street-smart, which gives the story a rough edge.
People have said that Bones brings the manga’s unique spray-paint style to life with bright, sharp bursts of color that stand out during fight scenes. The fight choreography feels rough and heavy, which fits the setting of a junkyard wasteland perfectly. Class differences, environmental damage, and what it means to be “disposable” in a broken society are also explored in the show.
Gachiakuta is one of the most hopeful long-running contenders to come out this year. It has a strong fan base of manga and Bones is known for making exciting adaptations.
9. Sakamoto Days
The next movie is Sakamoto Days, which is based on Yuto Suzuki’s very famous manga. This show, which was animated by TMS Entertainment, which is known for Dr. Stone and Detective Conan, turns the overused killer trope into something fun and funny.
Taro Sakamoto used to be a famous and feared hitman in the criminal world, but he stopped working as a hitman when he fell in love. They are now married and he runs a small convenience store, but his past won’t leave him alone. Bounty hunters and former enemies keep showing up at his door, pulling him back into the world of killers.
The balance in Sakamoto Days is what makes it so great. On the one hand, the fight scenes are very creative. Sakamoto may not be in great shape, but he wins fights with simple things from the store and his brain. It leans strongly toward comedy, though. It’s always entertaining to see a middle-aged ex-assassin try to be a parent and kill killers at the same time.
TMS has used the manga’s cartoonish energy to great effect, with smooth action scenes that are still funny without losing their drive. The art direction is great, and the over-the-top facial reactions make the comedic timing even better. For anime fans who are sick of dark action shows, this one shows that you can have both epic fights and hilarious moments all at the same time.
8. Secrets of the Silent Witch
If you’ve read Matsuri Isora’s light novel series, you’ll know that Secrets of the Silent Witch is a fairy story with a shy and likeable main character. The anime is made by Project No.9, the same company that made Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki and Higehiro.
The story is mostly about Monica Everett, a young witch with amazing magical abilities. What’s the catch? She is extremely shy, nervous around other people, and afraid of standing out. Even so, she has the almost impossible job of protecting Prince Felix at the royal school in secret. Monica’s problems aren’t with casting powerful spells to fight evil. Instead, they are with getting through daily life without letting her anxiety get the best of her.
The “genius magician” image is made more real in Secrets of the Silent Witch. Monica just wants peace. She doesn’t want fame or attention. What makes the show special is seeing her deal with her own problems while still showing off her amazing magical skills.
With glowing spell effects and lush school settings, Project No.9 gives the anime a bright fantasy look. The symphonic score goes well with the mood, which is both silly and emotional. The show may not have a lot of high-stakes fights, but its characters and emotional stories make it fun to watch. If you want a fantasy story with deep emotions and characters you can relate to, this is a hidden gem.
7. To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X is an interesting entry because it’s not your normal anime with a storyline. The show is co-produced by Paper Plane Animation and Aniplex and directed by Li Haolin, who is known for To Be Hero and Heaven’s Official Blessing. It’s an anthology of stories that are all linked.
The main idea is about superheroes whose strength depends on how well-known they are. Every hero has a badge that shows how popular they are. The more popular you are, the stronger you get. With this idea, superhero stories become biting critiques of star culture, social media power, and what it costs to be a hero.
The series really stands out because it isn’t afraid to try new things. The art style of each episode is different; some look like hand-drawn sketches, others like comic books with a lot of detail, and some even change styles in the middle of a fight to make it more exciting. This range of styles makes the show fresh and interesting.
The anthology style also lets you move on to the next character without being stuck on one for too long. Each hero’s story looks at a different part of the theme, such as greed, corruption, hope, or sacrifice. There’s humor, action, and art in it all at the same time.
To Be Hero X shows that anime can still push creative limits while still providing exciting superhero action for fans who are tired of the same old stories.
6. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
There have been a lot of high school sets in romance anime, but The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (Ikoku Nikki), which was adapted by Studio Telecom Animation Film Lupin the Third Part V, Tower of God, is different because its characters are so real.
The story is based on the manga by Keigo Shinzo and is about a boy named Watanabe who likes to hang out with his friends and falls in love with a girl named Waguri who spends most of her time in the library. It may sound like a typical love story, but Waguri is one of the most interesting female characters in modern romance anime. She’s more than just a “shy love interest.” Her realistic personality and emotional range add a surprising depth to the show.
The show really shines because of how slowly it moves. It doesn’t jump right into melodrama; instead, it builds the connection slowly, with real-feeling small actions and talks. The romance is subtle but strong, and it doesn’t use tired tropes. Instead, it lets the characters grow in their own way.
Telecom Animation Film uses soft lighting and carefully drawn facial emotions to show how the characters feel. With its soothing, piano-driven music, the show captures the beautiful, sad nature of first love.
This cartoon shows that a simple, heartfelt love story can still stand out in a year full of flashy action movies.
5. Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling, an anime based on Chugong’s Korean web novel and its hugely famous manhwa adaptation drawn by Jang Sung-rak, has caused a lot of buzz. The cartoon has been one of the most talked-about releases of the year. It was made by A-1 Pictures, which also made Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist.
Jinwoo Sung is the main character of the story. He is a notoriously weak “E-rank” hunter who gets a mysterious “system” after a failed dungeon raid. He can level up like a character in a video game, which turns him from the weakest hunter into the best weapon humans have ever had.
You can tell that Solo Leveling is a power dream right away. Jinwoo’s change happens quickly, dramatically, and is always fun to watch. Fans have flocked to it not because of its complex story, but because of its jaw-dropping action, boss fights that feel like clips from a AAA game, and glowing aura fights.
A-1 Pictures made the animation look great by using a lot of CG for the monsters and adding intense lighting effects that make Jinwoo’s skills stand out. Every fight feels like a movie thanks to Hiroyuki Sawano’s powerful music (he composed the music for Attack on Titan).
Some critics say the story is shallow, but Solo Leveling works because it knows what it is: a show-driven series meant to get you excited. And to be honest? This year, it does that better than almost everything else.
4. Dandadan
It would look like Dandadan if chaos energy could be put in a bottle. Science SARU, the company that made Devilman Crybaby and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, is making the anime based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s comic. Science SARU is the best choice to capture Dandadan’s crazy mood because they are known for their creative animation.
At the beginning of the story, Momo Ayase and Okarun, two strange high school students, argue about whether or not aliens and ghosts exist. In order to prove their points, they look into haunted places and UFO hotspots, only to find that both are disturbingly real. After that, the show gets crazier with fights involving cursed items, weird monsters, and over-the-top psychic abilities.
Dandadan is unique because it doesn’t stick to just one type. One minute it’s scary, the next it’s funny, and all of a sudden it’s intense shonen action. You can’t put it down because it’s so unpredictable.
Science SARU’s animation style is crazy and exaggerated, with characters moving smoothly and psychedelic effects happening during magical fights. The color scheme is bright, which gives each show a lively feel.
Despite the chaos, the show shines because of its likeable characters. The bond between Momo and Okarun gives the craziness heart by giving it a sweet, strange foundation. Dandadan is an amazing ride and without a doubt one of the most daring anime movies of the year.
3. The Apothecary Diaries
Based on the book by Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) is one of the most beautifully written cartoons of the past few years. This series, which was animated by OLM and TOHO Animation Studio, has a great mix of historical wonder and intrigue.
The story takes place in imperial halls that look like those in ancient China. It’s about a smart apothecary named Maomao who is kidnapped and made to work in the palace. When strange illnesses and poisoning cases start happening in court, she uses her smart wit and medical knowledge to figure out what’s going on.
Maomao is a completely different main character. She’s not interested in love or power; she’s interested in learning more about her skill and being curious. She is one of the most interesting main characters in modern anime because of how sarcastic and smart she is.
The anime shows the wealth of life in a palace through detailed costumes, moody lighting, and lush backgrounds. The music uses both traditional instruments and dramatic orchestration to make the investigations more tense.
The Apothecary Diaries is one of the smartest anime this year. It has a mix of mystery-solving, historical information, and sharp dialogue, and fans of period dramas should watch it.
2. Lord of the Mysteries
Lord of the Mysteries is the show to watch if you like dark magic. The anime is based on the Chinese web book Cuttlefish That Loves Diving. It is produced by B.CMAY Pictures and sold around the world by Tencent.
The show is set in a world that looks like it was ripped from the Victorian era and combines steampunk technology, eldritch horror, and secret societies. It’s about a young man named Klein Moretti who finds a strange object and ends up getting involved with the supernatural. Starting from there, he gets involved with old powers, cults, and plots that could swallow him.
Lord of the Mysteries stands out because of how it feels. It’s creepy, intellectual, and full of hints about what’s to come. The story builds up like a puzzle, with hints that reward watchers who pay close attention.
B.CMAY Pictures has put a lot of work into the production, giving it gothic looks and epic direction that fit the big scope of the story. The scary parts hit even harder because of the dark music and thick shadows.
The anime is clearly meant to be a long-term tale, since there are already plans for six seasons and a movie. If you like complex worlds and Lovecraftian horror, this is one of the most daring anime projects of the decade.
1.Takopi’s Original Sin
Takopi’s Original Sin, a short but devastating translation of Taizan5’s well-reviewed manga, is at the top of the list. This show’s six episodes pack a powerful emotional punch. It was animated by MAPPA, the same company that made Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen.
The idea seems too cute to be true: Takopi, a happy alien octopus, comes to Earth with magical tools to spread happiness. He becomes friends with Shizuka, a young girl who is abused and neglected. What Takopi meant to do to help, though, only made things worse for her, turning the situation into a tragedy.
Original Sin by Takopi is brutally honest. It breaks down childhood trauma, abuse, and loops of hopelessness with unwavering accuracy. The stark difference between Takopi’s happy, bright personality and Shizuka’s dark world makes the story very scary.
Sharp contrasts are used a lot in MAPPA’s version: bright, cute designs for Takopi and dark, somber colors for the real world. The music is simple but strong, and the silence makes each scene feel heavier.
It has already been called one of the bravest and most important cartoons of the decade, even though it is only a short show. This is the kind of show that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s painful to watch but memorable.
From the rough rebellion of Gachiakuta to the heartbreaking tragedy of Takopi’s Original Sin, this year’s anime selection has been nothing less than amazing. In every genre, studios have taken chances, adapted scary original material, and made unforgettable experiences.
And the year isn’t even over yet! 2025 has already given us a list to remember, whether you like action, romance, mysteries, or psychological drama.
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