The year 2025 is stacked with big sequels, splashy debuts and a few films that can pack theaters on name alone. Below is a countdown of the most promising anime you can watch or circle on your calendar, mixing returning hits with buzzy newcomers and feature films.
I focus on clear release info, platforms and why each title has strong momentum. Dates and platforms reflect what’s been announced or reported for 2025, with notes where timing has shifted or is still in flux. Let’s count down from #20 to #1.
#20 Pokémon Concierge Season 2
Season 2 of the clay-animated Pokémon Concierge arrives on Netflix on September 4, 2025, bringing back the soft, cozy atmosphere that made Season 1 a surprise hit. The show continues the resort-set stories with a handcrafted look that stands out in a crowded lineup.
With short, relaxing episodes and tactile animation, this series offers a different pace from typical action fare. That contrast is part of its appeal and the renewed spotlight in late 2025 could expand its audience even more. It is a gentle watch with undeniable charm.
For families and longtime fans alike, seeing familiar Pokémon in a new medium remains a big draw. A fall drop on Netflix also helps discovery.
#19 My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
My Dress-Up Darling returned on July 5, 2025, bringing back the cosplay duo whose chemistry sparked a major following in Season 1. The summer slot makes sense for a bright, romantic series that thrives on character moments and hobby detail.
Expect more crafting, new costumes and steady relationship progress. The show’s blend of sweet comedy and cosplay passion has proven durable and Season 2 launched with strong word-of-mouth among fans who wanted a heartfelt follow-up. It fills the feel-good lane well.
If the production keeps the polish from Season 1, this has room to be one of summer’s rewatchable comfort picks. Early episodes suggest it has not lost its spark.
#18 The Summer Hikaru Died
Horror romance The Summer Hikaru Died began streaming globally on Netflix in summer 2025, adapting a cult-favorite manga into a quiet, unsettling story about identity and loss. The combination of tenderness and dread gives it a distinct tone among this year’s releases.
Early episodes lean into atmosphere, letting the rural setting and small gestures carry tension. That slower pace, paired with striking visual choices, makes its emotional swings land harder. It is a rare genre mix that rewards patience.
With weekly drops on a global platform, the show has space to build conversation over time. Horror fans and drama watchers both have reasons to keep it on the watchlist.
#17 Wind Breaker Season 2
Wind Breaker Season 2 kicked off in April 2025, carrying its delinquent-school battles into new arcs with solid animation and punchy fights. The first season built a steady following; this run aims to raise the ceiling with cleaner choreography and a sharper cast focus.
Character rivalries remain the core hook. The show balances street-level brawls with themes of loyalty and pride, which gives each clash more weight than a simple scuffle. That emotional layer matters.
If the production keeps up its form, Season 2 can cement the series as a reliable action pick in 2025’s crowded slate. Fans of grounded, hand-to-hand action should stay locked in.
#16 Fire Force Season 3
Fire Force returned in April 2025, pushing deeper into high-stakes battles and lore that links directly to its bigger franchise roots. The timing put it in the heart of spring action season, where it can ride weekly hype.
Firefighting visuals, explosive set pieces and a clear sense of escalation remain its strengths. Season 3 highlights the show’s mix of supernatural systems and city-scale danger, while keeping character bonds front and center. It still knows how to land a big moment.
With plenty of manga material to adapt, this season aims to keep momentum steady and deliver consistent, high-energy episodes.
#15 One Piece: Egghead Arc Part 2
Part 2 of the Egghead arc began April 6, 2025, as One Piece continues its late-saga surge with slick direction and pacing improvements. The sci-fi flavor of Egghead gives the series fresh visual ideas to play with week to week.
Fans already in the loop know these chapters push major plot threads. For everyone else, the arc’s clean setup and stylish gadgets make it an easy place to jump in and enjoy the ride. It is a long-running series still finding new gears.
With broad availability and consistent delivery, this remains a cornerstone of the weekly watchlist in 2025.
#14 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
The spinoff My Hero Academia: Vigilantes premiered April 7, 2025, giving the franchise a street-level companion to its main storyline. It explores hero work outside official channels, a premise well suited to tighter arcs and fresh stakes.
New characters and familiar faces cross paths in ways that expand the world without needing the main series’ giant battles. That lower-angle view helps keep tension grounded and personal. It is a smart way to widen the brand.
For fans waiting on the main show’s finale, this is an easy addition to the 2025 queue.
#13 Leviathan
Studio Orange’s original sci-fi series Leviathan launched July 10, 2025, on Netflix, pairing the studio’s CG craft with an ocean-world survival premise. The production looks slick and distinct, with weighty environments and scale.
Orange has a track record of clean action and readable CG and early episodes show the same clarity here. The setting lets the team push water, lighting and creature work that plays to their strengths. It feels built to impress on big screens.
As an original, it also offers true unknowns in story turns. That makes weekly conversation livelier for viewers tired of spoiler-heavy adaptations. It is a strong midyear headliner for Netflix.
#12 Devil May Cry
Capcom’s Devil May Cry anime sliced onto Netflix April 3, 2025, bringing Dante’s demon hunting to a new audience. The series frames flashy battles with a pulpy tone that fits the games’ style.
Action staging and music carry much of the appeal. If you want tight fights and a cool-factor-first vibe, this checks the box. The adaptation keeps the swagger.
Also Read
Ranking the 7 Deadly Sins
Eight episodes make it an easy binge while leaving space for follow-ups if reception stays strong. It is a neat add for action-hungry viewers.
#11 Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 landed in July 2025 and wastes no time getting back to big monster clashes and Defense Force politics. The first season’s light humor and human-scale stakes remain a draw.
The production keeps creature designs punchy and readable, which matters when fights move fast. Character dynamics also get more attention, giving the battles more weight. It stays fun without losing heart.
With a summer spot and global simulcast, it is set up to keep expanding its fanbase.
Also Read
10 phrases that sound supportive but are actually a subtle sign of manipulation
#10 Dan Da Dan Season 2
Dan Da Dan returned July 3, 2025, continuing its aliens-and-occult chaos with style. The series’ tonal whiplash is part of the fun and Season 2 keeps that rhythm intact.
Action remains fluid and inventive, while the leads’ awkward charm holds the center. The show can be loud and strange, yet it never loses the thread of its relationships. That balance is the hook.
Weekly rollout across major platforms has turned each episode into an event for meme-friendly moments and sharp sakuga.
#9 The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries ran from January 10 to June 20, 2025 and doubled down on palace intrigue and meticulous deduction. The pacing favors layered reveals over quick twists, which fits the material.
Also Read
10 Phrases That Sound Supportive But Are Actually a Subtle Sign of Manipulation
Production values stay consistent, with tasteful design and a calm score backing sharper mysteries. When a reveal lands, it feels earned because the setup is careful. It rewards attentive viewing.
As a long winter-to-spring run, it anchored a big slice of the 2025 calendar for mystery fans.
#8 Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days rolled out on Netflix across 2025, with its second cour resuming in July after a winter start. The adaptation finally put a spotlight on one of Jump’s most fan-loved action comedies.
The show blends deadpan gags with sharp choreography and the supermarket setting gives fights a playful twist. It is brisk, cleanly staged and full of likable side characters. The tone is confident from episode one.
Also Read
People With Low Emotional Intelligence Often Miss These 6 Social Cues
Weekly global release helps it reach beyond manga readers. If it sticks the landing, it could become a long-running streaming staple.
#7 Spy x Family Season 3
Spy x Family Season 3 is set for October 2025, which gives the franchise another chance to own the fall with a mix of spy antics and family warmth. The formula is still working because the character trio remains instantly readable and fun.
Expect crisp comedy beats and small-scale missions that spiral in silly ways. The series never overreaches, which keeps the tone consistent and the laughs steady. It is built for weekly smiles.
With broad merch and mainstream recognition, it will likely be one of fall’s most watched sequels.
Also Read
8 Weird Habits You Don’t Realize You Have From Growing Up In A “We Can’t Afford It” Household
#6 One-Punch Man Season 3
One-Punch Man Season 3 is slated for October 2025 and returns to the Monster Association arc that fans have wanted fully animated for years. The timing sets it up as a core fall action title.
The show’s humor and deadpan lead are still unique in the landscape. What matters here is execution on major fights that manga readers have hyped. If the set pieces land, it will be huge.
Hype is high because the arc carries real stakes for the wider cast. October’s window gives it room to dominate conversation.
#5 Solo Leveling Season 2
Solo Leveling kicked off Season 2 on January 4, 2025 and quickly reestablished the slick dungeon runs and power-up rhythms that made Season 1 a global hit. It is one of the year’s safest bets for consistent action.
Also Read
10 Phrases That Sound Supportive But Are Actually A Subtle Sign Of Manipulation
The production continues to highlight bosses with strong designs and readable mechanics. When the soundtrack swells and a gate opens, it still hits. This is event TV for its audience.
With a larger fanbase now in place, Season 2 feels like the moment the series cements itself as a long-term franchise.
#4 Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man heads to theaters in 2025 with the Reze Arc, opening in Japan in September and rolling out to U.S. theaters on October 29, 2025. The arc’s mix of romance and heartbreak gives the film a sharp emotional edge.
Visually, the material fits a movie upgrade, with room for larger set pieces and stronger sound design. Fans expect the team to deliver on tone and weight, not just spectacle. The ending will be the conversation driver.
With a packed fall calendar, this still stands out as a must-see anime film. Early buzz is intense for good reason.
