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- BUG FILMS
- TMS Entertainment / CloverWorks
20 Upcoming Anime We're Excited To Watch In 2025
Like many of the years before it, 2025 looks like it's going to be a spectacular year for all things anime. But which upcoming 2025 anime should you be keeping an eye on? Here's a list of some of the most anticipated anime of 2025 that have been announced so far, so you can start planning your viewing schedule for the year ahead.
First, there are some major sequels to look out for. Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, The Apothecary Diaries, Fire Force, and more are receiving updates. There are also some exciting new shows, like Witch Hat Atelier, a story about a young girl's journey to become a witch, and Sakamoto Days, a series about a former hitman who just wants to leave the industry to lead a quiet life with his family. While not many new isekai anime have been announced for 2025 so far, that doesn't mean the genre is disappearing - more are likely to be revealed in the future.
Which 2025 anime are you looking forward to the most?
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Solo Leveling (Season 2)
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- A-1 Pictures
Release Date: January 4, 2025
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Premise: Once the weakest hunter in a world where people fight in dungeons for money, Sung Jinwoo has leveled up significantly thanks to a mysterious computer training program that forces him to complete dangerous tasks, rewarding him when he succeeds and punishing him when he fails.
In Season 2, he'll continue to grow stronger while also facing new and terrifying challenges.
Why It's Worth Watching: The first season of this manhwa adaptation blew fans away with its gorgeous animation and extreme brutality. One of the most interesting aspects of the series is how Sung Jinwoo's powers develop, and the second season, which is expected to begin with the Red Gate Arc, will likely explore further developments in this area.
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Kaiju No. 8 (Season 2)
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- Production I.G
Release Date: TBA
Studio: Production I.G
Premise: Following the destruction of their hometown, Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro agree to join the Defense Force to fight against the kaiju that caused the problem. However, only Mina manages to join, while Kafka gets stuck on cleanup duty. Things change after a freak accident transforms him into a human-kaiju hybrid, making him the Defense Force's most potent ally.
Why It's Worth Watching: At the end of Season 1, Kafka was arrested and placed in a military prison. This was a major cliffhanger, leaving many fans hungry for more. The next season should resolve this issue and introduce new conflicts. Given how exciting the previous season was, fans have high hopes for this one, too.
While the series follows a similar plot structure to many others, it is unique in that the protagonist is in his 30s.
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Sakamoto Days
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- TMS Entertainment
Release Date: January (TBA)
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Premise: Taro Sakamoto was once the greatest hitman in the world, but that changed after he fell in love. He dropped out of the crime world to get married, have children, and work as a convenience store clerk.
However, his old associates and enemies don't believe that he's completely left the business, and they are determined to either re-recruit him or take him down. Instead of engaging in crime, he now has to dedicate his energy to protecting his family.
Why It's Worth Watching: There's something inherently appealing about a family man who looks totally unassuming yet is a badass assassin. The Sakamoto Days manga did a great job of exploring this concept in both serious and comedic ways, which is part of why it's so well-regarded. Its fans are looking forward to the adaptation, and TMS Entertainment has a solid track record, so hopefully, they can make it happen.
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Wind Breaker (Season 2)
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- CloverWorks
Release Date: TBA
Studio: CloverWorks
Premise: Due to his unusual appearance and poor social skills, Haruka Sakura has been alone all his life. The only thing he believes himself to be capable of is fighting. That's why he transfers to Furin High School, a school notorious for its delinquent population.
However, instead of finding a hierarchy to climb, Haruka discovers a group of students who use their fighting skills to help their town - and who might offer him his first real chance at community.
Why It's Worth Watching: Beyond its impressive art and animation, Wind Breaker is an emotionally moving series about a young man's journey to find a sense of community and self-worth. Watching Haruka grow throughout the first season is heartwarming, and hopefully Season 2 will continue that trajectory.
There's some concern given CloverWorks' track record with sequels -The Promised Neverland (Season 2), anyone? - but hopefully, they'll do this one justice.
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The Apothecary Diaries (Season 2)
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Release Date: TBA
Studios: OLM, Toho Animation Studio
Premise: Maomao is the daughter of an apothecary, and she’s absolutely obsessed with all things medicine - and by extension, poison. After being kidnapped and forced to work in the Emperor's palace, she soon distinguishes herself and ends up checking for poisons in the royal's food. She also solves mysteries using biological clues and cures medical problems.
Season 2 will likely continue in the same vein while also focusing on the developing relationship between Maomao and Jinshi.
Why It's Worth Watching: Maomao is a fantastic protagonist. Her love for all things poison might not be relatable for most people, but it sure is convincing. It’s hard not to root for her to acquire a bezoar or whatever it is she wants at the moment, and it’s hard not to admire her brilliance.
However, she also has the concerns that a normal person might have. Among the most interesting of these is her relationship with Jinshi, which is so far undefined but could eventually have romantic overtones.
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Fire Force (Season 3)
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- David Production
Release Date: April (TBA)
Studio: David Production
Premise: In a world where some people spontaneously burst into flames, future generations develop fire-based powers instead. After being branded a villain, Shinra Kusakabe's dream is to enter the Fire Force and prove himself as a hero.
However, the world of the Force - and the forces behind the fire abilities - turns out to be far more complex than he could have imagined. Season 3 will continue the Stigma Arc.
Why It's Worth Watching: Whether it’s the truth behind Shinra’s brother or the secrets of the Adolla Burst, things have become increasingly complicated since the series began. This show isn’t for everyone - the fan service can be off-putting - but for those who either enjoy that element or can look past it, there’s a lot to appreciate about the series.
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Dr. Stone: Science Future (Season 4)
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- TMS Entertainment
Release Date: TBA
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Premise: Dr. Stone is set in a world where most of humanity has been encased in stone for thousands of years. Teen genius Senku Ishigami is one of the first people to break free, and he's determined not only to free the rest of humanity but also to restore the scientific world he once knew. To do that, he'll need a lot of help and a lot of brainpower - luckily, he has both.
Why It's Worth Watching: Dr. Stone is a series that has gone in all sorts of surprising directions. Each season has revealed new mysteries to be solved, each one broadening its unique world. It's also a great way to learn about science - you'll walk away knowing more than you expected. Hopefully, the fourth and final season will continue in that vein.
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Gachiakuta
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- Bones
Release Date: TBA
Studio: Bones
Premise: Rudo despises the people in his wealthy town. Why? Because they throw everything they consider useless into a gigantic pit called the Abyss - just like they did with his biological father. Now living with his foster father in the slums, Rudo spends his days rummaging through trash, hoping to find something useful.
But when his foster father is slain, Rudo is accused of the crime and thrown into the Abyss himself. There, he discovers powerful monsters made of trash and soon learns how to combat them by becoming a "janitor."
Why It's Worth Watching: First of all, Bones is known for producing hits, so expectations are high for anything they create. Beyond that, the story seems wholly original. Creator Kei Urana based the plot on her childhood attachment to objects, a personal connection that likely helps her infuse real emotion into her work.
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May I Ask for One Final Thing?
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- LIDENFILMS, LIDENFILMS Kyoto Studio
Release Date: TBA
Studios: LIDENFILMS, LIDENFILMS Kyoto Studio
Premise: Scarlet has been putting up with nonsense from her fiancé, Kyle, for ages. When he dumps her in the middle of a ball and convinces others to see her as a villain, she asks for one final thing: to punch him in his stupid face. With that, she goes from being a nice, submissive girl to a woman seeking the revenge she deserves - and to rid the nobility of corruption.
Why It's Worth Watching: If you like shows like Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion that feature a heroine who stands up for herself, you will most likely enjoy this series, too. Scarlet is in a role that would more traditionally be taken by a male character - an OP protagonist who fights against injustice while being a total badass about it. Hopefully, this anime will prove to be just as good as it looks.
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My Happy Marriage (Season 2)
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- Kinema Citrus
Release Date: January (TBA)
Studio: Kinema Citrus
Premise: Miyo Saimori's childhood has been rough. Her father shows little interest in her, and her stepmother and half-sister are cruel to her. Things seem like they're about to get even worse when she's forced to marry Kiyoka Kudou, a man with a reputation for being harsh and cruel. But Kiyoka turns out to be a genuinely kind person who wants to be a loving and supportive husband.
In Season 2, their relationship continues to develop.
Why It's Worth Watching: This series is what you'd get if Cinderella took place in Taisho-era Japan, and viewers got to see what happens after she gets married - only it's far more emotionally complex.
It's genuinely heartwarming to watch Miyo gain a sense of self-worth and learn to accept love from Kiyoka, and it's equally touching to see the buttoned-up Kiyoka learn to express it. Hopefully, the second stage of their journey will be just as lovely.
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The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
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- CloverWorks
Release Date: TBA
Studio: CloverWorks
Premise: Kikyo Private Academy is a prestigious all-girls school, while Chidori Public High School is known for its low-achieving students. The Kikyo students typically look down on the nearby Chidori. Rintaro Tsumugi, a student at Chidori, has a “frightening” face and a secret: he works at his family's cake shop.
One day, he strikes up a friendship with a customer at the shop. Unfortunately for him, this customer is a student at Kikyo, a fact that could complicate their developing relationship.
Why It's Worth Watching: If the anime adaptation is anything like the manga, this will be a strong contender for romance of the year. Its refreshing take on the opposites-attract trope allows Rintaro and Kaoruko's relationship to develop organically, blending heartwarming moments with deeper explorations of social status and self-worth.
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Witch Hat Atelier
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- BUG FILMS
Release Date: TBA
Studio: BUG FILMS
Premise: Coco is the daughter of a dressmaker, but she cares much more about magic than dresses. After an encounter with a witch named Qifrey, she realizes that her favorite picture book is also a spellbook. However, due to her inexperience, she causes a major accident at home.
Qifrey rescues her and decides to train her after realizing that she could be the key to defeating the Brimmed Caps, a group that experiments with forbidden, body-altering magic.
Why It's Worth Watching: Witch Hat Atelier is a beautifully drawn manga that follows a young girl on her coming-of-age journey. The story itself is compelling, featuring a great blend of joyful magic and intense danger. Many fans have been looking forward to this adaptation.
BUG FILMS is best known for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, a series that was extremely well done but also ran into significant production problems. Hopefully, the studio has ironed out some of those issues and is ready to give this adaptation everything it's got.
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Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (Season 2)
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- Lerche
Release Date: January (TBA)
Studio: Lerche
Premise: A young girl named Yashiro summons a ghost named Hanako in the hopes of having a romantic wish granted. After a series of mishaps, she ends up working as Hanako's assistant. Through this, she not only learns more about the world of spirits but also uncovers secrets about Hanako himself.
Why It's Worth Watching: The first season of this show was seriously underrated. The art is stunning, and the characters are deceptively complex. Hopefully, the second season will attract more viewers - and if not, it will at least delight existing fans.
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I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level (Season 2)
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- Teddy
Release Date: TBA
Studio: Teddy
Premise: After Azusa Aizawa passes away from overwork, she is reincarnated into a magical world. Now immortal, she spends her days peacefully, making a living by defeating 25 slimes each day. However, this simple routine unexpectedly boosts her skill level to 99, attracting people who either want to challenge her or recruit her to their cause. It seems peace may be a distant dream.
Why It's Worth Watching: If you're watching this series to unwind after a long day of work, school, or other obligations, you can probably relate to Azusa. But despite her desire for a quiet life, the story still delivers plenty of thrilling, otherworldly adventures that viewers can enjoy - while Azusa wishes she could just take a nap.
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Virgin Punk
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- Shaft
Release Date: TBA
Studio: Shaft
Premise: Ubu is a young woman who has found herself embroiled in the high-stakes world of bounty hunting. But alongside the difficulties of the job itself, she has her own emotional issues that she must fight through.
Why It's Worth Watching: So far, not much is known about this upcoming series. What is known is that it's an original anime by Shaft. Most of Shaft's anime are based on manga or light novels, but one of their few originals was one of the biggest hits in anime history: Puella Magi Madoka Magica. This studio is capable of great things, so hopefully this series will be an example.
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Honey Lemon Soda
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- J.C.Staff
Release Date: January (TBA)
Studio: J.C.Staff
Premise: In middle school, Uka Ishimori always froze up around other people, which resulted in severe bullying. She hopes to reinvent herself in high school, but that's easier said than done. During the first week, she encounters Kai Miura, a classmate who doesn't hesitate to speak his mind. Though their encounter begins with him splashing lemon soda all over her, he ends up becoming extremely important to her - in fact, before long, she has fallen in love with him.
Why It's Worth Watching: Honey Lemon Soda is a well-loved shojo manga. It does an excellent job of developing its main character, and the romance is cute and convincing.
While shojo anime has historically not received full adaptations, there have been recent examples of these series getting the attention they deserve, such as Fruits Basket and Kimi ni Todoke's third season. Hopefully, this trend will continue, and the anime adaptation of Honey Lemon Soda will respect its source material.
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I Have a Crush at Work
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- Blade
Release Date: January TBA
Studio: Blade
Premise: Yui Mitsuya and Masugu Tateishi are co-workers who recently started dating. They're trying to keep their relationship a secret, but they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Every day, the risk of revealing their secret increases.
Why It's Worth Watching: It's uncommon for romance anime to feature characters who are already in a relationship, and even more rare for them to be adults. Combining these two concepts could result in a unique series that appeals to adult fans. Additionally, the idea of trying to keep a relationship secret may lead to some entertaining comedic moments.
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The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (Season 2)
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- Bibury Animation Studios
Release Date: January 12
Studio: Bibury Animation Studios
Premise: After being rejected by the 100th girl in a row, Rentaro Aijo goes to a matchmaking shrine. There, he learns that due to a mistake by the shrine's god, he now has 100 soulmates. If all of these soulmates don't get to be with him, they'll pass away. That means he'll have to get a lot of people on board with the idea of polyamory - fast.
Why It's Worth Watching: Aside from one really, really, really, really, really weird plot line at the end of Season 1, this is one of the most wholesome harem anime in existence. Rentaro genuinely loves and respects his girlfriends, going out of his way to do special things that make them happy. Seriously, he even invents assistive technology for one of them because she's too anxious to speak. It's amazing.
Hopefully, Season 2 will bring more of the same.
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Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms
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- SynergySP
Release Date: TBA
Studio: SynergySP
Premise: Mona Kawai is used to getting any boy she meets to fall in love with her. However, when she meets Medaka Kuroiwa, her usual charms do absolutely nothing. Little does she know that he can barely resist her because he’s training to be a monk. She does whatever she can to get him interested, both because of the challenge and because she thinks she might actually be falling in love with him.
Why It's Worth Watching: Though the premise isn't particularly unique, it's still a decent rom-com that satisfies the needs of the genre. If you just want to vibe with some cute characters while relaxing after a long day or after an emotionally intense episode of an anime like Solo Leveling, this could be a good show to check out.
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Medalist
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- ENGI
Release Date: January (TBA)
Studio: ENGI
Premise: Tsukasa Akeuraji was never able to make his dreams of solo professional ice skating come true because he started training too late. When a 5th grader named Inori Yuitsuka shows up at the rink where he works, wanting to achieve the same dream he once had, he decides he won't let Inori's future turn out like his - instead, he's going to train her to be an Olympic medalist.
Why It's Worth Watching: Aside from the wildly popular Yuri!!! on Ice, a few Precure seasons, and Ginban Kaleidoscope, a super weird show about a ghost named Pete Pumps, ice skating is rarely addressed in anime. The rarity alone makes this show worth checking out.
It's also refreshing to see a series where the coach plays a major role - in many sports anime, the coach is barely relevant.
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