Top Anime 2025: Best Recommendations from This Year’s Must-Watch Series

An adaptation of the hit manga about cosplay and romance.
Following the highly praised first season, Season 2 is also drawing rave reviews.
It feels a touch less risqué than Season 1, but the protagonists’ world opens up and their relationship clearly progresses.
The manga has already concluded, so if you’re curious, check out the original too.

The long-awaited second season of the 2010 cult hit—raunchy, American-comic-flavored, and starring irreverent heroines.
Naturally produced by TRIGGER, Season 2 keeps flooring it with the same bold, rule-breaking style.

The second season of the popular manga adaptation about vampires and love; the original concluded in 2024 with 20 volumes.
Like Season 1, it’s widely praised—those characters are irresistible.
Creepy Nuts return to perform both the OP and ED in Season 2, underscoring this title’s high profile.

The manga has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Beloved both in Japan and abroad, this follow-up arrives eight years after the 2018 first season—an unusual feat.
The brisk comedy and lovable cast are back in form; easy to recommend.

A rare gem-themed manga brought to life in animation.
Produced by Studio Bind—the team behind Mushoku Tensei and Onimai—the quality is outstanding.
The girls are drawn adorably, making this a soothing, after-work watch—perfect with dinner. Recommended.

The smash-hit short manga that once took the internet by storm finally gets an anime adaptation.
It deftly balances painful developments with a pop-styled world, resulting in a high-quality production.
It’s sure to rank among this year’s most talked-about shows; the OP by ano further signals its must-watch status.

Adapted from a popular light novel. After the wildly successful 2023–2024 first season, Season 2 continued smoothly.
The production quality remains high, and Aoi Yuuki’s performance as the heroine is pitch-perfect.
It even won both the Grand Prix and the Manga & Anime category at the TikTok First Half Trend Awards 2025.

Based on the 2018 breakout eroge “Nukige Mitaina Shima ni Sunderu Watashi wa Dō Sūrya Ii Desu ka?”, a phenomenon in a declining market.
Given the content’s constant collision with broadcast standards, the fact it was animated at all is a small miracle.
Multiple cuts exist; the less-censored versions are limited to formats like Blu-ray. Terrestrial TV versions are heavily censored and can be hard to follow.

Adapted from an award-winning manga with 6.2 million copies in circulation.
A high-school romance that’s delightfully pure and heartwarming from start to finish.

Part of the long-running Rascal Does Not Dream light novel series (since 2014). After the 2018 TV season came three films, and now this entry.
The protagonist has moved on from high school and is a college student this season. If you’re new, start with Season 1.

An original anime by Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop fame.
Featuring slick action courtesy of MAPPA, it’s a stylish, mature production.
At one cour, some felt the vast worldbuilding outgrew the runtime, but the chic, breezy vibe remains intact.

Just like the title suggests, it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have vanished—inside a hotel.
A quirky blend of humor, nonsense, and surrealism that became a spring season dark horse.
Neither too heavy nor too light—just the right SF flavor. Undeniably a quality show.

Originally a mobile game, then a well-received manga, and now a hugely popular TV anime.
Characters like Oguri Cap shine with strong appeal.
The story works whether or not you know the real-life racehorse—and a second season has already been announced.

A figure-skating manga renowned for its meticulous depiction of the sport, faithfully adapted to animation.
Even newcomers to skating will find it compelling—and you’ll come away knowing the rules better, too.

Winner of Crunchyroll Anime Awards’ Anime of the Year.
It arguably found even bigger popularity overseas than in Japan.
Although it’s an “overpowered MC” story, the overall quality is high and the plot is engaging.
With virtually no fanservice, it’s broadly accessible compared to many isekai titles. Everyone I know who watched it enjoyed it!