2025 has been a rollercoaster of a year for anime fans, as amazingly entertaining anime like Lord of Mysteries and Dan Da Dan‘s new season came out alongside massive disappointments like the much-anticipated new season of One Punch Man. While there were some massive disappointments along the way, it doesn’t mean that there were no great anime that will completely change how you experience anime, for instance, did you see To Be Hero X? So, we are here to compile a list of the best anime of this year.
The Summer Hikaru Died (Netflix)
The Summer Hikaru Died is a Japanese slice-of-life horror anime series written by Ryōhei Takeshita. Based on the manga series of the same name by Mokumokuren, the CygamesPictures anime series is set in rural Japan, and it follows teens Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo, who have wildly different personalities and hobbies but are still best friends. When Hikaru dies during a hike, and his body is taken over by an alien, Yoshiki discovers the truth and still wants to be by his best friend. The Summer Hikaru Died’s English voice cast includes Ben Diskin, Daman Mills, Kyle McCarley, Paul Castro Jr., Jacob Hopkins, and Dorothy Elias-Fahn.
My Hero Academia Final Season (Crunchyroll & Netflix)
My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero action-adventure series written by Yōsuke Kuroda. Based on the manga series of the same name by Kōhei Horikoshi, the final season of the Bones Film anime series picks up the story right where the last season ended, and it revolves around the final battle between Izuku Midoriya and Tomura Shigaraki, and All Might and All For One. My Hero Academia’s English voice cast includes Clifford Chapin, David Matranga, J. Michael Tatum, and Justin Cook.
Takopi’s Original Sin (Crunchyroll)
Takopi’s Original Sin is a Japanese dystopian sci-fi drama anime series written by Shinya Iino. Based on the manga series of the same name by Taizan 5, the Enishiya anime series follows Takopi, an alien hailing from the Happy Planet, as it travels to Earth to spread happiness. Takopi soon comes across Shizuka, a sad young girl and tries to make her happy. Takopi’s Original Sin’s voice cast includes Kurumi Mamiya, Reina Ueda, Konomi Kohara, Anna Nagase, and Ayumi Tsunematsu.
To Be Hero X (Crunchyroll & Rent on Prime Video)
To Be Hero X is a Chinese superhero action drama series created by Li Haoling. The BeDream anime series is set in a world where their faith turns people into superheroes, and it revolves around a group of superheroes as they enter into a battle royale to earn the title of X, the most popular superhero in the world. To Be Hero X’s English voice cast includes Mauricio Ortiz-Segura, Branden Loera, Stephen Fu, Christopher Sabat, and Jill Harris.
Dan Da Dan Season 2 (Netflix, Hulu, & Crunchyroll)
Dan Da Dan is a Japanese sci-fi and supernatural action comedy series written by Hiroshi Seko. Based on the manga series of the same name by Yukinobu Tatsu, the second season of the Science Saru anime series continues the story of Momo and Okarun as they try to survive their deadly and weird world filled with supernatural entities and aliens. Dan Da Dan’s English voice cast includes Abby Trott, A.J. Beckles, Barbara Goodson, Kari Wahlgren, Aleks Le, and Lisa Reimold.
Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow (Crunchyroll)
Solo Leveling is a Japanese dark fantasy action thriller anime series written by Noboru Kimura. Based on the South Korean web novel of the same name by Chugong, the second season of the A-1 Pictures anime series continues the story of Sung Jin-woo as he hides his powers as the new Shadow Monarch, but things take a turn when a missing legendary hunter returns with some calamitous information. Solo Leveling’s English voice cast includes Aleks Le, SungWon Cho, Ian Sinclair, Kent Williams, and Justin Briner.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (Netflix)
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is a romantic comedy-drama anime series written by Rino Yamazaki. The CloverWorks anime series revolves around a misunderstood boy and a smart girl studying at schools next to each other. Things change when they meet and form a connection, but their friends from rival schools don’t like their relationship. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’s English voice cast includes Robbie Daymond, Bijou Vann, Aaron Fors, Aaron Yamawaki, Shou Komura, and Rena Motomura.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Netflix, Hulu, & Rent on Prime Video)
The Apothecary Diaries is a Japanese romantic mystery-drama anime series written by Norihiro Naganuma. Based on the light novel series of the same name by Hyūganatsu, the second season of the Toho anime series continues the stories of Maomao as she is put in charge as a food taster for a favored concubine who becomes pregnant. She must protect the concubine as the opposing forces in danger rise to power. The Apothecary Diaries’ English voice cast includes Emi Lo, Kaiji Tang, Alex Hom, Molly Zhang, Giovannie Cruz, and Kelsey Maher.
Lord of Mysteries (Crunchyroll)
Lord of Mysteries is a Chinese supernatural fantasy mystery thriller drama anime series. Based on the web novel of the same name by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, the anime series is set in a Victorian world where steam, dreadnoughts, and hidden magic exist. It follows Zhou Mingrui as he finds himself in the body of Klein Moretti, the Beyonder, who must navigate between the light and darkness. Lord of Mysteries’ English voice cast includes Joshua Waters, Blake McNamara, Aiden Call, Van Barr Jr., and Phebe Fabacher.
Gachiakuta (Crunchyroll)
Gachiakuta is a Japanese dystopian dark fantasy action anime series written by Hiroshi Seko. Based on the manga series of the same name by Kei Urana, the Bones Film series is set in a dystopian world where the rich live in a floating city and discard their trash into the Pit. The story revolves around a young boy named Rudo who’s framed for murder and thrown into the Pit, where he must battle garbage beasts to survive. Gachiakuta’s English voice cast includes Bryson Baugus, Christopher Wehkamp, Corey Wilder, Katie Caruso, and Ethan Condon.