As 2025 kicks off, anime fans have plenty to look forward to, with several highly anticipated series set to debut. Whether it’s heartwarming slice-of-life stories or action-packed adventures filled with intense battles, these upcoming works aim to captivate audiences with their high quality and faithfulness to the original material—manga, light novels, or other sources.
It’s worth noting that this list isn’t ranked in any particular order of excitement or popularity. Each anime already boasts a dedicated fanbase, whether due to its origins in major publications or as a continuation of beloved series from previous years.
From thrilling premieres to long-awaited returns, the most anticipated anime of 2025 all share one thing in common: a passionate legion of fans eagerly counting down the days to their release. Could one of these upcoming titles become your new favorite?
The most anticipated anime of 2025
10. Sakamoto Days
The highly popular manga Sakamoto Days has finally received an anime adaptation, much to fans’ excitement. The story follows Sakamoto, a legendary assassin who has chosen to leave his dangerous past behind and live a peaceful life with his wife and daughter. However, his tranquil days are soon disrupted as his old rivals refuse to let him enjoy his “happily ever after.”
The anime premiered exclusively on Netflix on January 11, with new episodes released weekly. The series promises to chronicle the early stages of Sakamoto’s new life, delving deeper into the world of crime and the universe’s complexities surrounding this former hitman.
9. Kaiju no.8 (season 2)
The anime adaptation of Kaiju No. 8 made waves in 2024, building anticipation for its return to continue the story. The protagonist, Hibino Kafka, is gradually mastering his newfound powers as a “monster,” but he’ll now need the support of his squad members to achieve his goals.
The anime’s second season is slated for release in July 2025, and it’s likely to maintain its exclusivity on Crunchyroll. For fans who can’t wait that long, the manga is still being published biweekly on the MANGA Plus platform, offering a chance to stay ahead of the anime.
8. Honey Lemon Soda
Who doesn’t enjoy a good romance? In Honey Lemon Soda, viewers are introduced to the story of Uka Ishimori, a shy young woman who didn’t have the best school life and decided to start fresh at a new high school. Her world begins to change when she meets the charismatic Kai Miura.
With over 13 million copies of the manga sold, a film adaptation, and even a series, expectations for the anime are sky-high—especially for fans of romance, drama, and youthful stories. The anime premiered on January 8, 2025, on Crunchyroll, with new episodes released weekly.
7. Frieren and the Journey to the Afterlife (Season 2)
The debut of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End took the anime world by storm, earning it a top spot among the highest-rated shows on the well-known MyAnimeList. The second season is set to expand the story, following Frieren, Fern, and Stark as they venture beyond the gates to the treacherous Northern Territory—one of the most perilous regions on the continent.
Known for its deliberate pacing and rich world-building, the series has captivated audiences, making the upcoming season one of the most anticipated anime releases of 2025. While the first season streamed exclusively on Crunchyroll, the second season will likely follow suit. However, no official release date has been announced yet.
6. My Hero Academia (Season 8): The Final Battle
The eighth season of My Hero Academia will mark the series’ grand finale, bringing the intense conflict between Midoriya and Shigaraki to its ultimate conclusion. The previous arc left viewers on edge, showcasing the heroes’ struggles against the villains’ overwhelming attack—leaving Midoriya to take charge and end the battle on behalf of his leader.
Given the series’ immense popularity and the franchise’s significant expansion, including movies, an upcoming spin-off, and other content, expectations are sky-high for the final season. Fans hope for top-tier animation to deliver the epic battles that conclude the story. While no release date has been announced, the final season is expected to stream on Crunchyroll.
5. One-Punch Man (Season 3)
After a six-year wait, Saitama is finally returning in One-Punch Man’s highly anticipated third season. This season promises an epic showdown between the unbeatable hero, known for solving every problem with a single punch, and Garou, who continues to grow stronger and more dangerous.
The third season is also set to commemorate the anime’s 10th anniversary, celebrating its debut in 2015. While no specific release date or streaming platform has been confirmed, studio JC Staff has announced that the new episodes will air later this year. Given that the first two seasons are available on Netflix, there’s a good chance the third season will also stream there.
4. Lazarus
Lazarus is an original science fiction anime crafted by the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe, the visionary behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. Set in 2052, the story explores a world seemingly freed from disease and pain thanks to a revolutionary drug. However, this miracle cure comes with a catastrophic side effect, prompting the formation of a specialized team to investigate the looming crisis.
While details about the production—such as the release date or streaming platform—remain scarce, Watanabe’s involvement alone has generated immense anticipation. With Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo being global classics, Lazarus has the potential to become another groundbreaking success.
3. Dan Da Dan (Season 2)
After the tremendous success of its first season, the second season of Dan Da Dan promises even more thrilling adventures for Okarun and Miss Ayase. Combining science fiction, horror, and comedy elements, the story continues to immerse its characters in a wild mix of aliens, hauntings, and hilarious situations.
The highly anticipated second season is set to premiere in July 2025 and is expected to follow the release format of the first season, streaming on both Crunchyroll and Netflix.
2. Diaries of an Apothecary (Season 2)
After capturing fans’ hearts in its first season, Diaries of an Apothecary returns, with Maomao navigating even greater challenges within the imperial palace. Viewers can also look forward to more captivating moments between her and Jinshi, adding intrigue and excitement to the story.
Premiering in January 2025, Diaries of an Apothecary is among the season’s standout anime. New episodes are being released bi-weekly on Crunchyroll, keeping fans eagerly anticipating each chapter of Maomao’s journey.
1. One Piece (Egghead)
One Piece is returning from its break, bringing one of the most intense conflicts in the series’ history. On Egghead Island, home to the brilliant scientist Vegapunk, Luffy and his crew are attempting to escape while ensuring the safety of the scientist. However, the Navy will stop at nothing to thwart their efforts.
Prepare for massive battles as the Straw Hat Pirates face their most formidable opponents. The anime will return on April 6, 2025, on Crunchyroll, with a likely release on Netflix as well.
- Order To Watch One Piece
- That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Watch Order
- The Future Diary Watch Order
The animes of 2025
Several other highly anticipated works have already captured the hearts of fans after just a few episodes.
Solo Leveling is airing its second season, continuing Jin-Woo’s thrilling journey with even more action-packed scenes. Zenshu is also generating a lot of buzz, with many fans excited about this new series.
It’s worth noting that we have not included films based on anime slated for release in 2025 here. Titles like Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer, and Haikyuu fall into a separate category, which we will cover in detail later.
Among the most anticipated anime of 2025, we have:
- One Piece (Egghead)
- Diaries of an Apothecary (Season 2)
- Dan Da Dan (Season 2)
- Lazarus
- One-Punch Man (Season 3)
- My Hero Academia (Season 8)
- Frieren and the Journey to the Afterlife (Season 2)
- Honey Lemon Soda
- Kaiju No. 8 (Season 2)
- Sakamoto Days
