Anime Influence: Rankings - Favorite Anime in 2025

Hello everyone, 

Welcome to Anime Influence, which is similar to Gaming Influence. However, I am mainly giving my thoughts on certain anime and anime series with some fun mix of anime-related content here.

For this edition of Anime Influence, I'll be ranking my favorite anime in 2025.

Before I start, I will only be ranking anime that were released in 2025, which includes the beginning of the year to the end of the year, as well as anime that have episodes in 2025. That means if the anime started before 2025, but has episodes in 2025 that are still ongoing, that will qualify. In addition, if the anime started in 2025, but it's still ongoing, that would also qualify. Also, these rankings will not include movies, OVAs, or specials as I consider them separate. Finally, if your favorite anime of 2025 didn't make it on my rankings, that doesn't mean I hate that anime; it just means I haven't watched it or have no interest in it, so keep that in mind.

Anyway, let's get started!

Before I start my actual rankings, if you want to see my favorite anime of last year, check out the link here: Anime Influence: Rankings - Favorite Anime in 2024

Here are some honorable mentions that I enjoyed, but didn't make it on the list:

Honorable Mentions: City The Animation, To Be Hero X, Lazarus, Honey Lemon Soda, Fire Force Season 3, Wind Breaker Season 2, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2, I Have a Crush at Work,  The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2, Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2, Call of the Night Season 2, Record of Ragnarok III, Zenshu, Dragon Ball Daima

Now, let's start with my #20 favorite anime in 2025:

Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru Season 2, or My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shinichi Fukuda. It was created by CloverWorks, and it aired from July 6, 2025, to September 21, 2025.

This is one of my favorite romance comedy series, and I was so happy to see that the second season finally came out, as it turned out well overall. I appreciate that they focused more on the actual romance comedy aspect in this season and less fan service, which I'm not against, but it definitely helps the series a lot overall. With the actual manga ending earlier this year, I'm not sure that there'll be another season to complete and finish the series, but we can hope that it can happen in the future.

Here's my #19 favorite anime in 2025:

Kaijuu 8-gou 2nd Season, or Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto. It was created by Production I.G. and aired from July 19, 2025, to September 27, 2025.

I really enjoyed the first season of Kaiju No. 8, as they really showcased the action and characters well. The second season of Kaiju No. 8 was good, but compared to the first season, it wasn't great due to the lack of character development in the side characters and the slow pacing. Regardless, still enjoyed it and hope that Season 3 will be better if it comes to fruition with the manga being over earlier this year.

Here's my #18 favorite anime in 2025:

Sakamoto Days is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuto Suzuki. It was created by TMS Entertainment, and Part 1 aired from January 11, 2025, to March 22, 2025, and Part 2 aired from July 15, 2025, to September 23, 2025. 

This is one of the anime adaptations that I was excited for the most as Sakamoto Days is currently one of my favorite manga. After watching it, it does things really well in terms of the animation, its action, and characters, but the pacing, personally, to me, is very rushed, and I'm not a fan of that. Granted, there's nothing wrong with getting to the great parts, but sometimes, you need to build up suspense to get to that point, or else, it won't be as impactful if it's just done so quickly. Either way, I still think it was done well but definitely could be improved upon, and I hope that they do that with Season 2 in the future.

Here's my #17 favorite anime in 2025:

Ao no Hako, or Blue Box in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouji Miura. It was created by TMS Entertainment and Telecom Animation Film, and it aired from October 3, 2024, to March 27, 2025. 

This was another anime adaptation that I was looking forward to, as I do enjoy the Blue Box manga, which blends sports and romance pretty well in my opinion. The animation was definitely well done here, and the voice actors definitely brought these characters to life, which I appreciate. Nothing groundbreaking, but still enjoyable, and I hope they continue to improve upon it with a second season in the future.

Here's my #16 favorite anime in 2025:

Spy x Family Season 3 is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. It was created by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, and it aired from October 4, 2025, to December 27, 2025.

Spy x Family tends to deliver when it comes to anime, and the third season of it was no different. Personally, the other seasons of Spy x Family were better than this season in my opinion, but it still has great action, great character development among the characters, and the story is moving along at a good pace. Looking forward to the next season when it does come, and we'll see if it can be better than the third season.

Here's my #15 favorite anime in 2025:

Grand Blue Season 2, or Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written by Kenji Inoue and illustrated by Kimitake Yoshioka. It was created by Zero-G and Liber, and it aired from July 8, 2025, to September 23, 2025.

This series is one of my favorite comedy series, and I never thought we would get another season of it after the first season came out seven years ago, but glad to see it back, and it was great. The comedy was hilarious as always, and everything in terms of the story and the development of the characters has been going quite smoothly in my opinion. Hope we don't have to wait long for another season, but this was great regardless.

Here's my #14 favorite anime in 2025:

Gachiakuta is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kei Urana. It was created by Bones Film, and it aired from July 6, 2025, to December 21, 2025.

I was very curious to see how the anime adaptation of this manga series would turn out, and overall, it was done well in my opinion. Granted, I wouldn't say that it's mindblowing in terms of animation and action, but it was extremely well done as it's currently well paced in terms of story and character development. It can definitely be improved upon, but hopefully, a second season would help with that if it ever happens.

Here's my #13 favorite anime in 2025:

One Piece is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It was created by Toei Animation, and it aired from October 20, 1999, to December 28, 2025.

Wow. An end of an era. The anime of One Piece has been going on weekly for the past twenty-six years, and it finally stopped as it'll take a hiatus and will return in April 2026. Kind of strange that they did this overall, but it's Toei Animation's choice at the end of the day, and I respect it. With the One Piece manga ending down the line, as it's currently in its final arc, I'm sure that One Piece wants to make the anime feel very special, and the anime has been doing well this year, too. I expect the anime of One Piece to be interesting once it comes back next year, and we'll see how they do.

Here's my #12 favorite anime in 2025:

Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite, or Orb: On the Movements of the Earth in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Uoto. It was created by Madhouse and aired from October 5, 2024, to March 15, 2025.

This was an anime that was on my watchlist that I never had a chance to watch until recently, as I enjoyed the manga when I read it, and it was great. They really showcased the characters quite well in the anime adaptation by introducing them at a good pace while showcasing their background story to make us fall in love with these characters. It also has a very impactful story, as well, that will make viewers feel something. If you're in the mood for that type of anime, I would recommend watching Orb: On the Movements of the Earth; you won't be disappointed.

Here's my #11 favorite anime in 2025:

Medalist is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tsurumaikada. It was created by ENGI, and it aired from January 5, 2025, to March 30, 2025.

This was another anime adaptation that I was looking forward to, as I enjoy reading the Medalist manga, and this anime delivered. They paced the story well, and the character development among the characters has been well-developed so far, too. It has been a bit emotional for what they've done so far, and we'll see if they can continue that momentum if they do a second season in the future.

Now, we're in the top ten. Here's my #10 favorite anime in 2025:

Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu, or The Summer Hikaru Died, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mokumokuren. It was created by CygamesPictures, and it aired from July 6, 2025, to September 28, 2025. 

This was another anime adaptation that I was really looking forward to, as I do enjoy The Summer Hikaru Died manga, and they did this anime justice in my opinion. I really love the atmosphere that CygamesPictures did with the setting, as they really make you feel like something bad is going to happen, which is what you want in the type of story that the manga/anime is all about. I'm very happy with what they did here, and if a second season of this happens, I'm looking forward to it and hope that they make it better from here.

Here's my #9 favorite anime in 2025:

Dr. Stone: Science Future is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi. It was created by TMS Entertainment, and Part 1 aired from January 9, 2025, to March 27, 2025, and Part 2 aired from July 10, 2025, to September 25, 2025.

I have been a fan of Dr. Stone for a long time, and I say that they did a great job with the final season of Dr. Stone: Science Future. Granted, not a fan that they have to do the final season in multiple parts, but the action, the character development, and the story have been well done, so I'm willing to forgive the multiple parts here at this time. There should be one more part for next year with Dr. Stone: Science Future, and we'll see how that turns out.

Here's my #8 favorite anime in 2025:

Kingdom 6th Season, or Kingdom: Season 6 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara. It was created by Studio Perriot and Studio Signpos, and it aired from October 5, 2025, to December 28, 2025. 

Kingdom generally does well when it comes to anime, and this season of Kingdom was incredible. The action and animation for it were incredible, and the story is moving along quite nicely with the pace they're going in. With the official localization of the manga to the West this year, I really hope that more people can get into the series, and the anime can definitely help with that. Looking forward to the seventh season of it when it does happen, as we'll see if they can top this season.

Here's my #7 favorite anime in 2025:

Boku no Hero Academia: Final Season, or My Hero Academia Final Season in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. It was created by Bones Film, and it aired from October 4, 2025, to December 13, 2025. 

Although I was somewhat mixed about the ending of the My Hero Academia manga, the anime's ending was handled much better. Bones Film definitely went all out when it comes to the final season of My Hero Academia, as it has everything, and it was awesome. It was the end of an era with the manga of My Hero Academia ending last year, and now the same goes for the anime of My Hero Academia. What a run it has, and glad that the anime delivered a lot better compared to the manga in terms of the ending, in my opinion.

Here's my #6 favorite anime in 2025:

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3rd Season, or Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese light novel series written by Tappei Nagatsuki and illustrated by Shinichirou Otsuka. It was created by White Fox, and it aired from October 2, 2025, to March 26, 2025.

I still can't believe that I forgot to watch one of my favorite anime ever last year with Re: ZERO - Starting Life in Another World- Season 3, but I got to finish it earlier this year, and man, it was incredible. I personally feel like each season keeps getting better and better as Subaru and Emilia continue to evolve as characters, and the story is getting really good at what's happening in the anime currently. I'm so looking forward to Season 4 when it happens, and I'll definitely be there for sure.

Now, we're in the top five. Here's my #5 favorite anime in 2025:

Takopii no Genzai, or Takopi's Original Sin in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Taizan 5. It was created by Enishiya, and it aired from June 28, 2025, to August 2, 2025.

I remember reading the manga of this back then, and I thought it was good for what it was, but the anime adaptation of Takopi's Original Sin was on a whole different level, which caught me off by surprise. Enishiya did an amazing job with the atmosphere and animation, as it made you feel like you're in that world along with the characters in there, which is incredible. If you want to watch an emotional anime that will get you to feel, I would recommend watching Takopi's Original Sin, just be warned.

Here's my #4 favorite anime in 2025:

Ore dake Level Up na Ken Season 2: Arise from the Shadow, or Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow in the West, is an anime based on the South Korean portal fantasy web novel written by Chugong. It was created by A1-Pictures, and it aired from January 5, 2025, to March 30, 2025.

I'm a huge fan of Solo Leveling as it's one of my favorite manhwas, and I was very surprised when A1-Pictures did an excellent job with the animation of Solo Leveling with the first season. With the second season, it didn't disappoint, as it was awesome, as they continued with the amazing animation that they did with the action and fights. The only issue I had with it is that they kind of rushed getting to the Jeju Island Arc a bit quickly, as they should've paced it better. Regardless, it was still awesome, and looking forward to the third season of it if it does happen down the line.

Here's my #3 favorite anime in 2025:

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto 2nd Season, or The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. It was created by OLM and Toho Animation Studio, and it aired from January 10, 2025, to July 4, 2025.

I loved the first season of The Apothecary Diaries, and the second season of it was even better. I continue to love the suspense and thrill that they did with this series, with each episode that they did, as it makes me hype to watch the next episode and makes me want to see even more. I continue to love what they did with the anime so far with Apothecary Diaries, and I'm looking forward to Season 3 when it happens.

Here's my #2 favorite anime in 2025:

Dandadan 2nd Season, or Dandadan Season 2 in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu. It was created by Science Saru, and it aired from July 4, 2025, to September 19, 2025.

Dandadan was my #1 favorite anime last year, and the second season was just as amazing as the first. It still has the fun action, funny comedy, and the character development among the characters so far has been done extremely well. The only reason it isn't #1 this year is because of another anime that got me the most this year, but I still love it regardless.

Now, here's my #1 favorite anime in 2025:

Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, or The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity in the West, is an anime based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Saka Mikami. It was created by CloverWorks and aired from July 6, 2025, to September 28, 2025.

I really enjoyed the manga of The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity, so I was quite curious about how the anime adaptation would turn out, and it was beautiful. The pacing of the anime has been done incredibly well so far in terms of developing the characters and the love relationship that they have for one another. CloverWorks did a tremendous job of pulling the viewers' strings here for wanting the protagonists to get together. I was very surprised by how well this was done, and I'm looking forward to the second season of this if it does happen.

Those are my favorite anime in 2025.

What are your favorite anime in 2025?

Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading.