As we approach the end of 2024, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the outstanding year that anime has experienced. With fan-favorite ongoing series such as One Piece, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, along with a notable debut lineup featuring titles like Dandadan, Delicious in Dungeon, and Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, viewers had a wealth of options to explore.
Looking ahead to 2025, the anime landscape promises to be just as vibrant. With returning series reigniting excitement and new titles generating buzz since their announcements, 2025 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for anime. A selection of standout titles is already drawing attention, each poised to captivate audiences and potentially become major hits.
10. Zenshu
Anime Series By MAPPA; Directed By Mitsue Yamazaki
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In MAPPA’s Zenshu, viewers follow Natsuko Hirose, an exceptionally talented yet reclusive animator under immense pressure, ultimately leading to her untimely death. Fate takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself in the universe of A Tale of Perishing, the very anime that inspired her career. Tasked with altering a predetermined tragic narrative, Natsuko embarks on a quest to craft a happier conclusion.
Despite the often-controversial reception of isekai narratives, Zenshu sets itself apart with a meta-commentary on the difficulties of creative life and stunning artistry typical of MAPPA productions. With high expectations, this anime seems prepared to exceed the usual benchmarks of its genre.
9 City The Animation
Anime Series By Kyoto Animation; Based On The Manga By Keiichi Arawi
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Kyoto Animation unveils City the Animation, centered around Midori Nagumo, a college student whose zest for life clashes with her dire financial situation and aversion to employment. The series chronicles Midori’s whirlwind escapades through an unremarkable city teeming with eccentric inhabitants, a juxtaposition she embraces wholeheartedly.
This innovative project marks Kyoto Animation’s first original series in six years and serves as a spiritual successor to the beloved Nichijou. Given that both series spring from the imagination of Keiichi Arawi, fans of Nichijou can eagerly anticipate another comedic triumph.
8 Fire Force
Anime Series By David Production; Based On The Manga By Atsushi Ohkubo
Set in a post-apocalyptic world 250 years after the Great Cataclysm, David Production’s Fire Force features an elite team combatting Infernals, supernatural beings born from spontaneous combustion. Shinra Kusakabe, the latest recruit with the ability to ignite his feet, finds himself entangled in a deeper mystery connected to the world’s chaotic events.
The final season of Fire Force is set to premiere its first half in April 2025. Fans can expect the same high-quality animation and engaging storytelling that has characterized its predecessors, promising a rewarding conclusion to the series.
7 Sakamoto Days
Anime Series By TMS Entertainment; Based On The Manga By Yuto Suzuki
TMS Entertainment introduces Sakamoto Days, focusing on Taro Sakamoto, a former world-class assassin who has traded his lethal past for a quiet family life. However, unforeseen circumstances draw him back into a world he thought he left behind, confronting those responsible for his early retirement.
Renowned for its blend of humor and thrilling action reminiscent of popular films like John Wick, the highly anticipated adaptation promises to effectively convey the essence of the beloved manga.
6 New Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt
Anime Series By Studio Trigger; Directed By Hiroyuki Imaishi
After a prolonged absence, the cult classic Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is returning, this time in the hands of Studio Trigger. Announced in 2023, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is set to continue the story from the notable “Gainax ending,”leaving fans eager for more clarification and chaos.
Anticipation surrounds the sequel as core staff members reprise their roles. While it’s likely to follow the cliffhanger events of the original, the series’ unpredictable nature suggests the potential for fresh narrative directions.
5 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Anime Series By Sunrise & Studio Khara; Directed By Kazuya Tsurumaki
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The latest edition of the iconic Gundam franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, emerges from a collaboration between Sunrise and Studio Khara. The story follows Machu, a young girl swept into the world of underground Mobile Suit battles while grappling with the promise of adventure and the perilous situations it may entail.
With the creative team behind Neon Genesis Evangelion at the helm, expectations are high for GQuuuuuuX to resonate with both veteran Gundam enthusiasts and newcomers alike. A theatrical preview is set for January, igniting excitement for the full series’ release.
4 Lazarus
Anime Series By MAPPA; Directed By Shinichiro Watanabe
In a society transformed by a groundbreaking drug known as Hapuna, MAPPA’s Lazarus dives into a bleak narrative where the drug’s creator, Dr. Skinner, reveals its fatal consequence. With a ticking clock, the special task force Lazarus must hunt Dr. Skinner to develop a life-saving vaccine or face catastrophic outcomes for humanity.
Directed by the celebrated Shinichiro Watanabe, the series aims to capture the thrilling action and compelling storytelling that have defined his previous works. This exciting project serves as a testament to Watanabe’s enduring legacy in the anime world.
3 Gachiakuta
Anime Series By Bones; Based On The Manga By Kei Urana
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Bones presents Gachiakuta, telling the tale of Rudo, a young orphan banished from the idyllic Sphere and thrust into the harshness of the Pit. After discovering his unique abilities as a Giver, he vows to return to the Sphere and seek vengeance for his wrongful banishment.
Despite limited previews, the series has garnered significant attention, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Soul Eater. With a reputation for stunning animation and thrilling narratives, Gachiakuta is anticipated to be a hallmark in upcoming anime offerings.
2 One Piece
Anime Series By Toei Animation; Based On The Manga By Eiichiro Oda
Toei Animation’s One Piece immerses viewers in the adventurous quests of pirates seeking the legendary One Piece treasure. With Monkey D. Luffy at the forefront, equipped with the powers of the Gum-Gum Fruit, the series continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
After a historic hiatus, the One Piece anime is set to return in April 2025, reintroducing iconic story arcs such as Luffy’s epic battles and profound character backstories. Observers are excitedly speculating that 2025 may prove to be the pinnacle year for this beloved series.
1 Taste
Anime Series By Science Saru; Based On The Manga By Yukinobu Tatsu
Featuring the dynamic duo of Momo Ayase and Okarun, Science Saru’s Dandadan explores the story of two teens whose lives are irrevocably altered following an encounter with supernatural entities. As they navigate their new abilities and confront looming threats, a complex romance blossoms.
Following a spectacular debut in 2024, Dandadan season 2 is now in production, ensuring fans will soon enjoy more of the captivating narrative and breathtaking animation that made the first season a success. With high expectations, it is undeniably poised to be the top anime to watch in 2025.
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