These are the best new anime titles from this year that you need to watch.
As 2025 comes to an end, all the anime fans are looking forward to 2026, which is already shaping up to be stacked with some amazing titles. However, 2025 also gave us some of the best anime experiences, with both returning and new shows.
Although series like DAN DA DAN, My Hero Academia, and Wind Breaker gave us banger episodes, it’s time to appreciate some of the new titles which wowed us with their animation, character development, and emotional storytelling.
Here are our top choices for the best new anime of 2025.
10. Ruri Rocks
Educational is not the first word that comes to mind when we talk about mainstream anime. However, this Summer 2025 series showed us that education doesn’t have to be boring and tedious. The journey of crystal lover Ruri and mineralogist Nagi through the wilderness of Japan is engrossing.
Although Mineralogy is a niche subject, the series doesn’t overwhelm the viewer with unnecessary academic jargon. The animation is lovely, and depicts nature and her treasures in a tender and joyful manner. The camaraderie and friendship between Nagi and Ruri is also precious. Overall, this short anime, based on Keiichiro Shibuya’s manga, should be on your watchlist.
9. SANDA
Adapted from Paru Itagaki’s (Beastars) manga, SANDA was one of the most exciting titles of Winter 2025. This was mostly because Science SARU, known for their amazing work in DAN DA DAN, were animating it. Suffice to say, SANDA didn’t disappoint one bit when it came to storytelling, animation, and character development.
The series takes place in a dystopian future where a teenage boy named Sanda unlocks his hidden Santa Clause powers thanks to his classmate Fuyumura. The two of them then start working together to untangle the mystery of their missing friend. The intrigue builds with every episode as the appearance of Santa Claus gives us both comic relief and heart-pumping action. If you are a fan of bizarre storytelling and well-animated action scenes, then you might want to start this one right now.
8. Zenshu
MAPPA’s original Isekai anime Zenshu surprised the audience with its depth and emotions. It centres around Natsuko Hirose, a prodigious animator and director. She is heartbroken to find out that the director of A Tale of Perishing, Natsuko’s favourite movie, has died of food poisoning. A few weeks later, Natsuko suffers the same fate and somehow ends up in A Tale of Perishing’s world. Determined to alter the heartbreaking ending of the story, Natsuko uses her powers of bringing her characters to life to change the fate of others.
Would you change the ending of your favourite story and save your favourite characters if given the chance? Natsuko definitely thinks so! And thus, a story filled with battles, regrets, and dire decisions is born that keeps you glued to your seat from the beginning to the end. Thanks to MAPPA’s breathtaking animation, the series doesn’t feel cumbersome even though it lacks a source material. This 12-episode anime is perfect for an exciting weekend.
7. May I Ask for One Final Thing?
This anime, based on Nana Ōtori’s novel series, overtook the whole anime social media when it came out in Winter 2025. The main reason behind this hostile takeover is definitely the series’ protagonist Scarlet el Vandimion, who, despite being a noblewoman, doesn't enjoy anything more than beating corrupt people to the brink of death. Skilled at fistfighting thanks to her violent nature and her magical power, there are few things more satisfying than watching Scarlet punch and kick her way through political turbulence.
Although Scarlet is the main reason to watch and love this anime, the story doesn’t fall too far behind either. We get an entire political and religious conflict, as hostility seems to brew from every direction through Scarlet’s country Pallistan. There’s a little bit of romance in the end for those who love it.
However, there are three main reasons to watch this series, and they are 1. Scarlet, 2. Scarlet, and 3. SCARLET’S FISTS!
6. Medalist
With Blue Lock’s less-than-ideal animation, 2025 unfortunately wasn’t very strong in the sports anime genre. However, some of the hurt was healed by Medalist, based on Tsurumaikada’s manga. The series focuses on Inori, an 11-year-old prodigious ice skater who is often told that she is too old to start a career in the sport. This is until she meets Tsukasa, a competitive ice dancer on the verge of quitting his career. When Tsukasa recognises Inori’s talent and starts coaching her, the mentor and mentee head towards making history together.
Medalist touches upon some very real and important issues that competitive sports players face. This includes burnout, discouragement, and much more. However, the series also tells us to be hopeful, as it’s possible to overcome these challenges with practice and support. The emotional storyline is fortified by the animation, which seamlessly mixes 2D and 3D animation styles. With the second season headed towards us in Winter 2026, it’s time for you to watch Medalist if you haven’t already.
5. Takopi’s Original Sin
Do you like your emotional stability, mental health, and sanity intact? Then you might want to avoid this series. However, if you are one of the many people who love getting destroyed by the media they're consuming, then Takopi’s Original Sin might be an anime you need to watch.
Based on Taizan 5’s web manga, the series centres around Nueinukf, an alien who comes to Earth from the Happy Planet. He then meets Shizuka, a young girl who gets regularly bullied and lives an awful life. When the alien, named Takopi by Shizuka, tries to save her, things go horribly wrong. Following Takopi’s attempts to correct the mistake he made, the series takes you through five stages of grief in just 6 episodes. If you are someone who values their mental stability, don’t watch this anime. We warned you!
4. The Summer Hikaru Died
Do you like an unhealthy dose of horror in your romance? Then The Summer Hikaru Died should be on your watchlist. Based on Mokumokuren’s manga, the series takes place in a rural Japanese town. The protagonist Yoshiki has a friend named Hikaru, who came back from the surrounding forest after being missing for a few days. When Yoshiki realises that the Hikaru who is now beside him is not his friend but something else, the creature hiding in Hikaru’s body begs him not to tell anyone.
Despite the obvious difference in power between Yoshiki and the eldritch horror that’s inside Hikaru, a romance starts to bloom between the two boys. The anime accurately portrays the dreadfulness of the situation with some very disturbing imagery. The relationship between Yoshiki and Hikaru will make your skin crawl, but you still can’t look away. The show is a perfect balance of horror, love, and monster lore.
3. Umamusume: Cinderella Gray
If you are a fan of this horse-girl franchise, then you might already be keeping up to date with the new episodes. However, if you still haven’t given it a watch, then we must tell you that Cinderella Gray is the perfect sequel to Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Although technically it’s the continuation of the original series, with new characters and stories, Cinderella Gray has made its own place in the hearts of the audience.
The story follows Oguri Cap, a wild horse girl who used to suffer from severe knee pain when she was young. After overcoming many hardships, Oguri cap runs now for the joy of movement, and doesn’t have much ambition to win races unlike the others. However, as she comes to Tracen Academy, this unconventional prodigy starts to stride towards a new future. A story of hope, struggle, and success, this series is a perfect emotional watch for Umamusume fans.
2. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
We couldn’t help but give our favourite romance anime series of the year, based on Saka Mikami’s manga, one of the top places in the list. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity was a testament to how a wholesome story with green flag characters can be utterly riveting. Despite being from rival schools, Rintaro and Kaoruko have similar values, and can’t help but be attracted to each other when they finally meet and talk.
But trouble arises when their friends, who seemingly hate each other, finally collide. The series takes healthy communication to a different level, as these teenagers seem to have more emotional maturity than a lot of adult characters. A story of love, friendship, and overcoming differences, The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity will make you feel warm in the cruel winter.
1. Gachiakuta
The top spot, of course, goes to one of 2025’s most anticipated shonen anime. Despite having a lot of expectations from fans because of how good Kei Urana’s original manga is, the anime adaptation didn’t disappoint. It was perfectly able to capture the horrific nature of The Pit and show us exactly how dangerous it is for normal people to live there. The action was breathtaking and the voice acting was pure gold, taking the viewing experience to another level.
However, what astonishes me most about the anime is how well the characters are portrayed. Urana had created a roster of interesting and unique characters in her anime, who all had different personalities, needs, and aspirations. The anime was able to portray that on the screen very well. The protagonist Rudo, with his loud and brash personality and heart of gold, won our hearts and the no. 1 new anime spot!