10 Best Anime of Summer 2025

With the arrival of Fall 2025, fans say goodbye to one of the best anime seasons in recent years, with many different innovative titles that captivated audiences and will be remembered for the years to come. Summer 2025 not only brought some surprises that revolutionized the animated world, but also the return of major anime franchises with their new seasons.

While some excellent anime premiered during the Summer 2025 season, such as City The Animation and My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, there were a few series in particular that stood out above all others. Whether for their creative animation, frenetic action, emotional sensitivity, or originality, the best anime of Summer 2025 shined brightly and deserve recognition.

Sakamoto Days Part 2

Sakamoto Days Part 2 not only had improved animation, which was one of the flaws of its first installment, but it also stepped up the action and took the anime to its next level. While its first course has an episodic format focused on introducing the characters, Sakamoto Day Part 2 has evolved the story with serious dangers.

Sakamoto Day Part 2 introduces new villains with imposing presences and fluidly animated battles that are fast-paced, creatively choreographed, and far more violent than Part 1. However, Sakamoto Day Part 2 doesn’t forget its signature absurdist humor, making it an entertaining anime that has risen to the top of Netflix’s catalog.

Secrets of the Silent Witch

Like Monica Everett, Secrets of the Silent Witch whispered to audiences and became a sleeper hit of summer of 2025. Featuring a socially awkward genius witch who is forced to secretly guard a crown heir in a prestigious magic school, the anime continually balances between Monica’s desire to remain hidden and the political conflict and danger that surrounds her.

Secrets of the Silent Witch has beautiful and refined visuals that shine, especially in Monica’s elegant spells. However, it’s the original way the anime develops an overpowered protagonist and how she relates to others, as well as its mystery overtones and heavy moments amid its comedy, that has made Secrets of the Silent Witch a must-watch fantasy anime.

Clevatess

Clevatess is one of the best dark fantasy anime of 2025, which has even been compared to the legendary Berserk. With an impressive premiere, Clevatess proved to be a deconstruction of the preordained epic hero’s journey, showing both a dysfunctional bond and a fascinating, brutal magical world. However, it’s its unusual protagonist, Clevatess, who steals the show.

Clevatess is full of violence, but despite its cruel and dark story, the anime doesn’t descend into pure tragedy, having hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming moments. Clevatess also shares the classic animation style of the 90s anime with stunning battles that don’t skimp on gore. Clevates is a hidden gem that, without generating high expectations, won over the audience with each episode.

The Summer Hikaru Died

Yoshiki and Hikaru in episode 1 — The-Summer-Hikaru-Died-Episode-1-Yoshiki-Hikaru

The Summer Hikaru Died is the new entry for psychological anime fans that, more than achieving fear through jump scares, does so by building the disturbing and confining atmosphere typical in folk horror. Every episode of The Summer Hikaru Died has a palpable tension thanks to its focus on Yoshiki’s mental state, immersive sound design, and breathtaking animation.

While The Summer Hikaru Died takes a leisurely pace in unraveling the mysteries behind the town’s paranormal phenomena and the existence of the eldritch being inhabiting Hikaru’s body, the anime is full of nuances, exploring death, grief, existential dread, friendship, and identity. This unique premise is what makes The Summer Hikaru Died a thought-provoking story like no other.

Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 2

Dr Stone Season 4 Science Future Part 2 Senku and Dr. Xeno

It’s true that despite its consistently good story, previous installments of Dr. Stone lacked an explosive element that would make it surpass other popular anime. However, Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 2 is the generational comeback for the anime, as TMS Entertainment has given its all to do justice to the final stretch of the story before entering its last season.

Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 2 shows Senku and company being persecuted by Dr. Xeno’s forces as they try to unravel the mysteries of petrification. With incredible pacing, masterful direction, and one of the best moments in Dr. Stone‘s entire franchise, Science Future Part 2, managed to create an impressive climax that met all fans’ expectations.

Gachiakuta

Gachiakuta has proven why it’s considered one of the best new-gen manga. Showcasing a world plagued by injustice and social inequality, it’s not only Gachiakuta‘s powerful message that has made the anime resonate with viewers, but also how it executes its story. Gachiakuta is well-rounded, having kinetic animation, exciting battles, and supporting characters that shine effortlessly.

Despite not escaping from shōnen tropes, Gachiakuta still feels like a breath of fresh air during Summer 2025 due to its excellent worldbuilding, visuals, and character design with a distinct underground vibe. Gachiakuta only gets better as it progresses with a rebellious, tough, and revolutionary protagonist that people can’t help but support.

Dandadan Season 2

Dandadan's Momo yells with her hands out while Okarun is in his Yokai form with Turbo Granny on his back. — Dandadan’s Momo yells with her hands out while Okarun is in his Yokai form with Turbo Granny on his back.

Despite its unprecedented success in 2024, Dandadan Season 2 knew how to exceed fans’ expectations. Dandadan Season 2 is also the most ambitious anime of 2025, effectively merging different paranormal elements without losing its essence, taking its crazy developments to the next level with its masterful use of color, exceptional animation, and battles that are simply eye candy.

Furthermore, Dandadan Season 2 also strikes a chord with fans with heartbreaking moments, a wild soundtrack, endearing character interactions, and bold nods to other anime franchises. As a result, this season has continued to elevate Dandadan‘s status, not only as one of the best shōnen series in recent years but also as a visual marvel by Science SARU.

To Be Hero X

To Be Hero X flips the superhero genre in ways fans were previously unaware of. In To Be Hero X, heroes are classified and gain their powers thanks to the public’s trust in them, a system that slowly becomes evidently corrupt. Therefore, To Be Hero X is filled with social criticism, exposing the control and manipulation of the heroes.

To Be Hero X features many heroes with their own unique challenges, and each story reveals a piece of the puzzle. However, To Be Hero X‘s main trait that sets it apart from other Summer 2025 anime is its aesthetic, which pushes creative boundaries, utilizing 2D and 3D animation and featuring visuals that look straight out of a comic book.

Lord of Mysteries

Despite being a donghua series, Lord of Mysteries was one of the most anticipated titles of Summer 2025 thanks to the reputation of its novel. But even after its first episodes were criticized for their confusing pacing, Lord of Mysteries quickly redeemed itself by steadily introducing secrets and unveiling a conspiracy that keeps viewers on edge.

Beyond its sublime animation and action sequences, the true charm of Zhou Mingrui’s story of his transmigration to a Victorian era lies in the mysteries underlying everything and the dangerous deities lurking in the shadows. Lord of Mysteries is different from other isekai anime, with exceptional characterization, emotional moments, and a mind-blowing cliffhanger that left viewers eagerly awaiting the second season.

Takopi’s Original Sin

Takopi’s Original Sin rises to become one of the highest-rated anime of 2025. In the anime, Shizuka encounters an adorable octopus-shaped alien whose mission is to spread happiness. However, what initially appears to be an innocent meeting that seeks to create a ripple effect of positivity later reveals gut-wrenching scenes capable of leaving viewers paralyzed from the first episode.

With an incredible soundtrack and animation that does justice to the manga’s unique art style, Takopi’s Original Sin manages to deceive viewers with various plot twists, but it’s its harrowing realism that makes it so impactful. Takopi’s Original Sin became the dark horse of Summer 2025, leaving viewers speechless and proving that behind every good intention there is a consequence.

Release Date: 2025 – 2025-00-00
Network: Bandai Channel, Netflix, Prime Video, Niconico, ABEMA, Hulu, Disney+, FOD, d Anime Store, Anime Houdai, U-NEXT, TELASA, DMM TV, niconico Channel, Lemino, J:COM STREAM, milplus, WOWOW On Demand, Anime Times, Rakuten TV, VIDEX