2025 has been nothing short of spectacular for anime enthusiasts worldwide. With streaming platforms making anime more accessible than ever, this year delivered an unprecedented variety of masterpieces that redefined storytelling, animation quality, and global cultural impact.
- Solo Leveling – The Undisputed Anime of the Year
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hashira Training Arc
- DAN DA DAN
- Kaiju No. 8
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi)
- Lord of Mysteries
- MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
- Look Back (Film)
- Wind Breaker
- How to Start Your Anime Journey in 2025
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Crunchyroll, the world’s premier anime streaming platform, has been instrumental in bringing these incredible series to global audiences. With exclusive simulcasts, high-definition streaming, and comprehensive libraries, accessing these masterpieces has never been easier. For those looking to explore, ARPAY offers convenient Crunchyroll gift cards that provide instant access to premium anime streaming without the hassle of complicated payment setups.
Let’s explore the 10 anime series that defined 2025 and captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Solo Leveling – The Undisputed Anime of the Year
Studio: A-1 Pictures | Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Solo Leveling earned the prestigious title of “Anime of the Year” by delivering an incredible power fantasy that resonates with viewers worldwide.
Following Sung Jin-Woo’s transformation from the world’s weakest Hunter to an unstoppable force, this series perfectly blends gaming mechanics with traditional storytelling. A-1 Pictures’ breathtaking animation brings every level-up and battle to life with stunning visual effects that make each episode feel like an interactive experience.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hashira Training Arc
Studio: Ufotable | Genre: Action, Historical, Supernatural
The Hashira Training Arc continues Demon Slayer’s legacy of unparalleled animation quality and emotional storytelling.
Tanjiro’s intensive training under each elite Hashira member showcases Ufotable’s masterful blend of traditional and digital animation. This arc perfectly balances spectacular action sequences with intimate character development, preparing viewers for the climactic battles ahead while delivering the breathtaking visuals the series is famous for.
DAN DA DAN
Studio: Science SARU | Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Romance
DAN DA DAN burst onto the scene as 2025’s most surprising hit, combining aliens, ghosts, and teenage romance in ways that shouldn’t work but absolutely do.
Science SARU’s vibrant animation style perfectly captures the series’ chaotic energy, delivering both laugh-out-loud comedy and genuinely thrilling supernatural encounters. The unique blend of sci-fi and horror elements creates an unpredictable viewing experience that keeps audiences guessing.
Kaiju No. 8
Studio: Production I.G | Genre: Action, Military, Monster
Kaiju No. 8 delivers the monster-fighting action that fans have been craving, with Production I.G bringing incredible detail to both kaiju designs and military combat sequences.
The series follows Kafka Hibino’s journey from cleanup crew member to monster-fighting hero, offering a fresh take on the kaiju genre. The animation quality shines particularly during large-scale battle sequences, making every monster encounter feel appropriately epic and destructive.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Studio: Madhouse | Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Frieren continues to captivate audiences with its profound meditation on time, memory, and what it means to be human. Madhouse’s beautiful animation brings the fantasy world to life with subtle details that enhance the series’ contemplative atmosphere.
This isn’t just an adventure anime – it’s a philosophical journey that explores mortality and friendship through the eyes of an immortal elf, creating deeply emotional moments that resonate long after viewing.
Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi)
Studio: Trigger | Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Delicious in Dungeon proves that you can find wonder in the most unexpected places – like cooking monsters in a magical dungeon. Trigger’s distinctive animation style brings both the fantastical creatures and mouth-watering dishes to life with equal enthusiasm.
The series perfectly balances adventure, comedy, and surprisingly detailed cooking sequences, creating a unique viewing experience that’s both entertaining and oddly educational about fantasy cuisine.
Lord of Mysteries
Studio: B.CMay Pictures | Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Historical
Lord of Mysteries brings Lovecraftian horror to the anime medium with stunning results. Set in a Victorian-era inspired world filled with supernatural mysteries, the series follows Klein Moretti as he navigates a world of ancient gods and forbidden knowledge.
The animation captures the eerie atmosphere perfectly, with detailed backgrounds and creature designs that bring cosmic horror to life while maintaining the mystery elements that keep viewers theorizing.
MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
Studio: A-1 Pictures | Genre: Comedy, Action, Magic
MASHLE continues to deliver its unique brand of magical comedy with the Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc. Mash Burnedead’s muscle-powered approach to a magic-dominated world creates endless entertainment as he faces increasingly challenging opponents.
A-1 Pictures maintains the series’ distinctive visual style while ramping up both the comedy and action elements, proving that sometimes the simplest concepts work best.
Look Back (Film)
Studio: Studio Durian | Genre: Drama, Slice of Life
Look Back stands as 2025’s most emotionally powerful anime film, adapting Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed one-shot manga with incredible sensitivity. The film explores friendship, creativity, and loss through the story of two aspiring manga artists.
Studio Durian’s animation captures every nuanced emotion, creating a viewing experience that celebrates the creative process while delivering profound commentary on art, ambition, and human connection.
Wind Breaker
Studio: CloverWorks | Genre: Action, School, Delinquent
Wind Breaker rounds out our list as the year’s standout delinquent anime, following Haruka Sakura as he joins Bofurin High School’s mission to protect their town. CloverWorks delivers intense fight choreography while exploring themes of belonging and community.
The series modernizes the classic delinquent genre with contemporary animation techniques and character development that appeals to both nostalgic fans and newcomers to the genre.
How to Start Your Anime Journey in 2025
Getting into anime has never been easier, and Crunchyroll remains the gold standard for anime streaming worldwide. With the largest library of anime content, exclusive simulcasts, and premium features like offline viewing and ad-free streaming, Crunchyroll provides the ultimate anime experience.
Getting started is effortless with ARPAY’s convenient Crunchyroll gift cards – perfect for treating yourself to premium anime content or introducing friends to the incredible world of Japanese animation. The instant digital delivery means you can start watching these amazing series within minutes.
Read more: Crunchyroll Vs Funimation: Which Gift Card Is Best For Anime Fans?
Conclusion
This year’s anime selection represents the medium at its absolute peak, showcasing innovation, artistry, and storytelling that continues to elevate the entire entertainment industry. From Solo Leveling’s gaming-inspired power progression to Look Back’s intimate creative journey, these ten series demonstrate why anime remains one of the most dynamic and exciting forms of entertainment available today.
Each series offers a unique perspective and viewing experience, ensuring that no matter your preferences.
Ready to dive into these incredible series? Start your anime journey with Crunchyroll gift cards from ARPAY – delivered instantly and ready to unlock thousands of hours of premium anime content.
Don’t let another day pass without experiencing the best anime that 2025 has to offer.
FAQs
What makes 2025 a special year for anime?
2025 has been exceptional for anime due to the combination of high-profile sequels like Demon Slayer’s Hashira Training Arc, groundbreaking new series like Solo Leveling, and innovative storytelling approaches seen in DAN DA DAN. The year also marked significant improvements in animation quality and global accessibility through streaming platforms.
Are these anime suitable for beginners?
Yes! While some series like Solo Leveling and Kaiju No. 8 are perfect entry points with straightforward action plots, others like Frieren offer deeper storytelling. DAN DA DAN provides comedy elements that make it accessible, while Delicious in Dungeon combines adventure with unique cooking elements that appeal to various interests.
How can I get Crunchyroll access easily?
ARPAY offers convenient Crunchyroll gift cards with instant digital delivery, making it easy to access premium anime content without complicated payment setups. These gift cards work globally and provide immediate access to thousands of anime series and movies.
What’s the difference between subbed and dubbed anime?
Subbed anime features the original Japanese voice acting with subtitles, preserving the original performance and cultural nuances. Dubbed anime has English voice actors, making it easier to watch without reading subtitles. Both versions are available for most popular series on Crunchyroll.
Is Solo Leveling really the best anime of 2025?
Solo Leveling earned widespread acclaim for its exceptional animation, engaging power progression system, and compelling protagonist journey. While “best” is subjective, its massive popularity and critical praise make it a standout series that appeals to both anime veterans and newcomers.
Hager Hesham
Content Writer and your go-to gaming expert. I'm here to share my best practices, valuable strategies, and professional gamer guidance. Also, I'm a gem hunter for the best deals and gift cards, just to enjoy games at almost zero cost with AR-pay.
