10 Most Anticipated Anime Of Winter 2025 (2025)

With something for every type of anime fan, there's no denying that 2024 has been a very good year for anime. With incredibly popular series either debuting or returning, and more than a few entries in niche genres, 2024 was one of the strongest years for anime in recent memory. Given 2024's strong track record, it's surprising that 2025 could possibly be even bigger, with some series that already look incredibly promising.

From heartwarming shojo series to action-packed fantasies and drama-filled mysteries, this season offers a diverse array of anime for fans to enjoy. January, in particular, is stacked with titles that could be massive if their actual releases live up to the hype surrounding them. Winter 2025 is already shaping up to be one for the books, with some hotly anticipated that fans will hopefully be buzzing about for years to come.

10 My Happy Marriage Season 2

January 6, 2025

My Happy Marriage

TV-14

Animation

Fantasy

My Happy Marriage is a TV show that follows Miyo Saimori, a young woman in a loveless arranged marriage, who embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance. Set in historical Japan, the series explores themes of duty, love, and personal growth as Miyo navigates societal expectations and her new life.

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Cast

Reina Ueda , Kaito Ishikawa , Ayane Sakura , Koutaro Nishiyama , Hiro Shimono , Houko Kuwashima , Ryōhei Kimura , Hiroshi Yanaka , Kenyu Horiuchi , Yoko Hikasa , Kana Ueda , Kenta Miyake , Toshinari Fukamachi , Hiroshi Kousaka

Character(s)

Miyo Saimori , Kiyoka Kudo , Kaya Saimori , Koji Tatsuishi , Yoshito Godo , Yurie , Arata Tsuruki , Shinichi Saimori , Minoru Tatsuishi , Hazuki Kudo , Kanoko Saimori , Masashi Okaito , Kazushi Tatsuishi , Iwashimizu (Informant)

Release Date

July 5, 2023

Main Genre

Animation

Another break-out romance anime is making its return soon with a surprisingly fast second season that is much welcomed. As one of the best anime of 2023, My Happy Marriage was as beautifully animated as it was written. Furthermore, season 2 of My Happy Marriage will be tackling some of the source material's best parts, with the first half diving more into the bonding of Miyo and Kiyoka, and the second half leaning more into the supernatural aspects of the series.

Miyo Saimori, a kind-hearted girl, faces mistreatment from her family and is forced into a loveless marriage with Kiyoka Kudou, a cold, aloof man with a dark past. As they navigate their difficult relationship, Miyo begins to uncover Kiyoka's true nature, and their bond deepens, leading to love and mutual healing.

9 Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2

January 12, 2025

More than 4 years after the first season, the hit series Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun is finally making its return and it will have possibly the best content from the source material. Season 2 is set to adapt the highly anticipated Picture Perfect arc where Kou and Nene face a major dilemma. Furthermore, fans will likely get to see the Clock Keepers, who were unfortunately skipped over and not adapted in season 1.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is based on the series Aidalro and follows Nene Yashiro, a high school girl who summons the ghost of Hanako-kun, a spirit rumored to haunt the girls' restroom. Hanako-kun is one of the seven "wonders" of the school. The story explores Nene's adventures as she becomes involved in the supernatural world, helping Hanako solve various mysteries while uncovering her tragic past.

8 Blue Exorcist Season 5

January 2025

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9.7/10

Blue Exorcist

TV-14

Action

Animation

Drama

Supernatural

Blue Exorcist is an anime series that follows Rin Okumura, a teenager discovering he is the son of Satan. Determined to challenge his demonic heritage, Rin enrolls at True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and protect the world from demonic forces. The show explores themes of identity, family, and the battle between good and evil with a mix of action and supernatural elements.

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Cast

Bryce Papenbrook , Johnny Yong Bosch , Brian Beacock , Sam Riegel , Kyle Hebert , Wendee Lee , Mona Marshall , Christine Marie Cabanos , Kira Buckland , Kirk Thornton

Release Date

April 17, 2011

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu

Franchise(s)

Blue Exorcist

Writers

Ryōta Yamaguchi

Directors

Tensai Okamura

Main Genre

Action

Creator(s)

Kazue Kato

Blue Exorcist fans have recently been treated to two back-to-back seasons of the hit series after almost a decade of a hiatus, and the fifth installment is coming soon. Season 4 was mostly building up to more exciting events later, and the drama was great. The anime will soon adapt more of the exciting Illuminati arc, giving a payoff to these past 2 seasons, which were filled with drama, mystery, and intrigue. Furthermore, fans can look forward to more battles and fights as the main villains of the series become more threatening and relevant.

The series follows the two brothers, Rin and Yukio, who discover they are the sons of Satan and born from a human woman. After their guardian and foster father is tragically killed, Rin enrolls in the True Cross Academy to hone his powers and one day exact revenge on his evil father. With the power to use some of Satan's powers, Rin, together with Yukio, and his other friends, battles demons, grow together and solve mysteries as they survive and learn in this dangerous world.

7 Dr. Stone Science Future

January 2025

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10/10

Dr. Stone

TV-14

Animation

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Dr. Stone is an anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity has been petrified for thousands of years. The story follows high school student Senku Ishigami who awakens and seeks to rebuild civilization from scratch using his extensive knowledge of science.

Cast

Aaron Dismuke , Brandon McInnis , Felecia Angelle , Matt Shipman , Ricco Fajardo

Character(s)

Senku Ishigami , Gen Asagiri , Kohaku , Chrome , Taiju Oki

Release Date

July 5, 2019

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

While it is sad that the fourth season of the nerdy and interesting Dr. Stone series will be its last, it is also great news that it will run for quite some time. Streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll, Dr. Stone Science Future is scheduled for 3 cours, with each cour being around 12–13 episodes each. This means the anime will go on for most of 2025, providing a steady stream of content for fans. With Senku's journey to restoring humanity using science coming to an end soon, fans should strap for one of the best anime in recent years to come to a close.

The narrative begins with a mysterious flash that leads to the petrification of all humanity, turning individuals into stone statues. Thousands of years later, the brilliant Senku Ishigami awakens, determined to reconstruct civilization through the application of science. With the support of his friends, Senku embarks on a purposeful journey to revive humanity, working to rediscover lost technologies and find out about the incident that led to the collapse of humanity.

6 Honey Lemon Soda

January 2025

One of the most popular shojo manga series is finally being adapted into an anime, making it one of the must-watch series of the season. What’s particularly exciting is not just the stunning visuals and designs that closely resemble the original manga but also the studio behind the animation—JC Staff. This studio has given fans some of the most beloved romance anime, including Golden Time, Maid-sama! and Toradora. Few studios are as qualified for this task, and with the heartwarming and beautiful story from the source material being handled by such capable hands, Honey Lemon Soda should definitely be on everyone’s radar.

Uka Ishimori is a shy high school girl who struggles with low self-esteem and bullying. Her life takes a turn when she meets Shiroishi, a confident and popular boy who helps her build her confidence. As their relationship develops, Uka learns to open up and embrace her true self. The series explores themes of personal growth, romance, and overcoming insecurities, focusing on Uka’s journey toward self-acceptance.

5 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You Season 2

Jan 12, 2025

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

TV-14

Animation

Comedy

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You is a romantic comedy series that follows high school student Rentarou Aijo, who, after being rejected 100 times, meets 100 girls destined to be his true loves. Each girl falls deeply in love with him, creating humorous and complicated scenarios. Adapted from the manga by Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa, the series explores themes of love, destiny, and teenage relationships.

Cast

Wataru Katoh , Kaede Hondo , Miyu Tomita , Maria Naganawa , Asami Seto

Release Date

October 8, 2023

Seasons

1

While harem series is a common genre in anime, The 100 Girlfriends truly sets itself apart with its outrageous humor and sharp satire of traditional harem tropes. This series boldly pushes boundaries, crafting a narrative filled with unexpected twists and surreal situations that challenge the norms of the genre. With the upcoming release of season 2, fans can eagerly anticipate an even more thrilling and laugh-out-loud experience as new girlfriends are introduced, further complicating the protagonist's already chaotic love life and amplifying the comedic elements that make this series so quirky.

The story follows Rentarou Aijou, a high school student who is revived by a mysterious god after a tragic accident. He learns that he will be loved by 100 different girls throughout his life, but if he fails to reciprocate their feelings, he will die. As Rentarou encounters and attracts many girls, each with unique personalities and backgrounds, he struggles to balance these relationships while trying to keep his life intact.

4 Sakamoto Days

Jan 11, 2025

Sakamoto Days

Animation

Action

Adventure

Sakamoto Days centers on Taro Sakamoto, a former top-tier hitman who has traded his life of crime for a peaceful existence running a convenience store. Despite his attempts to leave the underworld behind, Sakamoto's past catches up with him as old rivals and dangerous enemies reappear, threatening his newfound tranquility. Forced to defend his family and business, Sakamoto must draw on his lethal skills while navigating the humorous and unexpected challenges of balancing his ordinary daily life with the chaos of his former profession.

Cast

Tomokazu Sugita

Release Date

January 5, 2025

Seasons

1

Main Genre

Animation

Creator(s)

Yuto Suzuki

Another Shonen Jump manga is gearing up to take next year by surprise, with the action-packed and hilarious Sakamoto Days anime hitting streaming platforms soon. The series has been stable and had a good number of fans even before the anime was announced, and it will only go up during the 6-month run it is scheduled for. Furthermore, it will be a Netflix-exclusive anime and with the amount of promotion going into it, it will definitely be a highlight of 2025.

Sakamoto Taro was once one of the best assassins in the market and an unstoppable force of nature, but after he got married, had a daughter and settled down, he gained a lot of weight. Years later, he is suddenly thrown back into the world of killers when he meets the clairvoyant Shin. With a mysterious organization gunning for him and other assassins, Sakamoto balances his daily life in his store while also protecting himself and his friends in this hilarious yet violent series.

3 Re: Zero Season 3 Part 2

February 5, 2025

One of the signature isekai promises to give more content to fans for two seasons straight, with cour 2 being titled the Counterattack arc. With a new Sin Archbishop taking the stage as the main villain and a new dazzling location, cour 1 was nothing short of incredible. Featuring incredible action, the return of an anticipated character, and Subaru becoming an even better, cour 2 of Re: Zero season 3 will continue this masterclass of an adaptation with 8 episodes before concluding the installation.

Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World follows Subaru Natsuki, a high school student who is suddenly transported to a fantasy world. He discovers he has the ability to "reset" time upon death, but this isn't the cheat code fans think it is, as each death gives him incredible trauma and sometimes makes him lose his sanity. As Subaru forms bonds with various characters, he faces deadly challenges, trying to save his friends and uncover the mysteries of his power and the world itself.

2 Apothecary Diaries Season 2

Jan 10, 2025

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10/10

The Apothecary Diaries

TV-14

Drama

The Apothecary Diaries is an anime adaptation of the light novel series by Natsu Hyūga. Set in ancient China, it follows Maomao, a young apothecary kidnapped and sold into the imperial palace. Utilizing her medicinal knowledge, Maomao solves various medical mysteries within the palace, catching the attention of the palace's noblemen. The series combines historical intrigue, medical knowledge, and a strong female protagonist in a richly detailed setting.

Cast

Emi Lo , Kaiji Tang , Alex Horn , Molly Zhang , Jim Foronda , Trina Nishimura

Release Date

October 22, 2023

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

The Apothecary Diaries

Writers

Norihiro Naganuma

Directors

Norihiro Naganuma

Main Genre

Animation

Creator(s)

Natsu Hyūga

As one of the anime that took over in 2024 alongside Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the drama-filled Apothecary Diaries will be surprisingly coming back this winter season, which is very fast given it ran for 6 months. Furthermore, much to the delight of fans, it is scheduled to receive 2 cours, which are approximately 24–25 episodes. It is clear how good the production and schedule, and how big of a hit it was. In fact, Apothecary Diaries was one of this year's best-selling manga, and the popularity of Maomao's daily life will only continue to skyrocket in popularity.

After being kidnapped and sold into the Imperial Palace as a servant, she attracts the attention of the head of the Inner Court, Jinshi, after she helps save one of the Queens using her medical knowledge as an apothecary. She is granted a more important role and works with Jinshi on anything medicine or poison-related. As much as she wants to lead a relatively normal life, she becomes involved in solving various mysteries related to palace intrigue, poisonings, and political conspiracies.

1 Solo Leveling Season 2

January 2025

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19

9.5/10

Solo Leveling

TV-MA

Action

Adventure

Animation

Fantasy

Based on a webtoon series, Solo Leveling is an action-adventure fantasy anime originally created by Chugong. When Sung Jinwoo is slain in the depths of a high-level dungeon, he is reborn - but this time with a plan. Utilizing a unique program that only he can, Jinwoo levels up remarkably fast - and he intends to use his newfound strength to reach the heart of the dungeon and uncover its secrets.

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Cast

Aleks Le , Justin Briner , Rebecca Wang , Dani Chambers , Michelle Rojas , Kent Williams

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Seasons

1

Writers

Noboru Kimura

Directors

Shunsuke Nakashige

Creator(s)

Chugong

Where To Watch

Crunchyroll

Possibly the biggest manhwa and one of 2024's biggest anime, Solo Leveling makes it return one year later to dominate the winter season yet again. The first season laid the groundwork for everything exciting to come and leveled Jinwoo to a level where his upcoming fights will be out of this world. Furthermore, fans can look forward to more screen time and development for the side characters courtesy of the anime staff, fixing a major criticism of the series and elevating it to a higher level.

Solo Leveling season 2 is easily one of the most anticipated anime of 2025, with fans receiving the first season exceptionally well. Between Solo Leveling, Viral Hit, and True Beauty 2024 was an outstanding year for anime adaptations of manhwa, and with Solo Leveling leading the charge again in 2025, it looks like anime based on manhwa are here to stay as a major staple of the industry.