This year, which has just begun, promises to be incredible for the some animes that stand out from the others and could revolutionize animation and become masterpieces.

Anime became one of the most successful industries of 2024 and shows no signs of stopping, as it seeks to maintain its rising momentum with many confirmed adaptations scheduled to release this year. However, amid the great adaptations premiering in 2025, these animes offer an exciting experience and have the potential to get a spot among the best of the year, so any fan of the medium should include them in their watchlist.

10 Leviathan

Based on the novel by Scott Westerfeld

An anime adaptation of the first novel of Scott Westerfeld's trilogy, Leviathan is the perfect series for history and steampunk literature fans. Leviathan is set to stream on Netflix upon its release and is produced by studio Orange, known for its masterful work in series like Beastars and Trigun Stampede. In addition to Ghibli's recognized composer, Joe Hisashi, being in charge of the soundtrack, it forms a more than capable working team to create an unforgettable animated experience.

Leviathan could not only pave the way for more anime adaptations of Western novels, but its mix of alternative historical elements from World War I with bioengineered artificial animals that serve as war weapons is a unique and imaginative setting that builds an unprecedented adventure and will surely captivate any anime viewer.

9 The Summer Hikaru Died

Based on the Manga By Mokumokuren

The Summer Hikaru Died is a standout series that can more than satisfy psychological horror enthusiasts. The original manga has received international praise and became a commercial success for its intriguing story, eerie atmosphere, emotional depth, and incredible depiction of relationships, grief, and identity. So, its adaptation produced by CygamesPictures, a studio known for its stellar animation, has the potential to become one of the best modern anime.

The story follows Yoshiki, who realizes that his friend Hikaru is no longer the one he used to know, creating a series of supernatural encounters and mysteries bigger than he could have ever imagined. With a wonderful narrative, The Summer Hikaru Died mixes slice-of-life elements with horror to maintain a feeling of awkwardness without leaving aside the shocking and disturbing moments. The anime is a must-watch that will have the audience at the edge of their seats while the secrets of this new Hikaru are unveiled.

8 The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity

Based on the Manga By Saka Mikami

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is one of the most popular shōnen romance mangas in recent years, which has made readers fall in love with its wholesome characters and themes such as acceptance, empathy, friendship, and self-esteem, in addition to its realistic vision that perfectly transmits the uncertainty and sweetness of young love.

The anime, produced by CloverWorks, has not only already teased a breathtaking animation, but is also a comfort series with a romance that naturally and slowly builds up, with heartwarming moments between Rintaro and Kaoruko that make it impossible for viewers not to root for them. This way, The Fragrant Flowers Blooms with Dignity sets up to achieve success and might also conquer an even larger audience than popular returning titles like My Happy Marriage and The Apothecary Diaries and rise as the top rom-com anime of 2025.

7 Witch Hat Atelier

Based on the Manga By Kamome Shirahama

Witch Hat Atelier is not just another story about an apprentice magician in a magic school that follows the typical tropes of the genre, but rather it tackles what happens to those who are not specifically born with this ability. Also, what makes it interesting is that the series features an incredibly extensive world-building with a complex and well-defined magic system with detailed rules and explanations that are engrossed in the story.

This way, those who enjoy fantasy works like Little Witch Academia or Harry Potter will find the perfect replacement in Witch Hat Atelier since it showcases a magical society, but at the same time, it presents similarities with Fullmetal Alchemist by exploring the consequences that the reckless use of powers can cause. The series also features deep, well-rounded characters, stunning art, and a cozy atmosphere that viewers will love, giving Witch Hat Atelier the potential to become the next top anime.

6 The Beginning After the End

Based on the Manhwa Written by Turtleme

The Beginning After The End is the next hit anime adaptation as it’s based on one of the most popular isekai manhwa that has reached international success. TBATE has even sured Solo Leveling in the U.S. and is often compared to other popular titles like Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation due to its similar initial setting. However, what has set TBATE apart from other isekai manhwas is its detailed worldbuilding, unique magic system, and its protagonist, who has risen as one of the best in manhwa.

TBATE follows a powerful former ruler who is reborn as a baby of an adventurer couple starting an epic adventure as he steadily gains more power. Also, despite its not-so-recognized studio, the anime is being supervised by the author TurrleMe and is already being marketed as TBATE season 1, which shows faith in the success of the project. With an interesting story and a world filled with magic, monsters, and different races, The Beginning After the End has everything to become a masterpiece anime if done right.

5 Übel Blatt

Based on the Manga By Etorouji Shiono

Übel Blatt's story is set in a medieval world with a tone similar to works like Berserk and Goblin Slayer, being a dark fantasy series with sexual content and explicit violence. However, Übel Blatt is an acclaimed series with great worldbuilding that was not only serialized for more than 15 years, but has also recently released a new manga sequel, proving its large fanbase.

Moreover, Ubel Blatt stands out thanks to its protagonist, Koinzell, who is in search of revenge after being brutally betrayed and left for dead, and also because of its incredible action. Additionally, as Koinzell descends onto a dark path and goes from being a hero to becoming someone willing to do anything to defeat his enemies, who are recognized and acclaimed throughout the kingdom, conflicts steadily escalate to a greater magnitude, presenting intriguing plot twists that will keep viewers hooked.

4 Gachiakuta

Based on the Manga By Kei Urana

Gachiakuta is one of the best new-generation shōnen manga, named as the legitimate successor to Fire Force and Soul Eater by its author, Atsushi Ohkubo. With a unique aesthetic marked by thick lines, graffiti art, and interesting character design, Gachiakuta presents an intriguing and dystopian world that doesn’t shy away from showcasing themes like slavery, poverty, and discrimination.

In Gachiakuta, the protagonist is an orphan who, after a horrible incident, is ostracized to the bottom of society, where criminals are sent into the trash, and there he s an organization dedicated to fighting monsters called aberrant beasts. The series’ atmosphere is reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic world like Mad Max, and it also has a unique power system based on objects similar to the abilities of the Fullbringers in Bleach, which will appeal to a broader audience.

3 Spy x Family Season 3

Based on the Manga By Tatsuya Endo

Spy x Family's long-awaited return has been officially confirmed for this fall, two years after the premiere of its second season. However, despite the delay, this part has everything to become the most interesting of the franchise so far, as it delves deeper into the people who surround the target of Loid Forger, Desmond Donovan, and also because it evolves from the carefree and comical tone of the previous seasons, explaining more about the world of the series and the conflict between Ostania and Westalis.

In addition to extremist groups that will put the characters in trouble and will make this installment more intriguing, Spy x Family season 3 will continue to focus on the adorable family dynamics of the Forgers, which have conquered viewers around the world, and how Anya, Loid, and even Yor continue to pursue their own targets.

2 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

Based on the Manga Written By Hideyuki Furuhashi and Illustrated By Betten Court

My Hero Academia fans will have a good year in 2025, thanks to the final season of the anime, but also because of the premiere of the spin-off series Vigilantes, an official prequel that shows another side of the Hero society that were brushed off in the main story, while also featuring the past of characters, like All for One, Eraser Head, and Midnight.

Vigilantes stars a young adult, Koichi Himawari, who tries to do good deeds in his free time without a professional hero's license and gets involved with other illegals and an intriguing underground criminal world. This gives the series a more mature and darker tone and is sure to please even those who aren't fans of My Hero Academia. It's also a must-watch for viewers who want to understand better the world of My Hero Academia, as it shows how things came to be in the original story, like the liberation front and the flaws of the hero's society.

1 One-Punch Man Season 3

Based on the Manga Written By ONE and Illustrated By Yusuke Murata

One-Punch Man season 3 will mark a before and after in the series as it covers the Monster Association Arc, which has some of the best fights in shonen of all time. This is an all-out war focused on Saitama and the S-Class heroes fighting the hero Killer Garo and the organized monsters while an even bigger threat looms in the shadows, which will increase the scale of power of the series to a magnitude never seen before.

Despite the controversy surrounding OPM season 2, since this year marks the 10th anniversary of the anime's first broadcast, and it has been the longest wait between seasons so far, it is not surprising that fans' expectations regarding the quality of animation of this season are very high. This way, One Punch Man season 3 is definitely an exciting anime that viewers should keep an eye on this year.