10 Best Anime Movies Of 2025

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Anime isn’t just about TV series; movies are a huge part of the culture too. These films range from short side stories and continuations of popular shows to completely original projects. Anime movies have played a significant role in the medium’s growth, particularly before anime became widely popular.

2025 was a fantastic year for anime movies, with a string of incredible releases that even captured the attention of wider audiences – something rarely seen before. Several films truly shone, demonstrating the strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the anime and film industries.

10) Scarlet

Mamoru Hosoda, the acclaimed director, returns with his newest film, Scarlet. This unique take on the classic story of Hamlet follows Princess Scarlet, who dies trying to avenge her father. Given a second chance in the afterlife, she begins to wonder if revenge is truly worthwhile.

While not Hosoda’s strongest film, Scarlet boasts beautiful animation but suffers from uneven characters and a heavy-handed message. Despite these flaws, the movie manages to be genuinely heartwarming, making it worth watching when it’s released next February.

9) Bâan: The Boundary Of Adulthood

Studio Daisy and GeeXPlus’s Bâan: The Boundary of Adulthood follows Rinrada Ratchamanee, a magical being from Euthania who moves to Earth to live on her own, and Daichi Arai, a human hoping for excitement in Euthania. Though they come from very different worlds, both characters are on journeys of growing up and finding themselves.

The production beautifully portrays Thai culture, and Bâan especially resonates with anyone who’s experienced the joys and challenges of living independently, particularly as an immigrant. Bâan marks the directorial debut of popular anime YouTuber Gigguk, and he delivers a genuinely touching and relatable story.

8) Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl

Yasuomi Umetsu, a celebrated director, launches a new film series with Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl. The story follows Ubu Kamigori, a skilled bounty hunter whose life was ruined by the villainous Mr. Elegance. After Mr. Elegance imprisons her within a robotic body, Ubu is forced to obey him while desperately seeking a way to destroy him.

Virgin Punk is a delightfully cheesy action movie, full of exciting scenes and a bold, over-the-top style. It strongly resembles the classic anime OVAs of the 1990s. While Clockwork Girl sets up the larger story, it’s still an enjoyable and complete experience on its own.

7) Mononoke The Movie: The Ashes Of Rage

I recently watched Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage, the second film in the Mononoke trilogy. It takes place just a month after the events of Phantom in the Rain, and follows the Medicine Seller as he returns to the Ooku. This time, he’s caught up in a complicated plot surrounding the emperor’s successor, and it seems to be linked to a strange series of cases where people are suddenly bursting into flames.

The Mononoke series is known for its beautiful animation and imaginative, dreamlike stories, and The Ashes of Rage represents the peak of everything the franchise has to offer. While the third and final film isn’t due until 2026, it’s difficult to see how anything could top The Ashes of Rage.

6) The Colors Within

Science Saru’s The Color Within centers around Totsuko Higurashi, a girl who perceives people based on the colors she sees in them. She becomes particularly intrigued by the color of her classmate, Kimi Sakunaga. Totsuko eventually joins a band with Kimi and Rui Kagehira, a boy passionate about musical instruments. As the three become closer friends, they must also deal with their own personal challenges.

I absolutely loved The Colors Within! Even though it’s different from the super trippy stuff Science Saru does, the animation is still breathtakingly beautiful. And honestly, the sweet and touching story of growing up just made the whole experience even better – I was hooked from beginning to end! Naoko Yamada is already a legend in the anime world, but I honestly think The Colors Within is her masterpiece. It’s just… stunning.

5) Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, from Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks, continues the story of the 2018 film, Batman Ninja. When Batman and his allies travel back to the past, they return to find Gotham City embroiled in conflict with a villainous alternate Justice League known as the Yakuza League. Once again, Batman must use his ninja skills to restore order and fix the timeline.

The movie Batman Ninja was already impressive with its beautiful 3D animation and wildly imaginative story, but Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is even better. Despite being so unusual, these Batman Ninja films are surprisingly heartfelt, and they might actually be the most enjoyable Batman stories we’ve seen in a long time. They’re a bit silly, but they don’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s part of their charm.

4) Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning Of A New Era

I’m so excited about the new Umamusume Pretty Derby movie, Beginning of a New Era! It follows Jungle Pocket, a really promising young Umamusume who’s determined to become a top racer. But she quickly learns just how tough the competition is when she clashes with Agnes Tachyon, a total legend in the racing world. It’s going to be an amazing story about chasing your dreams!

Despite its cute premise, Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era tackles surprisingly deep themes like self-doubt and feeling like a fraud. It’s a truly captivating sports story, made even better by its stunning animation. The Umamusume series is hugely popular, and this installment is a fantastic place to start – easily one of the best ways to enjoy it.

3) Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1

Ufotable’s Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle part 1 kicks off a three-part story arc. The Demon Slayers are in a desperate fight against time to defeat Muzan inside the Infinity Castle, but they’re facing strong opposition from his remaining allies. This first installment focuses on the intense battle between Tanjiro, Giyu, and Upper-Rank 3 demon, Akaza, who fight to the death.

Infinity Castle generated a lot of excitement before its release, and it truly delivered on the promise. Not only was it the most popular anime film of 2025, but it was also considered one of the year’s best movies, leaving audiences eager to see what happens in the upcoming sequels.

2) All You Need Is Kill

Studio 4°C’s animated film, All You Need Is Kill, is based on the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The story follows Rita Vrataski, a quiet young woman who finds herself reliving the same events over and over again during an alien invasion. To end the time loop and save humanity, she must overcome her shyness and become the hero the world needs.

I recently watched Studio 4°C’s All You Need Is Kill, and while it differs quite a bit from the original story – much like Edge of Tomorrow – I found it created a really compelling and surprisingly emotional narrative. The animation and direction were absolutely beautiful, too. Honestly, it’s a fantastic film, and I’d recommend everyone check it out when it’s released next January.

1) Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc

MAPPA’s Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc continues the story of the Chainsaw Man anime. Denji meets a cheerful and unusual girl named Reze and begins to fall for her, developing feelings as strong as those he had for Makima. However, as often happens with Denji, this happiness doesn’t last, and things quickly take a dark turn.

Following the somewhat controversial first season, the movie Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc exceeded all expectations with its stunning animation and heartbreaking love story. It’s revitalized interest in Chainsaw Man, making it more popular than ever, and firmly establishes it as the best anime film of 2025.

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2025-12-31 19:21