5 Best Anime Twists of 2025 That Shocked Fans, Ranked

by

2025 was a fantastic year for anime, filled with hit releases and exciting new series. It started strong with the highly anticipated second season of Solo Leveling, which became Crunchyroll’s top-rated show, and wrapped up with the emotional finale of My Hero Academia after a decade-long run.

I’ve been watching anime closely, and 2025 felt like a huge turning point. With the end of One Piece after 26 years, it was already a year of big moments, but it wasn’t just about those landmark events. Several shows really surprised viewers with unexpected plot twists. I’ve picked out five moments from different anime that really stood out and shocked audiences, each in its own way.

5) Dr. Stone’s Final Season Brilliantly Recreates Its First Scene

The second part of the final season of Dr. Stone premiered in the summer of 2025, following Senku and his friends as they traveled towards America and prepared for a mission to the Moon. But Dr. Xeno’s supporters didn’t give them a chance to rest, immediately pushing the Kingdom of Science into a fight. Stanley and his team proved to be much stronger than they anticipated.

Facing an impossible defense against Stanley and his army, the desperate choice to use Medusa and turn everyone to stone seemed like the only solution. This mirrored the anime’s very first scene, creating a satisfying sense of completion. The later revival, combined with the discovery that being turned to stone actually meant immortality, provided a surprising and impactful ending to Dr. Stone: Science Future, and smoothly led into the anime’s final arc.

4) Gachiakuta Breaks the Shonen Genre’s Foundational Trope With a Twist

Gachiakuta was full of surprising and intense scenes, like Riyo threatening someone with a gun and Rudo’s harsh fight with Amo. However, the biggest surprise might have been that Zanka didn’t get the heroic return many expected. Typically in action series like this, a character losing a fight, especially if they have a sad past, often sets up a powerful comeback.

The show intentionally misled viewers by making it seem like Zanka would recover after his loss to Jabber. The story built up this expectation, only to reveal that Zanka’s perceived comeback was actually a hallucination – he had truly been defeated. This surprising turn emphasized the series’ commitment to gritty realism, proving that Gachiakuta doesn’t shy away from harsh truths at any point.

3) One Piece‘s World is Sinking

2025 was a major year for One Piece. Fans were surprised by the announcement of changes to how the anime is made, but the biggest shock came from the story itself. Dr. Vegapunk revealed that the entire world of One Piece is slowly sinking. As the world’s leading scientist, Vegapunk’s statements are significant, and previous storylines had already suggested this dramatic reveal was coming.

I have to say, this reveal was a huge shock – it completely changes how we understand the world of One Piece. It also feels like a countdown has started, urging everyone to get ready for something massive. What’s really exciting is that it’s clearly building towards a direct confrontation with the World Government, and it looks like we’re finally on the path to the final, epic war the series has been hinting at for so long.

2) My Hero Academia‘s Bakugo’s Revival

The anime series My Hero Academia concluded in 2025 with a final season that many consider its best. A key turning point was the return of Bakugo, who not only came back to life but did so at a critical moment, rescuing All Might. Studio Bones brilliantly animated this scene, surpassing the original material and creating a truly thrilling and suspenseful experience.

This recent episode of My Hero Academia surprised viewers and brought back excitement among fans, especially after some felt the show got bogged down in complex details during seasons 5 and 6. Many believe this dramatic turn of events is strong enough to make it the best anime of the year, and early reactions suggest that’s likely to happen.

1) Takopi’s Original Sin Stunned the Anime Community With Its Darkest Twist

The anime Takopi’s Original Sin started out charming and heartwarming, with a really cute group of characters. It seemed like it would be a gentle story about kids dealing with everyday problems. However, that impression was quickly turned upside down when Shizuka, a ten-year-old main character, tragically died by suicide.

This scene immediately changes the anime’s lighthearted feel into something much more disturbing. The unexpected reveal grabs the audience, making them question what could lead someone so young to commit such an act. Because of this, Takopi’s Original Sin is considered the most shocking anime twist of 2025. It’s not just the surprise itself that’s impactful, but the difficult truths about life that the anime then explores, demonstrating that even children can experience hardship.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/anime/list/5-best-anime-of-2025-ranked-by-their-finale/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-16 16:17