5 Best Battle Shonen Anime of 2025, Ranked

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As the year draws to a close, anime fans are talking about how great it’s been for new shows and movies. Many agree that this year was particularly strong, with both returning favorites and exciting new series. While next year looks good too, it’s a good time to remember what made this year stand out, especially compared to some less impressive years recently.

It’s impossible to definitively say which anime series are the best each year – everyone has different opinions! But that doesn’t stop us from highlighting some of the biggest successes. 2025 was especially strong for fans of action-packed “battle shonen” anime, delivering some fantastic animation and storylines. This list will focus on the most popular battle shonen anime of 2025 and explore why they resonated so well with audiences who are already asking for the next season.

5) Gachiakuta

Many fans are calling Gachiakuta, a new dark fantasy anime that premiered earlier this year, one of the best releases of 2025. The first season is scheduled to finish in December, and viewers are eagerly hoping for a second season to be announced. What makes Gachiakuta stand out is its incredibly unique character designs and distinctive world, which really contribute to the show’s atmosphere. Critics and viewers alike have praised its ability to combine exciting action, well-developed power systems, and compelling character stories without feeling rushed or slow.

The anime Gachiakuta is set in a beautiful city in the sky, built above a huge pit where all the garbage and unwanted items are thrown away. When Rudo is wrongly accused of murder, he’s banished to this dangerous underground world. He then embarks on a quest to gain the power he needs for revenge. While it shares the dark and intense atmosphere of shows like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, Gachiakuta‘s unique fantasy setting gives it a distinct feel.

4) Chainsaw Man

It’s impossible to talk about great battle shonen anime without mentioning Chainsaw Man. It’s quickly become a modern classic, and 2025 was a huge year with the release of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. The movie did very well both in theaters and on streaming services. Chainsaw Man consistently proves why it’s considered one of Shonen Jump’s Dark Trio, offering mature and often violent themes alongside its exciting action.

Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a poor teenager who works with his demon dog, Pochita, to pay off his father’s debts. When Denji is in danger, Pochita merges with him, giving Denji the ability to turn into the incredibly powerful Chainsaw Devil. This leads to Denji being recruited by Public Safety Devil Hunters, where he must protect people and prove he isn’t a danger himself. If you enjoy exciting action, intense battles, and characters you can connect with, Chainsaw Man is definitely worth checking out.

3) Demon Slayer

In the past year, Demon Slayer has become a hugely popular action anime. With the recent success of the movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – even surpassing some Western films at the box office – the series is nearing its conclusion. Demon Slayer is celebrated for its stunning animation, especially during the intense fight scenes that accompany Tanjiro’s quest to save his sister. It’s considered one of the best dark fantasy anime of recent times and is likely to influence how future anime are made.

Demon Slayer centers around Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, whose lives are shattered when their family is killed by Muzan Kibutsuki, the Demon King. To make matters worse, Nezuko is turned into a demon, and Tanjiro vows to find a way to change her back. He becomes a Demon Slayer – a warrior dedicated to protecting people from demons – and seeks both a cure for his sister and revenge. The anime is full of exciting action, memorable villains, beautiful animation, and impressive sword fights.

2) Solo Leveling

With its release in 2024, Solo Leveling quickly became a popular action fantasy anime, and its second season, Solo Leveling: Arise From the Shadow, followed in early 2025. The series focuses on the main character’s journey to become stronger through constant battles, featuring challenging boss fights, smaller conflicts, and extensive dungeon explorations. Many consider it one of the best action anime of the last ten years, and its fluid animation during fight scenes is a major draw for viewers.

In the world of Solo Leveling, dangerous dungeons filled with monsters suddenly appear. To protect humanity, Hunters – people with special abilities – venture into these dungeons to defeat the monsters within. Sung Jin Woo is known as the weakest Hunter, but that changes when he discovers a hidden ability: he can privately grow stronger by completing challenges and battles. The story follows Jin Woo’s transformation into an incredibly powerful warrior, focusing on his personal development, the forces that shape his path, and his unwavering resolve.

1) My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has rightfully become a leading battle shonen anime, consistently entertaining viewers and bringing a fresh take to the superhero genre for today’s anime fans. First released in 2016, the series is currently airing its final season, scheduled to conclude in December 2025, bringing a long and impactful run to a close. The anime is well-regarded for its engaging characters, creative use of superpowers, and thoughtful exploration of heroism within a believable world.

In the world of My Hero Academia, most people are born with superpowers called Quirks. Izuku Midoriya is unusual because he’s born without one, but his dream of becoming a hero gets a boost when All Might, the world’s greatest hero, passes his power onto him. Now, Midoriya must attend U.A. Academy to train and learn what it takes to become a hero, all while fighting against villains who threaten everything he cares about. If you enjoy comics, superhero stories, or exciting action, My Hero Academia is definitely worth checking out.

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2025-12-07 21:41