10 Best Anime of Summer 2025, Ranked

The summer anime season is always an exciting time, marking the start of many new shows as the year progresses, and often continuing into the autumn months. This year was particularly remarkable, featuring more than fifty different anime series. The selection was incredibly varied, with something to appeal to all kinds of viewers and a broad range of genres.

Of course, some anime were more popular than others for different reasons. While many were eagerly awaited sequels, the most impressive anime on this list was a surprising newcomer. So, here are the ten best anime of summer 2025, ranked based on several criteria.

10) Ruri Rocks

Summer is the ideal time for exciting experiences, and Ruri Rocks, a fresh anime series that premiered this summer, really embodies that feeling. The story centers around Ruri, who loves collecting rocks and jewelry, and her encounter with Nagi, a skilled mineralogist. Together, they begin a special adventure, all thanks to their common passion for rocks.

This show presents a uniquely enjoyable adventure, introducing new characters who team up with Ruri and Nagi to mine minerals, talk about geology, and explore various viewpoints on life. The anime adaptation stands out as one of the most original series this summer, and if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a great choice for a binge-watch on Crunchyroll right now.

9) Sakamoto Days Season 2

The unique anime adaptation of the popular manga Sakamoto Days made a comeback this summer with a new season. It explores the world of assassins in Japan, focusing on the main character-once the nation’s best assassin-and his efforts to enjoy a quiet life. Despite a reward offered for his capture, this season follows Shin and Sakamoto as they attend the JCC, a school for assassins. They encounter strange new obstacles and meet a cast of fresh characters along the way.

This season, the excitement in the series really ramps up with the arrival of a classic old master character – a trope common in shonen anime – who turns out to be the strongest of them all, further enhancing the show’s unique and charming style. Thanks to this compelling new addition, Sakamoto Days is currently the most popular anime on Netflix this year.

8) Gachiakuta

Each season typically brings a new anime based on a series from Shonen Jump, and summer 2025 was no exception, with the premiere of Gachiakuta. While many anime concluded their seasons this summer, Gachiakuta is currently still airing and gaining popularity with each new episode. What truly sets Gachiakuta apart is its unique approach compared to other Shonen Jump anime.

With its focus on mature themes and a main character motivated by revenge, Gachiakuta offers a fresh take on the shonen anime genre. What really sets it apart is the impressive power of its protagonist, Rudo – his abilities are some of the most exciting we’ve seen lately. The series is currently still in progress, and would likely be even higher ranked if it had finished, but with no end in sight and plans to continue airing this fall, it’s definitely one of the most eagerly awaited anime of the season.

7) My Dress-Up Darling Season 2

Crunchyroll’s anime series My Dress-Up Darling, which sparked some discussion, came back for a second season this summer. Despite being known for appealing to fans, it’s still considered one of the best romance anime available. As the most impressive romance anime of the summer, it deserves recognition as a significant part of the genre, particularly because this season explores the details of otaku culture and cosplay more thoroughly.

It’s great to see Gojo and Marin enjoying this world again, and it’s nice that other characters are part of the experience too. However, this season wasn’t without flaws, especially with how it ended. The last few episodes heavily suggested that Gojo and Marin would finally become a couple, but that possibility was dropped with a scene created specifically for the anime. This scene might have even ended My Dress-Up Darling altogether.

6) Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone is easily one of the best science fiction anime series Crunchyroll has offered in recent years. While the first half of the final season came out earlier this year, it was the second half, during the summer, that really shined. As the battle between Dr. Xeno’s forces, commanded by Stanley, and the Science Kingdom neared its end, the Science Kingdom won by using the amazing ability to turn everyone on Earth to stone – which gives a whole new meaning to the anime’s very first scene.

The last few episodes highlighted Suika’s dedicated seven-year effort to bring Senku back to life, ultimately leading to the restoration of the Science Kingdom. Dr. Xeno also participated in the climactic lunar expedition. The season concluded with a surprising discovery: petrification isn’t just a curse, but a method of achieving immortality. Thanks to its suspenseful plot, this season was incredibly engaging and stands out as one of the top anime series of the summer. It truly kept viewers on the edge of their seats, and was a fantastic conclusion.

5) The Summer Hikaru Died

We couldn’t leave out an anime centered on a traditional summer experience, especially one taking place in a secluded part of Japan. Netflix’s The Summer Hikaru Died gives you everything you want in a summer anime, but it also adds a captivating story filled with mysterious events happening in the rural setting.

I’ve been watching this series that centers around a group of teenagers, and it’s really interesting. It looks at how isolated villages seem to attract strange, paranormal happenings. The story kicks off when the main character, Hikaru, comes back to life, but he’s not quite himself – he’s possessed by something unusual. Over the course of 12 episodes, we really get into the emotional core of the story as Yoshiki, Hikaru’s friend, tries to come to terms with what’s happened to him. It also shows how the long-held beliefs of the people living in this remote area have contributed to this creepy situation. You can find more details on the official website.

4) Kaiju No. 8 Season 2

Kaiju No. 8’s new season, arriving this summer, was one of the most eagerly awaited anime. But it’s not just the hype that makes it a top anime of the year; the season also cleverly expands on what came before, offering thrilling action and taking Kafka’s story in exciting new directions.

This season was particularly moving, highlighted by the death of Isao Shinomiya, which motivated both Kafka and Kikoru to become even more resilient. The latter half of the season saw the return of Reno Ichikawa, now wielding enhanced abilities, and the beloved Hoshina Soshiro finally getting his own Kaiju suit. The season concluded with a suspenseful cliffhanger, hinting at the Defense Force and humanity facing their greatest challenges against the Kaiju yet. Filled with impactful scenes, this season easily ranks among the best of the summer.

3) Dandadan Season 2

Okay, so when it comes to anime making a comeback this summer, Dandadan absolutely takes the crown for me! Seriously, this season just *builds* on everything that made the first season great, and it keeps throwing these amazing surprises at you. It’s got the romance and the heart-pounding action we all loved, but they’ve really upped their game with the pop culture nods and even added some scenes that weren’t in the original manga – it’s fantastic! The sheer variety this series offers is just incredible.

This season features a nod to the beloved film Back to the Future, and introduces a brand-new exorcism song performed in both English and Japanese – it’s sure to get fans headbanging with the characters! Beyond the story, the season was also a treat for the eyes. Without the exceptional qualities of the next two anime on this list, Dandadan could have easily been named the best anime of the summer.

2) Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is a standout anime film from this summer, and it’s easy to see why fans loved it. As the series reaches its peak, this two-hour-and-thirty-minute movie features three huge battles, showing the Demon Slayers getting ready for their ultimate showdown with the demon king, Muzan Kibutsuji.

This film isn’t simply a display of Ufotable’s amazing skills with beautiful, smooth animation; it also tells a truly compelling story. As Akaza’s backstory is unveiled and Tanjiro gains a new ability, the movie serves as an excellent chapter, moving the series closer to its ending. Currently, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is still setting new records, recently surpassing the box office numbers of major DC and Marvel films this year. Though many fans considered this the best anime of the summer, it was the following release that achieved something even Demon Slayer couldn’t.

1) Takopi’s Original Sin

Takopi’s Original Sin is a brief anime series adapted from the manga of the same name by Taizan 5. Few anticipated that an anime with limited pre-existing popularity, like Takopi’s Original Sin, would resonate so profoundly with viewers. The series presents a compelling story that addresses difficult and realistic issues like depression, suicide, murder, and bullying. Although other anime have covered these topics, what really caught fans off guard was how this story explores them through the perspective of elementary school children.

This shows how even young children, who are still learning about feelings, can be deeply affected by sadness and despair, to the point where they consider ending their lives. What makes this anime special is the character of an alien who doesn’t understand human emotions; this alien’s journey of learning about hardship parallels a toddler’s development. These feelings deeply connected with viewers, resulting in record-breaking popularity for Takopi’s Original Sin, unlike anything seen before in anime. Takopi’s Original Sin isn’t just the best anime of summer 2025; it’s easily the best anime of the year so far.

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2025-10-02 16:19