3 Anime That Could Beat Solo Leveling Season 2 for 2025 Anime of the Year

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2025 saw a lot of great anime releases, but all eyes were on the second season of Solo Leveling. It premiered in Winter 2026 and quickly became incredibly popular, breaking records and even topping Crunchyroll’s charts, surpassing even One Piece in ratings.

This season not only helped the first season of the anime win Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Awards, but it also arrived alongside several other highly anticipated shows. While Solo Leveling Season 2 is a clear frontrunner, three other anime have a real chance of winning Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award.

3) Gachiakuta

Adapted by Bones Film, Gachiakuta was a highly anticipated anime last year. With 24 episodes, it quickly became known as one of the best shonen anime of recent years. Its unique and often dark themes make Gachiakuta a standout modern shonen series that’s well worth watching.

Throughout its run, the anime captivated viewers with its compelling story of revenge and its willingness to break from typical anime conventions through its characters. While Solo Leveling Season 2 is strong, Gachiakuta truly deserves the Anime of the Year award for being so original. Even if it doesn’t win that top prize, it’s almost certain to be named Best New Anime of the Year.

2) Takopi’s Original Sin

If the impact a series makes is a key factor in choosing Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year, then Takopi’s Original Sin is a strong contender. Despite only having six episodes, it quickly became a sensation within the anime community and was very well-received. Every episode is exceptionally well-rated, with fans consistently giving each one a score of 9 or higher on IMDb.

The series stands out because it deals with difficult and relatable themes, making it more than just a fictional story. By featuring an adorable alien that reflects a human’s emotional development from childhood, it offers a powerful story about how emotions shape us. This makes Takopi’s Original Sin a strong contender for Anime of the Year, potentially surpassing Solo Leveling Season 2. Even if it doesn’t win the top prize, it’s likely to win other awards like Best Dark Anime or Best Short Series.

1) My Hero Academia Final Season

Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award heavily considers popularity, and so far, the final season of My Hero Academia is performing better than Season 2 of Solo Leveling. Notably, My Hero Academia’s final season is the first traditionally-lengthed anime to receive an average rating above 9 on IMDb for every episode, which many fans see as a sign of their support for the series.

The final season of My Hero Academia isn’t just emotionally impactful – it’s also a technical achievement thanks to the excellent work of studio Bones. Wrapping up a ten-year run is a rare feat in the anime world, making this season a major event. Considering its legacy and quality, it would be fitting if fans named it Anime of the Year.

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2026-03-07 03:42