2024 was an impressive year for anime, from undisputable hits like Dandadan and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, to fan favourite sequels like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 and Oshi no Ko Season 2.
But with the turn of every new year, we have to bid goodbye to Fall 2024 and say hello to the Winter 2025 season. This season will give us our first taste of the 2025 best anime contenders. Will they live up to the impressive animation and touching stories of 2024? Will the best anime series be originals or sequels?
Let’s take our first look at the Winter 2025 season, where we’ve compiled everything you should be watching!
1. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow (A-1 Pictures)
The second season of Solo Leveling adapts more of Chugong’s webtoon of the same name. Its story follows Sung Jin-Woo, an E-rank hunter dubbed as the weakest hunter of all mankind. However, when Jin-Woo becomes the sole survivor of a traumatic incident, he gains access to an interface visible only to him, promising him the power he has long dreamed of — but everything comes at a price.
2. Sakamoto Days (TMS Entertainment)
When Sakamoto meets Aoi, the convenience store clerk, it’s love at first sight — and just like that, he retires. Sakamoto gets married, has a daughter, opens a mom-and-pop store in a quiet town, and completely transforms… into a plus-size man. To ensure a peaceful life with his beloved family, the legendary ex–hit man bands together with comrades to face off against the looming threat of assassins.
3. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (TOHO Animation, OLM)
One of the best romance series of 2023 and 2024 returns for a second season. Its story follows Maomao, an apothecary’s daughter, who has been plucked from her peaceful life and sold to the lowest echelons of the imperial court. However, when her extensive knowledge of medicine comes to light, she is promoted to lady-in-waiting for the emperor’s favorite concubine, Gyokuyou.
4. Dr. Stone: Science Future Season 4 (TMS Entertainment)
If you’re a fan of Dr. Stone, you probably already know this news. If you haven’t checked out this sci-fi adventure, it’s a good time to pick it up. Dr. Stone follows high-schooler Taiju Ooki who awakens one day to find the modern world completely nonexistent, as nature has flourished in the years humanity stood still. Among a stone world of statues, Taiju encounters one other living human: his science-loving friend Senkuu, who has developed a grand scheme to revive civilisation with the power of science.
5. My Happy Marriage Season 2 (Kinema Citrus)
After a one year hiatus, My Happy Marriage finally returns for a second season. It follows the tale of Miyo Saimori, a young girl with a miserable past, who is ordered to marry Kiyoka Kudou, the head of the distinguished Kudou family. Despite his noble background, Kiyoka is known to be a callous man who has thus far dismissed all of his former fiancées. However, contrary to her assumptions, Kiyoka shows her the kindness and love that she has desperately needed.
6. Zenshuu. (MAPPA)
A brand new original story from MAPPA, Zenshuu follows the story of Natsuko Hirose, who becomes an animator right after graduating from high school. Her first anime becomes a massive hit, sparking a social phenomenon and earning her recognition as an up-and-coming genius director. However, her next production comes to a standstill when she is asked to direct a romantic comedy despite having never been in love herself.
7. Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku (Studio Bind)
From Sound! Euphonium writer Ayano Takeda, Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku is a slice of life series that follows Hana, whose favourite pastime is reading literature to the island’s children. Her narration skills are second to none, and Mizuki, the president of the school’s broadcasting club immediately recognizes Hana’s ability. Invited by Mizuki to join the club, Hana embarks on a journey to discover her true love of reading — and maybe even change the course of her life along the way.
8. Project Sekai Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing (P.A. Works)
The highly anticipated Project Sekai movie, based on the popular rhythm game, is premiering this season. Set in modern day Shibuya, Ichika Hoshino, a high school girl and street musician, encounters an unknown version of Hatsune Miku after hearing a Miku song that she’d never heard before in a CD store. Ichika learns that this version of Miku is having trouble reaching people with her songs, so together they team up to try to touch the hearts of their audience through music.
