2025 has been an interesting year for all of us, both good and for ill, and very much unfortunately so for the latter. However, the one thing that doesn’t change is us getting new anime to watch. So much so that perhaps you might’ve lost track of all of those anime? Fortunately, we here at That Hashtag Show are here to help by offering you all a list of the best anime of 2025 to check out. You can find that list below, starting with:
10. Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- (A-1 Pictures)
In 10th place in this 2025 anime list, we have Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-, which is itself the second season of the Solo Leveling anime. You can already tell that this is a very popular anime just from the fact that it got a second season alone. Why did it get that second season, you might ask? Well, for starters, this is a very good-looking anime. The artwork is pretty good-looking, and the animation quality during the action scenes is through the roof. It’s the epitome of a good-looking action movie in anime form, with a surprisingly deep lore in the background store to chew on as you enjoy the high intensity action.
However, Solo Leveling does have its flaws that continue into Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-. While it does have a surprising deep lore, the main story itself is weirdly simplistic. At its core, it’s a simple power fantasy story that can be a turn-off for quite a few people. The main character, Sung Jin-woo, also develops into a somewhat unlikable character over the course of this second season. Thus, you might like this show only if you want to turn your brain off to enjoy the action.
You can watch Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow- and its previous first season only on Crunchyroll.
9. Devil May Cry (Studio Mir)
Devil May Cry is the ninth on this 2025 anime list for a number of very devilish reasons. As you might guess, this is a loose adaptation of the Capcom video game series of the same name into an anime, and it has become quite popular ever since it made its debut. The big things going for this anime is the stylish and bloody action involving Dante and his friends and enemies, often involving a whole lot of gun fu and guts spilling out. The story is also a big plus given its emphasis on drama and horror, with a critique of American politics, immigration, and racism mixed in to boot.
However, the one thing that might turn a lot of fans off is the fact that Devil May Cry bears almost no resemblance to the games aside from surface details. It’s one of the most unfaithful adaptations of a game franchise in recent memory, with a story that only has random nods to the games’ story. It’s basically all Adi Shankar’s fanfic here. Granted, it’s a pretty good fanfic, but if canonicity is your thing, you might want to look elsewhere.
You can watch Devil May Cry only on Netflix.
8. Apocalypse Hotel (CygamesPictures)
Apocalypse Hotel is probably an anime few have heard about, and so is an admittedly odd choice for eighth place here in this 2025 anime list. However, it was still a pleasant surprise for me to watch because of how unique it is as a story. It is essentially a melancholic postapocalyptic story about a robot-run hotel after the end of humanity…that then turns into a sci-fi comedy-drama as aliens come in as guests in place of lost humanity. The anime then runs the gamut of genres from monster movie to mecha action to murder mystery, making it into something akin to a variety show that appeals to just about everyone.
Alas, that variety might also be a turn-off for some viewers. Apocalypse Hotel‘s revolving genres can be a bit of a mood whiplash for those looking for a consistent tone. There’s also a case late in the show that I feel could be described as “yuri-baiting”, but that might a case of your mileage varying there. Still, if you’re looking for a high quality anime with lots of variety to choose from, this may be the anime for you.
You can watch Apocalypse Hotel only on Crunchyroll.
7. This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Studio Lings)
It’s very rare to see a LGBTQ+ anime getting this much attention, which is why This Monster Wants to Eat Me is definitely going in seventh place on this 2025 anime list. And it is definitely a queer show, with the focus of the story being on the relationships between the three female main characters. All set against a backdrop of dark fantasy and gruesome horror involving eating people, and featuring some very good animation quality, especially for the blood and gore. There’s a reason for the title.
That said, This Monster Wants to Eat Me is also a slow-paced anime. It takes its time building up the drama and horror, so if you want instant and quick action, this isn’t the show for you. Otherwise, if you like shows that take time and effort to build up their story and characters, then this is for you.
You can watch This Monster Wants to Eat Me only on Crunchyroll.
6. Senpai is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain (Project No.9)
Senpai is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain is effectively the second season of the Senpai is an Otokonoko anime series…or at least, the closest we’re going to get. And despite how ridiculously little attention it has gotten, it very much deserves to be in sixth place in this 2025 anime list here. This is one of the most queer anime films I’ve ever watched, featuring a male main character who just wants to dress as a girl and their two best friends/love interests as their lives revolve around, and all told with a wonderful mix of light-hearted comedy balanced by some very heart-wrenching drama. And featuring some gorgeous animation to boot, as befitting a feature-length anime film.
The only thing here is that Senpai is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain seems to be getting almost no attention. There is no official trailer from Crunchyroll about it despite them being the only one streaming this anime film. It’s almost as if Crunchyroll is trying to hide this film and keep it from getting any public attention, which is an utterly bizarre choice. I suspect that the homophobes and transphobes might have something to do with that, so if you’re interested, give this anime film a like to fight them.
You can watch Senpai is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain along with the anime series only on Crunchyroll.
5. DAN DA DAN Season 2 (Science SARU)
DAN DA DAN is already one of the most popular anime series out there, and Season 2 has cemented its place in fifth on this 2025 anime list. With very high animation quality combined with an excellent story that straddles the line between urban fantasy and science fiction, this second season of the hit show continues to be a blast for viewers. And with fluid animation during the fight scenes and delicious food animation to boot.
Alas, if you’re highly sensitive to noncon sexual content, then DAN DA DAN Season 2 isn’t for you just like in the first season. To be clear: nothing explicit ever actually happens. This is still a Shonen Jump anime, after all. However, it does lean very far into the suggestive, and the suggestive tends to take a dip into the noncon. This is definitely not an anime for kids. For adults though, this may just be your treat.
You can watch DAN DA DAN Season 2 on Crunchyroll, Netflix, or Hulu.
4. Zenshu (MAPPA)
Zenshu is perhaps one of the best examples of an isekai anime in recent history, which is why this is fourth on the list of 2025 anime. It’s both a criticism of the common flaws of isekai, while also being a love song to the genre as a whole and its potential. A potential that is realized in this anime via a combination of gorgeous animation (especially during the action), a fascinating dark fantasy story centered around an in-universe anime film, and a cast of loveable characters that stars an overworked animator who is isekaied into the world of that in-universe anime film that she’s an intense fan of.
The only thing that I’d criticize about Zenshu is its length, or rather, its lack thereof. It consists of the standard anime season length of 12 episodes, and yet it feels oddly short despite that. The story and characterization could’ve both benefitted from a second 12-episode season just to give them more time to cook. In fact, the ending practically screams for a second season to continue the story. Alas, unless MAPPA changes their mind, this is all we’re getting. Still, it’s very much worth your time to check out if you like very well-done isekai stories after seeing the sea of blandly cloned isekai anime.
You can watch Zenshu only on Crunchyroll.
3. Spy x Family Season 3 (Wit Studio and CloverWorks)
It’s pretty obvious just why Spy x Family Season 3 ended up in the top three of this 2025 list. The fact that it’s a third season of the anime should clue you in on just how popular it is. Said third season continues the story of the aptly named Forger family as they live out their slice of life comedy amidst the bloody and dark Cold War-era spy action thriller going on in the background. Indeed, this season even has the dark action thriller invade the slice of life via Loid’s traumatic backstory and even some bus hijackings to boot. All with the usual high animation quality that this anime regularly delivers.
Honestly, the only reason why viewers might not like Spy x Family Season 3 is if you didn’t like the first season. The tonal whiplash between the slice of life and spy action thriller might be a turn-off for some people. If you like the juxtaposition between the two contrasting worlds though, then this is the anime for you.
You can watch Spy x Family Season 3 on Crunchyroll or Hulu.
2. Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc (CloverWorks)
Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc gracefully takes the second place on this 2025 list for many wonderful reasons. Fans of the Black Butler anime series will be delighted by this fifth season of the anime. It has the same quirky cast of the Phantomhive manor now going abroad to Germany to investigate a mysterious case about werewolves. As you might guess from previous seasons of this anime, much chaos, bloody gore, and murder ensues in this dark fairy tale of a season, which is what Black Butler and Yana Toboso fans look forward to. Along with the usual extremely high quality of the animation, right up there with big budget feature-length anime films.
However, I must emphasize: Black Butler is most definitely not a show for kids. The Emerald Witch Arc alone goes into some very heavy adult themes, including but not limited to child abuse, violence against minors, and graphic depictions of violence and death. If you’re not a fan of any of those heavy themes, then you might want to give this anime a pass. Otherwise, fans of some very dark fantasy will enjoy this latest season of Black Butler, and will eagerly await more in the future.
You can watch Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc and all previous seasons only on Crunchyroll, plus a few seasons on Hulu.
1. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Toho Animation Studio and OLM)
Sitting on top of this list of 2025 anime at number one is none other than The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. This season continues the story of the quirky Maomao and high-ranking Jinshi as they unravel mysteries together in the secluded rear palace. Complete with the usual combination of delightfully brain-twisting murder mysteries among a colorful cast of quirky characters, and some absolutely gorgeous animation, especially in the characters’ eyes and the food being served. The story also gets a major kudos from me for some heart-wrenching tragedy in this season. Seriously, bring tissues.
However, if you’re looking for action in this season, you might find it a bit wanting. There is some action late in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, but otherwise, it’s mostly a slow-paced mystery story. The typical shonen anime fan will find this a bit boring, but it’s just right for fans of Detective Conan, aka. Case Closed.
You can watch The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 and the preceding first season on Crunchyroll and Netflix, and then just the first season on Hulu.
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