Best Winter 2025 Anime

For the Winter 2025 anime season, we’re off to a promising start! With over 40 episodes each week, it’s setting the tone for the year. The appeal of quantity and diversity is one of anime’s strengths, but only a few series from this season will likely be fondly remembered when springtime blooms with flowers. This season boasts an appealing mix of continuations and new entries, and it has the potential to produce exceptional shows – we’ll just have to wait and see if they live up to their promise!

In this era where numerous shows are released simultaneously, it becomes both tiring and potentially unsatisfying to keep up with everything. Therefore, having a curated list of top anime from Winter 2025 can be quite beneficial for selecting some initial viewing points. Let’s take a look at the season’s finest offerings instead.

Here are a few important details and criteria:

  • The current cutoff date for episodes is January 12, 2025.
  • Only anime that debuted in Winter 2025 will be considered, and this includes sequel seasons. Therefore, Fall 2024 leftovers (Shangri-La Frontier, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, and Re:Zero) will not be included.
  • The rankings will be expanded and updated weekly to reflect the season’s development.
  • Click the anime’s title to see a preview, if the article exists.

5. Sakamoto Days

A Decent Start With Some Rough Edges

Skipping over any potential follow-ups, Sakamoto Days was undeniably the most anticipated anime of Winter 2025, largely due to the exceptional quality of Yuto Suzuki’s original work. Regrettably, the promotional content for the adaptation dampened its initial excitement, receiving criticism for subpar animation that appeared incapable of capturing the manga’s dynamic essence.

The series titled Sakamoto Days revolves around a renowned assassin, who, after finding love, chooses to lead a peaceful life running a convenience store with his beloved wife and child. However, it appears that retirement is not an available choice for this character. Instead, he must safeguard his tranquil existence from his former life. Interestingly, he ends up employing a gunman who was initially dispatched to eliminate him.

From where I stand, the Sakamoto Days anime remains somewhat enigmatic at this juncture. Despite being generally amusing, the initial episode didn’t entirely allay apprehensions sparked by the earliest previews, showcasing animation that ranged from “quite decent” to “quite rigid.” Nevertheless, the anime has largely managed to retain the manga’s appeal, its endearing characters, and its comedic flair.

4. The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2

The Ultimate Harem Comedy Anime Is Back, And Now With Even More Girls

Harem anime can be an acquired taste, often not receiving widespread recognition. However, “The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You” is more approachable than many in the genre because it’s primarily a comedy. Despite being a comedy that heavily relies on harem silliness and stereotypes, it still manages to stand out. The first season set the tone for its humor, which pokes fun at conventions, while also highlighting Rentarou as an impressive main character and the girls’ individuality beyond mere personality traits.

Season 2 could increase the level of eccentricity as an increasing number of soulmates enter the plot, maintaining the story’s persistent progression towards fulfilling its title’s claim. The first episode established the tempo by having the characters swap bodies for several episodes, enabling them to display emotions that contradict their typical stereotypes. Rentarou’s latest love interest also became part of the harem, and there will be more to come.

3. Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast

Drama On The Stage (And Off It)

In the follow-up to 2023’s “BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!”, titled “Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast”, the first episode stood out among Winter 2025 anime for its intense and weighty storyline. If the subsequent episodes are any indication, this intensity wasn’t a one-time occurrence. Unlike the original, which focused more on MyGO!!!!!, this sequel shifts the spotlight onto Ave Mujica. The girl band, known for their dysfunction, seems to be teetering on the brink of disintegration, despite having only recently debuted.

I’m utterly captivated by “Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast,” a series that delves deeper into its characters than just the tunes they sing. Sakiko and Uika, our main protagonists so far, are more than just characters; they’re complex individuals with profound struggles and intricate psyches. The show doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes like alcoholism, abandonment, and anxiety, making it a journey that ventures into the raw and real aspects of life. It’s fascinating to see how these themes draw our characters together and propel them onto the stage.

The CG animation might require some adaptation at first, but rest assured, it’s top-notch quality. The music, oh, the music is simply exceptional!

2. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2

Maomao Is Still A Flawless Protagonist

With an exceptionally impressive debut, “The Apothecary Diaries” is returning for another 24 episodes, and it appears that the follow-up will be equally as captivating, maintaining the high standards set by its predecessor. As we’re only at the beginning of its run, this Winter 2025 anime has yet to falter, skillfully integrating humor, drama, historical references, and world creation without a hitch.

In my view, it’s Maomao who steals the show in “The Apothecary Diaries“. Her subtle humor, captivating charisma, and remarkable ability to navigate romance hurdles make her an intriguing character. As a dedicated apothecary with an unusual knack for unraveling mysteries related to medicine and poison, Maomao’s skills prove invaluable when faced with the peculiar cases that unfold within the Imperial Palace.

In Season 2, an amusing episode centered around a cat was presented, which may have appeared rather trivial at first glance. Yet, this seemingly frivolous storyline served to reveal various aspects of some crucial characters, intermittently offering intriguing historical tidbits. The Apothecary Diaries consistently excels in employing standalone tales to unveil not just the personality nuances of its characters but also the intricacies of the broader society they inhabit.

1. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow

The Biggest Winter 2025 Anime, And By A Substantial Margin

Without a doubt, the widely acclaimed manhwa, Solo Leveling, was bound to become an anime eventually, but the quality wasn’t something set in stone. Thankfully, the task was handed to A-1 Pictures, and they didn’t disappoint, releasing a high-quality first season in 2024. Although the narrative wasn’t particularly unique, the action scenes truly shined, offering fluid and swift animation that bordered on cinematic excellence.

In Season 2, we find a continuation of familiar themes, but this isn’t a negative assessment. Sung Jin-woo embarks on what appears to be a simple hunt, yet events soon take an unforeseen turn for the worse. This leads to a group of hunters finding themselves ensnared within a labyrinth filled with adversaries exceeding their usual capabilities, with Sung being the sole exception. Although delving into dungeons can be thrilling, what truly captivates in Solo Leveling is the interplay between hunter conflicts and the intricate nature of Sung’s power, both of which are central aspects of Season 2.

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2025-01-13 20:24