As we’ve moved past a month or so into summer, we’re approximately at the midpoint of the 2025 anime schedule. The year has been quite impressive thus far, and there’s a strong case that the most exceptional shows are still to come. While it’s premature to crown the “Anime of the Year,” several promising candidates have already staked their claim and will likely be in contention by December.
Is “Solo Leveling Season 2” Contending for Show of the Year? While opinions differ widely, could it be a strong contender? It’s challenging to determine an undisputed best show, but we can aim to come close.
Could “Solo Leveling Season 2” be competing for the title of Show of the Year? Given that preferences vary among individuals, its standing as the best show so far could be subjective. However, let’s strive to find a contender that comes as close as possible to being the undisputed best.
To put it simply, we’ve gathered the top anime of the year from various websites like MyAnimeList, Kitsu, Anime-Planet, IMDb, and Livechart.me. We then averaged their scores to generate a list. This data compilation can be utilized to create a preliminary ranking of the most highly-rated anime expected in 2025, considering feedback from diverse audiences across these platforms.
Here are a few criteria and notes:
- For IMDb, we have calculated the average score of each show’s 2025 episodes. So, not their overall rating since that covers all seasons.
- Except for one series that is a special case, Summer 2025 anime have been left out since they have only aired about 25% of their episodes. Their scores will fluctuate over the coming months, and their current averages will become obsolete too quickly to be worth including in this discussion. Still, I imagine Grand Blue, Dandadan, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity will all be remembered as some of the year’s best anime. Lord of Mysteries, too, on the donghua side of things.
- As long as a 2024 anime has aired episodes in 2025, it will be considered.
- Unless I missed something, the upcoming anime should be the highest rated of the year so far, not counting Summer 2025.
- My opinion does not matter and has not been taken into account. That said, I enjoy these shows and think they are all worth watching, depending on someone’s preferences.
Honorable Mentions
Before getting into the highest-rated 2025 anime so far, let’s include a few honorable mentions.
| Anime | Average Score | Site Scores |
|---|---|---|
| To Be Hero X | 8.40 | MyAnimeList: 8.45 Anime-Planet: 8.40 IMDb (Average of Episodes 1–16): 8.72 Kitsu: 8.27 Livechart: 8.15 |
| Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray | 8.31 | MyAnimeList: 8.49 Anime-Planet: 8.08 IMDb (Average of Episodes): 8.84 Kitsu: 8.13 Livechart: 8.03 |
| Medalist | 8.27 | MyAnimeList: 8.38 Anime-Planet: 8.36 IMDb (Average of 2025 Episodes): 8.46 Kitsu: 8.15 Livechart: 7.98 |
| Dr. Stone: Science Future (Part 1) | 8.26 | MyAnimeList: 8.24 Anime-Planet: 8.48 IMDb (Average of Science Future Part 1 Episodes): 8.06 Kitsu: 8.28 Livechart: 8.24 |
5. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Average Score: 8.45
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MyAnimeList: 8.71
Anime-Planet: 8.38
IMDb (Average of 2025 Episodes): 8.18
Kitsu: 8.39
Livechart: 8.47
By wrapping up 2024 with a bang and carrying that energy into 2025, “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth” could very well be an exceptional anime from the past few years. With its unique setting in 15th-century Poland and a changing cast of characters who all contribute to the ongoing narrative, “Orb” is daring, superbly written, and consistently gripping.
In essence, we’re talking about an institution that holds immense power, shaping people’s beliefs, and enforcing penalties for those who defy its teachings, even to the point of death. This institution posits that Earth is the center of the cosmos, situated beneath Heaven. Yet, there are intellectuals captivated by the celestial bodies, unwilling to accept this as factual. They’re prepared to risk everything in their pursuit of understanding the universe’s mysteries.
The “Orb” anime explores mankind’s innate desire for wisdom and self-reliance, yet simultaneously portrays their capability of committing atrocities that are both heinous and evil. Although there are some leisurely paced scenes, it never becomes dull, and the intense moments are truly exhilarating.
4. Re:Zero: Starting Life in Another World Season 3: Part II
Average Score: 8.55
-
MyAnimeList: 8.45
Anime-Planet: 8.50
IMDb (Average Of 2025 Episodes): 8.88
Kitsu: 8.39
Livechart: 8.54
Speaking of it, Re:ZERO, this renowned isekai anime, has been both widely praised and criticized. Despite the light novels often being held in higher esteem, the series adaptation has managed to captivate a broader audience with its introduction to characters like Subaru, Emilia, and Rem. It offers a complex narrative that combines elements of time travel, horror, intense action sequences, and structural changes. Each season presents something unique, and the third installment comes close to embodying the spirit of battle shonen anime. After airing the initial eight episodes in 2024, the series returned with what might be its strongest run yet, as long as you’re comfortable with a more combat-focused narrative.
Out of all the AOTY contenders highlighted in this article, Re:ZERO is the hardest to outright recommend, just because it seems unlikely that too many new viewers are going to jump on board this late in the story’s run. Still, if you have never tried this series, I would advise changing that. You might hate it, but you might also love it.
3. Takopi’s Original Sin (Episodes 1–5)
Average Score: 8.78
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MyAnimeList: 8.96
Anime-Planet: 8.78
IMDb (Average of Episodes 1-5): 9.56
Kitsu: 8.49
Livechart: 8.13
Here it is, the Summer 2025 exception.
In simpler terms, “Takopi’s Original Sin” is a compact six-episode series that has essentially unfolded its storyline. However, what truly sets it apart is its unique charm, even before the final episode airs. This psychological drama is intense and thought-provoking, tackling heavy topics such as child abuse, neglect, bullying, murder, manipulation, desperation, depression, and suicide. While these themes are typically overwhelming for anime, “Takopi’s Original Sin” approaches them with a unique blend of humor and seriousness. Be warned, the cute alien mascot might deceive you; this anime from 2025 is remarkably mature and at times, terrifyingly so.
Originating from a world inhabited by simple, cheerful extraterrestrials, Takopi aims to bring that happiness to Shizuka, a girl who is being tormented at school and appears to be overwhelmed. Despite Shizuka being the most compassionate character in the initial episodes, Takopi’s transformation from naivety reveals humanity’s darker side, as we are repeatedly exposed to it. However, there remains a glimmer of optimism, even though it sometimes seems fragile.
2. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Average Score: 8.79
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MyAnimeList: 8.92
Anime-Planet: 9.18
IMDb (Average of Season 2 Episodes): 8.31
Kitsu: 8.88
Livechart: 8.64
The book titled “The Apothecary Diaries” is a remarkable piece, unfortunately overshadowed by two other anime series – “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and “Solo Leveling.” If you insist that the story of Maomao surpasses either of these popular series, I wouldn’t contest it. The second season is slightly better than the first, culminating in a brilliant final stretch of episodes that offers a temporarily satisfying resolution while also preparing ground for a sequel, which has already been confirmed.
At first glance, “The Apothecary Diaries” appears to be a mystery anime centered around a girl named Maomao, who employs her knowledge of poisons to unravel cases within the imperial court. What makes these cases captivating isn’t only the intriguing puzzles they present, but also their knack for showcasing a variety of complex characters that offer insights into the broader political landscape. Moreover, Maomao is an exceptional lead character.
1. Solo Leveling Season 2
Average Score: 8.91
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MyAnimeList: 8.69
Anime-Planet: 9.1
IMDb (Average of Season 2 Episodes): 9.01
Kitsu: 8.78
Livechart: 8.96
Absolutely; thus far, it seems that Solo Leveling stands out as the Anime of the Year. While there have been numerous opinions expressed about this series, its popularity becomes clear. The anime offers consistently engaging and reliable action, ensuring that each episode features a thrilling battle (or several). The protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, may not be the most intricate character in anime lore, but he is appealing, charismatic, and has a compelling motivation to rescue his mother.
Though Sung’s power in season 2 is overwhelmingly dominant against most enemies, making battles appear trivial, his moveset isn’t fixed and he continually uncovers fresh shadows and weapons for combat. Not everyone appreciates or desires an aura farming narrative, but “Solo Leveling” excels at it compared to many other series. In terms of pure action-oriented anime, “Solo Leveling Season 2” now sets the bar high.
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2025-07-27 01:37