Solo Leveling became Crunchyroll’s most-viewed series by March 2025, earning a 4.9-star average from over 610,000 reviews and surpassing One Piece and Demon Slayer in combined rankings.
The global anime market will reach $32.15 billion in 2025 to $72.35 billion by 2035, driven by streaming access, market expansion, and fan engagement.
The Top 10 Most Popular Anime 2025
1. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
Solo Leveling Season 2 premieres as the undisputed champion of the most popular anime in 2025. The series aired from January 5 to March 30, 2025, becoming Crunchyroll’s most-viewed anime series in history. Produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Shunsuke Nakashige, the season features 13 episodes following Sung Jinwoo’s journey as the Shadow Monarch.
The season picks up directly after the first season, with Jinwoo embracing his newfound powers while keeping them secret from those around him. A strange hunter who has been lost for nearly ten years returns with a dire warning of an upcoming catastrophe. The opening theme “Reawaker” is performed by Lisa featuring Felix of Stray Kids, while the ending theme “Un-Apex” is performed by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure.
2. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 maintains exceptional popularity throughout 2025, consistently ranking second in multiple weekly polls. The season’s opening theme achieved 1.3 million views within 72 hours, demonstrating massive fan enthusiasm for Maomao’s continued adventures. The series benefits from a strong female protagonist, appealing animation by Oriental Light and Magic (OLM), and an engaging storyline that keeps viewers invested.
The series continues to explore palace mysteries with Maomao’s intelligence and problem-solving skills taking center stage. Fan engagement remains extraordinarily high due to the character’s mysterious appearance and stunning visual presentation. The anime maintains its sweet position in the audience’s hearts through interesting characters and bright animation.
3. Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days emerges as a surprising hit, claiming the third position among the most popular anime in 2025. The Netflix exclusive series achieved 8.6 million views in just one week from January 13-19, ranking #2 globally for non-English shows. The anime claimed the #1 spot in five countries and remained in the top 10 in 67 countries worldwide.
Based on Yuto Suzuki’s manga, the series offers a perfect blend of action and comedy featuring Taro Sakamoto, a former assassin turned family man. TMS Entertainment handles the animation under director Masaki Watanabe, with Taku Kishimoto managing the series composition. The show’s ability to rank alongside Squid Game Season 2 demonstrates that anime has become mainstream entertainment.
4. Re:Zero Season 3
Re:Zero Season 3 continues its popularity with a split-season format, dividing into the Assault Arc and Counterattack Arc. The first eight episodes aired in Fall 2024, with the Counterattack Arc returning on February 5, 2025. The series maintains its position as a top anime in 2025 through its innovative take on the isekai genre and intense emotional depth.
The season follows Subaru Natsuki’s continued battles in the fantasy kingdom, featuring his never-ending time loop abilities. White Fox continues as the animation studio, maintaining the high production values fans expect. The series streams globally on Crunchyroll with episodes releasing every Wednesday.
5. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Continued Impact)
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End achieves unprecedented success in 2025, earning 29 Crunchyroll Award nominations, more than any other anime released in 2024. The series beats Solo Leveling and Dandadan in critical recognition, becoming the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList. The Japanese fantasy anime differs from typical action-packed titles, offering an emotional and slow-paced story.
The series follows elf mage Frieren after helping defeat the Demon King, focusing on her journey filled with memories, regrets, and reflections. Critics and fans call it a masterpiece, with Season 2 confirmed for production in 2026. The anime’s success demonstrates that thoughtful, character-driven narratives can compete with action-heavy series.
You May Also Like: 10 Underrated Anime You Missed in 2024, Still Worth Watching in 2025
6. Dandadan Season 2
Dandadan Season 2 premieres on July 3, 2025, continuing the supernatural action-horror-romance hit that captivated audiences in 2024. Science SARU returns as the animation studio with Fuga Yamashiro directing and original staff maintaining production quality. The season will focus on the Evil Eye arc, featuring Okarun, Momo Ayase, and Jiji Enjoji dealing with supernatural threats in Byakuja Village.
The series earned 22 Crunchyroll Award nominations in 2025, demonstrating its continued cultural impact. Netflix and Crunchyroll will stream the new season simultaneously when it premieres. The first season’s success established Dandadan as a breakthrough hit, making Season 2 one of the most anticipated releases of Summer 2025.
7. My Hero Academia Final Season
My Hero Academia concludes its eight-year run with the Final Season airing in October 2025. After 158 episodes across multiple seasons, Studio Bones delivers the series conclusion covering the manga’s final chapters. The season features approximately 13 episodes, providing a farewell to the Quirks and quirkless characters.
A major reveal on June 16, 2025, included a teaser trailer showcasing All Might vs All For One and Deku vs Shigaraki battles. The Final Season represents the culmination of one of the most beloved shonen series, with fans both eagerly awaiting and dreading the conclusion. The series maintains its position among top anime 2025 through dedicated fanbase support and critical story resolution.
8. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle premieres in movie theaters on July 18, 2025, as part of the franchise’s continued dominance. Ufotable Studio produces the film under director Haruo Sotozaki, maintaining the exceptional animation quality the series is known for. The movie features the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons in Muzan Kibutsuji’s stronghold.
The film follows Tanjiro and the Hashira as they are plunged into the mysterious Infinity Castle space by Muzan Kibutsuji26. This sets the stage for the climactic battles that will determine the fate of both demons and demon slayers. The Infinity Castle Arc represents a pivotal moment in the series, with the animation team promising spectacular battle sequences.
9. Jujutsu Kaisen Movie: Hidden Inventory
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death movie releases in Japanese theaters on May 30, 2025, with North American theatrical release on July 16. MAPPA produces the compilation film under director Shota Goshozono, featuring newly remastered sound and original content. The movie focuses on the beloved backstory of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto’s high school friendship.
The theatrical compilation brings the opening arc of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 to the big screen in both Japanese and English dub versions. The film features the theme song “Where Our Blue Is” (Acoustic version) by Tatsuya Kitani. GKIDS acquired North American distribution rights, ensuring wide theatrical availability for international fans.
10. Chainsaw Man Season 2 (Expected)
Chainsaw Man Season 2 appears to be greenlit for production based on legal documents from publisher Shueisha. MAPPA studio is expected to announce the second season at AnimeJapan on March 23, 2025, during their panel presentation. The Chainsaw Man Reze Arc movie releases on September 19, 2025, likely serving as a bridge to the second season.
While no official announcement confirms Season 2, the legal filing suggests concrete development progress. The first season’s massive success in 2022 makes a second season highly anticipated among fans. MAPPA’s busy production schedule means Season 2 may not arrive until 2026, but official confirmation is expected in 2025.
What Drives Anime Popularity in 2025?
Anime popularity in 2025 is driven by streaming access, social media engagement, and digital production. The global streaming market will reach $10 billion, with Netflix and Crunchyroll holding 80% of the overseas share. Social platforms amplify fan interaction, and 85% of new anime uses digital animation with rising AI and cloud-based production adoption.
Where to Watch These Most Popular Anime in 2025
Crunchyroll dominates anime streaming with over 17 million subscribers, recently reaching new growth milestones. The platform hosts more than 1,800 anime titles, making it essential for dedicated viewers. Crunchyroll offers three subscription tiers: Fan ($7.99/month), Mega-Fan ($11.99/month), and Ultimate Fan ($15.99/month).
Netflix significantly expanded its anime presence to about 240 titles in its U.S. catalog during 2024. The platform benefits from deep pockets and wide reach, making anime crucial to its global strategy. Netflix exclusives like Sakamoto Days demonstrate the platform’s commitment to original anime content.
Additional Platforms include Hulu, Funimation, and regional services providing broader accessibility. Many series offer simulcast availability, allowing international viewers to watch episodes shortly after the Japanese broadcast. The rise of digital platforms has made anime more accessible than ever before.
Feature Image Prompt: Cinematic anime-style illustration of a heroic anime character standing tall on a hilltop under a vast bright sky, with flowing cloak and dynamic pose. The daylight scene is vibrant and colorful, blue skies with scattered white clouds, green hills fading into a glowing futuristic city in the distance. Subtle streaks of red, gold, and steel blue highlight the atmosphere. Minimal composition, ultra HD, soft anime cell shading, clean lines, dramatic camera angle from below to emphasize scale and power, wide format.
[…] You May Also Like: Top 10 Most Popular Anime in 2025 (So Far) […]