Feb 21 (News On Japan) - The 2024 anime season ended, and it left us with some of the best visuals and stories so far.
Dandadan was by far people’s favourite last year, setting the bar high for other creations as studio Science Saru did a great job at portraying the vibrant relationship between Momo and Okarun. Delicious In Dungeon has also made it to the news, with studio Trigger making one of the best slow-burn anime shows lately.
Other stories were continued last year, such as Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season by studio Shaft or Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Conflict by Pierrot Films. Of course, there are several honourable mentions like Blue Box, Solo Leveling and Kaiju No. 8, but overall, 2024 was crazy in terms of striking visuals.
So, we expect the same and more for 2025, especially since an additional number of series will receive ongoing episodes or films. Let’s dive in.
One Piece
One Piece is one of the greatest anime of all time, and its story continues in 2025 with the Egghead arc. While many believe this was the year when One Piece would end, fans predict 2027 to seal the end as that’s the date for the 30th anniversary of the show.
The manga has barely reached the Elbaf Arc, which is part of the Final Saga, so there’s still so much to unfold. There are so many important events happening this year in the anime, from the fight between Luffy and the Shamrock or Loki's Devil Fruit reveal to the Figarland Family lore reveal. The next show is supposed to air in April, so until then, you could check out what different Anime & Manga figures related to One Piece have been released.
Lazarus
From the creators of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Lazarus will be part of an Adult Swim project animated by the fantastic studio MAPPA. The story focuses on five agents whose group name is Lazarus. They must find the doctor who created a deadly drug to find a vaccine for it.
The creator stated that an inspiring idea came from the opioid crisis, but also considered John Wick movies for the fight scene, so the anime will perfectly combine controversial ideas with amazing action. The action is set in 2052, and the timeframe is limited to three years since the drug that was once believed to be a miracle cure will now kill all humans in that period.
Witch Watch
Moving on to something less triggering, we’ve got the cute-looking Witch Watch, a story about a girl who’s trained to be a witch and now is moving on to everyday life. Nico Wakatsuki chooses her childhood friend — an ogre — to be her companion, so be sure there will be a lot of funny and stressful situations for both.
Bibury Animation Studios created the anime, the one and only that made Black★★Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall. Producers include Mainichi Broadcasting System and Bit Grove Promotion, which are responsible for legendary anime like Attack on Titan or Blue Lock.
Solo Leveling Season 2
The first season of Solo Leveling topped popular shows like Chainsaw Man in Crunchyroll. This was extremely surprising as the anime was initially a Webtoon series, so the story already had a pretty serious fanbase.
Sung Jin-Woo’s journey of becoming godlike from a weak hunter is what draws most people, but the second season will bring so much more to the screen. The story continues with him becoming the only hunter who can up his powers, hence starting his original Solo Leveling path. His tales inspired so much media, such as a Webtoon spinoff and even a game, so we’re sure the second season will be amazing.
Anne Shirley
Everyone loves the story of Anne Shirley or Anne of Green Gables, and now it’s been turned into an anime with the help of the Answer Studio, responsible for Your Name or Suzume. The original story from 1908 continues to impress people to this day. It focuses on Anne, an orphan whose new family will help her overcome challenges as she graces through life with an amazing imagination and a big heart.
While there have been previous adaptations to the series in Japan by Nippon Animation, this time, we’re expecting something more accurate and beautiful. Honoka Inoue will voice Anne, and she’s known for dubbing several horror movies. Naoya Miyase, on the other hand, will voice Gilbert, and he’s popular for Ja Wangnan in Tower of God: New World.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
The Apothecary Diaries' story received unexpected attention during the first season for its brilliantly written mystery, history, and political intrigue. Mamao, the female protagonist, was especially appreciated for her growing process while being true to herself.
The second season will take us back to the palace where Mamao was kidnapped to further solve the mystery of the concubines and contribute to protecting the empire. The animation production is in the hands of TOHO animation, which produced Boku no Hero Academia and OLM, known for Pokemon.
Sakamoto Days
Ending on a positive note, Sakamoto Days is somewhat similar to The Way of the Househusband, so you get the idea of the anime. The story surrounds Sakamoto, a man whose hitman career ended a long time ago, and he’s now enjoying his family life after retirement.
Of course, the past comes back to him, so he showcases his forgotten skills to protect the family from unwanted attention. The anime will have it all, from the dad humour to the thrill of fights, so it’s the perfect anime to watch with your family.
What do you think of the 2025 anime season?
2024 has some of the most fantastic anime shows, but 2025 comes in full force with updates from popular stories like One Piece and Solo levelling to set the bar high for the upcoming year. Considering that in 2026, we should expect animes like The Omniscient Reader or Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2, the future of anime seems as bright as it could be.
