Is Every part Isekai? Anime in 2025 Retrospective

Okay, fantastic, we’ll discuss Solo Leveling.

Anime in 2025 has been an train in endurance. When Solo Leveling received the award for greatest anime on the Crunchyroll Awards, it was already clear that we’re going to be spammed with Isekais for the remainder of the 12 months.

It doesn’t assist that the present season of One Punch Man has obtained poor critiques throughout the board, and there have been few brilliant spots within the new releases that emerged. However, regardless of all this, so much is going on on the earth of anime, and we’re going to check out some headlines which have stored otakus engaged. 

Awards Season: A Memorable Snub

The Crunchyroll Awards awarded Solo Leveling one of the best anime badge. And whereas the collection has its followers, many critics pointed in the direction of Frieren because the deserving winner. Whereas the isekai is the extra beginner-friendly of the 2 anime, Frieren: Past Journey’s Finish is a masterclass in character writing, and options precise tragedies (not like Solo Leveling, the place each compelling character is written out publish a number of appearances). 

Whereas Dandadan was nominated for many awards on the present, it received solely the awards for “Finest Character Design,” “Finest Anime Track,” and “Finest Opening Sequence.” Each awards had been well-deserved, and it was a worthy contender for the “Finest Anime” award, although the ending of the primary season wasn’t nice.

The opposite awards had been respectable. Demon Slayer’s new arc, “Hasira Coaching,” was a enjoyable pastime, and the film “Infinite Fortress” was an enormous hit on the field workplace. It received the award for one of the best persevering with collection. 

“Look Again,” a genuinely heat coming-of-age story, received hearts across the globe and picked up the unique film win. The time-traveling story follows the lifetime of a younger mangaka, exploring destiny and the longer term. And “Ninja Kamui” received the Finest Unique Anime award, and regardless of the slower latest episodes, one may argue that it deserved the award. 

Now, Crunchyroll awards are often popularity-based. We are able to look to the Tokyo Anime Awards for a extra vital examination of the anime situations. 

The Anime of the 12 months on the Tokyo Anime Awards Pageant (TAAF) was Frieren: Past Journey’s Finish. For these unaware of the story, it follows an Elven mage who revisits associates and goes on an extended journey. The story displays upon life, friendships, and the way immortals may really feel when their associates move away. It’s genuinely gorgeous when it comes to visuals and options among the most well-written characters in anime. 

For the film awards, TAAF awarded Look Again, which was well-deserved. 

What To Watch: Summer time Anime 2025

Earlier than our awards season assessment will get you down, perceive that summer season 2025 was nonetheless an insane season for anime. There have been actually spectacular sequels and a few debuts that we’ll bear in mind for ages. Let’s check out three that we extremely advocate:

1. Sakamoto Days

Sakamoto Days began slowly in January. Followers complained concerning the muted coloration palette and lack of struggle choreography in a present that options among the most attractive fights from the manga it’s tailored from. Nonetheless, earlier than individuals may dismiss the anime as simply one other Netflix failure, the makers stepped in and delivered the most effective comebacks in anime historical past. 

The second a part of Sakamoto Days is an precise delight. The colours pop, and the motion scenes rival the likes of Jujutsu Kaisen and One Punch Man. In case you’re in search of heat, found-family tales the place the stakes are excessive, that is the anime to observe in 2025.

2. The Summer time Hikaru Died

This horror anime doesn’t mess around with bounce scares. The story follows Yoshiki and Hikaru, two oddball associates who develop up collectively. Because the story goes on, Yoshiki realizes that an eldritch horror has changed Hikaru. 

In case you’ve ever questioned if Lovecraft may recover from his fairly over-the-top racism to put in writing about Japan, that is the collection you want in your life. The anime style has given rise to among the greatest psychological horror accessible, and that is no exception. 

The small city in Japan options some lethal secrets and techniques, and you may drift into a way of unease that simply doesn’t depart. This is without doubt one of the greatest first seasons in anime in recent times, and it guarantees to turn out to be higher as time passes.

3. The Aromatic Flower Blooms with Dignity 

In case you’re bored with the violence in Sakamoto Days and the horror in The Summer time Hikaru Died, you’ll be charmed by this collection. Rintaro Tsumugi and Kaoruko Waguri are the principle pair in query, they usually come from completely different worlds. Tsumugi is a pupil at a public faculty who seems to be a delinquent however carries a coronary heart of gold, and Waguri is a pupil on the Kikyo Non-public Academy. 

The world’s conflict makes the story much more sophisticated. However the story is heat and crammed with heat artwork. Individuals who love Skip and Loafers and My Love Story!!

4. Bonus: The Rose of Versailles 

When Netflix licensed the remake of The Rose of Versailles, it may need come as a shock to anime followers. Whereas the shoujo manga is without doubt one of the classics and is taken into account a gorgeous story, this film does the storyline justice with a contemporary therapy. 

This anime film is crammed with musical numbers that lend credence to its premise (set within the late French Empire) and options some very compelling characters. Oscar, the girl charged with guarding Marie Antoinette, is the standout on this case. The story is compressed for the format, however the visuals and the music greater than make up for this. In case you’re in search of a date evening anime, that is the film to plug in.

The summer season launch slate has been unimaginable, with some anime which have made loads of noise. Now that we all know concerning the anime that’s already out, we’re going to check out some future releases that we’re trying ahead to. 

Eagerly Awaited: Winter 2025 & Early 2026

 There are some releases that our workforce is eagerly awaiting as we head into 2026. Let’s take a quick look:

1. Report of Ragnarock

The second season of Report of Ragnarok ended with the wild struggle between Zerofuku and Buddha. So, the third season is predicted to function fights with Hades, Susano’o Mifako, Apollo, and Leonidas. 

Now, the explanation this anime doesn’t prime many lists is that the animation is dangerous. Nonetheless, we’re conserving our fingers crossed, since Season 2 improved upon Season 1; there’s an opportunity Season 3 will likely be even higher nonetheless.  And even when the animation is dangerous, there’s just a few type of pleasure in seeing Gods preventing people.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen 

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 was an enormous disappointment when it comes to the animation. Nonetheless, the season 3 scheduled for 2026 may mark an enchancment. Given the unfavourable critiques which have marred among the shonen collection launched this 12 months, MAPPA (the manufacturing studio) may very well put extra effort into enhancing the collection. At the least we hope they’ll.

3. Hell’s Paradise

MAPPA just about picked up the cream of the crop with JJK, Hell’s Paradise, and Chainsaw Man. The story of an Edo-period ninja with darkish fantasy themes is one thing to be careful for, and it does work nicely. The collection is gory and ingenious, and the artwork model is de facto distinctive and attention-grabbing. There’s so much to be careful for in season 2 right here, and we’ll offer prayers in order that MAPPA doesn’t mishandle it. 

2025 has seen the discharge of some wonderful anime. Sadly, the most well-liked out of the crop haven’t met expectations. Solo Leveling has dominated the charts, and whereas that can pave the way in which for the difference of extra manhwa, the proliferation of isekai is turning into annoying. However, as all the time, if you happen to look below the floor, there are loads of wonderful tales which can be streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix, and you need to watch them to the end!