2025 is set to be a huge year for anime fans. There’s almost too many highly anticipated premieres to keep track of, from new seasons of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Kaiju No. 8, and Dan Da Dan to the final season of My Hero Academia. Not to mention the premieres of several exciting new series, like Lazarus, Witch Hat Atelier, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Gachiakuta, Leviathan, and more. Oh, and did I mention Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is slated to come out this year, too? See what I mean; this year is gonna be packed with anime!
The year is starting off in a big way, with Sakamoto Days and the second season of The Apothecary Diaries premiering later this month along with a couple of fun-looking rom-com anime! We’ll also likely get a TV premiere date announcement for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (pronounced as “g-quax”), the latest mecha anime set in the venerable Mobile Suit Gundam franchise — directed by FLCL creator Kazuya Tsurumaki and co-written by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno — which is receiving a theatrical premiere later this month.
We’ll continue to update this list as we get a clearer picture of everything this winter anime season has to offer, but in the meantime, here are some of the most exciting anime airing this winter that you should look forward to.
Sakamoto Days
Release date: Jan. 11
Where to watch: Netflix
Based on Yuto Suzuki’s hit action comedy manga, Sakamoto Days follows the story of Taro Sakamoto, once considered the most feared assassin in the entire criminal underworld, now a semi-retired family man running a local mom-and-pop convenience store with his wife and daughter. After his secret identity is unearthed by his former associates and adversaries, Taro must join forces with Shin, a former assassin with telepathy, and Lu Xiaotang, the rambunctious daughter of a Chinese mob boss, to protect his humble life and family from danger.
The Apothecary Diaries season 2
Release date: Jan. 10
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
The Apothecary Diaries returns for its highly anticipated second season later this month! Set in a fictional country based on Imperial China, the series follow Maomao, a young apothecary kidnapped from her home who becomes the official poison taste-tester for one of the Emperor’s most beloved concubines. Together with the aid of Jinshi, a handsome eunuch in the Imperial court with unrequited feelings for her, Maomao becomes a pivotal player in the power struggle within the Imperial Palace.
The anime won a place on our list of the best anime last year for its combination of medical mystery, palace intrigue, and slow-burn romance, and season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries is shaping up to deliver more of the same.
Zenshu
Release date: Jan. 5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Fans of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Shirobako should look forward to Zenshu when it airs this winter season. This original anime from director Mitsue Yamazaki (Attack on Titan) and writer Kimiko Ueno (Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday) centers on Natsuko Hirose, a talented artist who quickly becomes a successful anime director shortly after graduating from high school. Struggling to complete her next project, Natsuko collapses at her desk and is magically transported into the world of her favorite fantasy anime. It’s not every day you get an isekai about anime production, but the trailer looks fantastic and the talent involved is more than enough to pique one’s interest.
Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
Release date: Jan. 5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Solo Leveling returns with a second season this winter! Subtitled “Arise from the Shadow,” the season is expected to pick up directly after the events of the previous one, with protagonist Jin-Woo having attained the title and abilities of necromancer-like “Shadow Monarch” and a horde of S-rank monsters heading straight for the Korean mainland. Solo Leveling season 2 is expected to adapt the Red Gate Arc of Chugong’s original web novel, but those unfamiliar with the source material should expect there to be a whole bunch of explosive supernatural action.
Dr. Stone Science Future
Release date: Jan. 9
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Dr. Stone is set to begin airing its final season this winter with the first of three parts set to air over three quarters of the year. Dr. Stone: Science Future will center on Senku and the Kingdom of Science preparing to venture into space in order to solve the series’ final lingering mystery: What exactly caused the age of petrification that destroyed human civilization? Will Senku be able to find the answer and secure a brighter future for humanity going forward? We’ll find out when the season begins airing this January.
Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You
Release date: Jan. 10
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Yearning for a good romance anime? Based on Haruka Mitsui’s manga of the same name, Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You centers on Mizuha, a teenager whose 17th birthday is being ruined by the onset of a pandemic. Her parents seem to have totally forgotten, and her senpai isn’t interested in her. But when her childhood friend asks her out, she’ll have to sort through what her own feelings are while the world swiftly changes in dramatic ways!
Honey Lemon Soda
Release date: Jan. 9
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you’re looking for a more, say, “unconventional” romance anime, Honey Lemon Soda should be right up your alley. Based on Mayu Murata’s manga of the same name, the anime centers on Uka Ishimori, a miserable and shy middle schooler who is determined to become more confident in high school. After crossing paths with Kai Miura, an aloof and popular boy with a love for lemon soda, Uka is inspired to follow his example and become more assertive and forthright with her feelings.
Source：https://www.polygon.com/entertainment/468386/new-anime-2025-release-calendar-schedule-watch-streaming
