The 10 Best Anime of Summer 2025, So Far
As we pass the halfway mark for the Summer 2025 anime season, this lineup has somehow only become more impressive. Specifically, I have a hard time remembering another period when this many visual powerhouses were airing at the same time, with Kyoto Animation, CloverWorks, Science Saru, CygamesPictures, Trigger, and more operating in peak form. And it’s not just their aesthetics, because there’s plenty of interesting thematic meat here as well, ranging from lighthearted explorations of community to genuinely harrowing portrayals of abuse and neglect. All in all, it’s a batch of shows so good that it will keep me from complaining about isekai slop for at least a few more weeks; a tall order indeed. Let’s run down our top 10 currently airing anime.
Honorable Mentions: Leviathan, With You and the Rain, Ruri Rocks, Kaiju No. 8, Dr. Stone
10. New Panty and Stocking With Garterbelt
It’s genuinely impressive how directly the latest season of Panty & Stocking emulates the juvenile extremes of its decade-plus-old predecessor, delivering both hilarious moments that read like a grotesque parody of early aughts Cartoon Network, alongside a couple of clunker segments that don’t really land—in short, just like the original. But when it’s firing on all cylinders, like in the premiere or in Episode 6, Studio Trigger heightens the misadventures of these certified garbage girls (and now boys, thanks to the introduction of Polyester & Polyurethane) with their signature over-the-top flair. If you want to see some twinks do the male stripper equivalent of a magical girl transformation, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is here to deliver.
9. Gachiakuta
While it admittedly feels like Gachiakuta is still in its battle shonen-mandated set-up phase, its stylish characters and blunt class commentary have already made it a fun weekly watch. Perhaps the most notable improvement over the series’ run so far is the protagonist, Rudo, who, unlike many shouty teen leads, possesses enough self-reflection to grow as a person. As we wait for the story to inevitably expand in scope, its endearing cast of characters, like Riyou, the hairdresser from hell, ensure it remains entertaining in the meantime.
8. Call of the Night Season 2
If the first season of Call of the Night was largely focused on Kou, an amnesiac middle schooler, this latest batch has found even greater success in delving into the backstory of his vampire counterpart, Nazuna. In addition to adding depth to her and the rest of her sisters of the night, this exploration of her past also at least somewhat minimizes the uncomfortable age gap situation between the leads by casting Nazuna as the dhampir equivalent of a teenager. And of course, Lidenfilms’ latest remains an iridescent visual treat, capturing the appeal of the night through glowing purples and greens.
7. Anne Shirley
While the second half of Anne Shirley has suffered a bit from rapid-fire pacing, it’s a good thing that this literary icon is still a more interesting main character than what you’ll see in 99% of anime. Anne’s journey through young adulthood continues to be elevated by our heroine’s combination of whimsy, kindness, and occasional stubbornness, as she and the rest of her well-written peers face some growing pains. It’s hard to think of many better coming-of-age stories than this series of Canadian novels, and the latest Anne Shirley anime channels much of that brilliance.
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