The Best Season of Anime in Years - Summer 2025 Roundup

Written by Rei Caldombra 9/26/25 Video: TBD

Hello everyone, Rei Caldombra here. This is definitely the best season of anime I have covered in roundups since I started in Winter 2024. Considering all seasons of anime since I started consistently following the seasonals around 9 or so years ago, I think it still is potentially the best.

I don’t talk about scores too much because I don’t give out scores for my reviews and don’t use it too much analytically in my writing, but I will here. I don’t think I’ve ever had a single season where I have 6 freaking shows worth a 9 or 10 out of 10 in my opinion. I don’t have a problem with scoring systems fundamentally or anything, it’s just not how I like to present my thoughts. Scores can be useful for easily summarizing how good something is but also at times be unconstructive and oversimplify to a detrimental degree in my opinion. But I do give anime scores for fun.

I’ve always fought against the following idea, but now more than ever the “modern anime sucks” sentiment is just complete nonsense in my opinion. And that it is said usually by people who only rewatch the same things over and over again or only watch new things looking for ways to hate on it. Let’s get into how great Summer 2025 was and then what I plan to watch in Fall 2025. I’ve included promotional videos from YouTube btw if you want to take a look at the shows I’m referencing. There will not be any direct spoilers in the writing or included trailers.

Summer 2025

City The Animation -『CITY THE ANIMATION』PV第1弾

This show is unbridled joy of life in motion. It was an absolute pleasure to watch every week and genuinely uplifted me every day I watched it. I have nothing but positive things to say, allow me to list them for you. This is one of the most beautifully stylized things I’ve ever seen. It is absolutely hilarious; I don’t think a single joke fell flat for me. The characters are so goofy but just barely believable enough, their antics and banter work so well. The setting of the city that these characters live in has so much personality and feels alive. And the presentation of the characters allows for this world to come together through their connections. This is the area in which this somehow managed to top Nichijou (that is not an insult btw, I also gave Nichijou a 10). It has the same brand of hilarious and immaculately presented comedy done by Kyoto Animations but has this incredibly pure and tender heart at its center that beats more vividly than Nichijou did. This is a wacky, warm city filled with wacky, warm people. It evokes so much feeling beyond just funny. It is the peak of quirky charm and wholesomeness. If I had to put it simply, it manages to excel as a pure comedy while also breaching further into the peak cozy feeling you can get from comforting slice of life. It has some of the most beautiful and elaborate animation sequences I have ever seen. I adore everything about it. CITY is easily my favorite show of the season, worthy of a 10/10 in my eyes, and I cannot see it being beat for my anime of the year. I’m working on a full review where I will try to gush about it in as much detail as I can coherently muster. And I will be ordering the blue ray the second it is available.

Call of the Night / Yokufusha no Uta Season 2 - Call of the Night Official Trailer

Call of the Night is one of my favorite animanga series period. I already read the full manga a while ago, and I feel they adapted the content used in season 2 so well. Even the minor change they made I think was done well and did not bother me. This is the part of the story where Call of the Night really gets going. Pretty much all of the characters get great exploration, and you really dive into how vampirism affects the lives of humans and vampires alike. This series has my favorite depiction of vampires. There is so much great theming and messaging behind these characters, such as criticizing social norms and showcasing untraditional lifestyles. The climax is a feast for the eyes, and all the emotional drama comes together perfectly. I will never be able to stop gushing over how beautiful Call of the Night is, I end up taking so many screenshots of beautiful backgrounds portraying the city at night. I was also really happy to see Creepy Nuts back for season 2’s openings and endings. With Call of the Night having my favorite opening of the season. If you are a fan of nighttime aesthetically you really have to watch and read this series. The vibes are quite literally immaculate. This series has incredibly strong atmosphere and style that plays so well into the setting and themes. As a whole the soundtrack is incredibly good and further lends itself to the vibes. This series is dramatic, funny, beautiful, atmospheric, and has incredible character writing. It’s the full package. There is no confirmation of a season 3 as of now, but I would love to see the whole series adapted. Considering how successful the series has been I have high hopes, but the way this season ends is also a great spot on its own. I adore this series and have various ideas for full focused analyses that I am working on.

Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 2 - Dr. STONE | OFFICIAL PREVIEW

This is one of those series that I did not expect to fall in love with the way I did. But man do I love Dr. Stone. This show has managed to stay extremely consistent in its quality to a level I have not seen with any other long running series that I have watched. With that high quality continuing to this cour of Dr. Stone Science Future. This series builds upon itself so well, both figuratively and literally in the show. The general plot of this season worked great at building tension and bringing the series back down to reality a little bit in a good way. I genuinely teared up over it. And then the big event that happens at the end of the season and the way it played out was beautiful, heart-wrenching and perfectly encapsulated everything Dr. Stone is about. This moment is my favorite of the season. I love the messages of the show. It is truly inspirational for how it portrays the value of hard work and dedication and how that can be used to help others. I have various ideas for writing about Dr. Stone. I am so excited to see this series reach its conclusion in the next part!

My Dress-Up Darling / Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru Season 2 - My Dress-Up Darling | OFFICIAL TRAILER

This is one of those series that I truly think anyone with a creative hobby should watch. This season does so much to continue the series’ mission of promoting acceptance, self-love and following your passions. Every character in this series explodes with drive and passion towards something. I genuinely find this series to be very encouraging and supportive. The relationship between Marin and Gojo is incredibly sweet and well developed. They are one of my favorite couples in recent time. Both of them stand strong on their own as well written and dynamic characters while also having perfect chemistry together. I have no issue with the “fanservicey” aspects, and honestly I really wish people would pick up on how this series is very clearly meant for more than just people who think Marin is hot. You are missing out on so much that this series has to offer if you just think it’s male fanservice wish fulfillment (which I would genuinely argue it is not). I can’t wait to get into the rest of the series, I don’t think I can wait for a season 3.

Dandadan Season 2 - Dan Da Dan Season 1 Trailer

This is another great season of Dandadan. Everything about the production of it remains fantastic. The art, animation, voice acting, sound design, direction of things like scale and weight, it’s all stellar. It’s still so impressive how this show manages to be so balanced between its various elements. The action is very fun and engaging, the chemistry between the characters is so sweet, and the way it uses sci-fi and fantasy tropes continues to work so well. It has such a unique flavor of ridiculousness that you can’t get enough of. Only minor criticism I can make is that I wish they wouldn’t end seasons on cliffhangers that feel like they were just meant for one episode. And if the minor sexual moments do bother you, I respect your aversion but I do encourage you to push through those few scenes if you can so you can experience this fantastic series for how much it has to offer. I love Dandadan and can’t wait for the next season.

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity / Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku - The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity | Official Trailer | Netflix

This show is a beautiful coming of age romance drama that I got completely engrossed in. The characters are endearing and full of personality. There is a great sense of realism to the struggles of the characters. I really want to do a full piece on this series analyzing how it goes about its many themes and concepts like masculinity and self-deprecation. The developing relationship between the main leads is so down to earth and wonderful. This absolutely lived up to the high praise and my expectations going in. I loved this one enough that I am immediately going into the manga, I already ordered some of the volumes. I can’t wait to get more of this story and these characters.

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2 / Jidou Hanbaiki ni Umarekawatta Ore wa Meikyuu wo Samayou 2nd Season - Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon - Official Trailer | English Sub

I consider myself a big fan and defender of Reborn as a Vending Machine. I will never try to argue it as peak fiction, but I have a soft spot for this show and really enjoy it. It is simply very charming and is an example of a quirky premise isekai that actually fully commits to the bit rather than abandoning it or it running out of juice after a few episodes. This is a solid season that I would say averages around the same quality of the first. This season isn’t quite as consistent as season 1. The way the season plays out can feel a little messy and unfocused but was still solid overall. Season 2 has a great twist that really got the main story moving. I genuinely did not expect the series to pull this, with this unexpectedness helping this very goofy and low-key series finally get some legitimate tension. I think the story within this season could have executed better following that reveal, but it is overall still helpful at making the series more dynamic. Another interesting point is that they added a fetish focused character, which I was pretty whatever towards at first and was concerned they would become one note and/or annoying. Adding characters with a fetish purely for jokes isn’t unheard of when trying to add a unique character in an already big cast, especially in isekai (though in a lot of isekai it will genuinely be horny rather than just for jokes like it is here). But they actually get a proper character arc with a decent backstory that again helped this series be less of one that is purely jovial. In the end they are a solid character, not one to write home about, but better than you can expect from the usual isekai slop. At the end of this season they announced season 3. Perhaps in Japan the series is much more popular and well received. I rarely see people talk about the series and the scores it gets are pretty mediocre. I am still a big fan of this series and am excited for season 3!

Kaiju no. 8 / Kaijuu 8-gou Season 2 - Kaiju No.8 | OFFICIAL TRAILER

I liked this season, but I can’t say that I liked it quite as much as the first, but it also has some solid strengths as well. This is the most traditional shounen feeling that the series has been in my opinion, which has dampened my enjoyment a bit. The characters are raising their numerical power levels. The main villain is being a main villain. The characters are going through their training, struggling with something, then getting through it and showing their newfound strength after thinking about their friends. It works, but I just don’t feel that much from it. This series is still appealing to me through the focus on Kaijus, but I must admit that my interest is waning. It still has great character designs, cool action and an interesting world though. So while a lot of this is negative, I still hold that this is a good season of a show I like. I do plan to finish the series, but it’s a shame that this is yet another case of a shounen losing steam for me. But I still love Kafka as a character and want to see how his story ends. He is the driving force behind me watching it in the first place, and he is still keeping me here.

I got so much incredible content out of this season. With so many of these being absolute favorites of mine, both old and new. Even the worst of this season were just good sequels with a mix of strengths and flaws. I have so much to gush about and think the best is such high quality that I have to stick to this being the best season I’ve reviewed and in contention for the best season of anime period for me. I have a lot of content such as full reviews and analyses including these series in the works so please do stick around for those!

Now onto Fall 2025. I am watching 5 shows, with just 2 of them being new. So it’ll be a bit lighter, but that gives me more time to go back and catch up on older things I want to watch, read and work on (which I clearly need if you read the previous paragraphs).

Fall 2025

Tojima Tanzaburo Wants to Be a Masked Rider Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider | Official Trailer | Crunchyroll

Tojima Tanzaburo has always loved the fictional series Kamen Rider and dreamed of becoming one. But after reaching 40, he thought it was truly time to give up. That is until he hears about crimes being done by people pretending to be members of Shocker, an evil organization from Kamen Rider. This chance to chase his dreams makes him don the mask and fight desperately for justice as a Kamen Rider. I am not a proper fan of Kamen Rider, but I know of it and respect it for its impact on Japanese pop culture. I also have a friend who loves Tokusatsu. He has shown me how fun and unique these self-aware campy series can be. I don’t really plan to watch Tokusatsu on my own, but this one catches my eye. This is an official entry in the Kamen Rider series, but the point of this is that he is NOT an actual Kamen Rider. This is what really intrigues me. Older people clinging to their childhood dreams is an emotional beat that resonates with me. This concept is a big reason why I like Kaiju No. 8 for example. So I am going to give this a try.

This Monster Wants to Eat Me Anime "This Monster Wants to Eat Me" Main Trailer | Coming on October 2nd 2025!

Hinako is a deeply distressed girl considering taking her own life. Until a mermaid emerges from the water and assures her that she will make her a prime meal. I am intrigued by this one, that really is it. Monster people is not a thing I’m into, but I can also see how it can bring interesting concepts to the table when it’s not purely about satiating fetishes. I’m the same way with Beastars. The concept of the mermaid keeping her safe and happy for the purpose of eventually eating her is interesting. If the main character’s mental issues are addressed thoroughly and they create an interesting world and ecosystem with these monsters, I could see myself being a fan.

UmaMusume Cinderella Grey Season 2 - Umamusume: Cinderella Gray | Trailer | ENG sub

Cinderella Grey follows the story of an UmaMusume from the countryside taking on the challenge of becoming the biggest star in the world. I just finished watching all of the previous seasons and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I may have the unpopular opinion that Cinderella Grey is not the very best of the UmaMusume anime, but I still really enjoyed it. Oguri Cap is one of my favorite Uma so I am very happy to get more focused on her. The anime made her even more precious and endearing (the closest comparison I can think of is Mash from Mashle).

Isekai Quartet Season 3 - YouTube PV: TVアニメ『異世界かるてっと３』メインPV | 2025年10月13日(月)より3期放送・配信開始！

Isekai Quartet is a fun and goofy little series that I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of at least some of the isekai series in it (Konosuba, Re:Zero, Overlord, Saga of Tanya the Evil, Shield Hero, and new to this season Eminence in Shadow). It’s basically the main cast members of multiple isekai series getting into hijinks at a school after being isekai’d again to a different world. This is a simple fanservice series that I want more of. I love seeing these characters interact and feel there is still plenty to work with. I really hope we can get more crossover content like this for other genres. 

My Hero Academia / Boku no Hero Academia Final Season アニメ『僕のヒーローアカデミア』PV第5弾

I think pretty much everyone even remotely cognizant of anime knows My Hero Academy. If you are familiar with me, you’ve probably noticed that I am not big on traditional battle shounen. I tend to lose interest and dislike a lot of the tropes it relies on. This series is very much a traditional style battle shounen, but at least it generally does that things better than most do, at least in a more appealing way for me specifically. But with My Hero Academy I have managed to continue being a fan through its peaks and valleys. It has a lot great about it, such as the great characters and theming around heroics. And most of its less good parts don’t bother me that much. I really want to see this series through to the end, so I will do so. 

I’ll end this off with two maybes. Whether I watch One Punch Man Season 3 and/or Spy X Family Season 3 will come down to what I hear about them and if I have the time and desire to add them in. These are both series that I was a huge fan of at first but then had lukewarm feelings towards the 2nd season, leaving me feeling like I had seen enough. With Spy x Family I love the premise but have grown tired of the constant return to the status quo and lack of progress with the story. I love my goofy hijinks (see CITY The Animation) but when I feel the story has so much dramatic and storytelling potential it stings to continue waiting for a semblance of that to come to fruition. Especially in favor of just more hijinks of the week that I find mildly enjoyable but tasting increasingly bland as time goes on. After 38 episodes I am simply not interested in the status quo anymore and am not willing to sit through another 10 episodes just for another baby step in the last few episodes. If it seems like the season will give me what I desire from the series, I may get back into it. But if not then I feel comfortable letting it go.

With One Punch Man I think season 2 overall was just ok, especially compared to the fantastic season 1. Outside of the poor presentation making the series not anything great to look at, I also did not care for a lot of what went on. A lot of it was just not very interesting to me and forgettable. I still appreciate season 1’s greatness but I don’t know if this is a series I feel like I need more of.

But we need to talk about how people are talking about the subsequent seasons of One Punch Man. You are completely valid for not enjoying something you think is mediocre, disappointing, etc and expressing that in a constructive way. But PLEASE do not harass people involved in the production who have little to no say in how the anime is made. I am seeing a lot of very nasty stuff online concerning J.C Staff’s One Punch Man. Please remember that these people are workers who have a job to do with what they’re given. They have corporate overlords that they have to bend the knee to like most employees. Even the director only has so much they can do. I think the people involved with One Punch Man know why many people were critical of the 2nd season. But if they have to use -blank- software/tools/etc. with -blank- amount of staff members in -blank- amount of time based on what the people who make the decisions have set, then that’s what they have to do. The people involved in the production of anime have it hard enough as is. Please be kind.

If you are mad that I am continuing to watch a series like Vending Machine while considering dropping series like Spy Fam and One Punch, sorry but that’s just my tastes lol. And that’s another season done and another to look forward to. Thanks for reading!

My Patreon if you would like to support me and the website: patreon.com/ReiCaldombra As a free member you can get alerted about new uploads on Blog Under a Log right and my YouTube channel. You can also become a paid member to financially support me, but any support is greatly appreciated! If you’d like to follow me on any socials, you can find them on the About page.

Previous Roundup: Spring 2025 Anime Season Roundup — Blog Under a Log

Relevant posts:

Let Characters Keep Their Secrets - Writing Analysis — Blog Under a Log

Spy x Family Season 2 Review - Good but Losing its Luster — Blog Under a Log

Dissecting the Kaiju No. 8 OP (Non-Spoiler for Past Ep 2) — Blog Under a Log