Most Buzzed-About Anime of Summer 2025
The Anime That Should Be on Your Radar This Season
In addition to writing about movies and television, I sometimes discuss animation. Animation isn’t exclusive to Disney / Pixar or Japanese Anime, but rather the industry as a whole. I also really love Japanese Anime. Most TV series can be watched on streaming services like Crunchyroll, Hi-dive, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix.
I’m going to be writing about some of my most anticipated anime of the Summer 2025 season. While not as robust as Spring, Summer has some anticipated continuing series like Dan Da Dan and My Dress-Up Darling. Don’t worry if Japanese Anime isn’t for you, I’ll be back with movie reviews and features soon.
Dan Da Dan
Dan Da Dan returns with its second season. I championed this series during an earlier preview, and these first few episodes introduce a new character to the fold. What I enjoy about Dan Da Dan is the prevalence of the relationship between Momo and Ken in the series. Sure, there’s a lot of Shounen troops like having to
"power or level up” for new foes, but the relationship comedy works too. For those who haven’t watched the series yet, Dan Da Dan follows a group of teenagers with supernatural abilities that take on yokai and aliens.
Release date: Now Airing
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
My Dress-Up Darling
Another sequel, this new season of My Dress-Up Darling, continues the relationship between the doll maker Wakana Gojo and his popular classmate Marin Kitagawa. The two strike an unlikely friendship when Marin enlists Wakana to create elaborate cosplay costumes. This is a romantic comedy between the two teenagers and is, for the most part, pretty wholesome. I’ve recommended this anime to people who’d normally be turned off to the ecchi parts of the show because of the relationship between the leads. If fanservice is a no-go for you, you might take a pass on this. Otherwise, I hope you stick it out because it’s worth it for a little cringe.
Release date: Now Airing
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Gachiakuta
Fans of Attack on Titan, you have a new grimdark fantasy series to watch. Gachiakuta stars a young boy named Rudo who lives in the slums. There’s a clear separation between the haves and the have-nots. Rudo has it especially tough because his biological father was accused as a murderer, and many believe that Rudo has that same menace in his bloodline. When Rudo gets tossed into the pit for a crime he didn’t commit, he vows vengeance on the people who left him for dead. The premise is pretty solid, but the first episode was a little slow going. Once the series reveals its cards, though, Rudo makes for a fascinating hero. Just a word of warning, this show is pretty bleak. Rudo has it tough, and it doesn’t seem that his journey is going to get any easier.
Release date: July 6th
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
City The Animation
A new comedy for fans of Nichijou. It’s been 14 years since that show (crazy), but Kyoto Animation is animating another series from Keiichi Arawi. It’s one of Kyoto Animation’s first productions from an original story since the tragic 2019 arson attack. For those who haven’t seen Nichijou, it mostly contained lots of short stories, with a stable of familiar faces. This often means that some gags will hit harder than others, and some episodes can be a mixed bag. Luckily, there’s more than enough gems, and I can’t wait to check this out.
Release date: July 6th
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The Summer Hikaru Died
This horror anime has a lot of buzz heading into the summer season, and it’s easy to see why. The plot follows two best friends, Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo. One day, Hikaru mysteriously died while hiking in the mountains alone. He might be dead, but an eldritch being comes across him and consumes him, becoming Hikaru physically. When the friends finally meet up again, Yoshiki quickly realizes his friend is gone. Can they still be close despite Hikaru being possessed by a mysterious being?
Release date: Now Airing
Where to watch: Netflix
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
I remember reading some of the manga of this series, and it reminded me a little of Romeo and Juliet. Two high schools, Chidori Public High School and Kikyo Private Academy Girls’ High School, are next to each other. The boys’ school has a poor reputation for thugs and undesirables, while the girls’ school is a prestigious academy. Chidori student Rintaro is surprised that Kikyo student Kaoruko Waguri visits his family bakery. They start a friendship that the schools will never accept.
Release date: July 13th
Where to watch: Netflix
Solo Camping for Two
I enjoy watching a slice-of-life camping anime as much as the next person, but Solo Camping for Two is a camping trip I won’t be returning to. The lead is 34-year-old solo camper Gen Kinokura, who enjoys everything about camping, except for doing it with other people. During one of his trips, he meets a 20-year-old college student with little to no camping experience. She quickly manipulates him into teaching the ways of solo camping. This series will likely get to the point where they are always camping together, but right now, it does nothing for me. If you like the idea of a camping show, I’ve enjoyed Laid-Back Camp on Crunchyroll.
Release date: July 10th
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
With You and the Rain
With You and the Rain will work for you solely if you think the animal in the trailer above is cute. Much of the first episode is about our heroine finding said creature and giving it a home. Is it a dog? Is it a cat? No one knows! And that’s the gag for about 15 minutes of this opening episode. The animation was pleasant, and it’s a slice-of-life show with some comedy thrown in. Just don’t go into this one expecting too much.
Release date: Now Airing
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you want more selections, I’ll recommend the writers at Anime News Network, who’ve put together a good preview of their anticipated titles.