#10 Gnosia
One of the few times in recent memory I took a recommendation to start an anime. All I knew going in was it was essentially mafia in space and it was based on one of his favorite games. I found myself pleasantly surprised with what I got. An extremely stylish show about a group of survivors whose escape ship has been invaded by an alien life form named “Gnosia”, possessing some unknown survivors with a time looping twist. Each episode is used to explore the background and personality of a specific crew mate, as the main character, Yuuri, tries to find clues to survive. Gnosia’s cast ends up having distinct and endearing backstories and personalities. Compliment that with a beautiful cyberpunk aesthetic that is brought to life with bright and vivid neon colors and grade-A compositing, extremely solid animation and Kazuya Ichikawa’s solid directing. The show leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to actual debates and mind games between the characters during the actual mafia part of the show. But I did find the presentation of this show fantastic, very atmospheric in its set pieces, whether it being romantic, serene or, in the case of my favorite episode, cosmic horror.
Despite not having many dynamic movements, it still has fluid animation. The character eye movement in particular, which was used heavily to convey character emotions, particularly during the meetings, I found impressive. With all this, it rounds out this list at number 10. The surprise hit of the year for me.
#9 My Dress-up Darling Season 2
In the future I would like to try and avoid having sequel series on the list and stick strictly to premieres. But given this blog is a bit new and I have never made a previous list, I find it acceptable. Not as much to say about this entry, the show really speaks for itself in every aspect of its production. Cloverworks has continued to impress since their creation in 2018, always bringing out high quality productions regardless of the source material. Given the success of season 1, season 2 of My Dress-up Darling was able to elevate its already solid production. Every episode, every cut, feels immensely inspired, whether it be in the presentation or the actual quality of animation. Character acting that matches up with any of its competitors, creativity in storyboarding and use of mixed media via use of puppets and paper cut out. Implementing completely different art styles for the in-universe anime that gets a lot more screen time than you would expect, pleasantly because of the quality.
All this surrounds a very wholesome rom com about embracing your hobbies and not basing yourself around other’s perceptions. I will be looking forward to the final season.
#8 Takopi’s Original Sin
Watching Takopi’s Original Sin was one of the more jarring viewing experiences I have ever had. This lends itself to the extremely saccharine aesthetic that contrasts its emotional coarse subject matter. The characters have simple rounded designs made up of a few circles, big heads and eyes, and small limbs. The titular Takopi has a bright pink hue and appears with the most huggable rounded body that is reminiscent of something that Kanzaki Hiro might have designed. The dichotomy in the art comes from the aggressive linework and jagged sharp edged character models that are implemented to reflect the characters deteriorating mental state of the three main characters, Shizuka, Marina and Azuma. Takopi, an extremely go lucky adorable alien octopus from Happy Planet is on a quest to make everyone he meets super happy! Unfortunately he runs into the most miserable fucken kids imaginable. To top it off he is extremely ignorant of human society and any complex emotions that go beyond happiness and joy. It’s through this lense of Takopi’s misguided efforts that we learn that each kid’s motivations are dredged from their unfortunate home lives. Takopi’s sequences of utter and tragic failures to help quell the children’s despondency ends up hammering home the idea that everyone’s hurdles in life are more multifaceted than we ever realize. It thrusts you into these broken households that makes it palpable that there is no villain of the story or a purely evil individual.
Just lonely, hurt children who don’t have any other means than their negative coping mechanisms to deal with the trauma. It does have its beautiful moments that draw in feelings of redemption and some form of hope for the characters. Allowing the characters to find solace in each other to quell their deeply embedded rooted issues rather than in their abuse of each other. It’s through that understanding of each other’s struggles and moving past our one dimensional assumptions of hate, that maybe we can find some happiness in this shitty life. An absolutely stunning show on a production standpoint, amazing use of light and shadows perfectly capturing the tone of each scene, some of the most decorated and well designed backgrounds I have seen in recent memory. Be warned as well the show houses very explicit displays of child abuse, murder, suidcide and is not what I would deem a pleasant watch.
#7 Dandadan Season 2
One more sequel this season, and similar to Dress up Darling won’t need much explanation. Dandadan is one of the best blends of action-romance shonens I have seen in recent years. The series is sick as hell, featuring crazy sci-fi and supernatural action fights between aliens and yokai. As well as this season expanding its genre vision to include tokusatsu-esque mech and kaiju fights.
Then you immediately turn around and delve into the sprouting romance of Momo and Okarun which is very well done for the genre. Both cute and natural. Infectiously engaging cast who is just a joy to watch together regardless of the situation. Plus some huge personal bias since my current favorite VA Shion Wakayama plays Momo. Dandadan ends up being one of the easiest weekly shows to consume because of the cool weird shit it brings every week. Never gets stale and is always exciting. Death metal concert to complete an exorcism? Sounds good. Have Momo’s house transform into a super sentai zoid? I’m here for it. Battle famous 18th century composers who came to life in the music room? Sounds about right.
#6 Medalist
Medalist has one of my favorite creation stories of all time. The creator, Tsurumakaida, was a gigantic fan of Natsumi Haruse, who plays the lead of the anime. He, in fact, was such a huge fan that he aimed to create a hit manga that would get an anime adaption specifically so she could play the main lead. Low and Behold last year that dream of an obsessed fan came true. Honestly a crazy cool story – although this series gets points for the series creator manifesting their crazy otaku fantasy – but that’s not what makes it great. Medalist is about Inori’s journey through the ranks of figure skating. Pushing back against all doubts of her late age of training, so their coach skater duo can make it to the Olympics and become a medalist. Their team works so well because of how their personal stories line up so perfectly. Inori’s coach, Tsukasa, got into figure skating way too late in life and all he could amount to was a short stint as a skating duo, and now a struggling coach for young skaters. Inori, eleven years old, is tired of not feeling any personal value or worth and sees figure skating as her solution in life. Unfortunately for her, her mother not only doesn’t want her pursuing the sport because her sister was injured doing it, but she’s also being told she is far too old to begin her journey, as even 11 is later than most begin training. It’s through Tsukasa’s belief that Inori deserves a chance to pursue her dream and to not see her live with the regrets he was forced to embrace. Taking it upon himself to coach her to an Olympic appearance. For seemingly unimpressive studio ENGI, this adaptation felt very heavy duty. The actual plot and characters were extremely engrossing and I became extremely attached to their journey.
Both the leads are very endearing in the way they interact with each other and the skating world they inhabit. Every new competitor introduced in the show felt very nuanced in their approach to skating and reason for competing. The actual skate routines that the characters perform are executed through a very fluid and digestible 3D animation. The studio actually had an olympic skater choreograph the performances and some other professionals perform it, which was then motion captured. With this footage they made the 3D models and the 2D animators added nuanced expressions on top of it. Medalist became an addicting show, and I will be glued to season 2 to watch Inori and Tsukasa reach their dreams.
#5 Watatabe
Watatabe or This Monster Wants To Eat Me, was surprisingly the only Yuri series to make this list, though admittedly I haven’t watched Watanare. I had been looking forward to this adaptation since it was announced. The manga had actually been on my list to read and the adaptation lived up to my expectations. The series follows Hinako, the lone survivor of her family’s tragic car crash. Since then she has walked through life with a dismal empty viewpoint, even to the point of being suicidal. One day while walking to school and peering out at the ocean she meets Shiori, a frank and slightly off putting girl, who quickly reveals herself to be a mermaid, and someone who wants to eat Hinako, as her flesh is some of the tastiest humans can have. Through the confrontation they strike a deal. Hinako can finally have a method to die and Shiori can eat her, but according to her she isn’t fully “ripe”. This will only happen when her emotions change and she views life as more imperative. I found this series to be extremely touching, as it addressed very sensitive issues such as grief, disassociation, depression, and suicide with such care and purpose.Though definitely not the highest end production on this list the series still does a great job conveying what it needs to in it’s visuals. Such as the ocean which was used as a beautiful recurring motif that projected Hinako’s mental state and conditions. Showing her plunge into grief and her dissociation from reality. The conflict of the narrative is greatly compelling, as we see Hinako and Shiori grow closer and Hinako opens up bit by bit, only to be contrasted by her unwavering desire to not continue living. It feels extremely heart breaking but the show weaves in just enough hope through the characters supporting her that you can’t help but root for a happy ending.
Most hopeful of this supporting case is Hinako’s best friend, Miko, who is a bright shining light in a series filled with dread and pessimism. Miko is played by Ai Fairouz who executes the role perfectly. Fun, energetic, positive and caring, my personal favorite character and the one who completely stirs up the dynamic, wishing Hinako to live a long happy life. These three’s relationship evolves through the show to tackle the complicated emotional well being of Hinako. Through the conflicting plot of the trio, all trying to subvert each other’s goals, you somehow end up rooting for all three and waiting each week to see what happens.
#4 The Summer Hikaru died
The Summer Hikaru Died, similar to Watatabe, was a manga series I had been planning to read. The physical volumes had been released in 2024 here in the US and the premise and art style drew me in. I hadn’t gotten around to reading it before they had the anime adaptation announced and oh man did the anime deliver on my expectations. The Summer Hikaru Died is probably the best horror anime I have ever seen. This horror is drawn from the show’s main character, Yoshiki, and his intimate proximity to the supernatural being of his village. The premise is as it sounds, Yoshiki’s best friend Hikaru has died, except he still is around, or at least his body is and something is inhabiting it. Yoshiki’s quick realization that this Hikaru isn’t the friend he once knew, intersecting with his hidden love for his deceased friend creates this dance of unsettling proximity with the “monster” of the series. Extremely eerie in its presentation, with unsettling ambient sound design, art direction that captures the lonely desolate feeling of the town and Yoshiki, and constant unnerving visual metaphors such as the constant use of insects in the summer heat.
The show perfectly encapsulates Yoshiki’s internal turmoil of living in constant fear of this creature, which itself is child-like and immature, constantly vying for Yoshiki’s approval and love, not understanding Yoshiki at all. This clash of Yoshiki’s undeniable fear with his deniability of Hikaru dying creates a crazy narrative. As Yoshiki falls deeper into his web of lies, with himself, but also with the town, that has had accentuated paranormal activities since Hikaru came back, so does the show’s sense of anxiety and stress. Which makes for an entertaining ass show that really leaves you wanting more each episode.
#3 The Apothecary Diaries S2
Another but not the last sequel on this list. Again not much to say about this series. Potentially my favorite character this decade is Maomao. If Apothecary was a long form soap opera like all my children I would probably be hooked just because of how much I love watching Maomao. This season suffered some production issues, being forced to outsource many of its episodes, and it definitely showed. Regardless, seeing Maomao return with a new cast, new problems to solve and new enemies still ended up being one of the most entertaining experiences of the year. A very multifaceted character that is fun, witty, charismatic and just a perfect amount of crazy. The overall arc of the series was very entertaining to see unfold over its 24 episode run. Each mystery Maomao solves develops the secrets that the palace holds; alongside developing the world in which Maomao lives in. Details we learned or that were alluded to in the first five episodes remain relevant and carry through to the climax of this season’s arc. It makes for some damn good television. Praying for 10 more years of Maomao!
#2 Shoushimin season 2
Last but not least, for the sequel series we have Shoushimin season 2. My favorite anime of all time is Kyoani’s Hyouka, always has been and to be honest probably always will be. When I found out a novel from the same author of that series, Honobu Yonezawa was getting adapted, I was very excited. The series ended up meeting my expectations and more. I also would love to point out, this season’s OP was perhaps my favorite OP I have ever seen. Super cool in its use of multimedia material, amazing cuts of visual metaphors to show off the characters psyche and banger song that’s edited with the visuals perfectly. Just watch it. Like Hyouka this series is a mystery, and similar to Hyouka, Yonezawa’s writing is able to make every facet of the mystery engaging and compelling, regardless of how mundane it seems. Mostly through the approach of said mysteries by the main characters, Osanai and Kobato. Shoushimin roughly means “regular people”. Both the lead’s main goal is to fit into this role. Osanai and Kobato’s methodologies through which they solve the mysteries in the series illuminate just how thoroughly irregular they are. Just on a writing standpoint the series is addicting to see how the duo cook up solutions to any given week.
On a production standpoint the show is phenomenal. Amazing color design to show the contrast in personalities, moods and intentions, phenomenal cinematography, directing, and editing. The series has perfect pacing letting every scene fester as long as it needs. Building tension, letting reveals settle in, allowing the audience to ponder with the characters. This series is awesome, you get to watch two crazy people try to solve mysteries while also realizing that they are crazier than they initially seem, all while they are actively trying to deny their own freak.
#1 Ruri Rocks
I went back and forth on my number choice for this year, but in the end I just simply went with the series I enjoyed the most. #3-1 were super close but I don’t think I looked forward to any show weekly more than Ruri Rocks. Ruri Rocks is pure unadulterated fun, this is conveyed in its characters love for the subject matter. For a show about a group of girls who really like mineralogy, the production is amazing. Top of the industry compositing, the show and light work is gorgeous, displaying different times of the day in perfect presentation. The background art and art direction was so meticulous and well designed, whether it be the different scenic excavating sites, or the graduate student’s busy work place. Phenomenal character movements and acting that perfectly encapsulated each character’s personality and built up the series tone.
Possibly the simplest plot on this whole list, titular character Ruri wants some jewelry with some gemstones on it but can’t afford it as she is a poor high school student. So she goes excavating for her own, here she meets Nagi who is a college grad student studying mineralogy. Through this meeting they collaborate more and Ruri finds she has a deepening love for minerals and earth science as a whole. The characters in the series truly love their field of study and every aspect of the show conveys this in a genuine caring way. The audience feels in tangent Ruri’s excitement and depth of interest grow. Every magical discovery or revelation of personal investment is reflected to the audience and that sense of excitement is what made me fall in love with the series. Which is crazy cause the show is genuinely about rocks.
They have many info breaks in the show where one of the characters gives a crash course on rock formation or movement and even has intermission info dumps to talk about history or something similar. The series is such a joy to watch. It made me feel like I wanted to get into mineralogy! I won’t but that’s how powerful the series felt to me. Ultimately I have learned over the years that characters make or break a show for me, regardless if it’s a crazy cool setting, or an action show with amazing sakuga. Ruri Rocks really made me fall in love with its cast because of how genuine their interests were, and I was excited to see what they would learn and discover every week.
This list could have looked a bit different but I missed a few shows or wasn’t able to finish a couple before the year ended. As it’s already past mid January I wanted to get this done as well. I wasn’t able to finish City which I felt would have made the list. I keep hearing buzz about Apocalypse Hotel, which, if true, would probably have made it as well. I also missed the biggest Yuri of the year, Watanare, which looked very fun. Danmachi Season 5 was awesome and a show that kept exceeding expectations but only made it into 2025 due to production delays on the finale so I didn’t want to count it.
Some honorable mentions for the year were Shangri La Frontier season 2, Dr Stone Science Future Part 2. To be honest, Call of The Night season 2 probably should have made the list but I had so many sequels I needed to cut it down.
2025 ended up being one of the best years of anime I have personally experienced. Every season ended with at least a few bangers and a couple entries on this list. The overall quality that anime presents year to year still stuns me to this day and why I continue to continue with the medium. Winter 2026 is already looking to be an exciting start to what is looking like another great year of anime.
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