The Best Josei Anime of 2025

2025 has brought a surge of anime designed for women and those who appreciate complex, well-developed stories. We’re seeing everything from intense historical dramas to realistic modern romances that delve into careers and personal journeys. Both returning favorites and long-awaited manga adaptations are hitting screens, proving how popular anime for women—known as ‘josei’—is becoming worldwide. This overview spotlights the best new releases and continuing series of the past year.

‘Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!’ (2025)

A sophisticated noblewoman develops a secret love for cooking—and eating—monsters from the surrounding forests. She carefully balances her adventurous hunts for exotic ingredients with the expectations of her position at court. Her unique culinary creations catch the attention of a seasoned adventurer, and he soon joins her on her expeditions. The story combines the world of high-end cooking with fantasy adventure and a hint of romance. Each episode vividly details the fantastical dishes and how they’re made.

‘Cocoon: Aru Natsu no Shoujo-tachi yori’ (2025)

This moving historical drama takes place near the end of World War II in the Pacific. It centers on a group of young women who are called upon to serve as nurses, and follows their struggles to stay strong and support each other amidst the brutal realities of war. The series offers a realistic and heartfelt look at the war’s impact on ordinary people, and celebrates the enduring strength of the human spirit. Its beautiful art style provides a striking contrast to the harshness of the wartime setting, making it a powerful and touching tribute to those who experienced that era and the relationships they forged.

‘Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You.’ (2025)

When a girl from their past returns home, four longtime friends find their comfortable lives shaken up. The story follows how their relationships evolve, as old feelings resurface and new romantic connections complicate things. It’s a realistic and heartfelt look at growing up, remembering the past, and figuring out the future. The story highlights how important it is to be open and honest with each other, and to have the courage to share what you truly feel. Each friend has their own unique personality and faces challenges that feel real and relatable.

‘A Star Brighter than the Sun’ (2025)

This heartwarming series centers on a girl who’s always been physically stronger and taller than everyone else, and her longtime crush. As they start high school, their relationship changes, making them both face their own doubts and vulnerabilities. The show’s delicate art style beautifully emphasizes the emotions in their everyday lives. It’s a sweet and realistic look at first love, finding beauty in simple, quiet moments, and is praised for its characters that feel like people you know and its honest portrayal of being a teenager.

‘Mechanical Marie’ (2025)

A young woman takes a job as a live-in maid for a rich, private man, but there’s a catch: she has to pretend to be a robot to keep the position. As she tries to maintain this robotic act, she deals with her employer’s unusual behavior and unexpectedly starts to fall for him. This romantic comedy uses slapstick and the suspense of her hidden identity to create humor and heartwarming moments. It’s a story about human connection and the facades people put up in their daily lives, with the relationship between the two main characters being both funny and sweetly tender.

‘Tasokare Hotel’ (2025)

This intriguing series is set in a hotel for spirits who need to resolve unfinished business before moving on. A young woman working at the hotel helps these ghosts find peace. Each episode introduces a new spirit with a personal story and a mystery connected to their past. The show’s haunting atmosphere and supernatural setting allow for a thoughtful exploration of life, death, and the need for closure.

‘Cute High Earth Defense Club Eternal Love!’ (2025)

This movie brings back the Earth Defense Club as they face a new danger threatening world peace. They use the power of love and magical transformations while also trying to navigate the challenges of being high school students. Continuing the series’ style, the film playfully spoofs the magical girl genre with a funny twist – the heroes are all guys! Expect colorful transformation scenes, lots of laughs, and a heartwarming story about friendship. This is the final movie in the series, and it wraps up the club’s adventures in a satisfying way.

‘Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Movie: Taboo Night Kisses’ (2025)

Fans can once again enjoy the music and stories of their favorite idols in this new movie. It follows the group as they prepare for a big concert, showcasing both their stunning performances and personal journeys. The film uses cutting-edge animation to recreate their incredible stage shows, complete with dazzling choreography and lights. At its heart, the movie celebrates the strong connection between the idols and the people who support them. It’s a must-see for anyone who has followed the series and wants to experience the magic on the big screen.

‘Senpai Is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain’ (2025)

This movie continues the story of three students, picking up after the first season, and explores their complex relationships as they figure out who they are and how they feel about each other. It thoughtfully examines gender identity and the difficulties of being authentic in a conventional school setting. The film centers on the characters’ emotional development and how they learn to lean on each other during tough times. With a lovely visual style, it matches the story’s calm and thoughtful mood, and provides a touching ending to their shared journey.

‘Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage’ (2025)

A mysterious traveling doctor, known as the Medicine Seller, is called to an imperial palace to deal with a restless, vengeful ghost. To lay the spirit to rest, he needs to figure out who it was in life and why it’s so angry, then use his special sword to send it away. The movie stands out with its unusual, artistic visuals and a fresh take on classic Japanese ghost stories. It delves into what makes people tick, and the hidden darkness within us all. The film’s stunning imagery is a key feature, creating a surreal and often eerie atmosphere.

‘Hyakusho Kizoku-the farmer’s days’ (2023–2025)

This series’ third season continues to share the author’s real-life experiences working on a farm in Hokkaido before becoming a well-known manga artist. It’s a funny and informative look at the ups and downs of farming, from taking care of animals to dealing with ever-changing weather. Each short episode tells a quick, engaging story that shows just how unusual everyday life on the farm could be. The series honors the dedication of farmers and also gives viewers a glimpse into what inspired the author’s other popular manga. With its simple artwork and clever storytelling, it’s an enjoyable watch for everyone.

‘I Have a Crush at Work’ (2025)

This romance novel follows two coworkers who fall for each other and try to hide their relationship at the office. They have to deal with workplace drama and the stress of keeping their secret under wraps as they go about their daily routines. The story realistically portrays the difficulties of dating someone you work with and highlights how important it is to communicate well. It features believable situations and a mature take on romantic attraction, emphasizing the need to balance love and career goals.

‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ (2025)

Two colleagues discover they both secretly enjoy the same hobby, something they’ve kept hidden at work to appear professional. This shared secret brings them closer, and a romance eventually develops. The story explores the idea of living a double life and the comfort of finding someone who genuinely gets you. It’s told with a fun, comedic style, looking at the pressures of fitting in at a company. The connection between the two main characters grows through their shared experiences and the support they offer each other.

‘I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons’ (2025)

Leticia is a noblewoman promised to a prince since she was a child, but all she really wants is a simple, independent life. She actively tries to be a terrible princess in hopes of breaking off the engagement. Ironically, her rebellious behavior catches the prince’s attention, and he finds himself drawn to her strong personality. This romantic comedy flips the typical fairy tale on its head, featuring a determined heroine and exploring themes of freedom and the weight of expectations.

‘The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess’ (2025)

A woman finds herself reborn as the villainess in a story she wrote when she was younger – a story where that villainess meets a terrible fate. Now, she’s determined to rewrite the plot, using her memories of the cheesy story to avoid the problems she originally created. The story is funny and self-aware, poking fun at the predictable clichés she once loved, while also being a heartwarming tale of second chances. As she tries to make things better for everyone else, things don’t always go as planned, leading to surprising twists and turns.

‘May I Ask For One Final Thing?’ (2025)

Scarlet, a woman of high social standing, takes matters into her own hands when her engagement is unfairly broken off. She fights back against the powerful and dishonest people responsible, using both her fighting skills and her influence to reveal their corruption and defend those who can’t defend themselves. The story is a blend of exciting action, political maneuvering, and a strong focus on right and wrong. Scarlet is a determined and strong-willed character who won’t be controlled by palace games and is committed to her beliefs. The series shows what happens when someone dares to challenge a strict and unfair social system.

‘Anne Shirley’ (2025)

This new series reimagines a beloved classic, telling the story of a lively orphan girl who goes to live on a farm in a quiet, rural town. At first, her big personality rubs some people the wrong way, but she ultimately brings happiness and energy to the community. The show beautifully portrays the countryside and follows the emotional ups and downs of growing up in a tight-knit town, focusing on the friendships and conflicts that help her become who she is. It offers a modern look and feel while remaining faithful to the heart of the original story.

‘Medalist’ (2025)

This series follows a determined young figure skater and her unexpected coach – a former pro who’s left his own skating dreams behind. They face tough challenges, both in perfecting their skills and affording the costs of competitive skating. The show is praised for realistically portraying the athleticism and beauty of the sport, and for its heartwarming story of a coach and student who lift each other up through setbacks and successes. It’s an inspiring and honest look at the world of competitive ice skating.

‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’ (2025)

I’m completely hooked on this series! It’s about a boy from a really strict all-boys school and a girl from a fancy all-girls academy who somehow meet and connect. It’s so sweet watching them build a relationship, but they face a lot of judgment from their friends and families because of where they come from. What I really love is how realistic it feels – it’s not just about the romance, but about them figuring out who they are and learning to communicate. It really makes you think about what truly matters and not judging people based on how they look or where they’re from. Plus, the art style is beautiful – really soft and colorful, which perfectly matches the gentle, heartwarming story.

‘Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc’ (2024–2025)

Ciel Phantomhive and his butler, Sebastian, journey to a remote German forest to investigate rumors of a powerful witch and the magical creatures guarding her. They work to solve the mystery behind the village’s seclusion and a strange emerald curse affecting the area. This installment continues the series’ mix of spooky horror and dark humor, packed with exciting action. New characters and challenging puzzles push Ciel’s strategic thinking and Sebastian’s skills to the limit, while also exploring local folklore and moving the main storyline forward.

‘Skip and Loafer’ (2023–2025)

Season two continues to follow Mitsumi Iwakura as she goes through high school in Tokyo, maintaining her cheerful and sincere attitude. She strengthens her bonds with her friends and confronts new difficulties that help her grow. The show is a well-regarded, realistic drama that centers on everyday social interactions and the power of understanding others. It offers a relatable and thoughtful exploration of the challenges young people face and the importance of staying true to who you are. The series is particularly strong in its focus on characters and how they develop as teenagers.

‘Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits-‘ (2018–2025)

Aoi is back for a second season, still working at a restaurant in the spirit world to pay off a huge debt left by her grandfather. She’s trying to succeed in this new, complicated world by impressing powerful spirits with her human-style cooking. As she gets to know the Ogre God and other important spirits, she becomes an integral part of their community. The show blends cooking with Japanese folklore and a bit of romance, diving deeper into the history of the spirit world and Aoi’s own story.

‘Honey Lemon Soda’ (2025)

Uka was bullied in middle school and is now hoping for a fresh start in high school. She’s inspired by a popular, blonde-haired boy who helps her gain confidence and make friends. The story follows Uka’s journey of self-discovery and the blossoming romance between her and this boy, despite their different personalities. It’s a heartwarming look at overcoming social anxiety with the help of supportive people, and the show’s cheerful art style matches its optimistic and hopeful message.

‘Kowloon Generic Romance’ (2025)

Set within a beautifully realized and immersive version of Kowloon Walled City, this series follows a woman working at a real estate agency. As she grows closer to a senior colleague, she starts to uncover odd happenings and question her own past. It’s a romantic science fiction story that explores themes of memory, identity, and what it means to love in a world that’s constantly changing. The secrets of the city are revealed gradually through the everyday lives of its inhabitants, all set against stunning visuals and a thoughtful, mature storyline.

‘Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii’ (2024–2025)

Yoshino, the granddaughter of a yakuza boss, finds herself unexpectedly engaged to the grandson of a rival crime family. The story follows her as she tries to survive in a dangerous criminal world and cope with her complicated, and possibly threatening, fiancé. Yoshino is a determined and intelligent character who isn’t easily scared, and the series offers a tense, psychological romance exploring complex relationships and power struggles. The striking artwork adds to the gritty atmosphere of the criminal underworld.

‘The Rose of Versailles’ (2025)

As a film buff, I was really excited to see this remake, and it didn’t disappoint! It takes the amazing story of Oscar François de Jarjayes – a woman raised as a man to protect Marie Antoinette and the French court at Versailles – and brings it to life for a new generation. The animation is beautifully updated, and the score is just incredible – it really emphasizes the grand, tragic scope of the story. What I loved most is how it delves into some really powerful themes, like what it means to define your own identity, the huge gap between social classes, and the heavy price of revolution. It truly captures the emotional depth and political suspense that made the original series so special.

‘My Happy Marriage’ (2023–2025)

Season two continues the story of Miyo Saimori, who is building a new life with the strong warrior Kiyoka Kudo after leaving her difficult family. She’s learning to harness her secret magical powers while also trying to fit into the complex world of the supernatural elite. Their bond faces challenges as new political dangers arise and enemies emerge, seeking to take advantage of Miyo’s special abilities. The show beautifully combines historical romance and fantasy, focusing on emotional recovery and finding oneself. Its stunning animation and gentle character designs create a world that feels both refined and perilous.

‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023–2025)

The second season follows Maomao as she tackles new medical puzzles and political intrigues within the imperial palace. She relies on her expertise in poisons and herbal remedies to survive the cutthroat competition among the palace’s residents. Her complex relationship with Jinshi, a powerful official, evolves as they expose secrets that threaten the highest ranks of the government. The show is celebrated for its realistic historical setting and its clever, logical heroine who often challenges tradition. This season delivers a captivating blend of scientific deduction and sweeping political drama, setting a new standard for the genre.

Which of these incredible titles from the past year was your favorite to watch in the comments?

2025-12-26 19:51