The Best Anime Movies of 2025

2025 was a record-breaking year for anime, with a wide variety of movies hitting theaters. Fans enjoyed both exciting continuations of popular series and brand new, moving stories. Many titles were released worldwide at the same time, and filmmakers weren’t afraid to experiment with new animation techniques. From thoughtful historical dramas to fast-paced sports films, anime truly dominated the big screen this year.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’ (2025)

This first movie in a planned trilogy continues the story of the final fight against Muzan Kibutsuji. Tanjiro Kamado and the remaining Hashira are stuck inside the ever-changing Infinity Castle, where they must battle powerful Upper Rank demons. The film centers on the challenging physical and mental fight between the Hashira and the strong demon, Akaza. As fans would expect, it delivers stunning visuals and fast-paced action that have made this series so popular worldwide.

‘Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback’ (2025)

The latest Conan Edogawa movie, the twenty-eighth in the series, sends the famous detective to the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture. He teams up with Inspector Kansuke Yamato to investigate a disturbing case at the Nobeyama Observatory, one that connects to a hidden part of the detective’s own history. As more people become victims, Conan must solve a complicated mystery filled with personal conflicts and challenging clues to reveal a tragic event from ten years ago. The film delivers both thrilling action and the clever puzzles fans expect from the best Conan movies.

‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ (2025)

This movie adapts a key storyline from the series, focusing on Denji and his connection with a mysterious girl named Reze. As they begin to fall for each other, things become complicated when Reze’s true identity as the Bomb Devil is revealed, along with her plan to win Denji over. The film is full of intense action and emotional struggles as Denji must decide what’s more important: love or staying alive as a devil hunter. It captures the dark, gritty world and unsettling horror of the original manga with striking visuals.

‘JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution -Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins-‘ (2025)

This film picks up after recent events, showing Yuji Itadori and his friends struggling against a rising tide of dangerous spirits and growing conflict within the jujutsu world. The stakes are higher than ever as they encounter powerful sorcerers who are determined to maintain order, even through severe punishments. The story is filled with exciting fights and thought-provoking questions, all set against a bleak and increasingly dangerous backdrop. The animation remains stunning, with detailed character movements and impressive visual effects.

‘The Rose of Versailles’ (2025)

This beautifully animated film is based on Riyoko Ikeda’s famous manga and tells the story of Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a man to become a royal bodyguard. Set during the French Revolution, the film follows Oscar’s life and her connection to Queen Marie Antoinette. It vividly portrays the opulence of the Versailles palace alongside the increasing discontent among the people, all brought to life with stunning costumes and a grand depiction of 18th-century France.

‘Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing’ (2025)

This film, inspired by the hit mobile game, tells a brand new story about Hatsune Miku, a virtual singer who has mysteriously lost her voice. When Ichika Hoshino finds Miku on her phone, she sets out to help her rediscover her passion for music. The movie also follows other musical groups as they face their own challenges, all while showcasing dazzling performances and heartfelt stories about the characters’ journeys.

‘Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Art World Tales’ (2025)

Nobita and his friends find a magical device that lets them step inside famous paintings, discovering a world where art is real! They meet a young artist whose work is being mysteriously destroyed and team up to save it. Their adventure takes them through different art periods, where they solve puzzles and avoid being caught by people who want to control all creativity. This is a yearly special that combines fun adventures with a little bit of learning about art.

‘100 Meters’ (2025)

This movie is a sports drama about a fifteen-year rivalry between two sprinters battling to be the fastest. Togashi, a talented but unmotivated runner, finds his drive when he meets Komiya, a new student who challenges him. The film uses a special animation technique called rotoscoping to realistically show the strength and mental strain of competing in the 100-meter dash. Ultimately, it’s a story about finding who you are and what matters to you, all set against the exciting world of competitive track and field.

‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved’ (2025)

Kanna’s father comes to Earth, wanting her to return to the dragon world and take on her responsibilities as a leader. This creates a difficult situation for Kobayashi and Tohru, who must help Kanna balance her loyalty to her human family with the expectations of her dragon heritage. The movie combines exciting magical battles with the heartwarming everyday moments fans love from the series. The animation highlights the differences between the ordinary human world and the colorful, fantastical world of the dragons.

‘Make a Girl’ (2025)

Akira, a high school student, builds a remarkably realistic artificial girlfriend named Number 0 using cutting-edge 3D technology. The film follows his journey as he deals with the challenges of this unusual relationship and the moral questions it raises about technology and love. Set in the near future, it examines what happens when technology blurs the lines of human connection. What started as a small, fan-funded project grew into a full-length movie.

‘Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Final Chapter Part 2’ (2025)

This film, the second in a three-part series, sees the members of Idol Club heading to Kyoto and Osaka for a big competition. The story focuses on characters like Setsuna and Shioriko as they grow personally while performing in front of larger audiences. It highlights the strong friendships between the members and the difficulties of competing in the Idol Grand Prix. The film is full of lively musical performances and beautifully detailed scenes of the cities.

‘You and Idol Precure♪ the Movie For You! Our Kirakilala Concert!’ (2025)

The newest team of magical girls, the Cures, team up with older, established groups on a beautiful tropical island for a huge music festival. But they have to defend the festival – and the world’s creativity – from a shadowy organization that wants to steal all the music and inspiration. Expect amazing dance numbers and exciting team-up attacks between magical girls from different eras! The story is all about the strength of working together and how powerful music can be.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-‘ (2025)

This new Gundam series takes place in a fresh era of mobile suit technology, following pilots thrust into a sudden war over territory. It features a distinctive look, combining classic robot designs with more modern, unconventional elements. The story centers on the rivalry between space colonies as they fight for scarce resources and control of advanced technology. Expect fast-paced battles in space and a complex web of relationships between the characters.

‘Aikatsu! × PriPara THE MOVIE -A Miraculous Encounter!-‘ (2025)

This exciting movie combines the stars from two popular idol series for a special performance. Akari and Laala team up in a strange new world to put on an unforgettable concert. It’s a celebration of both series’ tenth anniversaries, filled with beloved characters and classic songs. The story focuses on how chance meetings and shared aspirations can make dreams come true for these young idols.

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

This movie continues the story of Saki and her friends, exploring their relationships and personal journeys. It takes a deeper look at gender identity and the challenges teenagers face in Japan today. The film uses beautiful, gentle visuals to reflect the characters’ emotional honesty. Ultimately, it’s a story about accepting yourself and finding out who you really are.

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

Okay, so ‘The Medicine Seller’ is back, and this time it’s a really compelling case. The story drops you right into a village simmering with old grudges and unspoken pain – a perfect breeding ground for a new, powerful spirit. This particular Mononoke is born from pure, collective anger and the endless cycle of revenge, and it’s fascinating to watch our protagonist try to untangle it all. Visually, the film is stunning – it keeps that incredible, almost woodblock-print aesthetic the series is known for. But it’s not just pretty pictures; everything is layered with symbolism and a genuinely creepy atmosphere as the Medicine Seller tries to figure out what this spirit is and, more importantly, why it exists. It’s a beautiful, unsettling film that really gets under your skin.

‘Be Forever Yamato Rebel 3199: Part 3: Ultramarine Asteroid’ (2025)

The crew of the Yamato pushes forward with their dangerous mission to save Earth, facing incredible challenges in the year 3199. This installment centers around a huge battle featuring a unique asteroid base and powerful enemy ships. The story shows the emotional and physical cost of war on the crew as they make tough choices for humanity’s survival. Large-scale space combat and a sweeping musical score emphasize the series’ grand scope.

‘Me & Roboco: The Movie’ (2025)

This movie continues the funny story of Bunya and his incredibly powerful robot maid, Roboco, playfully poking fun at common themes in action manga. Roboco has to save the world from a typical alien invasion – all while still keeping up with her housework! It’s full of jokes that acknowledge other popular manga, and delivers a fast-paced, over-the-top adventure that fans of the series will love.

‘Lupin the IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline’ (2025)

Arsène Lupin and his team are being hunted by a shadowy group who think Lupin holds a valuable genetic secret. The pursuit takes them around the world, filled with both cutting-edge robberies and thrilling car chases. This installment is grittier and features more detailed animation, highlighting the harsh realities of the criminal world. As the danger rises, the chase becomes deeply personal for Lupin and his friends, with Inspector Zenigata relentlessly pursuing them.

‘Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye’ (2025)

This special installment connects the previous and upcoming seasons by introducing a haunted house and a dangerous being called the Evil Eye. When Momo and Okarun go to a faraway village to help Jiji, they unexpectedly become the targets of a local cult and a terrifying ghost. The story maintains the series’ signature mix of scary supernatural elements and quirky humor. Fast-paced animation and creatively designed monsters make the exciting fights throughout the town visually stunning.

‘Lost in Starlight’ (2025)

This movie is a science fiction love story about an astronaut preparing for a Mars mission and a musician whose career has hit a roadblock. They meet in Seoul in 2050 and form a strong emotional bond, even though the astronaut will soon be traveling far away. The film has a unique look, blending futuristic technology with a vintage, slightly gritty style. Ultimately, it’s a story about how people can connect with each other, even as the world becomes more digital and spread out.

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

Okay, so I just saw this movie and it was a blast! It’s a reunion for the Earth Defense Club – it’s been ten years since they saved the world using the power of love, which is already pretty awesome. But, of course, a new bad guy shows up, and these guys – the Battle Lovers – have to transform and fight all over again. What I really loved is that it kept the same quirky, funny vibe as the original series, and it really plays with all the usual magical girl tropes in a clever way. The transformation sequences are super colorful and over-the-top, and honestly, it’s just a really heartwarming and funny movie about how love lasts forever. Definitely a fun watch!

‘Sore Ike! Anpanman: Chapon no Hero!’ (2025)

Anpanman meets Chapon, a little hero-in-training, and together they work to save the Land of Clouds! Baikinman has built a new machine that’s stealing all the color, and it’s up to Anpanman and Chapon to stop him. The movie shows that even when things are tough, being brave and kind can make all the difference. As always, this latest Anpanman adventure is a fun and heartwarming story for young viewers.

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

This movie is a concert experience showcasing popular idol groups from the series, performing on a large stage with impressive visuals. It also includes glimpses behind the scenes, showing the performers preparing for their biggest concert and how they grow throughout the process. The film highlights the excellent music and carefully planned dance routines, and features new songs and special collaborations created just for this release. It’s a treat for fans!

‘Princess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4’ (2025)

The latest installment in the spy series follows Team Whiteboard as they navigate a risky mission centered around the power struggles within the Kingdom of Albion. The story explores changing allegiances at the royal court and the difficult choices characters must make to keep the peace. With a steampunk style and plenty of unexpected turns, the film delivers the intense excitement and historical mystery that fans love about the series.

‘Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers’ (2025)

The Nohara family goes to India for a big cultural festival and unexpectedly finds themselves in a dance competition! Shinnosuke has to learn both classic and modern dances to protect the festival from a group trying to eliminate all creativity and individuality. The movie is bright, colorful, and full of lively musical performances that celebrate Indian culture with Shin-chan’s signature humor. It’s a fast-paced, funny film that both kids and longtime fans will enjoy.

‘Scarlet’ (2025)

Mamoru Hosoda’s latest film tells the story of a girl who develops a connection with a strange digital character that starts to appear in the real world. Set in a beautiful countryside town, the movie looks at how social media and online identities affect our relationships. Stunning visuals and smooth animation highlight the line between what’s real and what’s virtual. Ultimately, the film explores difficult topics like grief and the quest for genuine connection in today’s digital age.

‘MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe’ (2025)

This second film in the Hathaway series picks up the story of Hathaway Noa and his role leading the Mafty rebel group. It explores the difficult choices he makes and the consequences of his actions as he battles the Federation’s strongest soldiers in intense combat scenarios. The movie boasts impressive mobile suit battles and a complex, politically-driven story that adds to the established Universal Century saga. Visually, the sequel is defined by its gritty realism and mature themes.

‘ChaO’ (2025)

This unique and visually driven film captures the bustling, unpredictable spirit of city life, while also highlighting the quiet moments of calm within it. The story weaves together the lives of several characters who cross paths throughout a single day, told through a blend of different animation styles. Instead of relying heavily on dialogue, the film uses striking visuals and sound to communicate its ideas, and it’s a great example of fresh, independent animation.

‘Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood-‘ (2025)

This film tells the story of two young people from very different backgrounds who meet in a magical world linking modern Japan to a land steeped in ancient myths. As they come of age, they face dangers in a world struggling to balance old traditions with new ideas. The movie stands out with its beautiful visuals, inspired by the art and stories of Southeast Asia. Combined with music from a famous composer and a richly imagined world, it creates a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.

‘Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom’ (2025)

The movie centers around the Roble Holy Kingdom’s fight for survival when it’s invaded by a powerful demonic army. Ainz Ooal Gown gets involved, using his incredible magical abilities and clever strategies to influence the war. The story shows how the humans see Ainz – some as a hero, others as a terrifying monster. Expect a dark fantasy world filled with epic battles and massive sieges.

‘The Colors Within’ (2025)

This movie tells the story of a high school girl who experiences the world in a unique way – she sees people as colors. Driven by her love of music, she sets out to start a band with others who feel the same way. The film beautifully captures the band’s creative journey as they prepare for their first performance, exploring how colors and sounds connect with their emotions. It’s a visually striking and heartwarming story about friendship and finding your own voice as an artist.

‘Solo Leveling -ReAwakening-‘ (2025)

This movie offers a deeper dive into the changing seasons and how the mysterious gates have affected the world. It includes brand-new animated scenes showing hunters from different countries dealing with the increasing supernatural danger. Think of it as both a recap of everything that’s happened so far and a sneak peek at the intense battles coming up in the next part of the story. The film really highlights how massive the series has become and how much stronger the main character is getting.

Please share your favorite releases of the year in the comments.

2025-12-25 00:50