Japan already has a new 2025 anime better than solo leveling

Single leveling The world as a whole, especially the international market, is completely taken over for its incredible action and fast-paced storytelling. The series is considered one of the best worldwide. Anime that takes off in Japan and those that are popular overseas usually overlap, but that's not always the case. Single levelingWhile big overseas, it hasn't really caught on in Japan, and it's something that has definitely confused fans. while in the west, Solo Leveling was crowned Anime of the Year for 2025in japan, The highest rated anime is actually Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc.

Overseas, Black Butler used to be popular a few years ago, but in recent years it has definitely been overshadowed by other big series. Looking at the voting results at Filmarks for the first half of 2025, it looks like Japan also likes Apothecary Diaries and Uma Musume.

Solo Leveling is big overseas, but Japan's highest-rated anime of the first half of 2025 is Black Butler

Black Butler_ Emerald Witch Arc Episode 2 sleglinde

Solo leveling has never flown in Japan
Black Butler has proven more popular

Filmmarks No small review service. It's actually the biggest in Japan, and the rankings they put out are reliable, and generally, a good indicator of which series are doing big in Japan. The results for the first half of 2025 are out, and many fans were surprised to see that Solo Leveling, currently the biggest anime, doesn't actually appear anywhere in the top 10.

instead, The one who took the top spot is actually a black butlerin particular Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc. This surprised some, as this new season of Black Butler wasn't a big hit overseas. Black Butler became a major series with a dedicated fanbase a few years ago, but many fans overseas have lost interest. In Japan, however, propaganda is still very much alive.

“While thrilled with the response, I personally don't think everyone knows the series at this point. Solo leveling in Japan isn't universally recognized yet. As a Japanese person living in Japan, the anime isn't on the same level as Dragon Ball, One Piece or Naruto. But if there's a season three, I want it to break.” – Atsushi Kaneko

Japan's other Big Hit 2025 series

Apothecary Diaries is one of the most popular anime

Black Butler isn't the only series to blow solo leveling out of the water in Japan. Rankings for the top 10 are out, and solo leveling didn't make the cut. In fact, most foreign fans won't even recognize some of the series that are big in Japan in early 2025, except for The Apothecary Diary.

Returning with a second season in 2025, The Apothecary Diaries has proven to be one. Domestic and international success. The series has gained traction around the world, and fans can definitely see why. The story, romance, mystery and thrill drew the fans. While this is only Fifth-highest rated series on Filmarks for the first halfIt's actually the one with the most comprehensive reviews, which says a lot about how it became mainstream.

Japan's Top Anime Ratings on Filmarks for the First Half of 2025:

Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc — 4.46 stars / 948 reviews
Uma Musume Cinderella Gray — 4.38 stars / 1,024 reviews
Lycoris Recoil: Friends Are Thieves of Time — 4.33 stars / 1,755 reviews
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man — 4.32 stars / 1,472 reviews
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 — 4.27 stars / 6,623 reviews
Medalist — 4.26 stars / 7,269 reviews
Shoshimin: How to Be Normal Season 2 — 4.24 stars / 1,590 reviews
Apocalypse Hotel — 4.21 stars / 1,568 reviews
Fire Force Season 3 — 4.21 stars / 1,074 reviews
Re:Zero Season 3 — 4.20 stars / 3,190 reviews

Solo Leveling currently has two seasons, one with 12 episodes, and the other with 13, for a combined episode count of 25 episodes available to watch now. The series can be streamed on Crunchyroll for fans to enjoy while they wait for more news about the third season. For fans who can't wait for Season 3, checking out the manhwa might be the best option.