It's a great time to be an anime fan. Every season is full of fun, interesting series and success movies like Demon Slayer's Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man – Movie: Reze Arc, We're seeing studios put their best foot forward in a big way.
Every year, the biggest anime studios come up with at least one or two big projects. With 2026 already off to a strong start for some, it's a perfect time to look back at 2025 and see what was the best anime from every major studio. To be considered, an anime must have begun airing in 2025, so a series that premiered in 2024 and continues until 2025 will not count.
The Best Shonen Anime of 2020 (So Far)
It's been a great decade for anime, and these shonen series have really stuck out so far.
JCStaff – Honey Lemon Soda
2025 was not a great year for JCS staff. The studio lined up a handful of solid projects, but controversies surrounding Season 3 A one-punch man And last season's various problems and weaknesses largely overshadowed their other efforts.
This year was one of their high points Honey Lemon SodaA fun, mostly formulaic, rom-com that should be right up the alley of shojo romance lovers. The visuals are solid, and the relationship between its two leads, Uka and Kai, makes for an interesting story that touches on themes of bullying and self-acceptance.
Madhouse – Dinner Table Detective
Madhouse has been behind some of the biggest anime of the past two decades, working on titles such as Hunter X Hunter (2011), Monster, Trigon, Black Lagoon, Perfect Blue, and Claymoreamong many others. Of course, they're also the studio behind one of the biggest series right now: Freeren.
Dinner Table Spy It may not be the strongest series in their catalog, but it's still a fun watch that showcases the quality you've come to expect from a Madhouse product. It has some unique, stylish, and sometimes beautiful animation, a fun cast of characters, and some great mysteries that should appeal to fans of the genre.
A-1 Figures – Single Level: Rise from the Shadows
A-1 Pictures has put out some incredible anime over the years, many of them earning a strong, devoted fan base. But it's hard to think of any A-1 series that's quite as run on the field Single leveling is
Chugong's web novel and manhwa adaptation has quickly become one of the most popular anime out there, as have rival series. One Piece, Dragon Ball,and Naruto at any time. Arise from the Shadow is a strong follow-up to Season 1, and while there is no official announcement yet, A-1 will have its hands full when it comes to fulfilling fans' expectations with Season 3.
Bandai Namco Pictures – Rock is a Lady's Modesty
Bandai Pictures is probably best known for working on some of the latter Gintama anime, although the studio has also worked on other great anime over the years. However 2025 saw the release of their hilarious adaptation Gintama spin off, Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi's Zany ClassThe studio released another series that really stood out.
Rock is the modesty of a woman There is some wonderful music and a great setup. The series follows Lilisa Suzunomiya, who attends a prestigious all-girls academy and is forced to quit playing the guitar in an effort to meet the school's standards of what an ideal noblewoman should be. But things change when she meets fellow student Otoha Kurogane, a drummer who rekindles Lilisa's passion for the guitar and rock music.
Sunrise – Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX
Sunrise has put out some incredible anime over the years Code Guess who Cowboy Bebop, Gintama, and much more. But the studio is primarily known for its work Gundam suffrage latest installment, GQuuuuuuuXis a collaboration between Suryodaya and Khara, a studio founded by Evangelion Producer Hideaki Anno.
Given his resume, many fans were excited to see how Eno would fare Gundam suffrage GQuuuuuuuX is a great looking series with stylish animations and pop visuals. At 12 episodes though, it feels like a series that could definitely benefit from a longer runtime. Still, it's an interesting alternative take on the original that works as old fan service for some while being completely accessible to newcomers.
Studio Pierrot – Kingdom Season 6
Studio Pierrot will have a busy 2026. With Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 4, Black Clover Season 5, and four anticipated Naruto Especially with all the work, the studio will have a bigger year this year than they did last year. That doesn't mean they're slowing down in 2025, though.
Pierrot put on two solid series in 2025, the fourth season Mr. Osomatsuand the sixth season State. While the former is still one of the best comedy anime out there, State Remains an underrated gem. Season 6 had some incredible action and solid character development. If you haven't been following it, now is the perfect time to get into the series.
Bones – My Hero Academia Final Season
Bones is behind some of the biggest anime of the last two decades, but has to be their most successful series to date. My Hero Academia. Anime adaptations of Kohei Horikoshi's hit manga have always been well-regarded by fans, but Bones surprised everyone in the series' final season with what many consider to be the anime's best episodes.
My Hero Academia Final Season is visually stunning with amazing, fluid animations and fight scenes that enhance the source material in a way that most studios can't manage with their adaptations. Season 2 of Spin Off, vigilanceGoing strong, but it's going to be hard to top that last season.
Kyoto Animation – Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: A lonely dragon wants to be loved
Kyoto Animation's catalog is full of incredible anime, each showcasing the iconic studio's versatility and unique style. While many know the studio as the series Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On!, Nichijou's Sadnessor ClannadMiss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid has been just as popular. This may be Kyoto Animation's most famous adaptation at this point.
A lonely dragon wants to be loved The anime is a great follow-up to the series. Focusing on Kanna and her troubled relationship with her father. It's a visually stunning movie, which is what you'd expect from Kyoto Animation. Like the first two seasons of the anime, A lonely dragon wants to be loved Really benefits from the great character relationships between Kobayashi and the rest of the main cast. It may not have international acclaim Demon Slayer and The Chainsaw Man movies received, but it was still one of the best anime movie experiences of the year.
Toei Animation – Digimon Beatbreak
Toei has been the studio behind some of the biggest anime out there for years. While most know the studio for its work on huge franchises a piece and dragon ball, There's a lot more to Toei outside of its two biggest properties.
Digimon Beatbreak is the latest addition Digimon franchise, and has served as a great entry point into the franchise for newcomers while also being a fun watch for longtime fans. The anime is still airing, so it's hard to fully judge it, but reception has been great so far, and an interesting post-apocalyptic take. Digimon The world has helped it stand out from its predecessors in a great way.
Studio Trigger – New panties and stockings with garterbelt
Studio Trigger has put together some of the weirdest anime of the last decade. The studio has a distinct style and visual flair, with many of its series having a certain charm that stands out from other anime. Although initially a Gainax product, Trigger purchased the rights Panty and stockings with garterbelt Back in 2023, and fans finally got the expected follow-up in 2025.
New panties and stockings with garterbelt It's a great sequel to the original, managing to be as funny as some of the best visuals, but the decision to go with different English voice actors has been controversial for longtime fans. Still, it's a strong effort and worth a look.
