2025 has already been wild for anime—from long-awaited sequels to unexpected masterpieces that snuck in under the radar. But instead of just going by hype or member count, we decided to dig into what fans are actually rating the highest on MyAnimeList. That way, we’re not just listing the ones everyone’s watching, but the ones they’re actually loving.
This list is ranked by user ratings, not total members or mainstream buzz—so you might just find a few hidden gems that aren’t blowing up on your feed (yet). Whether you’re in the mood for drama, action, or brain-melting twists, there’s something in here worth adding to your watchlist.
1. Takopi’s Original Sin
- MAL rating: 8.77
- Aired: June 28, 2025 – ongoing
- Episodes: 6 (planned)
- Genres: Dystopian, Horror, Sci-Fi
Takopi’s Original Sin is one of 2025’s most surprising heartbreakers. What starts off looking like a cutesy alien-and-kid story flips fast into something darker and deeply emotional.
Adapted from Taizan5’s short manga, it follows Takopi, a naïve octopus alien who tries to fix a bullied girl’s life using “happy” gadgets—but his good intentions go terrifyingly wrong.
The art is soft and innocent, which only makes the gut-punches hit harder. It’s ranking high (8.77 on MyAnimeList) not because it’s flashy, but because it’s honest, raw, and deeply human. Short but powerful, it’s a must-watch for fans of emotional sci-fi with bite.
2. Lord of Mysteries
- MAL rating: 8.77
- Aired: June 28, 2025 – ongoing
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
One of 2025’s most hyped-up donghua, Lord of Mysteries earns this spot for good reason. Based on the insanely popular Chinese web novel by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, it finally made the jump to animation—and fans are already calling it a game-changer for fantasy lovers.
The story follows Zhou Mingrui, who wakes up in the body of Klein Moretti in a gritty, steampunk world full of secret organizations, supernatural artifacts, and Lovecraftian horrors. It’s slow-burning at first, but once the mystery unravels, it really hooks you. If you’re into occult stuff, tarot powers, or that classic Victorian horror vibe, this is totally your lane.
The animation by B.CMAY Pictures looks surprisingly sharp—people are comparing the quality to early Ufotable trailers. And with strong user ratings on MAL (especially from novel readers), it’s already getting tons of attention outside of China too. Best part? It’s streaming globally with subs and dubs, and Season 2 is already locked in.
3. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
- MAL rating: 8.71
- Aired: January 4, 2025 – March 30, 2025
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Action, Supernatural, Fantasy
Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow has absolutely leveled up what made Season 1 shine—A‑1 Pictures cranks the action to 11 and doubles down on slick visuals, harder-hitting arcs, and a nearly perfect IMDb reception (9.7 for episode 12).
Jin‑woo stomps through iconic moments like the Red Gate Ice Elf battle and the Jeju Island raid with brutal intensity. Reddit fans are split—some feel it’s “fast‑food anime” with OTT power fantasy, while others call it “as good as it gets” thanks to show-stopping fights and pacing.
Critics also chimed in: Rotten Tomatoes and Sportskeeda praise the animation and storytelling polish, though they note a few transition episodes felt slower.
4. To Be Hero X
- MAL rating: 8.52
- Aired: April 2025 – ongoing
- Episodes: 24 (planned)
- Genres: Superhero, Comedy, Action
To Be Hero X drops you into a wild world from April 2025, where believing in heroes literally gives them powers. It’s the third entry in the To Be Hero franchise (after the 2016 and 2018 versions) and mixes slick CG with vibrant 2D for a truly eye-popping look.
Following Lin Ling and a mysterious #1 hero known as “X,” it turns the idea of fame and influence into literal superpowers. Reddit users are hyped about the animation—some preferring the 2D, some loving the CG—but everyone’s agreed it looks phenomenal.
Boasting an 8.3 score on Simkl and strong buzz on Crunchyroll, it’s perfect for fans craving explosive visuals, social‑powered abilities, and tournament-style drama.
5. Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray
- MAL rating: 8.47
- Aired: April 6, 2025 – June 29, 2025
- Episodes: 13 (planned)
- Genres: Sports, Slice of Life, Drama
Kicking off in April 2025, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray brings a fresh, grittier spin to the franchise. Instead of idols, you get Oguri Cap, a gray-haired “beast” from the countryside, grinding her way to the big leagues. The setup is classic underdog: rural kid joins a regional academy, overcomes rivals and even shoelace sabotage—only to absolutely crush it on the track.
The animation from CygamesPictures is sharp, especially during races, and the tone leans more serious thanks to Kenji Kawai’s music. Loved for the intense races and character depth, the series hits harder than past entries. Unsurprisingly, high MAL ratings reflect its emotional storytelling and stunning visuals.
6. Heaven Official’s Blessing Short Film
- MAL rating: 8.45
- Aired: Feb 12, 2025 (short film)
- Episodes: 1
- Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Heaven Official’s Blessing Short Film is a beautifully animated mini-donghua that dropped for the series’ fourth anniversary—about 7–10 minutes long, not a full movie. It gives us a tender, intimate scene between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, with impressive visuals and atmosphere that fans loved—especially the chemistry and soundtrack.
Praised for its art and emotional beats, the animation felt a bit stiff compared to the main series, likely due to its short runtime. That said, the English-sub version finally showed the flags we hoped for—a more explicit tone to their relationship than in the TV seasons.
This short is perfect for TGCF fans craving more Xie Lian and Hua Cheng moments. Soaked in emotion and romance, it’s worth hunting down even if it’s not a full arc.
7. Ne Zha 2
- MAL rating: 8.45
- Aired: March 21, 2025
- Episodes: Movie
- Genres: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Ne Zha 2 (aka Ne Zha 2: The Demon Child Storms the Sea) storms back into cinemas on Lunar New Year 2025, continuing the epic tale from the first smash hit. Directed and written by 饺子 (Jiao Zi) and produced by Chengdu Coco Animation, this sequel picks up after Ne Zha and Ao Bing survive the chaos—but their bodies are destroyed. Enter Master Taiyi Zhenren and the legendary Seven-Color Lotus that might rebuild them, all while they face off against the vengeful Dragon King and new threats.
Chinese audiences have embraced it, from an 8.5 on Douban to near-perfect scores on Maoyan and Taopiaopiao. It’s a visual spectacle with wuxia-level fight scenes and heart-tugging themes about destiny, loyalty, and selfhood. Globally, it’s shattered records—earning over US$2 billion and becoming the highest-grossing animated and non-English film ever. Reddit r/boxoffice data shows its sixth weekend pulled nearly US$40 million, placing it among the top global blockbusters like Avatar.
8. Medalist
- MAL rating: 8.38
- Aired: January 5, 2025 – March 30, 2025
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Sports, Drama, Slice of Life
Medalist is a fresh sports anime that dropped in early 2025, and it’s been catching a lot of attention. It’s about Inori, a determined fifth grader chasing her dream of becoming an Olympic figure skating champ, with Tsukasa, her former pro skater turned coach, guiding her along the way. The show’s got this great mix of heartfelt moments and realistic sports action that feels genuine without over-dramatizing.
The anime adaptation, done by ENGI, aired from January to March with 13 episodes and is available globally on Disney+. Its success and relatively high ratings come from how well it captures the pressure, passion, and challenges of competitive skating, making it much more than just flashy routines. Thus, if you’re into sports stories that balance emotional depth with solid character growth, Medalist is definitely worth a watch.
9. Dr. Stone: Science Future
- MAL rating: 8.24
- Aired: January 9, 2025 – ongoing
- Episodes: 12 (planned)
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Shonen
Dr. Stone: Science Future is the fourth and final season of the Dr. Stone anime series, premiering on January 9, 2025. The season is divided into three cours, with the first cour consisting of 12 episodes that concluded on March 27, 2025. The second cour is scheduled to premiere on July 10, 2025.
The anime adaptation continues to follow Senku Ishigami and his companions as they embark on a journey to the Americas to gather materials essential for their space program. The series maintains its focus on scientific innovation and character development, with Studio TMS Entertainment handling the animation production.
Dr. Stone teamed up with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for their 2025 White Paper on Science and Innovation. They even released a special visual featuring Senku to celebrate the collab, showing just how much the series has inspired interest in science and creativity.
10. Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc
- MAL rating: 8.23
- Aired: April 5, 2025 – June 28, 2025
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Dark Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural
Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc premiered on April 5, 2025, airing on TOKYO MX and other networks. The anime adaptation of the eighth manga arc follows Ciel Phantomhive and his demon butler, Sebastian, as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths in a German village rumored to be cursed by a werewolf. They encounter Sieglinde Sullivan, the “Emerald Witch,” and her butler Wolfram Gelzer, who possess knowledge of medicine, alchemy, and poisons.
The arc has been well-received, scoring around 8.2 on MyAnimeList and maintaining a solid audience across platforms. Fit even for those who seek a darker tone, the series offers strong character work and pleases fans with the haunting opening by Cö shu Nie featuring HYDE.
