Best anime to watch now and coming soon - Summer 2025

Here's our list of recommendations for new anime arriving in the summer 2025 period, all streaming on major services like Netflix and Crunchyroll.

Be sure to check back every season too, as we'll be updating this page with new anime recommendations as the year goes on and more anime is revealed.

Dan Da Dan Season 2 – July 3rd

Based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, season 1 became a breakout hit in 2024. Now the adventures of Okarun and Momo are set to return, promising even more terrifying monsters and wacky hijinks.

The anime series follows Momo and Okarun, a psychic girl and her friendship with a boy obsessed with aliens. Together, the two of them go up against terrifying monsters and extraterrestrial foes, all while having the light-hearted tone of an action-comedy. There's also a slice of romance involved for those looking for a heartfelt sub-plot.

Without spoiling too much about season 2, the arc likely explored this season will be the Cursed House arc, which promises to be the most intense chapter of the story yet.

How to watch: Crunchyroll and Netflix

The Summer Hikaru Died – 5th July

If you enjoy a bit of horror in your summer, then you'll want to keep an eye on Netflix's upcoming anime series, The Summer Hikaru Died.

The story follows Yoshiki and Hikaru, two teenage boys who live in a rural mountain town. The two are total opposites to one another in every single way, but despite this, they are incredibly close and beloved to one another. However, things take a turn for the worse when Hikaru perishes during a mountain hiking trip. While the town mourns him, it all ends up being for naught as he returns a week later, completely unharmed.

Days after, Yoshiki starts to realise that the Hikaru that returned isn't the Hikaru he knows. But something different.

How to watch: Netflix

My Dress-Up Darling season 2 – 5th July

If you want a feel-good romantic comedy, you can't go wrong with My Dress-Up Darling.

Set in the modern day, My Dress-Up Darling follows protagonists Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa. Last season, the two came together despite their apparent differences, with Wakana being a loner and Marin being the most popular girl in school.

They each shared a passion: traditional hina dolls for Wakana and cosplay for Marin. Both ashamed of their hobbies, the two united to share them and grew closer in the process.

Season 2 will see their relationship continue to grow, all while involving them in even more wacky schemes and hijinks.

How to watch: Crunchyroll

Gachiakuta - 6th July

Gachiakuta was initially published in 2022 in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine and is now, with its popularity soaring, set to receive its first animated season in summer 2025.

Gachiakuta follows Rudo who, after being accused of murder and forced into the toxic wasteland under the floating city he once called home, is picked up by a group called The Cleaners. This group battles the beasts that live in The Pit, and all have their unique reasons for being forced into the slums by high society. With little choice but to help this group, Rudo plans his revenge on all those who wronged him.

If you're after intense action and a gripping dark fantasy story, you'll want to tune in for Gachiakuta's first season.

How to watch: Crunchyroll

The Rising of the Shield Hero season 4 – 9th July

If you love your isekai, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for the fourth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero.

The dark fantasy anime from Aneko Yusagi is set to return this year and, if the hype is to be believed, it promises to be the best season yet.

The anime's story follows Naofumi Iwatani, who is transported to a parallel world where he is transformed into a Cardinal Hero. He quickly finds out that his new job as a hero is to defeat inter-dimensional hordes of monsters called Waves.

Only it isn't as easy as it sounds, with Naofumi's legendary weapon aiding him in his journey being only a shield. But hey, we've all got to start somewhere, don't we?

How to watch: Crunchyroll

Sakamoto Days (Part 2) – 15th July

Like the John Wick franchise, Sakamoto Days focuses on a hitman who retired from the criminal underworld to live a civilian life. After abandoning his old career as a world-class assassin, Taro Sakamoto becomes a family man, working as a convenience store owner to support his wife and kids.

But then, of course, some enemies from his old life come back to haunt him.

The first part of Sakamoto Days enchanted audiences with its badass fights and goofy hijinks. With Part 2 on the way, it appears that things are about to get more serious, but without losing the comedy it remains beloved for.

How to watch: Netflix

Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.