Solo Leveling Is 2025's Biggest Anime, But These Anime Might Actually Be Improved
2025 brought many great anime, but Solo Leveling Season 2 has been the main topic of discussion. With its movie-like animation, endless action scenes, and the cool hero Sung Jinwoo, the series powered through the Winter season and became a standout in modern shonen. While Solo Leveling gained attention, several other anime in 2025 quietly competed for the title of best anime of the year. From the emotional journeys in The Apothecary Diaries to the thrilling moments in Dandadan Season 2, the anime scene is more competitive than ever. Let’s explore the shows that are matching or even surpassing Solo Leveling.
Solo Leveling Season 2: 2025's Undefeated Giant
Fans eagerly awaited Solo Leveling Season 2, and A-1 Pictures delivered a sequel that exceeded all expectations. From the Beru arc to Jinwoo’s rise as a monarch-level hunter, each episode offered an adrenaline rush filled with top-quality animation and strong world-building. The battles were more intense, the stakes were higher, and the pacing improved compared to Season 1. The show was designed to impress, and it did. However, while Solo Leveling enjoys great popularity in 2025, it may not be the most polished show.
Dandadan Season 2: Genre-Bending Perfection
Now available for the Summer 2025 anime season, Dandadan Season 2 is a vibrant mix of chaos, love, and aliens. While Solo Leveling sticks to a power fantasy formula, Dandadan blends sci-fi, romance, comedy, and supernatural horror in a way that balances all its elements. Momo Ayase and Okarun’s love story develops authentically. The show boldly explores unique themes, often venturing into strange territory that always lands emotionally. What sets Dandadan apart is its genuine originality. Each episode combines the energy of Chainsaw Man with the heart of Mob Psycho, and it’s stunning. The art style, crafted by Science SARU, is unique and unlike anything else airing in 2025. It feels experimental yet refined, psychedelic yet grounded. With memorable characters, plenty of laughs, and truly scary villains, Dandadan may lack Solo Leveling’s mainstream appeal, but it matches or exceeds its entertainment value.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2: Masterclass in Storytelling
While Solo Leveling thrives on action and excitement, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 excels in depth and storytelling. Continuing its fast-paced plot, the story follows Maomao, the poison prodigy at the imperial court, as it reaches new storytelling heights. What started as episodic challenges has evolved into a detailed political drama. The latter half of Season 2 delivered some of the best-written arcs of 2025, filled with betrayals, palace intrigue, and satisfying emotional moments earned over nearly 50 episodes. Maomao’s relationship with Jinshi has matured, and the series finally begins to share crucial details about her heritage. While the animation may not be flashy, the world-building and writing stand out among much of this year’s anime. If character development, writing quality, and depth of storytelling matter most, then The Apothecary Diaries stands out.
Takopi's Original Sin: The Sleeper Contender
Premiering in Spring 2025, Takopi’s Original Sin wasn’t the center of attention—but it deserved more recognition. This dark, psychological drama examines childhood trauma through the lens of a time-traveling alien trying to bring joy to a troubled girl. It’s a haunting and deeply unsettling anime that blends hope with horror seamlessly. Visually minimalist but narratively rich, Takopi’s Original Sin feels like Puella Magi Madoka Magica crossed with A Silent Voice. Its emotional weight is unmatched. As the series concludes in Fall 2025, it positions itself as the strongest emotional punch of the year. If it lands that punch, it could be the emotional anime of the year.
⚔️ Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Part 2 – A Silent Giant Still Standing
After its successful first half, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End returned in 2025 with a subtler but still powerful second half. The anime continued its unique take on the fantasy genre, focusing on time, loss, and memory instead of action. Frieren's personal journey, combined with stunning visuals and a somber piano soundtrack, makes it a remarkable fantasy anime, even when overshadowed by Solo Leveling. The series invites contemplation and provides a refreshing change from high-octane action, as it explores the psychological burden of immortality. It may lack Jinwoo's swagger, but it offers something perhaps rarer: soul. 2025 will be remembered as one of anime’s strongest years in recent memory. While Solo Leveling reigns in popularity, shows like Dandadan, The Apothecary Diaries, Takopi’s Original Sin, and Frieren provide a richer and more diverse range of storytelling styles.
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