5 Surprise Hit Anime of 2025 You Might Have Missed

2025 was one of those rare years where anime felt unstoppable. Demon Slayer made absurd money overseas, Reze charmed even casual viewers in the Chainsaw Man movie, and long running franchises continued to dominate conversations. But in the noise around Dandadan, My Hero Academia, and other headline grabbers, a few genuinely great shows quietly slipped through the cracks.

If you are looking to catch up on anime you probably missed in 2025, these five are absolutely worth your time.

Secrets of the Silent Witch

At number one is Secrets of the Silent Witch, a show that looks deceptively generic at first glance. An overpowered character with social quirks does not exactly scream originality, and it is easy to dismiss Monica Everett as just another trope.

That would be a mistake. What begins as an overpowered protagonist story slowly reveals something far more emotionally grounded. Monica’s inability to communicate and her tendency to freeze in social situations are not played for comedy. They stem from genuinely dark roots. She is quirky, yes, but her isolation feels painfully real.

Visually, the show is stunning. Every time Monica locks into her Silent Witch persona and starts casting spells, the animation shifts in a way that makes you feel her mental switch flip. The doubts fade, her thoughts become structured, almost mathematical, and her love for magic takes control. That contrast between vulnerability and precision is what makes her so compelling.

While the side characters are not deeply explored in season one, watching Monica slowly form real friendships feels earned and quietly empowering. Also, keep an eye out for Claudia Ashley, who is an absolute menace in the best possible way.

Zenshu

Next up is Zenshu, a MAPPA original anime, and one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the year.

On paper, it sounds like another isekai setup. An overworked creator dies from exhaustion and wakes up inside a fictional world. We have seen this before. What makes Zenshu stand out is execution.

MAPPA’s animation is predictably excellent, but what really elevates the show is how it handles perspective. Natsuko Hirose, an overworked mangaka, is transported into the world of her favorite childhood anime movie, A Tale of Perishing. She believes she understands the story because she has watched it countless times.

She quickly learns that knowing the plot does not mean understanding the characters.

The middle portion does drag slightly, but the payoff is worth it. The final stretch delivers some of the most edge of your seat moments seen in an original anime this year. Beneath the fantasy and action, the story becomes about empathy, creative burnout, and learning to rely on others. It is darker than expected and far more emotionally aware than it initially lets on.

Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty

If musical anime and rock bands are your thing, Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty should be on your list.

The story takes place at a prestigious academy reserved for wealthy young ladies, where only the most refined students earn the title of Noble Maiden. Lilisa is one such student, someone who buried her punk rock past and her love for the guitar to become the perfect daughter for her remarried mother.

Everything changes when she encounters Otoha Kurogane, the daughter of a powerful politician, absolutely tearing it up on the drums in an abandoned school building. What follows is a double life narrative done right. Lilisa’s polished exterior clashes with her suppressed love for rock music, which the institution considers unladylike. The anime does not just challenge that idea, it gleefully smashes it.

This is a show that redefines what it means to be a Noble Maiden. The performances feel like battles, the chemistry between the leads carries the entire series, and the intensity of the music sequences is genuinely infectious. It is stylish, loud, and unapologetic in the best way.

Takopi’s Original Sin

You have almost certainly heard of this one.

Takopi’s Original Sin aired alongside massive titles and still managed to dominate discussions despite being only six episodes long. The cute art style hides a deeply unsettling story about childhood innocence, neglect, and the long shadow adults cast over young lives.

This is not an easy watch. The anime deals with depression, bullying, and suicide in children with an honesty that can be deeply uncomfortable. Every small action feels consequential, and the emotional weight builds relentlessly. If you want a deeper breakdown, we have already covered it in detail in our earlier analysis. Just know this, do not let the visuals fool you. This anime will absolutely wreck you.

May I Ask for One Final Thing?

A fresh spin on the villainess genre, Can I Ask for One Final Thing? flips expectations in a surprisingly satisfying way.

Scarlet von Vermilion is not your typical villainess. She is immensely talented, painfully restrained, and has spent most of her life suppressing her anger to fit the image of a proper lady. When her engagement is abruptly broken off by the second prince, who is swayed by a far less deserving “heroine”, Scarlet finally snaps.

And honestly, it is glorious. What follows is a cathartic mix of comedy, righteous anger, and physical justice. Scarlet believes in solving problems with her fists, gloves on and pride intact. If you have seen that viral anime clip of a noble lady laughing maniacally with blood on her face, yes, that is her.

While the central gimmick does start to feel repetitive midway through the season, the chemistry between Scarlet and the first prince keeps things engaging. If you enjoy the villainess genre and want something that does not take itself too seriously, this one is an easy recommendation.

If you felt like 2025 passed you by and you missed out on some genuinely great anime, these five are a perfect place to start. Each one offers something different, whether it is emotional depth, visual spectacle, or pure chaotic fun.

You will find all of these streaming on Crunchyroll in most locations. For more anime reviews, breakdowns, and recommendations, keep exploring The Watchlist Diaries. There is always something worth adding to your watchlist.