As 2024 comes to a close, Japanese audiences are eagerly anticipating the upcoming anime Winter 2025 season. Recently, Animate Times has announced the preliminary results of the survey titled “Winter 2025: What to Watch.”
Currently, The Apothecary Diaries is ranked first in the survey. The second season of anime sensation My Happy Marriage holds the second position. The anticipated sequel Dr. Stone: Science Future, a continuation of the popular Dr. Stone series, is expected to take the third spot.
Here are the top 10 most anticipated anime for Winter 2025:
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
- My Happy Marriage Season 2
- Dr. Stone: Science Future (Dr. Stone Season 4)
- Sakamoto Days
- Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2
- Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
- The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2
- Honey Lemon Soda
- I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
- I’m Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class
The high rankings of The Apothecary Diaries and My Happy Marriage indicate that many Japanese viewers are interested in romantic narratives rather than action-oriented stories.
The Apothecary Diaries takes place in a historical Chinese setting and revolves around MaoMao, the daughter of a skilled pharmacist who gets involved in palace intrigues after being captured and sold as a maid. Her unique skills in medicine and her quick wit allow her to navigate the complexities of the royal court.
My Happy Marriage has captured the hearts of viewers with its emotional love story between the main characters, Miyo and Kiyoka.
It’s important to note that Sakamoto Days is one of the few original works making its way onto the rankings, and it is not a sequel to an existing anime series. This upcoming release is based on the long-awaited manga by Yuto Suzuki. The plot follows Taro, a former assassin who has retired to live a peaceful life after falling in love with Aoi Sakamoto. Unfortunately, Taro must confront his past and maintain his skills to protect his newfound family. Sakamoto Days is set to premiere globally on January 11.
