10 best upcoming anime in Winter 2024-2025
TOHO/Crunchyroll2024 has been an incredible year for anime fans, but 2025 offers even more great series, so here’s a list of the best upcoming anime to keep an eye out for.
As the Fall 2024 anime season has almost finished all the anticipated series launches, that means there’s a brand new lineup for the next season to look forward to.
From new additions to the anime world such as Dandadan and Blue Box to some highly-anticipated sequels like Bleach TYBW Part 3 and Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc, this year has been a delight to fans.
Just like any other season, though, there are some incredible anime lined up that will keep you hooked in the months ahead. From highly-anticipated sequels to new additions to the anime world, keep reading for a rundown of the top 10 upcoming anime you’ll want to watch in Winter 2024-2025.
10. Can You Keep a Secret?
Release Window: January 2025
This office-themed romance comedy centers around Yui Mitsuya and Masugu Tateshi, who are more than just coworkers. Mitsuya is attracted to Tateshi’s helpful and humble attitude while the latter is head over heels for her cuteness.
While they’re currently dating, they want to keep their relationship a secret to avoid an awkward situation in the workplace.
9. Zenshuu
Release Window: January 2025
This upcoming anime series is an original story by Studio MAPPA focusing on an animator, Natsuko Hirose. Her career quickly flourishes as soon as graduating from high school after she makes her debut as a director.
Her first anime was a massive hit, but her struggles began when her next project was a romantic comedy movie centering around first love. Since Natsuko has never been in love herself, she fails to understand the concept. Hence, her movie production comes to a standstill as she finds herself unable to create a storyboard.
8. The Rose of Versailles (Movie)
Release Date: January 31, 2025 (Japanese release date)
This upcoming Winter 2025 anime movie by MAPPA is based on the classic Shojo by Riyoko Ikeda. The story is set a few years prior to and during the French Revolution. It follows Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, a Parisian noblewoman who was raised as a boy.
Her first assignment is to chaperone the new Crown Princess Marie-Antoinette. Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess later falls in love with Oscar only to realize she’s a woman. They soon befriend one another as the story continues to depict the struggles of two women trapped in high society. The film has yet to announce its global release date.
7. Honey Lemon Soda
Release Window: January 2025
This upcoming Shojo romance anime follows Uka Ishimori, a 15-year-old girl who was bullied in middle school for freezing up in front of other people. Now, she wants to make a fresh start in high school. However, she gets soaked in juice in her first week by her classmate Kai Miura.
Kai has a completely different personality than her and he slowly encourages her to come out of her shell. As he lends her a helping hand, Uka realizes she has fallen for him.
6. Blue Exorcist Season 5
Release Window: Janurary 2025
CrunchyrollBlue Exorcist released a new season this Fall and it’s already confirmed to release a 5th season in Janurary. The story centers around Okumura Rin, who believes himself to be an ordinary teenager – until, one day, he discovers he’s the son of Satan.
The ongoing season follows Shura Kirigakure as she confronts her destiny and uncovers the darkness within the Knights of the True Cross.
5. Dr Stone: Science Future
Release Window: Janurary 2025
The upcoming Winter 2025 anime season will air the final season of Dr Stone. The story follows Senku in the futue where civilization is all but lost. The young genius scientist has made it his goal to restore the world as it was over 3000 years ago.
The final season will focus on Senku’s goal to revive as many people as possible to support his space program. Despite the risks involved, he’s determined to save humanity.
4. Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
Release Window: Janurary 2025
Solo Leveling is set in a world that drastically changed a decade prior due to the appearance of mysterious portals called “Gates” that connect the world to a realm of magic and monsters. Modern weaponization don’t work on these monsters.
Some humans who are granted supernatural powers and are called “hunters” fight the dangerous creatures. The first season ended with Jinwoo getting newfound powers: the power to control an Army of the Dead. Season 2 of will start adapting the manhwa from Chapter 46, commencing the Red Gate Arc.
3. My Happy Marriage Season 2
Release Window: Janurary 2025
My Happy Marriage, a historical romance series will be returning with a new season in the upcoming Winter 2025 season. The story follows Miyo Saimori, a young woman who, despite being from a noble bloodline, works as a servant for her cruel family.
She’s terrified after being forced into an arranged marriage with a notoriously ruthless military captain, Kiyoka Kudou. Having lost all hope of having a happy life, Miyo doesn’t know what awaits her in her new marital home isn’t a painful marriage but a life full of happiness.
2. Sakamoto Days
Release Window: Janurary 2025
Baseon a popular WSJ manga, Sakamoto Days follows Taro Sakamoto, a former hitman who retired after marrying. Once feared as the greatest hitman of all time, Taro is now a fat family man. However, his peaceful days don’t last long as he finds out there’s a bounty on his head.
Now, along with his new allies, Taro must uncover the truth. The five years of being at peace hasn’t put a damper on his skills after he’s back into action.
1. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Release Date: January 10, 2025
The upcoming season of The Apothecary Diaries will bring new mysteries for the ever so curious Maomao to solve. The story follows her after she’s kidnapped and sold to the inner palace as a servant girl.
While she does try to hide her intelligence and expertise at medcine, it doesn’t go unnoticed by Jinshi, an eunuch in charge of the inner palace. Maomao loves solving cases for entertainment, which is perfect for Jinshi, who needs her help. However, she still doesn’t know the major secret Jinshi is hiding from her.
While you wait for a new chapter, don’t forget to check out the Fall 2024 anime schedule and the best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus. Also, have a look at our guides to Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Oshi no Ko Season 3, and One Punch Man Season 3 for other shows on their way back.