Best Summer Anime 2025

The hottest anime season is here — 67 shows, 10 must-watches

Summer 2025 starts July 1st with an incredible lineup. We've narrowed down 67 airing anime to 10 absolute must-watches — from epic sequels to shocking new debuts.

🌞 The Summer 2025 Anime Season at a Glance

🔥 Top 10 Must-Watch Summer Anime 2025

1. Dandadan Season 2

📺 Comedy/Supernatural/Action • MAL Score: 8.42/10

Momo and Okarun return for more paranormal chaos. Season 1 was THE breakout hit of 2024 — gorgeous animation, laugh-out-loud comedy, and genuine emotional depth. Season 2 escalates everything.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Why it's #1: Character development + animation quality + humor balance. This is summer's biggest event anime.

2. My Dress-Up Darling Season 2

💕 Romance/Comedy • MAL Score: 8.19/10

Wakana and Marin's relationship deepens with cosplay, confession moments, and hilarious misunderstandings. The most anticipated romance anime of summer.

Where to watch: Netflix (exclusive in some regions)

Why watch: Best romantic chemistry in anime right now. Season 2 finally delivers plot progression.

3. Kaiju No. 8 Season 2

⚔️ Action/Monster • MAL Score: 8.41/10

The monster-slaying continues. Kafka's combat skills level up, and mysterious kaiju threats intensify. Stunning CGI + hand-drawn hybrid animation.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Why watch: Best action sequences of the season. Kaiju design is genuinely terrifying.

4. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

📚 Romance/Historical • NEW | MAL Score: TBA

Massive romance adaptation exclusive to Netflix. Period piece with lush animation, slow-burn romance, and emotional drama. This is Netflix's answer to "best anime."

Where to watch: Netflix (September for Western audiences — July in Asia)

Why watch: If you love Fruits Basket meets historical drama, this is essential.

5. The Summer Hikaru Died

😱 Horror/Supernatural • NEW | Platform: Netflix

Dark psychological horror about a boy who returns... different. One of the most anticipated horror releases of 2025. Genuinely unsettling atmosphere.

Where to watch: Netflix

Why watch: Horror fans have been waiting for this. Best horror anime since Jujutsu Kaisen.

6. Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2

🏖️ Comedy/Slice of Life • MAL Score: 8.50/10

Iori, Kohei, and the diving club return for more absurd antics and heartfelt moments. Pure comedy with surprisingly genuine character arcs.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Why watch: Funniest anime airing. No plot? Doesn't matter — it's comedy perfection.

7. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4

⚔️ Isekai/Fantasy • Platform: Crunchyroll

Naofumi's story continues deeper into the demi-human kingdom arc. Action, character relationships, and political intrigue intensify.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

8. Dr. Stone: Science Future (Final Season)

🔬 Adventure/Education • Final Cour

Senku's final season concludes the beloved edutainment series. This is the end — prepare for emotional closure and epic science battles.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Why watch: Last chance to experience Dr. Stone. Say goodbye to Senku.

9. Gachiakuta

⚡ Shonen/Action • NEW | Platform: Crunchyroll

Brand-new shonen by Crunchyroll. Protagonist trapped in waste planet, climbs out for survival. Intense action and unique setting.

Why watch: Hidden gem potential. Classic underdog shonen formula done right.

10. Call of the Night Season 2

🌙 Romance/Supernatural • MAL Score: TBA

Kou and Nazuna's night adventures deepen. More romance, more vampire mystery, more late-night vibes.

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

📺 Streaming Guide — Where to Watch Each Anime

Crunchyroll (Largest Library)

Dandadan S2, Kaiju No. 8 S2, Grand Blue S2, Dr. Stone Final, Gachiakuta, Call of the Night S2, Shield Hero S4

Netflix (Exclusives)

My Dress-Up Darling S2 (in some regions), The Summer Hikaru Died, The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

HIDIVE / Other Platforms

Some lesser-known series stream exclusively on smaller platforms

💡 How to Choose What to Watch

Finished Spring anime? Start with sequel seasons — Dandadan, My Dress-Up Darling, Kaiju No. 8 all assume you watched previous seasons.

New to anime? Begin with Dandadan or Grand Blue — both are accessible and don't require prior knowledge.

Want action? Kaiju No. 8, Shield Hero, or Gachiakuta.

Want romance? My Dress-Up Darling or The Fragrant Flower.

Want horror? The Summer Hikaru Died is essential.

📊 Summer 2025 Season Stats

According to MyAnimeList, the 10 most anticipated by member anticipation are:

  1. My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
  2. Dandadan Season 2
  3. Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
  4. Call of the Night Season 2
  5. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
  6. Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus
  7. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4
  8. Sakamoto Days Part 2
  9. Gachiakuta
  10. Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2

Discover More on SwipeAnime

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