The Spring 2025 season is winding down, but that doesn’t mean we will be starved of quality anime content anytime soon. Crunchyroll have already released their upcoming Summer 2025 anime slate, and it’s jam-packed with some absolute bangers. From returns to new series, this season is going to have it all. If you need help finding a starting point for the upcoming season, have no fear, because we are here to tell you five shows that should be on your radar.
DAN DA DAN was a runaway hit of 2024, so it was only a matter of time before we got a Season 2. Science Saru created a masterpiece with amazing visuals, superb voice acting, and an opening that got stuck in many people’s heads (mine included) for months after Season 1 wrapped up. So it would be an understatement to say that I’m excited to see what happens next in this sci-fi/paranormal story. We actually already got a look at the first few episodes of Season 2 with DAN DA DAN: EVIL EYE, the theatrical debut of the series. I’ve even reviewed the film here, and my fellow contributor, Iain and I even recorded a special Watching Now episode where we talked about all things DAN DA DAN. But if you want to go in as spoiler-free as possible, you’ll only have to wait until the 3rd of July.
I fucking love Shield Hero. It was one of the first isekai anime that I really dug, and I’ve been seated for every season so far. Even when the quality dipped a bit for Season 2, I still had a blast because I love this world and its characters. Isekai are always tricky, because you never know if they’ll get another season due to how oversaturated the genre is. So I’m glad that The Rising of the Shield Hero is coming back for Season 4, and this time, they’re heading to a whole new continent, baby! Kinema Citrus really stepped it up for Season 3, and I have faith that they’ll deliver an excellent Season 4 when it begins on the 9th of July.
Dr. Stone is one of those series that both entertains and teaches. It’s not only a gripping tale of human survival in the face of an apocalyptic event, but it also teaches you cool science stuff! The series has been on a roll, with the first Cour of SCIENCE FUTURE being a fan favourite of the Winter 2025 season. With their eyes set on the moon to solve the mystery of petrification once and for all, Senku and his team have set sail for the Americas to find the necessary materials to reach space. This series has flown off the rails in all the best ways, and I can’t wait to see what TMS Entertainment has cooked up when Senku’s journey continues on the 10th of July.
When the manga of Kaiju No. 8 first got its English release, I was in awe. A manga all about fighting big ass kaiju seemed like a no brainer for success and I was shocked it hadn’t been done yet. So I was not surprised when an anime adaptation was quickly greenlit, and I was very happy with how phenomenal Season 1 turned out. However, that cliffhanger ending was diabolical, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting Season 2 ever since. Now that wait is over, because Season 2 is here, and we’ll get to see how Kafka’s life will change now that his kaiju-sized secret isn’t so secret anymore. Production I.G have been hitting it out of the park recently, and I have no doubt in my mind that Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 will be a banger when it starts on the 19th of July. If you can’t wait that long, the special episode “Hoshina’s Day Off” will drop on the 5th of July to hold you over.
The Rascal Does Not Dream series is a bit of an oddball case. The original series, called Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, had a title that would draw a fair few side eyes. You’d expect a lewd and crass show that only the most degenerate person would enjoy. But that’s far from the case, because this series is all about the troubles of youth and the struggles we all have or will face in our lives. Hell, the film Rascal Does Not Dream of Dreaming Girl brought me to tears. We’ve had two more films since then, but never a proper Season 2; however, that all changes now with Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus. Now out of High School and a full-fledged College student, Sakuta and his girlfriend, Mai, will have to navigate even crazier situations if they want to make it through these early years of their lives. Cloverworks always delivers heart-wrenching moments, and I would expect nothing less when the series begins on the 5th of July.
These are our picks to get you started on your Summer 2025 anime journey. There are plenty more where these came from as well, so feel free to check out the full list here.
What anime will you be watching this Summer? Any that we missed? Which are you excited for the most? Let us know in the comments where we can talk all things anime.
