The anime industry is always evolving, and 2025 is proving to be a year of major shifts in animation techniques, storytelling themes, and the return of legendary franchises. With new technology blending into traditional animation, dark fantasy continuing its dominance, and nostalgic series making a comeback, let’s explore the biggest trends shaping anime this year!
1. AI and Hybrid Animation Are Changing the Industry
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has started to play a significant role in anime production, with studios experimenting with AI-assisted animation to enhance visual quality and reduce production times. While some purists argue that AI-generated backgrounds and in-between frames lack the human touch, others believe it allows animators to focus on more complex and dynamic scenes.
Popular 2025 anime using AI-enhanced animation:
- “Cybernetic Dream” – A futuristic cyberpunk series that blends AI-generated cityscapes with hand-drawn character animation.
- “Infinite Frame” – A sci-fi thriller experimenting with AI-generated fight choreography.
2. Dark Fantasy and Psychological Horror Are More Popular Than Ever
Dark fantasy has been a rising trend in anime, and 2025 is continuing this trend with even more intense and psychologically complex stories. Inspired by the success of Chainsaw Man and Attack on Titan, new anime are pushing the boundaries of horror, despair, and brutal storytelling.
Must-watch dark fantasy anime of 2025:
- “Blood Eclipse” – A vampire-themed survival horror anime where humanity fights against a rising undead empire.
- “The Cursed Crown” – A medieval fantasy series filled with political betrayal, brutal magic, and tragic heroes.
3. Classic Anime Revivals: Nostalgia Returns!
The wave of anime reboots and sequels continues in 2025, with many beloved classics making a comeback for new generations. Whether it’s a remake of a 90s hit or the long-awaited sequel to an unfinished story, nostalgia is fueling the hype.
Major revivals coming in 2025:
- “Hunter x Hunter: The Final Quest” – Yoshihiro Togashi’s legendary series is returning with an adaptation of the manga’s latest arc.
- “Death Note: Rebirth” – A brand-new Death Note anime following a different protagonist with a new Shinigami.
- “Fullmetal Alchemist: A New Era” – A fresh take on the beloved FMA universe with an original story set years after Brotherhood.
4. The Isekai Genre Evolves with Fresh Concepts
Isekai (other-world) anime has been a dominant force for years, but 2025 is bringing fresh takes to keep the genre alive. Rather than the usual “overpowered protagonist in a fantasy world,” new series are introducing unique twists.
Upcoming innovative isekai anime:
- “Reincarnated as a Villain, But I Have a Cheat Code” – A protagonist reincarnates as a game’s main villain but exploits a hidden developer cheat to change his fate.
- “My Smartphone Was Banned in Another World” – A satire of the typical isekai trope, where the protagonist must survive in a fantasy world without an overpowered phone.
5. Original Anime Are Finally Getting More Attention
With so many adaptations of light novels and manga, original anime often struggle to stand out. However, 2025 is seeing a resurgence of anime-original stories, especially in sci-fi, thriller, and mecha genres.
Upcoming original anime to look forward to:
- “Eclipse Protocol” – A dystopian sci-fi thriller about a rogue AI that threatens to rewrite human history.
- “Celestial Knights” – A mecha anime set in a galaxy where warriors harness star energy to fight interstellar wars.
Conclusion
2025 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking year for anime, with technological advancements, dark storytelling, classic revivals, and creative new takes on popular genres. Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or just starting, there’s something for everyone to get excited about!
Which 2025 anime are you most hyped for? Let us know in the comments!