As the relatively quiet spring anime season nears its end,all eyes are on the summer to pick up the slack and deliver on some highly anticipated titles. Fans of action, romance, horror, drama, and other genres have something to look forward to this July, as several shows appear to be bringing their best to kick off what is set to be an exciting rest of 2025. Headlining the season is the return ofDandadan, 2024’s breakout smash-hitShōnen Jumpadaptation, which will be turning up its creepy factor in the upcoming Evil Eye arc.
However, despite the massive success of the series' first season, it seems that a couple of other shows might be primed to stealDandadan’s title as the summer’s most anticipated release. Japanese websiteAnime!Anime!conducted a reader questionnaire surveying what shows audiences are most looking forward to,and the results show that anime fans will have quite a bit on their plates this upcoming summer season.
It’s Not Just Dandadan, Anime’s Summer 2025 Season Is Absolutely Stacked
The Summer Anime Season Has More Than a Few Heavy Hitters We Can’t Wait For
Though the majority of Western anime fans might haveDandadanas their top priority in July, it seems Japanese fans have their sights set on some other titles instead.The supernatural action-horror-romance hit placed third on theAnime!Anime!most anticipated list, tied with the second cours ofToilet-Bound Hanako-kunseason two.The Summer Hikaru Died, an all-new thriller-slice of life title, ranked aboveDandadanat number two. The original highly acclaimed manga by Mokumokuren has garnered a nice bit of success since debuting in 2021, drawing countless eyes to the upcoming adaptation by CygamesPictures.
The most surprising result isthe upcomingsecond season ofMy Dress-Up Darlingcoming in at the number one spot. The CloverWorks adaptation was the biggest sleeper hit of 2022, quietly entering the scene during the winter and walking away as one of anime’s hottest titles by spring. Following the completion of its first season, however, the series went silent, finally announcing its return earlier this year. It seems the majority of viewers are most excited about the prospect of watching Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo’s relationship progress.
My Dress-Up Darling Is Anime Fans' Most Anticipated Anime of Summer 2025
There’s Something For Everyone This Coming July
BeyondAnime!Anime!’s most anticipated titles, the summer anime season has quite a bit to offer. Directly competing withDandadanas another massively popularShōnen Jumpadaptation will beKaiju no. 8, which is set to air its second season beginning on July 19.Romance fans have a lot to look forward tobeyondMy Dress-Up Darling, as the long-awaited sequel to 2018’sRascal Does Not Dream of Bunny-Girl Senpai, along with the debut ofThe Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity,are also scheduled for next month.
Dandadan,My Dress-Up Darling,andRascal Does Not Dream of Bunny-Girl Senpaiare all streaming on Crunchyroll.
The spring 2025 season might have been just a little too sleepy for some anime fans, though it seems the summer is set to kick off a jam-packed remainder of the year.Dandadan’s second season might be the biggest name airing in July,but it seems other titles will be directly competing for the spotlight. Regardless of whether the series loses in a battle for popularity, anime fans will be the undeniable biggest winners this upcoming season.
Dandadan
Cast
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
