I’m excited about this year’s lineup because past first-place winners often became major hits once they received their anime adaptations. With the official announcement expected around mid-March, I’ve been poring over the list of potential manga candidates. Let’s take a closer look at what might become our new favorites in the 2025 anime season.
Spoiler Warning: This article may reveal minor plot details regarding various titles.
Below, I’ve grouped each manga by its primary genre. Please enjoy this comprehensive look at 47 exciting titles suggested for an anime adaptation in 2025.
※ Note: The numbering before each manga title corresponds to its ranking on the AnimeJapan 2025 “Most Anticipated Manga” list.
Romance & Comedy
- No.7 I’ll Become a Gal Who’s Kind to Otaku!
オタクに優しいギャルに私はなる！Otaku ni Yasashii Gal ni Watashi wa Naru！- Synopsis: This high school tale pairs an enthusiastic otaku with a flashy “gal” classmate who wants to reinvent herself as a friendlier, more supportive version of the stereotypical gyaru.
- Link To MangaDex (☆ 8.15)
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- No.14 Starting Today, We’re Childhood Friends
今日から始める幼なじみ Kyoukara Hajimeru Osananajimi- Synopsis: Two childhood friends reunite during high school, sparking comedic misunderstandings that gradually blossom into a classic love story.
- Link To MangaDex (☆ 8.66)
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- No.20 I Was Heartbroken, So I Became A VTuber, But Then I Became Popular with the Older Ladies
失恋したのでVtuberはじめたら年上のお姉さんにモテました
Shitsurenshita node Vtuber Hajimetara Toshiue no Onee-san ni Motemashita- Synopsis: After a rough breakup, the main character dives into Vtuber life—only to attract unexpected attention from a confident, more mature fan.
- Link To MangaDex (☆ 8.48)
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- No.32. Noa is My Senior, and My Friend
のあ先輩はともだち。Noa-senpai wa Tomodachi- Synopsis: A star student who appears flawless on the outside hides an awkward side that only her younger classmate notices, leading to a sweet and comedic school romance.
- Link To MangaDex (☆ 8.71)
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Isekai, Fantasy & Historical Drama
- No.3 The One Inside the Villainess
悪役令嬢の中の人～断罪された転生者のため嘘つきヒロインに復讐いたします ～Akuyakureijou no nakanohito ~danzaisareta tenseisya no tame usotsukiheroine ni fukusyuu itashimasu~- Synopsis: A person from our world is reborn as the villainess in an otome game, setting out on a dark quest to rewrite fate and retaliate against those who unjustly condemned her.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆ 9.50)
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- No.15 Kingdom of Beasts (or Beast Country)
ケモノクニ KEMONOKUNI- Synopsis: In a land dominated by beastfolk, humans struggle as a lower caste. A defiant protagonist challenges the oppressive hierarchy in a grim, danger-filled world.
- Link To MangaDex (☆ 8.15)
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- No.16 The Fed-Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess
限界OLさんは悪役令嬢さまに仕えたい Genkai OL-san wa Akuyaku Reijou-sama ni Tsukaetai- Synopsis: An overworked corporate employee wakes up in an otome game, determined to protect and serve the supposed “villainess” at any cost.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆9.22)
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- No.24 SoueiSousho (Twin-Shadowed Tome)
双影双書 SoueiSousho- Synopsis: In this universe, wielders of legendary “script powers” embark on a grand quest to master ancient symbols locked in mysterious books.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.49)
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- No.38 Printernia Nippon
プリンタニア・ニッポン Printernia nippon- Synopsis: A traveler oscillates between modern Japan and the otherworldly realm of Printania, discovering hidden cultural links and magical phenomena.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.15)
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- No.39 Firefly’s Wedding Journey
ホタルの嫁入り Hotaru no Yomeiri- Synopsis: A young bride is offered to a mountain deity in a mystical, rural setting. Their delicate relationship unfolds amid otherworldly lights and legends.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.92)
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- No.42 Ugly Duckling of the Entertainment District (Child of the Red-Light District)
みにくい遊郭の子 Minikui Yuukakuno Ko- Synopsis: Set in an early 20th-century pleasure district, this gritty saga follows the daily hardships and personal strength of a child born into a world of shifting social norms.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.27)
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- No.47 Isagi the Dragon Slayer
竜送りのイサギ Ryuu Okuri no Isagi- Synopsis: A boy chosen as a sacrifice sets forth with the fearsome dragon meant to devour him, discovering new horizons in a dangerous yet hopeful realm.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.17)
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Supernatural, Horror & Dark Themes
- No.18 Paradise District
極楽街 GokurakuGai- Synopsis: A seedy pleasure quarter in late-Meiji Japan hides monstrous happenings, blending traditional lore with eerie investigations.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.91)
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- No.22 Teacher! We’ll Destroy the World
先生！ 僕たちが世界を滅ぼします。Sensei! Bokutachi ga Sekai wo Horoboshimasu.- Synopsis: A group of students harbor apocalyptic powers, placing their well-meaning teacher in a precarious position of saving them—and humanity itself.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.77)
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- No.30 Nue’s Exorcist
鵺の陰陽師 Nue No Onmyoji- Synopsis: A Heian-period exorcist battles yokai while piecing together the source of terrifying hauntings, steeped in rich Japanese folklore.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.67)
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- No.31 A Cat-girl Passing the Days
ねこむすめ道草日記 Neko Musume Michikusa Nikki- Synopsis: A cute cat-girl navigates everyday adventures, but the occasional creeps and chills remind us there’s a darker side to these supernatural creatures.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.62)
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- No.35 Mr.Vamp is a Vampire
万府先生は吸血鬼 Banpu-sensei wa Kyuuketsuki- Synopsis: A vampire’s life in a modern high school proves bizarre, balancing comedic day-to-day mischief against the ever-present thirst for blood.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.15)
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- No.36 Phantom Busters
ファントムバスターズ Phantom Busters- Synopsis: In a world where ghosts and malicious spirits roam, a special team armed with advanced paranormal tech stands poised to eliminate them.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆9.06)
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- No.40 I See You, Aizawa-san!
見えてますよ！愛沢さん Mietemasu yo! Aizawa-san- Synopsis: A high-school girl who can see ghosts finds her daily routine derailed by supernatural invasions, leading to equal parts hilarity and terror.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆9.05)
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Sci-Fi, Near-Future & Superpowered Action
- No.2 Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards
赤羽骨子のボディガード Akabane Honeko no Bodyguard- Synopsis: A skilled teenage bodyguard juggles infiltration of underworld intrigues and clashing corporate interests, all while trying to pass her exams.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.64)
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- No.6 AR/MS!! Augmented Reality/Multiple Survive
AR／MS!! (エーアール・マルチプルサヴァイヴ) AR/MS!! AR/Multiple Survive- Synopsis: In a society that merges augmented and virtual realities, survival games become appallingly real when a group of players is trapped in a life-or-death scenario.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.07)
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- No.19 PSYЯEN
PSYЯEN -サイレン- Psyren- Synopsis: A phone card summons unsuspecting participants into a post-apocalyptic future where harnessing psychic abilities is key to staying alive.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.55)
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- No.28 This Communication
Thisコミュニケーション This Communication- Synopsis: A student cursed (or blessed) with the power to see others’ emotions through color-coded auras uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath everyday school life.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.15)
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- No.34 Handsome Must Die
ハンサムマストダイ Handsome Must Die- Synopsis: In a future obsessed with physical perfection, a rebellious student challenges the shallow value system that places “looks” above all else.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.74)
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- No.45 Love Bullet
ラブ・バレット Love Bullet- Synopsis: Koharu Sakurada is a 15-year-old Cupid who died five years prior in an accident. Together with Kanna, her mentor, as well as fellow Cupids Chiyo and Ena, they shoot people who they see as potential couples to make them fall in love.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆9.43)
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Boys’ Love (BL) & Girls’ Love (Yuri)
- No.9 I Love Your Cruddy…
きたない君がいちばんかわいい Kitanai Kimi ga Ichiban Kawaii- Synopsis: An uptight, cleanliness-obsessed student clashes with her messy, carefree classmate—and finds an unexpected spark between them.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.95)
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- No.10 Kitayama and Minamiya
北山くんと南谷くん Kitayama-kun to Minamiya-kun- Synopsis: Two high-school boys—one quiet, the other bold—navigate adolescence, forging a deep bond that surprises them both.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.93)
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- No.11 If It’s With You
君となら恋をしてみても Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo- Synopsis: A seemingly ordinary boy crosses paths with the most popular kid in class, and the two discover that friendship can evolve into something more.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.47)
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- No.12 The summer you were there
君と綴るうたかた Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata- Synopsis: Two girls connect through a shared passion for music, gradually realizing that feelings beyond simple camaraderie bloom in every note they play.
- Link To MangaDex (☆☆☆9.51)
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- No.13 I Cannot Reach You
君には届かない。Kiminiwa Todokanai- Synopsis: Friends since infancy, these two young men confront new emotions as they begin to see each other in a different light.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.55)
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- No.17 Convenient Semi-Friend
好都合セミフレンド Gotsugo Semi-Friend- Synopsis: Two laid-back college girls living next door forge a casual, carefree friendship rooted in relaxed weekend hangouts and mutual support.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.72)
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- No.23 If that’s love, break it. (or Destroy It All and Love Me in Hell!)
ぜんぶ壊して地獄で愛して Zenbu Kowashite Jigokude Aishite- Synopsis: A twisted, obsessive relationship forms when one girl’s love drifts into sinister territory, testing the limits of devotion.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.72)
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- No.26 Takane & Arashi
高音さんと嵐ちゃん Takane-san to Arashi-chan- Synopsis: Two girls in a school light music club form a comedic duo, discovering a subtle romantic tension as they jam toward campus stardom.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.84)
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- No.29 Nakahara-kun and Miyata club leader
中原くんと宮田部長 Nakahara-kun to Miyata Buchou- Synopsis: While there’s a hint of office romance, most pages focus on the quirky working relationship between a dedicated junior employee and a motherly manager.
- No Data on MangaDex (☆TBD)
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- No.41 Minato’s Coin Laundry
みなと商事コインランドリー Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Koushiki Anthology Comic Fuwafuwa- Synopsis: A high-school student frequents a local laundromat run by an older man, and their daily interactions lead to a slow-blooming romance.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.05)
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- No.43 Boys Gilding the Lily Shall Die!?
百合にはさまる男は死ねばいい！？ Yuri ni Hasamaru Otoko wa Shineba Ii?!- Synopsis: A passionate fan of girl-on-girl relationships can’t stand men “interrupting” these bonds—her fervor leads to riotous comedic scenarios.
- Link To MangaDex (☆6.98)
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School & Workplace Slice-of-Life
- No.4 She is fed up with her siscon brother (or My Younger Sister Has a Troublesome Older Brother Who Is a Siscon)
妹はシスコン兄がめんどくさい Imouto wa Siscon Ani ga Mendokusai- Synopsis: This mischievous sibling pair navigates hilarious daily antics, with an overprotective brother who can’t resist doting on his little sister.
- Link To MangaDex (☆7.95)
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- No.5 Liar! Gokuo-kun
ウソツキ！ゴクオーくん Usotsuki Gokuo-kun- Synopsis: An elementary school trickster solves minor mysteries while pranking classmates and teachers in a series of light-hearted escapades.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.03)
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- No.8 On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance
会社と私生活－オンとオフ－ Kaisha to Shiseikatsu: On to Off- Synopsis: A newbie office worker faces daily ups and downs, juggling professional responsibilities with her comedic misfortunes off the clock.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.52)
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- No.25 Miss Downer wants to play
ダウナーお姉さんは遊びたい Downer Onee-san wa Asobitai- Synopsis: A seemingly tired-out older sister figure entertains a group of energetic neighborhood kids, creating amusing contrasts and heartwarming moments.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.20)
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- No.27 I’m Just a Sloth
ただのなまけものなんです。 Tadano Namakemono Desu- Synopsis: A sloth-person’s everyday lifestyle is explored humorously, highlighting how drastically it differs from more active companions.
- No Data on MangaDex (☆TBD)
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- No.44 Kindergarten WARS
幼稚園WARS Youchien Wars- Synopsis: Chaos ensues when rival groups of spirited kids at a local kindergarten clash, and the poor teacher must keep the peace.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.81)
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Other Themes (Music & Gambling etc.)
- No.1 IDOL×IDOL STORY!
IDOL×IDOL STORY！- Synopsis: Aspiring idols push themselves to the limit in a fiercely competitive industry, battling stage fright, rivalries, and personal doubts.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.89)
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- No.21 Junket Bank
ジャンケットバンク Junket Bank- Synopsis: In this high-stakes financial institution, every bet can mean life-altering consequences, testing employees’ wits and moral compasses.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.24)
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- No.33 Hanauta Memoir
花唄メモワール Hana-Uta Memoir- Synopsis: A traveling musician with a magical twist journeys from place to place, collecting songs and stories that resonate with lost souls.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.24)
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- No.37 Girl Meets Rock! – An Ordinary Light Music Club
ふつうの軽音部 Futsuu no Keionbu- Synopsis: High school students form a band, learning about teamwork, dedication, and the power of a shared dream.
- Link To MangaDex (☆8.67)
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- No.46: REAL OTAKU LIFE
RAB(リアルアキバボーイズ )の日常描いてみた Real Akiba Boys no nichijou kaitemita- Synopsis: Following a real-life dance group, this comedic slice-of-life series captures behind-the-scenes challenges of perfecting live performances.
- No Data on MangaDex (☆TBD)
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We’ve just explored 47 manga that may headline the Anime Japan 2025 season. From heartwarming romance and comedic antics to dark fantasy quests and supernatural thrills, each title has the potential to shine if it receives an anime adaptation. Personally, I’m eager to see which studio takes on these projects and how the creative teams bring each story’s unique essence to life on screen.
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