It is time to check out CGMagazine’s summer 2025 anime list of shows you need to watch right now.
Oh, summer youth. It is time to check out CGMagazine’s summer 2025 anime list of shows you need to watch right now. Many new simulcast big shows are already three or four episodes in on Crunchyroll and Netflix, but that does not mean you are too late to begin one of these series. Of course, make time to binge the first seasons of DANDADAN, My Dress-Up Darling, and Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun. Time to hide from the hot, sweaty summer and catch these fun and intriguing series to enjoy indoors!
1. The Summer Hikaru Died — CygamesPictures (Netflix)
The perfect summer horror anime does not exist, and then there is The Summer Hikaru Died. It follows the story of Yoshiki Tsujinaka, a teenager in rural Japan who discovers that his best friend Hikaru Indo has been possessed by an otherworldly entity, forcing him to navigate their changed relationship amid supernatural dangers. CygamesPictures is a relatively new animation studio with a few series under its belt. But they came out swinging from episode one. Otakus will feel like this is a Junji Ito story through and through, in the best ways possible.
2. Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 — Zero-G/Liber (Crunchyroll)
For those less into spooky summer anime vibes and who want to have fun and chill, Grand Blue Dreaming returns. When Iori Kitahara heads off to college, he decides to live at his uncle’s dive shop. Amidst the roar of the waves and the blazing sun, Iori ends up joining Peek-a-Boo, the college’s diving club. Ultimately, this is the perfect anime series for those looking to watch a crazy college experience with all the drinking and hoopla without any harm to the audience. But through all the chaos, there are so many wholesome moments. Thank god this series came back after a seven-year hiatus, need to drink beer and go diving!
3. Lord of Mysteries — B.CMay PICTURES (Crunchyroll)
Based on the manhua of the same name by Cuttlefish That Loves Cuttlefish, the story follows Zhou Mingrui, who transmigrates into the body of Klein Moretti in a Victorian-era world with mystical elements. Lord of Mysteries is an action, adventure, drama, fantasy, mystery, and thriller donghua/anime series, with Klein seeking a way back to his original world while navigating his newfound powers and the dangers of this new reality. Those seeking some stunning visuals and a fast-paced story will be in for a treat. The visuals stand out for blending steampunk, Lovecraftian horror, and Xuanhuan elements in its Victorian era-inspired world.
4. Rascal Does Not Dream Season 2 — CloverWorks (Crunchyroll)
The Rascal Does Not Dream anime series returns to the TV/streaming world after a long stint of movies. After experiencing “puberty syndrome” himself, high school pariah Sakuta Azusagawa keeps meeting girls suffering from it. This is a series that abstractly captures the feelings around adolescence and coming-of-age. This serious drama-romance blends sci-fi elements with relatable high school student troubles—from insecurity, bullying, harmful parenting, depression, suicide, and self-harm. Whether you are in high school now or not, this was one of the best drama-romance anime series I have ever watched.
5. Takopi’s Original Sin — Enishiya (Crunchyroll)
Takopi’s Original Sin is not for the faint of heart! Each episode warns the viewer about the dark nature of the episode because of how dark it becomes, mainly as it deals with graphic violence and suicide. Takopi travels from his home of Happy Planet to spread happiness on Earth but meets the unsmiling Shizuka. Her school friends and home life are causing her sombre expression, and pure-hearted Takopi is determined to change things. I was starving for a unique, messed-up anime series with a good story; Takopi’s Original Sin settles that craving.
Honourable Mentions:
Gachiakuta, Clevatess, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, My Dress Up Darling Season 2, DANDADAN Season 2, Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2, and Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Part 2 are all major hitters this summer. I will be checking out all of these, too, but the ones mentioned above are lesser-known ones that could easily get lost in the anime carousel of new series. Leave a comment to know which anime series you are starting this summer!
