Updated: 3 September 2025 (BST)
We watched weekly, compared UK availability and release schedules, checked awards and critical reception, and verified facts against official pages (Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney+) plus reputable outlets (GamesRadar, Entertainment Weekly, Polygon, Radio Times, Rotten Tomatoes).
Scope: TV anime that premiered new in 2025 or returned with a fresh season between 1 January and 3 September 2025, and are legally streamable in the UK.
TL;DR
- #1 The Apothecary Diaries S2 crowned our mid-year favourite for scope, craft, and consistency.
- Netflix’s SAKAMOTO DAYS and The Summer Hikaru Died dominated the cultural conversation.
- Science SARU’s Dandadan S2 kept Thursday nights electric across both Crunchyroll and Netflix.
- Solo Leveling S2 remains the awards juggernaut of the year.
1) The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Toho/OLM)
Why it’s #1: A gripping palace-mystery that stuck the landing on 4 July with a superb 24-episode run, escalating both medical puzzles and political stakes without losing character intimacy.
A sequel was announced the day the finale aired – testament to momentum and fan trust.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll (sub & dub).
Receipts: S2 concluded on 4 July 2025, with an immediate sequel confirmation; Crunchyroll streams it worldwide outside Asia.
2) Dandadan Season 2 (Science SARU)
Why it’s great: Max-chaos paranormal rom-com with razor-edged action, inventive layouts, and a Thursday release cadence that’s become ritual viewing.
Episode 10 hits 4 Sept (5:00 pm BST); season wraps mid-September.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll and Netflix (weekly).
Good to know: The “Evil Eye” arc was previewed theatrically as Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye; S2 streams Thursdays with dub support on Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll+1
3) SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 1 (Netflix)
Why it’s great: A hitman-turned-dad action-comedy that actually nails weekly pacing on Netflix. Part 1 launched 11 Jan; Part 2 rolled out Mondays from 14 July with 11 new episodes.
Where to watch (UK): Netflix (exclusive). Netflix
Schedule snapshot: As of this week, ep 20 arrives 8 Sept (4:30 pm BST).
4) The Summer Hikaru Died Season 1 (Cygames Pictures)
Why it’s great: Quiet rural dread meets queer coming-of-age, all wrapped in unnervingly gorgeous atmosphere. Premiered 5 July on Netflix globally; new episodes weekly.
Where to watch (UK): Netflix. Netflix
Critical chatter: Smart, unsettling, and emotionally precise; early reviews highlight its horror/identity blend.
5) Solo Leveling Season 2 (A-1 Pictures)
Why it’s great: The year’s awards steamroller – Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards and a sweep of key categories, while S2 (Jan–Mar) sharpened spectacle and score.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll.
Dates: Aired 5 Jan–30 Mar 2025 (JST broadcast), simulcast to UK time on Saturdays.
6) Fire Force Season 3 (Part 1) (david production)
Why it’s great: Return to form with blistering set-pieces and cleaner storytelling, teeing up the endgame. Cour 1 aired 4 Apr–21 Jun; Cour 2 hits Jan 2026.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll.
Scheduling notes: Confirmed split-cour; UK simulcasts mirrored Friday slots.
7) My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 (CloverWorks)
Why it’s great: The cosplay romance comeback we hoped for—warm, polished, and quietly ambitious. Premiered 5 July with weekly drops.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll.
Extra: English dub rollout began 19 July.
8) Medalist Season 1 (ENGI)
Why it’s great: Figure-skating drama with a coach–protégé duo that actually skates on screen, easily 2025’s best sports debut. Streams on Disney+ internationally; Hulu in the U.S.
Where to watch (UK): Disney+ (Star tile). Disney+
Dates: Premiered 4 Jan in Japan; roll-out via Disney’s platforms confirmed ahead of launch.
9) Devil May Cry Season 1 (Studio Mir)
Why it’s great: Adi Shankar turns Capcom’s style bible into pulpy, propulsive TV with a knowingly early-‘00s soundtrack. Premiered 3 Apr; renewed, with S2 first-look in August.
Where to watch (UK): Netflix. Netflix
Reception: Solid critical notices and RT coverage underpin its inclusion.
10) To Be Hero X Season 1 (BeDream/P.I.C.S.)
Why it’s great: A deliriously animated original that fuses superhero parody with father-daughter heart and top-tier fight choreography – spring’s cult favourite.
Where to watch (UK): Crunchyroll.
April–June airing; widely recommended across mid-year lists we reviewed.
On the cusp
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (CloverWorks) – UK starts 7 Sept
Why watch next: 2025’s breakout romance finally lands on UK Netflix this Sunday (7 Sept) with weekly episodes. Perfect counter-programming to the action heavyweights above.
LAZARUS (MAPPA/Sola Entertainment)
Why watch: Shinichirō Watanabe’s new original – choreography by John Wick’s Chad Stahelski, music by Kamasi Washington, it wrapped in June.
UK streaming has varied by region; look for Channel 4/Max options and Adult Swim pages for official guidance.
How we ranked (signals we weighted)
- UK availability & scheduling reliability (official platform guides).
- Awards/critical consensus (e.g., Crunchyroll Anime Awards; RT coverage).
- Episode-to-episode consistency and animation craft (studio pedigree + weekly performance notes).
- Benchmarking vs. other top lists (we analysed your provided transcripts).
Where to watch in the UK (quick list)
- Crunchyroll: The Apothecary Diaries S2, Dandadan S2, Solo Leveling S2, Fire Force S3 (Part 1), My Dress-Up Darling S2, To Be Hero X.
- Netflix: SAKAMOTO DAYS, The Summer Hikaru Died, Devil May Cry, Dandadan S2 (also on CR), The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (from 7 Sept).
- Disney+: Medalist.
- Also read: Jujutsu Kaisen S3: The Culling Game hits January 2026 what to expect next year and how to watch. (Great companion for action-heavy picks.)
FAQ
What is the best anime of 2025 so far?
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 – It delivered a complete 24-episode run that ended on 4 July 2025, plus a sequel announcement on the same day.
Which platform has the most of these in the UK?
Crunchyroll carries six of our top ten; Netflix carries four (two overlap with Crunchyroll), and Disney+ has Medalist.
What big anime should I watch next?
Start The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity when it hits UK Netflix on 7 Sept, then check out Watanabe’s LAZARUS if it’s available in your region.
