Japan has officially decided its best anime of 2025

When it comes to anime, 2025 has been absolutely amazing, filled with incredible anime releases. The year started strong, with series like Solo Levelingand fans have been treated to plenty of other exciting series since then, with two months to go. Outside of Japan, Solo Leveling was named Anime of the Year 2025 at the Crunchyroll Awards. But what's big overseas isn't necessarily what's trendy in Japan, and vice versa.

Japan has its own best anime in 2025, and although fans had expected series like Dandadan or Apothecary Diaries to take the crown, this honor went to a series that most fans probably haven't seen, and maybe haven't even heard of. Japan's best anime of 2025 is none other than “MAKEINE: Too Many Losing Heroines!” This anime has some action, much to the surprise of fans. Instead, it delves into things like romance and comedy. The anime is slow, and fans love it for the focus on the characters and their daily lives.

“MAKEINE: Too Many Losing Heroines!” Has been chosen as Japan's best anime of 2025

MAKEINE winner of Japan's Newtype Anime Awards

A romantic comedy that has dominated in Japan
Awarded by Japan's Newtype Anime Awards

Earlier in 2025, fans watched Crunchyroll Awards takes place, where all kinds of exciting anime were nominated for the title Anime of the Year. These awards ended with Solo Leveling wins the most prestigious title. Obviously for Solo Levelingthis was huge, and it showed how big the series had become.

While the Crunchyroll Awards are the biggest overseas, in Japan there are a few others that fans care about. In particular, Japan's Newtype Anime Awards carry a lot of weight, and they took place not so long ago. At the awards ceremony, the best anime of 2025 was chosen, and it went to 'MAKEINE: Too Many Losing Heroines!' This anime is based on a light novel and was actually adapted by the same studio that worked on Solo Leveling, A-1 Pictures.

Makeine's victory as the 2025 best anime in Japan shows the difference in taste of the audience. As it turns out, fans in Japan prefer series with elements of romance and slice of life.

The story of Makeup is really worth going into. It follows Kazuhiko Nukumizu, a boy who sees several girls rejected by his crushes. He then proceeds to build friendships with them. This series is the perfect watch for fans who just want a relaxing and comforting anime watch.

Apothecary Diaries and Solo Leveling made the top 5

Other anime like Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX also make the list

Maomao the apothecary diaries third anime in japan awards

Unlike the Crunchyroll Awards, fans also got a look at the rankings for the other nominees, which include 5 great series. While “MAKEINE: Too Many Losing Heroines!” took first place, there are other series that also performed quite well.

jinwoo solo leveling 4th in japan awards

Mobile suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX took second placeand a fan favorite, The Apothecary Diaries, was third. West's top 1, Solo Leveling made it to 4th place. This is still good and shows its growing popularity in Japan as well. Finally, the fifth place went to Uma Musume Cinderella Greyquite a hit series in Japan at the moment.

Source: X (formerly Twitter)