'Solo Leveling' and 7 Other Best Anime Released in 2025 With 8.0 & Higher IMDb Scores

We've recalled the best titles of the past year for you. Topping the list, of course, is the second season of the highly anticipated anime adaptation of the popular manhwa, Solo Leveling.

Every title in this list, from sweeping fantasy sagas to psychological dramas, is definitely worth checking out.

1. 'Solo Leveling' Season 2, 2024-...

IMDb Score: 8.6/10

When the gates to the monster world opened on Earth, hunters with superhuman abilities emerged. Sung Jin-woo was previously one of the weakest among them.

He went on missions in large groups but earned very little until he died one day. Afterward, he was reincarnated and connected to a special system that allows him to level up his skills and rise in rank.

To the rest of the world, he remains an E-ranked hunter, but some suspect that he is not that simple.

2. 'The Apothecary Diaries' Season 2, 2023-...

IMDb Score: 8.6/10

Despite the fact that women are legally prohibited from treating patients, Maomao is a highly sought-after specialist in the imperial palace. Officials just turn a blind eye to the apothecary's illegal activities.

This intelligent young woman must test food for poisons and treat high-ranking patients from the imperial harem. She also conducts investigations, drawing on her knowledge of botany and medicine.

However, it's extremely difficult not to offend anyone or violate social norms, as Maomao is fanatically passionate about science.

3. 'Medalist', 2025-...

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Eleven-year-old Inori dreams of becoming a figure skater, but her mother disapproves. She sneaks off to the rink, where she is spotted by the figure skater Tsukasa.

His athletic career is over, so he must choose between coaching and performing in ice shows. When he realizes Inori's potential, coaching becomes the obvious choice. He decides to teach her everything he knows and lead her to major competitions.

4. 'Gachiakuta', 2025-...

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

Rudo grew up on the outskirts of a wealthy city, but he was considered an outcast even in the slums because he was the son of a serial killer. His adoptive father is kind, yet he struggles to console a child rejected by society.

When Rudo's adoptive father is killed by an unknown assailant, everyone believes the strange boy is the culprit.

As punishment, Rudo is thrown into the Pit. Beyond the city, it turns out, there exists a vast world filled with trash and trash monsters.

5. 'The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Rintaro is a high school student at Chidori High School, which is known for being a haven for troubled teenagers. One day, he meets Kaoruko, a girl who loves cakes, at his parents' bakery.

She is completely unafraid of Rintaro and perceptive enough to recognize his kind nature. They quickly fall in love and long to be together. However, there's a catch: Kaoruko attends Kikyo High School, an elite school for wealthy families' daughters.

The students and administration of Kikyo hold the students of neighboring Chidori in extremely low regard, so the lovers must keep their relationship a secret.

6. 'Takopi's Original Sin', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.7/10

An octopus-like alien from the Happy Planet arrives on Earth. There, he meets a sad girl named Shizuka and realizes that he desperately wants to make her happy.

However, her life is far too complicated. The naive alien doesn't understand much, so his attempts to help always fail.

Shizuka is bullied by her classmate, Marina, who constantly tries to hurt her. But things are no better for Marina: she has a depressed, alcoholic mother waiting for her at home.

7. 'Dandadan' Season 2, 2024-...

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

High school students Momo and Ken are too busy to be bored. They haven't even had time to recover from their fight with Turbo Granny when new problems arise.

The two travel to a mountain village to help Jiji, Momo's childhood friend who claims that an evil spirit has taken up residence in his house.

However, the spirit isn't the only problem. A family of occultists is operating in the village, and a real Godzilla is descending from the sky.

8. 'The Summer Hikaru Died', 2025-...

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

During a week-long winter break in the mountains, a boy named Hikaru went missing. After being hospitalized, he claims to have no memory of the incident. He is soon discharged, and life in the village returns to normal.

Only Yoshiki, Hikaru's best friend, suspects that something is wrong. Several months later, he plucks up the courage to ask Hikaru point-blank if he really returned from the mountains.

Suddenly, Hikaru doesn't even try to deny it. He simply asks to stay by Yoshiki's side and to live life as a human being, not the ethereal being he once was.