By
Casandra Ronning
Published 23 minutes ago
Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.
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In recent years, modern anime has been capturing global attention, drawing millions of viewers into new stories and exciting universes, and introducing unique and memorable characters. In the past year, none stand out more than Solo Leveling, which quickly dominated charts and became an international sensation, playing a massive role in the popularization of anime and manhwa adaptations.
As more studios push harder to create the next breakout hit, audiences around the world have been eager to find another anime series that offers the same sense of immersion through their style, animation, and storytelling. However, there are several newer anime that deserve to achieve the same success as Solo Leveling and become global, chart-topping hits.
Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 follows Kafka Hibino, a veteran cleanup worker who spent years cleaning up battlefields after the Defense Force takes down monstrous kaiju. After an unexpected incident gives him the ability to transform into one of these creatures, he makes one last attempt to fulfill his childhood dream of joining the Defense Force and keeping a childhood promise.
Using his extensive anatomical knowledge of the kaiju from his years of experience as a cleanup worker, Kafka can quickly identify the kaiju’s core and other vital areas during combat. While talented and ambitious recruits surround him, he’s able to stand out and offer tactical support to his comrades while hiding his true identity.
The series is known for its sharp pacing, expressive animation, memorable characters, and a grounded emotional core that elevates the narrative. With stunning visual animation and thrilling action sequences, Kaiju No. 8 deserves far more attention and popularity. The series may not capture the same attention as international hit titles just yet, but it has the potential to do so.
Wind Breaker
Haruka Sakura from Wind Breaker looking down and reaching out in front of a blue sky
Wind Breaker centers on Haruka Sakura, a delinquent first-year student at Furin High School with the goal of becoming the strongest fighter. His assumptions about the school’s rough exterior and reputation shape his experience when he first arrives; however, he quickly discovers the students have formed a group called Bofurin to serve as protectors of the town.
The anime is known for its memorable characters, thrilling hand-to-hand fights, and deeper themes that challenge traditional expectations of shōnen tropes as well as toxic masculinity by exploring emotional expression and themes of acceptance and community. Wind Breaker is well-written and deserves greater attention among anime fans.
Dandadan
Dandadan Momo, Okarun and Jiji
Dandadan centers on Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, also known as “Okarun." These two high school students bond over unusual and absurd circumstances after their clashing beliefs surrounding the supernatural turn their worlds upside down. The fallout leads to a series of wild confrontations against spirits, aliens, and yokai.
The series is best known for its absurd premise, crude humor, and authentic interactions between the characters. Dandadan's strength shines in gorgeous visuals, backstories, and action sequences, offering cinematic experiences that will take audiences' breath away. If any series has earned a place among the most-talked-about titles, Dandadan must be one of them.
Gachiakuta
Gachiakuta-Key-Visual
Gachiakuta follows Rudo, a young man from the slums of a floating city who has been accused of murdering his adoptive father. Thrown into the Pit, a dark, trash-filled abyss, Rudo joins the Cleaners and must find a way to master a new power and survive in an unfamiliar landscape in order to discover his father’s true murderer.
Gachiakuta is known for its tense atmosphere and inventive monster designs. With a fast-paced narrative, eye-catching fight choreography, and themes of injustice, classism, and environmentalism, the story is able to stand out and resonate with global audiences. Its morally complex protagonist adds depth to the narrative, with its success hinting at a highly successful run.
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s follows Akira Oda, a high school student who unexpectedly finds himself transported to a fantastical kingdom alongside his class. Akira is given the role of an assassin while another classmate becomes the hero. However, while his status is seemingly more mediocre, he quickly finds that he has immense hidden potential.
Akira uses his abilities to pull apart a kingdom-wide conspiracy, allowing the narrative to blend tension with action and political intrigue. My Status as an Assassin is a thrilling isekai that quickly captivates audiences and draws them into its world, creating a viewing experience that fans of Solo Leveling will find thrilling, making it deserving of similar attention.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End follows the titular character, Frieren, a long-lived elven mage who has spent ten years with her companions during their quest to defeat the Demon King. The story begins directly after their triumphant victory, following Frieren as she comes to understand the weight of time and morality decades after their journey.
With a new understanding of the fleeting lives of those around her, Frieren begins a new journey to understand the meaning of the bonds she forged with her companions. She travels alongside new allies, Fern and Stark, facing remnants of old threats, encountering new faces, and confronting old memories.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a slow-paced, captivating story filled with gorgeous visuals, moving themes, and powerful emotional resonance. It stands out for subverting standard fantasy tropes, opting for a reflective, introspective narrative that thrills audiences through sheer artistry and subtlety. Frieren is a title that has earned recognition and global acclaim.
The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a sharp-witted young woman forced into service in the imperial palace’s Rear Palace. While initially attempting to keep a low profile, her extensive knowledge of medicines and poisons caught the attention of the head eunuch, Jinshi. Maomao then becomes a lady-in-waiting and solves various mysteries around the palace.
The series quickly captured global attention for its unique protagonist and subversion of traditional seinen tropes. With its blend of mystery, political intrigue, and historical drama, The Apothecary Diaries stands out as an engaging title that appeals to a broad audience. The series has the potential to capture greater attention and go on to become a greater cultural phenomenon.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
Pop Step The Crawler and Knuckleduster
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is the spin-off to the modern hit, My Hero Academia. Centering on Koichi Haimawari, the series explores a darker, grittier side of the beloved universe as he, alongside Knuckleduster and Pop Step, fights crime as an illegal vigilante. Operating outside the law, Koichi and his new friends take on challenges that pro heroes don’t normally handle.
The spin-off series is a more grounded take on hero society, filled with compelling characters, unique villains, and eye-catching fight sequences. Vigilantes deserves equal recognition as the original series, and Kohei Horikoshi’s universe is worthy of the same levels of popularity and success that Solo Leveling has achieved.
To Be Hero X
Chinese Anime To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X takes place in a world where hero powers are fueled by public trust, quantified as Trust Values that appear on the inside of one’s wrist. The higher the faith in a hero, the stronger they become. As a result, public perception can determine what a hero’s power is and even alter personality traits, appearances, and agency.
The story follows the top ten heroes, fleshing out their personalities and backgrounds before a major tournament that will determine who will earn the title of X, the strongest hero. To Be Hero X explores heroism in a society that has been commercialized and run by corrupt agencies, as well as the pressure it puts on the heroes themselves.
With its inventive approach to the superhero genre, To Be Hero X stands out as one of the best anime of the year. Along with its groundbreaking interactive feature that allowed fans to vote for their favorite characters and influence the storyline, the anime is easily the most innovative of 2025, deserving of widespread popularity.
Lord of Mysteries
Lord of Mysteries
Lord of Mysteries centers on Zhou Mingrui, a modern Chinese man who transmigrates to a steampunk, Victorian-era world as Klein Moretti. Determined to uncover the mystery surrounding his arrival in the unfamiliar world, he joins a hidden society and becomes a Beyonder, those who gain supernatural abilities after consuming a potion.
The story is known for its intricate worldbuilding, arcane societies, and complex power systems. The Lord of Mysteries' source material is extensive, promising a rich, rewarding story for longtime fans as well as newcomers excited about the series, with several seasons and a film already announced by the production team.
Paired with the series’ stunning, groundbreaking animation, Lord of Mysteries is fully deserving of gaining the same level of popularity as Solo Leveling. As a story with so much to explore and with a powerful, captivating atmosphere, the donghua is one of the most compelling breakout titles of the year.
1217
9.4/10
Solo Leveling
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Animation Action Fantasy Release Date 2024 - 2025-00-00 Network Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV Directors Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki Writers Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
8 Images
Jinwoo smiling in Solo Leveling Season 1
The National Level Hunter Antoine Martinez in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre Origin
Jin-woo from the Solo Leveling anime looking worried and scared. 
Panel of Cha Hae In spin-off webtoon, Hunter Origin Pure Sword Princess Cha Hae In Story released by Solo Leveling: Arise game
Antares from Solo leveling 
The National Level Hunter Christopher Reed in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre Origin
The National Level Hunters Siddharth Bachchan, Thomas Andre and Liu Zhigang looking at Kamish in Solo Leveling ARISE Thomas Andre OriginClose
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Taito Ban
Sung Jin-woo
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Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho
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