Throughout the year, a constant stream of fresh and returning anime series graces our screens. Yet, autumn consistently delivers the most eagerly awaited and exhilarating content. This may be attributed to the enduring prevalence of network television premieres in Japan, even amidst the rise of streaming behemoths like Netflix and Crunchyroll. In the coming months, anticipate a surge of captivating new anime releases.
Leading the charge of returning favorites is My Hero Academia, presenting its climactic final season. After a long hiatus, One-Punch Man finally makes its comeback with season 3, ending a six-year wait that fans have endured with great anticipation. Another prominent series is Spy x Family season 3, giving audiences more of the beloved Anya Forger.
The 2025 fall anime season offers a wealth of fresh material. A noteworthy inclusion is Star Wars: Visions volume 3. This Disney Plus offering features episodes crafted by a lineup of distinguished Japanese animation studios, warranting its inclusion on our list. However, traditionalists may prefer Sanda, a new series adapted from the manga penned by Paru Itagaki, creator of Beastars. Animation duties are handled by Science Saru, the studio renowned for its recent work on Dan Da Dan.
Here’s a list of the top 20 most anticipated anime shows and films arriving this fall. The selection was carefully curated by Polygon’s team of anime-loving editors and writers.
My Hero Academia Final Season (Oct. 4 on Crunchyroll)
As a devoted follower of anime, I freely admit that I was moved to tears while reading the conclusion of Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia manga. I anticipate a similar emotional experience while viewing the anime adaptation. Arguably one of the standout shonen series of the past decade, MHA incorporates compelling action, humor, drama, superpower battles, character evolution, and profoundly moving moments. This final season culminates in Deku’s ultimate showdown with Shigaraki, the most formidable villain.
Though manga readers are familiar with the ending, Studio BONES’ excellent adaptation makes it worthwhile to see Horikoshi’s vision realized on screen. —Francesco Cacciatore
One-Punch Man season 3 (October on Crunchyroll in Europe; US platform still unconfirmed)
The eagerly awaited Season 3 of the One-Punch Man anime faces considerable expectations. Following a six-year hiatus, Season 2 was met with widespread disappointment due to its perceived decline in quality attributed to the studio transition from Madhouse to J.C. Staff. With the original studio returning for Season 3, every scene will undergo intense scrutiny.
Fans can anticipate abundant action as this installment adapts ONE and Yusuke Murata’s manga. Season 3 will spotlight the Hero Association’s full-scale assault on the Monster Association, giving each S-Class hero a chance to shine. Meanwhile, Saitama is set to encounter Garou, Bang’s renegade pupil and the Hero Hunter. In his characteristic manner, Saitama will effortlessly vanquish powerful opponents, remaining largely unaware of the gravity of his actions. —FC
Spy x Family season 3 (October on Crunchyroll)
Eager for more Anya? A negative response may lead to unwanted attention from Ostania’s secret police. A positive answer ensures an exciting October as the Forger family returns in the third season of the anime. Produced by WIT Studios and CloverWorks, it’s based on Tatsuya Endo’s acclaimed manga, blending comedy, action, romance.
In Spy x Family, Twilight, a Westalis super-spy, must construct a fictitious family under the alias Loid Forger within Ostania. His mission: infiltrate the inner circle of Donovan Desmond, a dangerous former prime minister. Unbeknownst to him, Anya, the adopted child, possesses telepathic abilities. Yor, the woman he marries, is Ostania’s deadliest assassin, the Thorn Princess. The season offers a peek into Loid’s past, illustrating the series’ capacity to seamlessly integrate humor with the sobering reality of war. —FC
Ranma 1/2 (2024) season 2 (October on Netflix)
Rebooting a beloved series is a difficult task. However, the 2024 revival of Ranma 1/2 stands as a rare success story. This revamped version of the classic anime, based on Rumiko Takahashi’s manga, offers updated visuals and subtle yet significant story alterations. Season 2 promises more mayhem, wild martial-arts combats, and eccentric characters disrupting Ranma and Akane’s complicated romance.
Ranma, the heir to the Saotome martial arts lineage, inadvertently fell into a bewitched spring during training with his father in China. Now, exposure to cold water triggers a transformation into a female. Further complications arise upon returning to Japan, where he discovers an arranged engagement to Akane, the Tendo school’s successor. MAPPA returns to animate this season, introducing Mousse, Ukyo, Cologne, Hikaru, and the infamous Happosai. The update of the panty-stealing pervert and his adherence to contemporary sensibilities will be noteworthy, but the trailer hints at his continuation of his usual antics. —FC
Kingdom season 6 (Oct. 4, platform TBD)
Kingdom stands as one of the most exceptional series that many have yet to explore. This historical seinen, set during China’s Warring States era, chronicles the eventual unification of the country. Despite the absence of an English manga license until 2025, causing the series to miss Western popularity unlike similar titles, its relevance remains intact. With over 100 million copies circulating, Kingdom ranks among the best-selling manga of all time. The anime offers a suitable gateway to the 76-volume saga.
Studio Pierrot, renowned for Naruto and Bleach, will produce season 6 of Kingdom. It focuses on the Western Zhao Invasion Arc from the manga, highlighting the Qin and Zhao kingdoms’ first large-scale conflict. It also focuses on Shin’s final confrontation with the mighty Hou Ken. Those who appreciate large-scale battles, courageous narratives, and dramatic developments should not miss this. —FC
Sanda (Oct. 4 on Amazon Prime Video)
Originality in shonen anime can be rare. But Paru Itagaki, the visionary behind Beastars, and daughter of Keisuke Itagaki from Baki the Grappler, introduces a concept in Sanda. Set in a future Japan, strict measures address the declining birth rate. This led to the disappearance of Santa Claus and his legend. One day, Kazushige Sanda, a middle-schooler, realizes he is a descendant of Santa Claus. As such, he possesses Santa’s powers, using them to protect children and revive hope – and Christmas – in Japan.
Adding to the appeal, Sanda is animated by Science Saru, a leading studio with titles like Devilman Crybaby, Dan Da Dan, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. —FC
Star Wars: Visions volume 3 (Oct. 29 on Disney Plus)
The third season of Disney Plus’s anthology series Star Wars: Visions will present nine original anime shorts. They will feature Japanese studios that contributed to volume 1. New contributors include ANIMA, David Production, Polygon Pictures, Project Studio Q, and WIT Studio. This season honors the original anthology’s spirit. It merges new and established anime studios to explore the franchise’s Japanese influences and themes, such as bushido, the feudal era, and the universal qi. This is all while setting the stage for the Old Republic, an era of Star Wars set to break ground. —Isaac Rouse
Disney: Twisted-Wonderland The Animation – Episode of Heartslabyul (Oct. 29 on Disney Plus)
Adapted from Aniplex and Walt Disney Japan’s mobile game, Disney’s Twisted Wonderland focuses on a young man mysteriously transported to a magical academy despite having no powers. Night Raven College, the school, offers dormitories inspired by Disney worlds and is overseen by a magical mirror. This Disney gacha game’s anime adaptation is striking, particularly given its release in March 2020 (North America in 2022). Hopefully, a Kingdom Hearts anime will follow. —IR
Zombie Land Saga Movie: Yumeginga Paradise (Oct. 24 in Japan)
This 2025 MAPPA film follows the story from Zombie Land Saga‘s second season. Idol group Franchouchou becomes ambassadors for the 2025 Saga Expo, but their plans are upset by an alien spaceship attack. Amidst this crisis, the legendary zombie idol Tae Yamada awakens. She leaves the group to defend the prefecture, causing Franchouchou to unite and protect their home. The trailer is bombastic, unsuitable for casual viewers. Catch up on the series first. —IR
This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Oct. 2 on Crunchyroll)
Sai Naekawa’s original work presents a high-school girl with a difficult past. She is living in a sleepy seaside town. The trailer showcases the dreary girl and her dull daily life being disrupted by a cannibalistic mermaid. She is disguised as a woman. The mermaid saves Sai from a monster, but at a cost: protection is temporary, ending once the girl is the “perfect meal.” However, Sai begins to develop feelings for her predator. This haunting vibe suits spooky season. But it teases romance. Only Naekawa and Studio Lings can clarify these suspicions. —IR
The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King (Oct. 2025 on Crunchyroll)
Based on Noriaki Kotoba’s manga, The Barbarian’s Bride, this romantic comedy showcases a barbaric king. He defeats a warrior princess in battle and claims her as a prize. Bracing for torture, the princess is surprised by a marriage proposal. The princess’s blade found true in more ways than one – it was love at first sight for the king.
The princess wants nothing to do with him. Even some of the king’s subjects disapprove. The princess’s resistance falters when the king shaves his beard and suddenly becomes attractive. This series looks like a replacement for My Dress Up Darling. I anticipate watching with my girlfriend upon its premiere. —IR
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity (Sept. 7 on Netflix)
Every season requires a compelling romance to shine. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, delayed in its Western release, serves as the prominent romance for fall.
The show presents a simple high-school coming-of-age love story. Rintarou Tsumugi and Kaoruko Waguri’s relationship develops through understanding and respecting their differences. CloverWorks, with visually exciting shows like The Elusive Samurai, Spy x Family, and Bocchi the Rock!, is behind this romance. —Paulo Kawanishi
Let’s Play (Oct. 2 on Crunchyroll)
Let’s Play tells the story of Sam Young. Rather than a simple tale of young love, the series is about an adult woman who becomes a game developer. Upon releasing her game, she needs to deal with love, romance, and three attractive men. Romance anime with adult protagonists juggling feelings and professional lives is my jam.
Let’s Play adapts the webcomic with millions of readers. It is also the first work by an American woman made into an official anime. Polygon discussed Let’s Play with Leeane M. Krecic (Mongie), the webcomic’s author, earlier this year. —PK
Digimon Beatbreak (Oct. 5, platform TBD)
2025 will be the year of Digimon, with Toei Animation’s new anime sealing its fate. Details are scant about Digimon Beatbreak. Expect compelling scenarios involving humans and Digimon.
Trailers indicate that Beatbreak possesses a somber vibe, distinguishing it from prior installments. The Digimon series has been changing. Especially when interpreting Digimon’s nature and the DigiWorlds’ existence. Digimon Beatbreak seems a promising addition to this evolution. —PK
To Your Eternity season 3 (Oct. 4 on Crunchyroll)
The To Your Eternity trailer hooked me with its premise: an immortal living among humans. An immortal’s view on human life is gripping, presenting a more serious tone than Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. In Season 3, Fushi awakens in the modern age, facing new challenges.
Yoshitoki Ooima, writer of A Silent Voice, makes To Your Eternity mesmerizing. It showcases human kindness and prompts deep conversations on time and significance. Watch the first two seasons on Crunchyroll to prepare for the new saga. —PK
Campfire Cooking in Another World with my Absurd Skill season 2 (October, platform TBD)
Following the end of Delicious in Dungeon’s first season, fans may want another fantasy show with cooking. Campfire Cooking in Another World with my Absurd Skill Season 2 is the perfect replacement.
This isekai series sees the protagonist gaining the ability “Online Supermarket.” This allows him to buy food from Japan after his arrival in another world. This light-hearted, funny series is perfect for relaxing escapism. It can easily be caught up on before Season 2. —PK
3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei (Oct. 6, platform TBD)
Gintama is a beloved anime franchise. Five of the top 15 anime on MyAnimeList are Gintama titles. So 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei is anticipated this fall.
Adapting a light novel spin-off, 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei features the humor that made the main show famous. It sees Gintoki and other characters from the series in a high-school setting. New viewers should consider 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei a perfect gateway into such a classic. —PK
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits Season 2 (October on Crunchyroll)
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits uses the backdrop of cooking and serving tea for a fantastical story. Aoi Tsubaki is taken to the Hidden Realm because of her grandfather’s hundred-million-yen debt with Oodanna.
Scratching the itch left by the lack of a new Kamisama Hajimemashita season, Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits has a binge-worthy story. The first season has 26 episodes, with the second season in October. — PK
Gnosia (October, platform TBD)
Gnosia presents a science fiction story. A crew is trapped with a dangerous being, indistinguishable from humans, which makes identification difficult. While the premise resembles John Carpenter’s 1982 film The Thing, the series is based on a highly-regarded visual novel, with a Metacritic score of 82. Anime hits like Steins;Gate and Clannad were also visual novel adaptations. Consider Gnosia if you want mystery on your watchlist this fall. —PK
Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Koujou-hen (Oct. 10 in Japan)
Golden Kamuy‘s initial season in 2018 detailed Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa’s search for treasure. The show’s Hokkaido setting following the Russo-Japanese war made it instantly appealing. Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Koujou-hen, a two-part movie, releases in Japan in October and will hopefully arrive in the West soon.
Those unfamiliar with Golden Kamuy should not watch this movie. Sapporo Beer Koujou-hen acts as a prologue to the final arc, confirmed after Season 4 and scheduled for next year. For older fans, it is a must-watch, marking the beginning of the end. Check out the previous seasons of the show on Crunchyroll if the premise catches your attention. —PK