The year 2025 has proven to be extraordinary for anime fans. Since the start of the year, viewers have enjoyed amazing titles like Solo Leveling and The Apothecary Diaries, followed by My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Lord of Mysteries, and Dandadan.
While shonen anime usually dominates due to its sheer volume, 2025 has seen the impressive return of not one but two outstanding seinen series: Kingdom and Grand Blue.
Kingdom Stands Out as the Best Seinen Anime of 2025
Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom returned with its sixth season in October 2025. Fans had waited years to see the next chapter of Xin’s adventures.
Seinen series typically don’t attract as large an audience as shonen, but Kingdom is a notable exception. It would be unfair to say Kingdom isn’t popular, especially since its manga has sold over 100 million copies. With such a massive fanbase, it’s no surprise Kingdom quickly became one of the most talked-about anime on social media.
Season 6 focuses on the Bureaucrats Job Arc and the Western Zhao Invasion Arc. The new season has been a major hit, with fans praising Studio Signpost’s efforts. Although the season is still ongoing, there’s no doubt the quality will remain consistent throughout.
Alongside Kingdom, Grand Blue is also a strong contender for best seinen anime. This series made its return after more than five years away. Unlike Kingdom, Grand Blue leans heavily into comedy. However, it’s not just mindless fun. The show also explores important real-life themes like friendship and hardship.
Classic Seinen Titles Deserve Studio Revivals
While shonen anime has long dominated the industry, seinen titles are much harder to market. Still, demand for high-quality seinen series is growing. If a seinen revolution happens, many titles could get a fresh chance. Among them, Kentaro Miura’s Berserk stands out as the series with the greatest potential to benefit.
Most agree the only truly respected Berserk adaptation is the 1997 version produced by OLM Team Iguchi. That anime captured the story’s essence and kept viewers hooked. In 2016, several studios tried to create a new adaptation to reignite fan interest. Unfortunately, excessive CGI use turned fans away.
Currently, there’s no news of any studio attempting another Berserk adaptation, which is disappointing. The manga is beloved worldwide and ranks as the highest-rated series on MyAnimeList, surpassing One Piece, Steel Ball Run, and Hunter x Hunter. Given Berserk’s popularity, it’s a shame studios like MAPPA or Madhouse haven’t stepped up for a remake.
Tokyo Ghoul is another seinen title that suffered from studio missteps. The first two seasons were solid, but things declined afterward. The studio skipped many key moments without clear reasons, killing the series’ momentum. Fans are still waiting for news of a Tokyo Ghoul remake. Sadly, Studio Pierrot has shown no signs of planning one.