As winter’s chill recedes and spring’s warmth begins to bloom, we at Geekdome have cherry-picked some winter 2025 anime that stand out from the recently concluded season. This quarterly tradition allows us to reflect on anime that resonated most with us. As always, this isn’t a rigid ranking rather a collection of personal opinions shared for the pure enjoyment of anime discussion.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the anime that the Geekdome team particularly enjoyed this past winter anime season 2025
Table of Contents
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
For me, calling Orb a masterpiece might even feel like an understatement. It stood as a monumental achievement in writing within the contemporary anime landscape. This is a series I envision revisiting frequently, using it as a prime example in arguments emphasizing that exceptional writing will always triumph over even the most dazzling animation.
Orb was a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together constant twists, subtle yet pervasive symbolism, and dialogue so sharp and insightful that it often warranted an immediate rewind to fully appreciate its brilliance. All these elements were seamlessly integrated into a magnificent narrative that, without a doubt, stands as my frontrunner for Anime of the Year. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth – it’s truly in a league of its own.
Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast
Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast took a bold departure from typical girls’ band narratives by incorporating compelling horror elements. With layers of secrets shrouding its cast, the series masterfully kept you guessing about who to trust and the sincerity of their emotions.
This created an atmosphere of intense drama, punctuated by shocking twists and moments that genuinely made you question if this was still part of the BanG Dream! universe. As a sequel to MyGO!!!!!, this anime skillfully navigated the intertwined stories of ten girls in an unconventional and captivating manner, culminating in a conclusion that felt distinctly BanG Dream!.
Successfully executing such a complex narrative was no small feat, and the series ultimately ended on a resounding high note. It has unequivocally become my favorite girls’ band anime, and Ave Mujica has solidified their place as my favorite girl band. I’m eagerly anticipating where their musical journey takes them next.
Sorairo Utility & Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister
One of my most cherished feelings in anime is the unique blend of sheer delight, comfort, entertainment, and affection I experienced when first watching D-Frag. It’s a feeling that, until now, nothing had quite managed to replicate. However, within mere minutes of the first episode of Sorairo Utility, I knew I had finally caught that elusive dragon.
For me, this series embodies what anime is at its core – pure escapism at its finest. It never failed to elicit genuine laughter; I eagerly awaited each new episode and found myself enthusiastically praising Minami’s kawaii-ness to anyone within earshot.
As for the continuing anime from the Winter 2025 season, Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister surpassed my expectations in its second half. It was already a personal favorite from the previous season, but with its supernatural plotlines taking center stage, it gripped me even further. It’s genuinely difficult for a series to instill a sense of unease in me.
By my own admission, I tend to be quite apathetic, but when I witnessed Shirahi’s emotional breaking point, it genuinely affected me to the point of sleepless nights. Some franchises can produce years of content and never come close to the raw power of Shirahi’s scenes.
Also check: Best Adult Manga to read this year
The Apothecary Diaries & Sakamoto Days
If JP gets to pick two favorites for this Winter 2025 anime season, then I’m happily joining in! Naturally, my heart belongs to The Apothecary Diaries Season 2. I simply cannot commend the series’ production enough. It’s iconic, memorable, and delivers an entertaining blend of compelling character interactions, comedic moments, and the most intriguing and thrilling developments of the season thus far.
The deliberate pacing of this “laying the groundwork” can be a tad frustrating, but the sheer excitement of watching Maomao and Jinshi unravel the palace’s mysteries (and the frog incident!) makes it all entirely worthwhile.
Meanwhile, SAKAMOTO DAYS was simply a joy to watch. It was straightforward, silly, cozy, and consistently entertaining. While there were moments as a manga fan where I felt underwhelmed or slightly disappointed with the adaptation, the anime’s maintained art style and pacing eventually won me over.
The characters are incredibly memorable, from Shin’s esper abilities and Lu’s chaotic energy to Seba and Nagumo’s undeniable charm, Osaragi’s elegance, the Heisuke and Piisuke duo, and the countless surprising ways Sakamoto overpowers his adversaries. It’s undeniably hard-boiled, and I’m eagerly anticipating Cour 2!
I May Be A Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
I May Be A Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time was precisely the kind of anime I had been longing for. While the fantasy genre is abundant each season, we almost always follow adventurers, guild leaders, or mysterious newcomers. Guild receptionists, often relegated to minor roles, rarely take center stage.
Alina’s personality was exactly what I desired for a main character in this setting, and she was incredibly fun to watch. While her “waifu” appeal was a significant reason for my weekly return, the series also cleverly wove in intriguing mysteries that kept me coming back for more. The fantasy genre in anime often needs a refreshing shake-up, and this show undoubtedly provided that.
Check the Best anime list on MyAnimeList
