The [Fall 2025] Anime Season: Our First Impressions of the 5 Biggest Shows

With about a month of episodes now aired, the conversation is at its peak. The Fall 2025 season is defined by a mix of massive returning shows that must meet huge expectations, and new niche premieres competing to be the breakout hit. This analysis focuses on the 5 series generating the most impact, evaluating how their first episodes stack up against their initial promise.

1. Spy x Family (Season 3)

• Source: Manga (Shonen Jump+)

• Studio: WIT Studio / CloverWorks

• Genre: Comedy, Action, Slice of Life.

• Summary (No Spoilers): The Forger family continues their life of deception. Loid (spy), Yor (assassin), and Anya (telepath) must maintain their secret identities while navigating high society and Loid's missions.

• First Impressions: The production maintains its extremely high standard. The first episodes of Season 3 have begun adapting fan-favorite story arcs, including more development of Loid's personal life and his agency's background. Anya's comedy and Yor's action remain the strong points, and the "mid-century modern" art direction is still flawless.

2. My Hero Academia (Final Season - Season 8)

• Source: Manga (Shonen Jump)

• Studio: BONES

• Genre: Action, Superhero, Drama.

• Summary (No Spoilers): The final battle between the heroes, led by Deku, and the villains, commanded by All For One and Shigaraki, has begun. This season covers the conclusion of the all-out war for the fate of Japan.

• First Impressions: This is the conclusion of an era. Studio BONES is investing a cinematic budget into every episode. The initial battles are intense, and the animation is fluid and high-impact. The opening episodes have established the battlefield and begun to focus on the individual fights of the supporting characters, setting the stage for the main confrontation. The tone is dark and urgent.

3. May I Ask for One Final Thing? (Saigo ni Hitotsu dake...)

• Source: Manga / Light Novel

• Studio: LIDENFILMS

• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Comedy.

• Summary (No Spoilers): The noblewoman Scarlet suffers the public humiliation of having her fiancé, Prince Kyle, break their engagement. Falsely accused, Scarlet asks for "one final thing": the chance to use her knuckles to "speak" with everyone involved.

• First Impressions: This series has been the action-comedy surprise of the season. Viewers expected a "villainess" drama but have instead received an action series where the protagonist solves conflicts with overwhelming physical force. The fight animation is satisfying, and the humor comes from the juxtaposition of her noble appearance with her direct violence.

4. This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Watashi o Tabetai, Hitodenashi)

• Source: Manga (Yuri)

• Studio: Studio Lings

• Genre: Supernatural, Drama, Yuri, Horror.

• Summary (No Spoilers): Hinako, a high school girl who wishes for death, meets Shiori, a mermaid who feeds on humans. Shiori promises to protect Hinako from other monsters until she is at her "most delicious point" to devour her herself.

• First Impressions: This series has stood out for its dense atmosphere and melancholic tone. It is not an action-horror, but a psychological and supernatural drama. The art direction uses a desaturated color palette. The relationship between the two female protagonists is the core of the series, and the first episodes have successfully established the tension of their unusual pact.

5. Sanda

• Source: Manga (by Paru Itagaki, author of Beastars)

• Studio: Science SARU

• Genre: Mystery, Drama, School, Supernatural.

• Summary (No Spoilers): In a future where the birth rate has dropped dramatically, children are extremely valuable. Sanda, a normal student, discovers a secret about his lineage that connects him to Santa Claus—but a much darker and more powerful version of the legend.

• First Impressions: From the creator of Beastars, this series shares its unique aesthetic and its focus on complex social themes (in this case, childhood and expectations). Studio Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby) uses its fluid and expressive animation style to bring the transformations and the world to life. The first episodes are intriguing and bizarre, establishing a compelling central mystery.

Conclusion

The Fall 2025 season is marked by the return of two giants (Spy x Family and My Hero Academia), which are both living up to the high expectations. However, the new premieres like May I Ask..., This Monster Wants to Eat Me, and Sanda are offering compelling niche stories with high-quality production, ensuring there is a standout series for every type of viewer.