There is nothing quite like the “power of nakama” in friendship anime. While 2025 has brought us incredible action sequences and mind-bending magic systems, the true heart of this year’s lineup lies in the unforgettable bonds formed between characters. Whether it is the quiet, blossoming acceptance between two students from rival high schools, the unbreakable scientific collaboration needed to save humanity, or the chaotic hilarity of an unexpected harem party, this year’s schedule is stacked with stories about connection.
If you are looking for series that celebrate camaraderie, trust, and the chosen families we find along the way, you have come to the right place. Here is our ranked list of the top 10 friendship and bonding anime of 2025 that will warm your heart and keep you glued to the screen.
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
“The world on the other side of the curtain has nothing to do with me.”
Chidori High is a bottom-tier boys’ school filled with delinquents, despised by the students of the adjacent, prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High. The curtains between the two schools are always drawn; no one has ever seen the inside of a classroom across the divide. Rintaro Tsumugi, a student at Chidori, is constantly avoided because his fierce appearance terrifies people, leading him to distance himself from others.
One day, while helping at his family’s cake shop, he meets a customer named Kaoruko.
“I never once thought you were scary, Rintaro-kun.”
Rintaro begins to feel comfortable with Kaoruko, who treats him without prejudice, though he remains bewildered by her kindness. However, he soon discovers she is a student at Kikyo. This is a vibrant school story of two people, “close yet far apart,” weaving a colorful tale of youth.
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability Season 2 (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
In the world of magic, lineage, talent, and effort define everything. An ordinary sorcerer who deeply loved magic—but was blessed with neither bloodline nor talent—died a tragic death. On the verge of passing, he wished fervently to have mastered and learned more. He reawakens as Lloyd, the seventh prince of the Kingdom of Saloum, possessing a powerful magical bloodline.
Retaining his past memories and now armed with the perfect lineage and talent he lacked in his previous life, Lloyd enjoys an unparalleled life of “mastering magic at his own pace,” fueled by the ambitions of his former self.
Following their victory against Guisarme in the Lordost territory, Lloyd’s thirst for magical knowledge remains unquenchable. His next target? Holy Magic. To learn it, Lloyd and his companions visit the church, but complications await. The isekai magic battle fantasy, with over 7 million copies in print, finally enters the new “Church Arc”!
Ugly Mug Epic Fighter (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
Shigeru Yoshioka (34) became distrustful of women after being falsely convicted of a crime. Having lost everything, he wastes his days as an unemployed shut-in. One day, he stumbles upon a method to travel to another world. When he tries it, a strange screen appears on his PC—a status screen determining his abilities in this new world.
By sacrificing his looks entirely, Shigeru acquires parameters totaling 100 trillion and 5,100. Thus begins his second life as an “Absolute God.”
Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE Part 2 (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
After a fierce battle on Treasure Island, Senku and his friends return safely to the Kingdom of Science. Using the petrification device they secured, they successfully revive Tsukasa from cold sleep, welcoming him as a true ally. Having pinpointed that the mastermind behind humanity’s petrification, “Whyman,” is on the moon, the group launches a massive project to build a spaceship from scratch in this stone world.
To gather the necessary materials from across the globe, they set sail on the ship Perseus. Their first destination is the American continent, where they seek vast quantities of corn—the raw material for the revival fluid. Courage, unity, and scientific power will be tested as a threat capable of shaking their foundation awaits them at the end of this grand voyage.
Finally, Senku’s adventure moves toward the world stage and into space. To save humanity’s future, Senku and his friends carve out a path of science with everything they have!
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
Sparked by a chance encounter, Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo have deepened their bond through cosplay. There are still countless costumes they want to create and cosplays they want to attempt. Through interactions with classmates and meetings with new cosplay friends, Marin and Wakana’s world continues to expand.
Will there be any progress in the love life of Marin, whose heart won’t stop racing for Wakana? Based on the hit manga by Shinichi Fukuda (serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan & Manga UP!), this series is once again animated by CloverWorks. A world expanded by cosplay, a self rediscovered—Marin and Gojo’s “Cos-kyun” story continues!
Detectives These Days… (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
There was once a great detective who built a glorious track record and enjoyed unrivaled fame. He solved every case instantly; no mystery was unsolvable for the high school detective, Keiichiro Nagumo!
…But that was over ten years ago. Now, he suffers from back pain, presbyopia, and sensitive teeth. Smartphones? High school girls (JK)? He has no clue. The once-shining high school detective has become an uncle left behind by the times.
“My talent hasn’t withered—I’ve just lost a little bit of my youth.”
One day, a high school girl named Mashiro, bursting with youth, forces her way into the Nagumo Detective Agency, demanding to become his assistant. It seems she aims to be a detective herself…? The heart-pounding (literally, from palpitations) daily life of an old-school detective and a unique (self-proclaimed) beautiful JK assistant begins now!
The Fainting Hero and the Assassin Princess (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
The Hero Toto possesses great strength but suffers from extreme social anxiety, leaving him unable to form a party and stuck in the starting town. Suddenly, three beautiful women—Ciel, Anemone, and Gore—invite him to join their party!
Toto is motivated by this long-awaited journey, but the women are filled with motivation of a different kind: they intend to kill him. This is a harem death-love-comedy featuring a hero so shy he faints at the slightest heart-flutter, and three women targeting his life for their own agendas!
Utagoe wa Mille-Feuille (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
Uta Komaki, a first-year high school student.
Things she’s bad at: almost everything.
Thing she loves: singing.
Aiming for an ordinary youth, she attempts a “high school debut” by joining the light music club, but her timid personality leads to a massive failure. In her despair, Uta encounters “A cappella”—music created solely by the human voice. This is the clumsy youth of girls who can only connect by layering their singing voices.
—Even if it doesn’t shine, it’s still youth.
SAKAMOTO DAYS (TV Friendship Anime)
Winter 2025 Anime
Synopsis
There was once the ultimate hitman. His name was Taro Sakamoto. Feared by every villain and admired by every assassin, he was a legend. But one day, he fell in love.
Sakamoto fell for Aoi, a convenience store clerk, at first sight and promptly retired. He married, had a daughter, and began running a quiet local shop. Now, Sakamoto has changed so much he retains no trace of his former self… he has gotten fat!!
To protect the peaceful daily life of his beloved family, the former legendary hitman challenges the waves of assassins closing in on him. A solid “Daily Life x Non-Daily Life” action story opens here!
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 (TV Friendship Anime)
Summer 2025 Anime
Synopsis
Preparing for the battle against the “Phoenix,” one of the Four Spirit Beasts whose resurrection is imminent, the Shield Hero Naofumi Iwatani confronted the three other heroes to unite their powers, eventually reaching a reconciliation. However, due to a misunderstanding, Raphtalia is recognized as having the intent to succeed the throne… and her life is targeted by assassins from the nation of Q’ten Lo.
To settle matters with Q’ten Lo, Naofumi visits Siltvelt, the nation of demi-humans and the only place with a connecting ship. He receives a passionate welcome from the demi-humans who worship the Shield Hero, but Siltvelt is not monolithic; some do not welcome Naofumi’s party. Meanwhile, Q’ten Lo suffers from political instability, and Raphtalia is being hailed as a symbol of revolution. In a situation descending into chaos, will Naofumi become the light that guides his companions?
From the high-stakes political alliances in The Rising of the Shield Hero to the gentle, harmonious youth of Utagoe wa Mille-Feuille, the anime of 2025 prove that no hero makes it to the end alone. Whether you are in the mood for a slice-of-life romance that bridges social divides or a high-octane fantasy adventure, this list has a squad for everyone. Now it’s your turn to decide! Which of these dynamic duos or teams is your favorite? Did we miss a hidden gem from the Summer or Winter 2025 season? Drop a comment below and let us know which anime bond resonated with you the most!
Latest Article: ‘Oblivion Battery’ Season 2 Confirmed for 2027; Visuals Revealed and ‘Oblivion Event Project’ Launched
