What’s Your Favorite Original Anime? 3rd Place: `Uchuu yori mo Tooi Basho`, 2nd Place: `Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi`, 1st Place is… <2025 Edition>

Anime! Anime! conducted a reader survey titled “What’s Your Favorite Original Anime?” We now present the results.

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2025.10.13 Mon 18:30

While many anime are adapted from manga, novels, and games, original anime created from scratch possess a uniquely distinct appeal.

Even in 2025, a diverse array of original works are being produced, such as `Maebashi Witchiizu`, `Apokaripusu Hoteru`, and `Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi`. The allure of original anime lies in stories whose conclusions are impossible to predict, characters that truly come alive and shine brighter with each episode, and immersive visuals and music that allow you to fully dive into their worlds. Many fans have likely been deeply moved by the fresh encounters and delightful surprises that only an original creation can offer.

Anime! Anime! thus conducted a reader survey titled “What’s Your Favorite Original Anime?” We received responses from 325 individuals during the survey period from August 8th to August 14th. The gender ratio was approximately 45 percent male and 55 percent female, indicating a slightly higher participation from women. Regarding age groups, approximately 40 percent were 19 years old or younger, while those in their 20s and 30s each accounted for roughly 15 percent.

From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits: The Rankings Are In!

1st Place

1st place goes to `Rikorisu Rikoiru`. Its support rate was approximately 10 percent.

`Rikorisu Rikoiru` is a gun-action anime that portrays the covert activities of agents known as “Lycoris,” who belong to a secret organization. It aired from July to September 2022.

Readers praised it, saying things like, “The teaser visual made it look like a slice-of-life anime set in a coffee shop, but I was surprised to find it was a full-fledged action series where girls fight for peace with guns in hand. The protagonist, Chisato, was incredibly cool as she read bullet trajectories and dodged them at the last second.” and “The banter between Chisato, the strongest Lycoris in history, and Takina, who is skilled but a troublemaker, is simply the best,” highlighting the highly praised action and sense of companionship between the two.

This year, the short anime `Rikorisu Rikoiru: Friends are thieves of time.` was distributed. “The lively interactions at Café LycoReco, a branch disguised as a coffee shop, contrasted with the Lycoris’ willingness to kill during missions, made for a thought-provoking series. I was delighted to see so many glimpses of Chisato and her companions’ true selves in the latest work,” commented one fan, appreciating the episodes that depicted their daily lives.

2nd Place

2nd place goes to `Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi`. Its support rate was approximately 5 percent.

`Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi` is a heartwarming comedy where five female university students enjoy delicious meals. This title aired from April to June 2025.

Fans commented, “The dishes that appear are so incredibly appetizing; they really stimulate my hunger! It’s not just about gourmet food; it’s also filled with the vibrancy of youth through club activities, making me long for a campus life.” and “The gap between what seems like an ordinary daily life and the occasional wild developments is very entertaining. And the sheer number of dishes that hit you right in the stomach is irresistible. It was the anime I felt the most ‘loss’ for last season,” with some readers even hoping for a sequel.

3rd Place

3rd place goes to `Uchuu yori mo Tooi Basho`. Its support rate was approximately 4 percent.

`Uchuu yori mo Tooi Basho` is a coming-of-age story about high school girls who aim for Antarctica from Japan. It aired from January to March 2018.

Readers shared their thoughts, with one saying, “The coming-of-age drama of the four main characters was brilliantly concluded within just 13 episodes, making me marvel at the script’s ingenuity. The stunning visuals of Antarctica, combined with the performances of Minase Inori-san, Hanazawa Kana-san, Iguchi Yuka-san, and Hayami Saori-san, created a truly unique work. I couldn’t stop crying at the end.” Another fan commented, “I was deeply moved by the way the characters, each carrying their own worries, forged bonds and confronted their pasts. It taught me the importance of holding onto one’s beliefs,” conveying how they were encouraged by these girls challenging such a grand goal.

Introducing Other Comments!

For `Zonbi Rando Saga`: “This series started broadcasting with pre-release information kept under wraps, and I was genuinely surprised by the combination of zombies and cute idol girls! Besides the live scenes, the local gags from Saga Prefecture were also plentiful, making me want to visit the actual locations.”

For `Apokaripusu Hoteru`: “This is a sci-fi series set in a Ginza hotel after civilization has collapsed. With its warm character designs by original creator Takemoto Izumi-sensei, its sense of wonder-filled self-contained episode structure, and homages to classic works, it was a show that kept me entertained every week.”

For `Kodo Giasu Hangyaku no Rurushu`: “Rurushu’s psychological warfare and dynamic mech action are simply superb. The unpredictable developments, unique to an original series, kept me on the edge of my seat with constant thrills and excitement. Crying profusely during the final episode is also a fond memory.”

For `Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magika`: “Urobuchi Gen-san and Shaft’s original world-building and story are truly shocking. It’s a masterpiece filled with expressions only possible in an original work, such as the witch’s labyrinth designs that look like they’ve leaped out of a picture book!” There were also votes for this title, which has a new movie scheduled for release in February 2026.

In this survey, a wide variety of titles from the 1990s to the 2020s ranked. With a younger demographic among the voters, works from the 2020s and titles that have recently seen new developments stood out prominently in the top ranks. Please also check out the Top 20 on the next page.

Top 10 Rankings

[Favorite Original Anime?]
1st Place: `Rikorisu Rikoiru`
2nd Place: `Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi`
3rd Place: `Uchuu yori mo Tooi Basho`
4th Place: `Kizuna no Ariru`
4th Place: `Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magika`
6th Place: `Zenshu.`
7th Place: `LAZARUS Razaro`
8th Place: `PSYCHO-PASS Saiko Pasu`
8th Place: `Shin Seiki Evangerion`
10th Place: `Kodo Giasu Hangyaku no Rurushu`
10th Place: `Yuri!!! on ICE`
10th Place: `Rabu Raibu! Supa Suta!!`

(Response period: August 8th to August 14th, 2025)

Next page: Top 20 rankings revealed

By Takahashi Katsunori