Tears at the End… The Hero’s Story That Took First Place
2025 was a year where numerous manga originals were adapted into anime. From works you’ve been reading since the original, to series you discovered thanks to the anime, or titles you got hooked on after friends recommended them—there must be plenty of manga that left a deep impression, right?
At Anime! Anime!, we conducted our annual end-of-year anime survey. Titled “What manga did you get most hooked on in 2025?”, the questionnaire gathered 212 responses during the period from December 12 to December 18.
The gender ratio was 22% male, 52% female, and 26% no response. The age group with the most voters was up to 19 years old at 43.9%, followed by 45-49 at 5.7%, and 40-44 at 4.7%.
First Place
Taking first place was 『Boku no Hero Academia』 (also known as My Hero Academia). The support rate was 4.2%.
The TV anime finale aired on Saturday, December 13, 2025, bringing down the curtain on a story that spanned about 9 years and 8 months. Many comments noted that they read the original because of the anime, such as: “I got totally hooked because the final season was airing too,” and “A friend recommended it, so I started watching the anime in June, but I got so into it that I ended up going to the original art exhibition and collaboration cafes, and buying goods.”
Also, it seems that as the anime approached its conclusion, it became a topic on social media, with comments like: “At first, I only listened half-heartedly, but after seeing it on TikTok and elsewhere, I got hooked and then some.”
Boku no Hero Academia The Animation 10th Anniversary visual
Furthermore, many voices expressed gratitude for encountering the series, regardless of being long-time or new fans: “Thanks to meeting it this year, it gave me the courage to decide my career path,” and “I’m so glad I found Boku no Hero Academia!! I especially love Deku-kun and Kacchan.”
Second Place
Second place went to 『Kusuriya no Hitorigoto』 (which can be translated as The Apothecary Diaries). The support rate was 3.8%.
This work garnered support from fans across a wide age range, from teens to those in their 60s. Many praised the mix of various elements: “It’s really interesting because it blends romance comedy, mystery, and pharmacy without falling into predictable patterns. The anime adaptation breathed life into it, making it even more thrilling.” “I got absorbed because it has mystery and romance.”
The anime, which started airing in 2023, has been confirmed for a third season. With a theatrical version and a live-action film also scheduled for release, the number of comic readers is likely to increase.
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Season 3 & Theatrical Version super teaser visual
Third Place
Third place was 『Bungou Stray Dogs』. The support rate was 3.3%.
Although this series has been serialized in “Young Ace” since 2013 and the anime aired since 2016—making it about a decade old—comments like “A friend told me about it and I got hooked” and “A friend evangelized it to me and I started reading” were common, suggesting it spread through word-of-mouth from existing fans.
Bungou Stray Dogs comic volume 1 cover © 2016 Asagiri Kafka, Harukawa35/KADOKAWA/Bungou Stray Dogs Production Committee © 2017 Asagiri Kafka, Harukawa35 Published by KADOKAWA Corporation
Additionally, many said that Bungou Stray Dogs sparked an interest in literature: “I watched it to overcome my dislike of Japanese language class and got hooked,” “Watching it made me interested in literary masters and it became fun,” and “Thanks to watching Bungou Stray Dogs, I became interested in books!”
Moreover, many comments highlighted being captivated by the characters: “I plunged into the swamp for a certain character and can’t get out. Since there aren’t many goods for that character, I buy them immediately if I find them in pin badge lineups. Luckily, I’ve managed to pull that character in almost all random goods, so I’m thrilled.” “The characters are wonderful. I got absorbed, completely hooked,” “It’s a genre like no other, and each character is very charming.”
Introducing Other Comments!
Seven works tied for 9th place. Fans who voted for 『Uma Musume Cinderella Gray』 commented: “Because it’s a manga that makes real events easy to understand,” “I’m a 61-year-old who loves horse racing. It’s so nostalgic it makes me cry,” “The way it depicts the actual race developments almost identically is amazing, I thought.” As a work that personifies racehorses and tells the story of Oguri Cap, who captivated many, it’s clear that it’s supported by actual horse racing fans as well.
Tied for 16th place was Yamayama’s 『Karaoke Iko!』. Many voters said: “After seeing it air on TV, I noticed the manga at the book sales area, and when I read it, it was fun in a different way from the TV version,” “After watching Karaoke Iko! in the anime,” indicating that they read the original after the live-action film released in 2024 and the TV anime aired in 2025.
Also, from a woman in her 70s: “The relationship between Kyouji and Satomi-kun is exquisite!! I got hooked on the anime and ended up buying the comics all the way to the sequel ‘Famiresu Iko.'”
Summer anime Karaoke Iko! key visual
Although they didn’t make the top 20, some fans voted for classics like 『Slam Dunk』 and 『Berusaiyu no Bara』 (The Rose of Versailles). 『Slam Dunk』, which started its first e-book distribution on June 2, 2025, received a surprised voice from a teenage male: “Because it left such an impression that a sports manga could be that interesting.”
Also, for the masterpiece often called a pinnacle of shojo manga, 『Berusaiyu no Bara』, comments included: “After watching the movie, I was so curious about the story that I couldn’t help it… I never thought I’d get so hooked after finishing all volumes that I’d want to draw pictures or make plushies,” and “After viewing the theatrical anime ‘Berusaiyu no Bara,’ I became enamored with the world of ‘Berusaiyu no Bara’ and reread the original manga. It’s a masterpiece from over 50 years ago, but I want young people today to read it too!!” This shows that many read the original after the theatrical anime released in January 2025.
Theatrical anime Berusaiyu no Bara key visual © Ikeda Riyoko Production / Berusaiyu no Bara Production Committee
Other particularly passionate comments were picked up. From a reader of Numashun’s 『Samon-kun wa Summoner』, serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump”: “Since it was unexpectedly announced that Chousen! Choujou-senpai would be adapted into anime, I reread Samon-kun wa Summoner, which I was hooked on before, and it’s still interesting. The protagonist gets trash-talked but is super cool when he acts, and all the characters are cute, cool, and fun. I want to see it on TV~~” With the anime 『Chousen! Choujou-senpai』 starting in 2026, demand for the previous work might increase.
Comments also arrived from readers of 『Sid Craft no Saishuu Suiri』, serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump” until June 2025: “I read it because it’s the latest work by Tsutsui Taishi-sensei of ‘BokuBen.’ It’s a mystery mixed with romance comedy, the heroines are charming, and it was fun!! Unfortunately, the serialization ended, but I’m waiting while hoping for an anime adaptation!!”
Moreover, from a reader (male in his 40s) of the webtoon 『Omotome Itadaita Boutei Heika no Akujo desu』, exclusively distributed on “Piccoma”: “At first glance, it seems like a common reincarnation and overpowered story, but the protagonist burning with revenge overwhelmingly breaks down barriers one after another, making the story refreshing to read. Also, she gives ample rewards to those who should be allies, and instead of flattering those in power, she disarms them with her own value and charm, which draws you in. I thought the shojo manga-style art might be off-putting, but I was overwhelmed by the story and now look forward to the next update.” This shows they got hooked on the gap between appearance and content. Webtoon works are likely to remain popular in the coming years.
For reference, you can check the official X (formerly Twitter) account for 『Omotome Itadaita Boutei Heika no Akujo desu』: X post
From a reader of 『Kaika Apartment』, which depicts human drama and strange incidents in a Western-style apartment set in the late Taisho period: “I was drawn by the cover and before I knew it, I bought all three volumes at once. Volume 1 is a story enjoyable as standalone episodes including character introductions. From Volume 2, it delves deeper, and everything hit me hard. It’s amazing. And above all, the black fills are fantastic!!!!!!!! The cover doesn’t lie!!!!!!!! This is definitely something you should buy and read in paper!!!!!!!! It’s wonderful through and through!!!!!!!!!” On social media, many praise the exquisite combination of beautiful art and a mysterious worldview, making it a work likely to gain attention.
Manga titles that had anime adaptations or theatrical/live-action versions produced were popular in 2025. Although the vote counts were low, the passionate messages from readers reveal that many works have core fan bases.
In 2026, you might find your heart captured by works you stumble upon on social media or in bookstores. What stories and characters will you encounter… It’s something to look forward to!
Announcing the Top 10 Rankings!
【What manga did you get most hooked on in 2025?】
1st: 『Boku no Hero Academia』
2nd: 『Kusuriya no Hitorigoto』
3rd: 『Bungou Stray Dogs』
4th: 『WIND BREAKER』 (tie)
4th: 『Haikyuu!!』 (tie)
4th: 『Kimetsu no Yaiba』 (tie)
7th: 『Gintama』 (tie)
7th: 『Tougen Anki』 (tie)
9th: 『Witch Watch』 (tie)
9th: 『Uma Musume Cinderella Gray』 (tie)
9th: 『Hyakuemu.』 (tie)
9th: 『Blue Lock』 (tie)
9th: 『Kaijuu 8-gou』 (tie)
9th: 『Jujutsu Kaisen』 (tie)
9th: 『Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun』 (tie)
※This survey is part of our readers’ awareness survey regarding “current interest and attention in anime works and characters.” The results are not intended to determine superiority or inferiority of any character or work. We hope this article can serve as an opportunity to learn about new works and characters, and to deepen understanding and interest.
By Hori Megumi
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