“Time Leap” Anime? 3rd place: STEINS;GATE, 2nd place: Summertime Render, 1st place is… (2025 Edition)

Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey, asking: “What comes to mind when you think of ‘Time Leap’ anime?” We are now publishing the results.

October 8th is celebrated as “Eien no Hi” (Eternal Day).

The name comes from a playful Japanese wordplay, combining “towa” (eternal) with the sounds of “to” (10) and “wa” (8).

While eternal life might be beyond our grasp in reality, anime often explores stories where characters freely travel through time. Whether it’s returning to the past to change the present, repeatedly living the same day, or constantly moving back and forth between past and future… countless captivating titles spring to mind.

That’s why Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey, asking: “What comes to mind when you think of ‘Time Leap’ anime?” We received 450 responses during the survey period from September 30th to October 4th.

The gender breakdown was approximately 45% male and 55% female, showing a slight majority of female respondents. Regarding age, about 50% were under 19, with roughly 15% each in their 20s and 30s, indicating a strong focus on younger audiences.

■ Repeated Attempts! Tear-Jerking Masterpieces Dominate the Ranks

1st Place

Taking the top spot is Tokyo Revengers, securing approximately 22% of the votes and maintaining its lead for an impressive five consecutive years!

Tokyo Revengers tells the gripping story of protagonist Hanagaki Takemichi, who time-leaps back to his middle school days, desperately fighting to save his beloved from a tragic fate.

Readers showered the series with praise, with many expressing deep empathy for the protagonist. Comments included: “The blend of delinquent action and sci-fi is absolutely brilliant! Takemichi might be weak in a fight, but his unwavering determination never to give up gave me so much courage. The unique mechanic of returning to the past with a handshake is truly memorable.” Another fan shared, “He’s a crybaby hero who repeatedly ‘revenges’ the past to save his girlfriend Hinata and his companions from the Tokyo Manji-kai! I found myself cheering him on, eagerly watching as the future slowly changed with each jump.” Fans can look forward to the new “Santen Sensou-hen” (Three Deities Arc) which is slated to air in 2026.

2nd Place

Coming in at 2nd place is Summertime Render, with 13% of the votes, moving up from 3rd place last year.

Summertime Render is a sci-fi suspense story where Ajiro Shinpei returns to his hometown, Hitogashima, after the death of his childhood friend, only to confront strange phenomena. Readers lauded its intense plot and stunning visuals, commenting: “It masterfully weaves together time-leaping, suspense, horror, and battle elements. The exhilarating feeling of seeing all the carefully laid out plot devices resolved one after another is incredible; I’d erase my memory just to watch it again!” Another fan noted, “The premise where characters other than the protagonist can also time-leap is so unique.” And for those who appreciated its aesthetic, “The scenery of the setting is absolutely beautiful; I even went on a seichi junrei (holy site pilgrimage) to the island that inspired it!”

3rd Place

Securing 3rd place is STEINS;GATE. With approximately 11% of the votes, it dropped a spot from last year but impressively holds its position in the top three.

STEINS;GATE is a science adventure where Okabe Rintarou, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, finds himself entangled in a bizarre destiny after accidentally creating an invention. Fans were deeply moved by its intricate plot and compelling characters: “My heart was wrenched watching Okarin repeatedly loop through time to prevent his childhood friend’s death. I was shocked to realize how many foreshadowing elements were cleverly hidden even in the seemingly mundane first episode!” Another respondent shared, “I initially thought Okarin was just a chuunibyou character, but his struggles and growth brought tears to my eyes.” The series is also remembered for its iconic lines, with one fan recalling, “From ‘Steins;Gate no Sentaku’ and ‘El Psy Congroo’ to ‘Daga otoko da,’ it’s full of unforgettable quotes that stick with you even now.”

■ Other Noteworthy Mentions!

For Summer Pockets, a fan commented, “This is a beautiful love story about a summer of encounters on an island visited for cleaning out his grandmother’s belongings. As the story loops, the protagonist falls in love with different heroines, and every route is a tear-jerker.”

Regarding Turkey!, a reader shared, “I initially thought it was just an original anime about a high school bowling club, but then an unexpected connection to the past was revealed. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!”

For Takopii no Genzai, a fan expressed, “I was surprised by the stark contrast between the cute art style and the dark, heavy story, but Takopii’s earnest efforts to change the future to save Shizuka-chan really touched my heart.”

And for Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica, a respondent mentioned, “The cleverness of the series composition and the shocking twists were astounding. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the magical girls’ fates will be decided in next year’s movie,” indicating votes for titles with upcoming releases, including the compilation broadcast in the autumn season.

This survey revealed that works which heavily feature time loops or repeated trips to the past as their central narrative element ranked highly. The lineup truly highlights the protagonists’ fervent resolve to repeatedly try again until they succeed.

Don’t miss the top 20 on the next page!

■ Top 10 Ranking

[“Time Leap” Anime? 2025 Edition]

1. Tokyo Revengers
2. Summertime Render
3. STEINS;GATE
4. Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
5. Doraemon
6. Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica
7. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo
8. Boku dake ga Inai Machi
9. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
10. Inuyasha

(Response Period: September 30, 2025 – October 4, 2025)

Next Page: Top 20 Ranking Revealed!

Check out other ongoing survey themes here! We’d love to hear your thoughts. ＞＞https://animeanime.jp/special/1898/recent/

《Takahashi Katsunori》

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