Forget “Dandadan” and “My Dress-Up Darling“—the best anime of Summer 2025 is something far more unexpected. Every season, fans across the globe debate endlessly over which anime deserves the crown, but this year, Japan’s popular streaming platform Niconico has provided a more “objective” take by releasing viewer ranking data for the season.
While this summer saw the return of major titles like “Dandadan” Season 2 and “My Dress-Up Darling” Season 2, alongside new heavyweights like “Leviathan” and “The Summer Hikaru Died”, it was “Takopi’s Original Sin” that shocked everyone by climbing to the #1 spot on Niconico’s charts.
Adapted from a one-shot manga by Taizan 5, “Takopi’s Original Sin” captivated audiences with its haunting and emotionally charged storyline. Though exact viewership numbers remain undisclosed, the Top 10 list from Niconico shows “Takopi” surging ahead of its blockbuster competitors.
Top 10 Most Popular Summer 2025 Anime on Niconico:
- Takopi’s Original Sin
- Dandadan
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
- Bad Girl
- Secrets of the Silent Witch
- Hell Teacher Nube (2025)
- Ruri Rocks
- Detectives These Days Are Crazy!
- Puniru Is a Kawaii Slime Season 2
- 9 – Ruler’s Crown
Premiering on June 28, “Takopi’s Original Sin” wastes no time confronting heavy themes. The story follows Takopi, a happiness-spreading intergalactic creature who arrives on Earth and befriends a young girl named Shizuka. But as Takopi tries to help her cope with relentless bullying—without understanding what bullying is—the tone of the anime takes a dark, poignant turn.
Each episode deepens the emotional complexity and bleakness of the series. Episode 5 is set to release on July 26, with the entire series comprising just six episodes, all directed by Shinya Iino. The show’s surprising success reflects a growing appetite among Japanese viewers for emotionally resonant storytelling and mature, thought-provoking themes in anime.
“Takopi’s Original Sin” has proven that sometimes, it’s not the flashiest or most anticipated titles that win hearts—but the ones that dare to go deeper.
GameK