Japanese fans summer 2025 anime rankings reveal surprising #1

Japanese video streaming service Niconico has released its “Initial Velocity” ranking, revealing the most popular new anime series of the Summer 2025 season on its platform.

The ranking is based on a unique formula that measures a show’s immediate impact, taking into account metrics like view counts, the number of comments, and overall access numbers shortly after a new episode is released.

niconico anime — Niconico is a popular platform in Japan for fans to interact and share opinions

Niconico is a video-sharing platform famous for its signature feature, where user comments scroll directly across the screen in real-time, creating a shared, communal viewing experience akin to watching with a large crowd.

Though the summer season is only a few episodes in at this stage, Niconico has published the initial top 10 rankings based on viewer opinions so far.

So, let’s take a look at which series are ranking highly amongst Japanese anime fans for 2025’s summer anime season!

Taking the number one spot for the season is Takopi’s Original Sin.

The series, based on a short but massively popular manga, tells the dark story of an alien named Takopi who tries to spread happiness but becomes entangled in the grim reality of a human girl’s life, with tragic consequences.

Niconico users reportedly flooded the stream with a mix of comedic retorts to Takopi’s naivety and empathetic comments for the human characters, with many viewers noting that the comment feature helped soften the story’s heavy themes.

In second place is the second season of Dandadan.

This high-energy series blends occult horror, science-fiction, and romantic comedy, and viewers on the platform celebrated its return with comments praising its action sequences and the humorous banter between its characters.

The third position was taken by the second season of My Dress-Up Darling.

The return of the popular romantic comedy was met with a screen full of joyous comments from the very first scene, with viewers praising the cute character moments and expressing support for the protagonist’s personal struggles.

Ranking fourth is Bad Girl, a school comedy based on a 4-koma manga about a girl who tries to act like a delinquent but isn’t very good at it.

Viewers on Niconico engaged with the show’s gentle humor, posting numerous comments that played along with the comedic timing and dialogue.

Finally, the fifth spot went to Secrets of the Silent Witch.

This high-fantasy series follows a genius but socially anxious witch on a secret mission, and user comments were a mix of comedic jabs at her social awkwardness and awe at her incredible magical power during action scenes.

Rounding out the top ten were a mix of new adaptations and returning series.

The full “Initial Velocity” ranking for the top ten is as follows:

1st: Takopi’s Original Sin