#166 - Best Anime of 2025

#166 - Best Anime of 2025

Author: Third Impact Anime Podcast March 16, 2026 Duration: 4:14:42
While other podcasts did their end of year retrospective two months ago, why rush when you can take 3 months? In this episode, Sarah, Austin, Tori, and Bill break down the "best" anime of 2025, and by "best" we mean "the stuff we got around to, whether we liked it, finished it, or not". We've got Kowloons, we've got Kaisens, and do you finally want to know what the deal with Solo Leveling is? Well, I can't promise we'll tell you, but maybe we do! What were some of your favorite anime of 2025? Let us know by sending us an email at thirdimpactanime@gmail.com and we'll discuss it on the show. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Opening check in about how 2025 treated us despite everything and our aspirations for 2026 00:20:41 - Sarah hosts a game where we guess what anime were at the top of the popularity lists on various websites 00:55:28 - What anime did we just dabble in this year and not finish? Titles include things like Anne Shirley, New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, Gachiakuta, Ranma 1/2, The Dinner Table Detective, This Monster Wants to Eat Me, Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!, City, The Summer Hikaru Died, etc. 1:39:53 - Sequels!~ My Dress Up Darling, The Apothecary Diaries, Solo Leveling, Dandadan, etc. 02:10:19 - Lupin the IIRD: Zenigata and the Two Lupins & Lupin the IIIRD: Immortal Bloodline 02:22:08 - Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc 02:30:46 - Chainsaw Man: The Movie -Reze Arc- 02:46:44 - Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise 02:54:28 - Let's Play 03:05:01 - May I Ask for One Final Thing? 03:20:15 - 100 Meters 03:38:16 - Kowloon Generic Romance 03:53:23 - Apocalypse Hotel 04:01:27 - What anime are we looking forward to for 2026? Note that we talk a lot more about various other anime that were brought up in the lists/comments submitted to us from members of our Discord, so the timestamps above are not exhaustive (the list provided in the show notes on our website is exhaustive, though). If you enjoy this or any other episode, leave us a Rating and Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or elsewhere! Show notes are available on our website: www.thirdimpactanime.com More helpful links: thirdimpactanime.carrd.co Follow us on Bluesky at thirdimpactanime.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/ThirdImpactAnime Follow us on tumblr at thirdimpactanime.tumblr.com Listen & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Podbean Support us on Ko-Fi | Patreon

Every other week, the conversation starts around a microphone with a group of longtime friends who have spent years hosting panels at anime conventions. Third Impact Anime Podcast is built from those late-night hotel lobby debates and packed conference room discussions, channeling that energy into a deep dive into the medium we love. This isn't just a review show; it's an exploration of the threads that connect classic series to today's trending hits, always with an eye on the artistic choices and cultural history that shape them. You'll hear us unpack new releases and revisit forgotten gems, share stories from the convention floor, and occasionally sit down with special guests from across the anime community. The result is a podcast that feels like hanging out with the most knowledgeable fans you know-the ones who can't help but talk a little too much about the details that make anime so compelling. Join us for a bi-weekly look at the artistry and passion that fuels this global phenomenon.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Third Impact Anime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#100 - Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) and 100th Episode Celebration! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:35
Wow we finally made it episode 100! What better way to celebrate than by discussing the anime our name comes from... Neon Genesis Evangelion! What can really be said about Eva that hasn't been said already? Who knows, bu…
#99 - Interview with Anime Scholar Helen McCarthy! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:46
We're back again with another interview! For this episode, Sully and Austin had the chance to sit down with noted anime scholar Helen McCarthy! Helen has been a pioneer in the English-speaking anime community for almost…
#98 - Interview with BOOMSLANK, Anime lifestyle & apparel brand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:25
We're finally back after a month+ hiatus. Don't worry, things may have slowed, but they certainly haven't stopped. We're hoping to get back to a more regular release schedule soon. This week, Tori and Austin interview tw…
#96 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:23:30
Tori, Austin, Ryan and Jon are back to review the 2019 smash hit, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba! Recording this episode required our "total concentration." We discuss the series' characters, gorgeous animation, and poig…
#95 - Persona 5: The Animation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:08
With the recent release of Persona 5: Royal, we thought there was no better time to revisit the 2018 anime adaptation of Persona 5! Ryan, Tori, Sarah, and returning champion Jon all convene to discuss their personal hist…
#94 - Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:19
Four gremlins discussing a series about three gremlins. This week we're reviewing Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! a recent TV series about making anime from anime virtuoso Masaaki Yuasa and the gang over at Science Saru. T…
Kotatsu Corner #1 - Cozy on the Mofa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:04
Welcome to a brand-new sub show on the Third Impact Anime Podcast; Kotatsu Corner! Kotatsu Corner is a mini-sode series where we take a break from our typical, highly organized episodes and just chat about whatever is on…
#93 - BEASTARS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:40
Take a walk on the WILD SIDE! In this episode, we look at the recent hit BEASTARS from Studio Orange and author Paru Itagaki. We discuss each major character in detail, studio Orange's pedigree, and the major themes of t…
#92 - Akihabara Geeks (2005) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:25
In the first part of our new mini series on "otakumentaries," we review the 2005 documentary from NHK (and in the US by Anime Works/Media Blasters), Akihabara Geeks. Akihabara Geeks follows a group of people through thei…