From ShinichirΕ Watanabe’s Lazarus to the gritty shonen energy of Gachiakuta, here are 2025’s biggest anime drops — and why fans and collectors should care now.
π¨ 2025: The Year of Collectible-Ready Anime
Whether you're binging from your couch, hunting for first-print merch, or tracking the next investment-worthy Blu-ray box, 2025 is loaded with anime gold. The lineup this year blends massive legacy creators, new-gen shonen heat, genre-bending horror, and adorable nostalgia bombs — with serious crossover potential for collectors.
Let’s break down the upcoming titles that are making waves across the anime world and collectible markets.
π€ Lazarus — Watanabe’s Cyberpunk Return
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Release Window: Late 2025 (Adult Swim / Crunchyroll)
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Studio: MAPPA
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Creator: ShinichirΕ Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo)
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Music: Kamasi Washington + Floating Points = wild jazz-fusion sci-fi energy
Why It’s Big:
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Watanabe is anime royalty — every new project pulls global attention
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MAPPA’s animation looks fluid, high-budget, and intensely stylized
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Set in a near-future dystopia with martial arts and biotech themes
π§ Expect soundtracks, figures, vinyl OSTs, and high-end collectible drops — this has Bebop-level legacy potential.
π Moonrise — Netflix’s Hidden Sci-Fi Gem
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Release: Streaming now on Netflix (2025 launch)
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Studio: WIT Studio
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Writer: Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Why It’s Big:
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A stunning, emotional space drama set during Earth–Moon conflict
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Gorgeous visuals, slow-burn storytelling, and heartbreaking moments
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Under the radar… for now
π Perfect for fans of 86, Planetes, or Ergo Proxy — watch for future steelbooks, limited Blu-rays, and exclusive poster collabs.
π₯ Gachiakuta — Shonen’s New Blood
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Expected Release: Fall 2025
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Studio: Unannounced, but tied to a major shonen platform
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Source: Breakout manga by Kei Urana
Why It’s Big:
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Underground aesthetic — Jujutsu Kaisen meets Fire Force with grime and heart
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Characters are cosplay-ready with sharp design and intense powers
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Already charting high on manga sales and anime watchlists
π Alt-art manga covers and character goods are heating up — collectors should monitor early promo merch and event exclusives.
π Necronomico no Cosmic Horror Show — Weird, Wired, and Watching
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Release Date: TBD 2025
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Genre: Cosmic horror meets streamer culture
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Vibes: Perfect Blue + Boogiepop Phantom + Lovecraftian livestreams
Why It’s Big:
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A rare original horror anime with actual psychological teeth
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Combines glitchcore aesthetics, meta narrative, and modern fears
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No manga — this will be a one-shot collectible series
π§ Expect limited OSTs, artist sketchbooks, and horror vinyl — this could be a cult classic in the making.
π My Melody & Kuromi — Sanrio’s Stop-Motion Power Move
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Release: Late 2025 (celebrating both characters’ 50th anniversaries)
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Style: Handmade stop-motion
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Platform: Likely YouTube, Netflix, or Crunchyroll Kids
Why It’s Big:
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Cross-generational appeal — kids, collectors, and nostalgic 90s babies
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Designed for global Sanrio fandoms — perfect for merch tie-ins
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Think Aggretsuko meets Pui Pui Molcar with pastel goth spice
π Expect plushies, pins, enamel art drops, and stop-motion fig collabs — this is big for kawaii collectors and casual fans alike.
π§ From the Experts: Why These Series Matter
π Industry Viewpoint
These shows are platform launches, not just anime. Studios are syncing premieres with merch plans, soundtrack collabs, and global licensing rollouts.
“Expect pop-ups, Funko drops, and high-end figure collabs within 3–6 months post-launch.”
π Data Viewpoint
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Gachiakuta manga searches jumped 40% the week of its anime reveal
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Lazarus trailer hit *1M views in 3 days
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Collectible market analysts expect My Melody & Kuromi merch bundles to drive Q4 Sanrio revenue spikes
π§’ Everyday Collector Viewpoint
“I’m watching Moonrise for the vibes, grabbing a Lazarus tee ASAP, and if Gachiakuta gets cards or a figure line — it’s mine.”
π― Final Thoughts — Stay Ahead of the Anime Hype Cycle
Anime in 2025 isn’t just entertainment — it’s collectible currency. These five titles combine narrative power with serious merch and resale potential. Whether you’re:
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Streaming weekly drops
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Flipping tins and figures
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Preordering artbooks and vinyls
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Or just vibing with your favorite OP...
...there’s never been a better time to watch the wave before it crests.
π Want early alerts on anime merch drops, sealed collectibles, and exclusive releases? Stick with The Retro Renegade — we scout the scenes before they hit eBay.
