©2024 Sai Naekawa/KADOKAWA/Project Watatabe The final anime season of 2025 is almost upon us! In anticipation of Fall 2025’s arrival, Anime Trending’s writers convened to discuss the one show from the upcoming season that they’re most excited to see.
Melvyn Tan: Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle details
Core staff: Director Yuji Tokuno (storyboard artist and director for OSHI NO KO Episode 10, YAIBA: Samurai Legend Episode 6), series composer Naruhisa Arakawa (More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers), and character designer Sumie Kinoshita (Spy Classroom)
Studio: Feel.
Premiere date: October 7, 2025
Adaptation or original: Adaptation
While I have been aware of the light novels for a while, I still find it difficult to understand what Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle is truly about beyond what is described in the synopsis of the first volume. What I can say for certain is that it features a popular protagonist and takes place in high school. Such a vague impression indeed, but given my fondness for coming-of-age tales, it was enough for me to want to watch at least the premiere episode.
That said, what has me particularly eager for this anime is its teaser trailer and the fact that it’s Yuji Tokuno’s first time in the director’s chair. Tokuno first caught my attention with the impressive visuals in 【OSHI NO KO】 Episode 10 and again with the impactful staging of YAIBA: Samurai Legend Episode 6. Therefore, when I spotted their name in the staff credits, my interest significantly increased.
The teaser trailer further fueled my excitement, immersing me in an atmosphere that was both sparkling and nostalgic, while offering some visually striking shots — particularly a moment that captures someone ascending the stairs through a wellhole, a kind of quirky framing that I find fascinating. I suspect that many, if not all, of those images are from the inaugural episode — which is likely to be storyboarded and directed by the series helm — but I hope that Tokuno’s influence has attracted other talented individuals to the project so that this youthful narrative can shine brilliantly.
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Audrey: This Monster Wants to Eat Me
This Monster Wants to Eat Me details
Core staff: Chief director Naoyuki Kuzuya (Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire), director Yusuke Suzuki (Duel Masters King Max), series composition & script Mitsutaka Hirota (Days With My Stepsister, Helck, Hunter x Hunter), character designer Nozomi Ikuyama (Oomuro-ke: Dear Sisters)
Studio: Studio Lings
Premiere date: October 2, 2025
Adaptation or original: Adaptation
Multiple times, I’ve picked this manga up at the bookstore, along with its many queer horror counterparts, only to set it back down — partly out of concern for visual triggers but largely due to the fear of how closely the narrative might resonate. However, with an anime adaptation on the horizon… I can’t avoid the inevitable yuri forever!
After high school student Hinako has a narrow escape from a monster, she is saved by the mermaid Shiori, who promises to protect her — with the caveat that she will eventually devour Hinako once she has matured into the ideal meal. In the main trailer, Hinako appears eager to fulfill this promise, even wishing for Shiori to consume her sooner rather than later. I’m curious to see how (or if) the series will explore the girls’ queerness alongside their literal, insatiable hunger: that yearning to consume or be consumed by another, and the unsettling fears that it evokes.
To be honest, I am not as drawn to the animation as I am intrigued by the premise’s potential. While the haunting gazes of the central characters are certainly striking, the rest of their designs come off as similar to various coming-of-age school anime, and the “horror” element so far seems restrained to sporadic blood splatters. Still, the visuals are agreeable, and coupled with the brief yet poignant voice acting presented in the trailer, I hold hope that there’s more to this production than what we’ve seen up to now.
Isabelle: With You, Our Love Will Make It Through
With You, Our Love Will Make It Through details
Core staff: Director/series composer/scriptwriter Shin Itagaki (So I’m a Spider, So What?), director/character designer Hiromi Kimura (I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too character designer)
Studio: Millepensee
Premiere date: October 14, 2025
Adaptation or original: Adaptation (manga)
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What unfolds when beastfolk enroll in a school populated by ordinary humans? That’s the foundation of With You, Our Love Will Make It Through. However, before romance can blossom, I find myself pondering: how would such a relationship even commence?
Upon initially witnessing the title and trailer for this new anime, I assumed I was in for a typical high school romance. The lead character, Mari, even begins by narrating her commonplace school life. Naturally, when a character makes such remarks, it often turns out to be anything but ordinary; yet I expected a simple twist or gimmick to alter her life. However, after just moments of watching the trailer, I discarded all assumptions when a light blue dog/fox-like character named Tsunagu made his entrance. While his considerable size seemed a bit implausible for a high school student, he instantly caught my attention. I found myself wondering why he would transfer to a school where he so obviously stands out.
Regardless of this twist, the trailer maintains the classic visuals of a romance anime, showcasing soft pastel hues and charming chibi moments that highlight the characters’ emotions. Watching Tsunagu blush at Mari’s words and actions exudes a sweet, tender quality that has me eager to see how their love story develops amidst such peculiar circumstances.
Gerrymelyn: Disney’s Twisted-Wonderland
Disney’s Twisted-Wonderland details
Core Staff: Chief director and screenwriter Takahiro Natori (Tokyo Mew Mew), director Sin Katagai (The Ossan Newbie Adventurer), main writer Yoichi Kato (The idolM@ster Shiny Colors), character designers Haruka Nakano (Pop Pop City) and Akane Sato (Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in-between checker)
Studio: Yumeta Company and Graphinica
Premiere date: October 29, 2025
Adaptation or original: Adaptation
Following the announcement in 2021, I feared I might have to resign myself to the idea of never seeing this anime adaptation, having received no updates for three years. Therefore, I was thrilled when Aniplex finally shared new information about the series. This fall season, I can finally witness my favorite characters brought to life in this new adaptation!
While this series is based on manga adaptations rather than the game, my expectations are sky-high. The animation appears stunning, particularly in terms of character design. They have been adapted faithfully and mirror the designs created by Yana Toboso, the author of Black Butler, for the game. A majority of the voice actors will reprise their roles in the series, except for Yuken Enma, the main protagonist of the season, which makes my excitement all the more intense, imagining them delivering their iconic lines again.
Truthfully, I am already a fan of this franchise and plan to watch the series regardless of its adaptation quality. However, after watching the visuals and trailer, I am hopeful that the anime remains as faithful as possible to the manga adaptation that it’s based on, if not the game, while retaining the charm that makes this franchise beloved by many worldwide.
