5 Anime of 2025 with Standout Character Designs – Sakamoto Days, The Apothecary Diaries and others
Michelle Topham 
2025 has been a remarkable year for anime so far, delivering a slew of visually stunning series with character designs that captivate and resonate with audiences.
Character design in anime, however, is more than just aesthetics. It’s about conveying personality, story, and thematic depth through designs that really grab the attention of the viewer.
From bold color palettes to intricate details then, the following five anime, all released in 2025, stand out for their exceptional character designs, each bringing something unique to the table.
1. Sakamoto Days (Premiered January 2025)
Sakamoto Days, adapted from Yuto Suzuki’s manga, brings a retired assassin’s chaotic world to life with designs that balance humor, grit, and charm.
The protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, is a visual paradox – a chubby, unassuming family man who once was a sleek, deadly hitman.
His rounded silhouette, complete with a dad bod and casual clothing, contrasts sharply with his sharp-eyed, battle-ready demeanor. All of which makes him instantly memorable.
The supporting cast, like the sleek and stylish Shin Asakura or the eccentric, weapon-obsessed Heisuke Mashimo, uses bold lines and exaggerated features to reflect their quirky personalities.
The designs incorporate contemporary fashion with tactical gear, blending streetwear with assassin flair, which grounds the series’ absurd humor in a relatable yet dynamic aesthetic.
This mix of modern and functional design, paired with fabulously expressive faces, makes every character pop, ensuring they’re as engaging to look at as Sakamoto Days‘ action-packed story is to follow.
Sakamoto Days is currently streaming on Netflix.
2. Dandadan Season 2 (Premiered Summer 2025)
Science Saru’s Dandadan continues to dazzle in its second season, building on the vibrant and eclectic designs that made its 2024 debut a hit.
The characters, crafted from Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga, are a visual feast, blending retro sci-fi, occult horror, and youthful energy. Momo Ayase’s bold, asymmetrical hairstyle and street-smart outfits scream confidence, while her expressive eyes convey her fiery spirit.
Okarun, with his nerdy glasses and disheveled look, transforms into a dynamic, turbo-granny-inspired form, showcasing the series’ knack for wild yet cohesive design shifts.
New characters like Jiji add a layer of mystery with sleek, minimalist designs that contrast the show’s chaotic supernatural elements. The use of vivid colors and fluid animation enhances the characters’ otherworldly abilities, making every fight scene a visual spectacle.
Dandadan is streaming on Crunchyroll.
3. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (Premiered January, 2025)
TOHO Animation’s The Apothecary Diaries returns with its exquisite, historically inspired designs that bring medieval China to life with a modern twist. Maomao, the sharp-witted apothecary, is a masterclass in subtle yet striking design.
Her practical, muted-green attire and messy bun reflect her no-nonsense personality, while her large, curious eyes hint at her insatiable curiosity.
The contrast with Jinshi’s opulent, flowing robes and ethereal beauty underscores their dynamic, with his design using vibrant purples and golds to exude charisma and mystery and, of course, infer he is a member of the royal family.
The ensemble cast, from palace maids to imperial officials, features intricate clothing patterns and accessories that reflect their status and personalities, grounding the series in its pseudo-historical setting.
The attention to detail – hairpins, fabric textures, and color gradients – creates a rich visual tapestry that enhances the storytelling, making each character feel like a living part of the palace world.
Seasons 1 and 2 of The Apothecary Diaries are on Crunchyroll.
4. Gachiakuta (Premiered July, 2025)
Studio Bones’ Gachiakuta introduces a gritty, dystopian world with character designs that push the boundaries of shonen aesthetics.
Protagonist Rudo, designed by Satoshi Ishino, sports a rugged, patchwork outfit that mirrors his harsh upbringing in a trash-filled society. His spiky hair and intense, scarred expression convey resilience, while his weaponized cleaning tools add a unique, industrial edge.
The supporting cast, like the mysterious Enjin with his sleek, cyberpunk-inspired look, uses bold color contrasts and asymmetrical designs to reflect the series’ chaotic worldbuilding.
Studio Bones’ mixed-media approach, blending 3D and 2D animation, gives the characters a dynamic, almost tactile quality, making their movements feel raw and visceral.
The designs’ ability to merge contemporary urban fashion with dystopian functionality creates a fresh, visually arresting style that stands out in the crowded shonen landscape.
Gachiakuta is streaming on Crunchyroll in both subbed and dubbed versions.
5. Zenshu (Premiered January, 2025)
MAPPA’s original anime Zenshu offers a fantastical take on anime creation, with character designs that blend traditional and modern elements.
Natsuko Hirose, the prodigious animator reborn into her favorite fictional world, has a sleek, futuristic outfit paired with a classic, flowing hairstyle, symbolizing her bridge between old and new storytelling.
Her time-manipulation device, intricately detailed, adds a layer of realism to her fantastical role.
Other characters, like those in the re-animated “A Tale of Perishing,” feature bold, symbolic clothing with earthy tones that tie into the story’s themes of nature and redemption.
The designs use clean lines and vibrant palettes to convey personality, with subtle details like weathered fabrics or intricate accessories adding depth.
The fusion of fantasy and meta-narrative elements in the designs makes Zenshu a visual standout, reflecting its innovative premise through every character’s look.
Zenshu is on Crunchyroll now.
Why these 2025 anime shine with their character designs (and in other ways too)
These five anime showcase character designs that go beyond mere aesthetics, serving as storytelling tools that enhance narrative depth and emotional impact.
The wonderful Sakamoto Days uses humor and contrast to make its assassins relatable yet iconic, while Dandadan embraces eclectic, colorful designs to match its genre-blending chaos.
Meanwhile, The Apothecary Diaries grounds its characters in historical detail while adding modern flair.
Gachiakuta pushes shonen boundaries with gritty, functional designs, and Zenshuu blends tradition and innovation to reflect its meta-narrative.
Each series uses unique silhouettes, color palettes, and thematic details to create characters that are instantly recognizable and deeply connected to their stories
As 2025 continues to unfold, these anime prove that character design remains a cornerstone of the medium, captivating audiences with visuals that are as compelling as the stories they tell.
Whether you’re drawn to the comedic grit of Sakamoto Days or the ethereal elegance of The Apothecary Diaries, these series offer a masterclass in what makes anime character design truly exceptional.
About the Author
Steven Reynolds