Spring 2025 didn’t quite live up to the hype. While Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow and Shangri‑La Frontier Season 2 wrapped up Winter 2025 on a high note, the momentum didn’t fully carry over into the following season. That said, all eyes are now on Summer 2025. With a strong lineup of returning favorites and intriguing originals, Crunchyroll’s upcoming slate looks set to restore the excitement. Here’s a preview of the most anticipated series—plus a full release schedule—so you don’t miss a thing.
Top 5 Contenders for Summer 2025
Dandadan Season 2 (July 3) — The Netflix Pickup to Watch
After a stylish and supernatural first season, Dandadan returns with more chaos, absurd humor, and kinetic animation. Now picked up by Netflix in Japan and streaming on Crunchyroll internationally, this season is expected to delve deeper into the bizarre world of ghosts, aliens, and teen psychic drama. With Studio Science SARU back at the helm, the series continues to blend genre madness with heartfelt character moments. While its streaming home may have changed, Dandadan’s momentum hasn’t—and it’s one of the strongest bets to top charts in July.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 (July 9) — A Franchise Mainstay
Naofumi’s journey has had its highs and lows, but Season 4 aims to steer the ship back toward its Season 1 success. This installment teases a new arc with heightened stakes, a larger supporting cast, and hopefully a return to the tighter pacing that made the original run resonate with fans. Crunchyroll has been the franchise’s home since its inception, and fans who stuck around through the rougher patches are hoping this season makes the loyalty worth it. Given its legacy and built-in audience, Shield Hero S4 is almost guaranteed to be a top-five show this summer.
The Water Magician (July 3) — The Sleeper Hit with Serious Potential
An original fantasy drama with breathtaking visuals and a mysterious premise, The Water Magician is generating serious early buzz. With a tone that appears to blend Made in Abyss’s tragic beauty and Vivy’s philosophical depth, this show could be the breakout dark horse of the season. If it balances narrative clarity with its visual ambition, it may become the kind of series that dominates discourse by the halfway mark. Definitely one to watch closely—it might not just be top five material; it could be the standout.
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince… Season 2 (July 9) — The Power Fantasy That Keeps Giving
Season 1 of 7th Prince caught many off guard with its sleek animation, overpowered protagonist, and sheer commitment to magical mastery. Season 2 looks to expand that world with new rival factions and higher magical stakes. It’s not breaking new ground conceptually, but few shows lean into their core concept with this much confidence and production value. If it keeps delivering high-octane wizard duels and slick character development, 7th Prince could easily land in the top five again.
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2 (July 2) — Quirky, But Surprisingly Deep
The title might be silly, but Vending Machine won hearts with its clever worldbuilding and genuine emotional beats. Season 2 continues the story of Boxxo and Lammis as they traverse deeper levels of the dungeon, facing new threats and uncovering more mysteries about the world and Boxxo’s origins. It may not be a mainstream favorite, but the consistency of tone and character growth could secure it a loyal viewership and strong midseason rankings.
Potential Top 7 Contenders
A Couple of Cuckoos Season 2 (July 8) — Rom-Com Resurgence
While not quite a critical darling, A Couple of Cuckoos proved itself a serviceable romantic comedy with plenty of drama, miscommunications, and heartwarming moments. With a second season continuing the tangled web of relationships and mistaken identities, it has the potential to crack the top seven, especially among fans of Nisekoi-style storytelling. Its success will hinge on pacing and whether it can evolve past some of Season 1’s repetitive beats.
Scooped Up by an S-Ranked Adventurer and Made Into a Princess (July 5) — Charming, Oddly Wholesome
One of the more unique new titles this season, this fantasy-romance mashup offers a refreshing blend of adventure and cozy slice-of-life. With endearing character dynamics and a story that emphasizes growth and mutual care over action for action’s sake, Scooped Up could quietly charm its way into the top seven. It’s a great option for viewers looking for something gentle but engaging amid all the high-stakes anime airing in July.
Complete Summer 2025 Crunchyroll Release Schedule
Early Launches (June 28 – July 2):
Takopi’s Original Sin | June 28 – Lord of Mysteries | June 28 – Detective These Days Are Crazy! | July 1 – Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show | July 1 – Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4 | July 1 – Clevatess | July 2 – New Saga | July 2 – Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2 | July 2
Main Wave (Starting July 3):
Dandadan Season 2 | July 3 – The Water Magician | July 3 – Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant! | July 3 – KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION | July 3 – Onmyo Kaiten Re:Birth Verse | July 3 – Secrets of the Silent Witch | July 4 – Arknights: Rise from Ember | July 4 – Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse | July 4 – Betrothed to My Sister’s Ex | July 4 – My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 | July 5 – Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus | July 5 – With You and the Rain | July 5 – The Shy Hero and the Assassin Princess | July 5 – Scooped Up by an S-Ranked Adventurer | July 5 – Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter | July 5 – Kaiju No. 8 “Hoshina’s Day Off” | July 5
Mid-July Premieres:
Gachiakuta | July 6 – Nyaight of the Living Cat | July 6 – Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Season 2 | July 6 – Hotel Inhumans | July 6 – Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra | July 6 – Cultural Exchange with a Game Centre Girl | July 6 – Ruri Rocks | July 6 – Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 | July 7 – Dekin no Mogura: The Earthbound Mole | July 7 – Turkey! Time to Strike | July 8 – A Couple of Cuckoos Season 2 | July 8 – The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 | July 9 – I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince… Season 2 | July 9 – Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze | July 10 – Dr. Stone Science Future Part 2 | July 10 – Solo Camping for Two | July 10
Final Thoughts
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a recovery season for Crunchyroll after Spring’s weaker slate. Anchored by sequels to high-performing series like Dandadan, Shield Hero, and 7th Prince, along with promising newcomers like The Water Magician and quirky hits like Scooped Up, the variety and strength of this season are hard to ignore. While not every show will hit, there’s more than enough potential here to keep anime fans tuning in weekly.
If Spring 2025 was a dip, Summer could be the bounce-back we were all hoping for.