Table of Contents

Introduction (Last reviewed: September 2025)

I’ve been watching anime on Crunchyroll for years, and every season I get the same questions from friends: “What’s worth watching right now?” and “Can I download it to watch offline?” So I decided to write this guide. I’ll share the titles I personally think stand out in 2025—mixing in fresh new shows and all-time favorites.

My picks are based on three things: official availability on Crunchyroll, how much buzz and praise they’ve gotten in the anime community, and my own viewing experience. I’ll also let you know if you can download them in the Crunchyroll app (depending on your region). And just to be clear: this list is about legal, authorized viewing only—no shady downloads or pirated links. If you’re curious about other ways people try to save episodes, I’ve written before about screen record Crunchyroll and why it’s not the ideal solution compared to offline viewing through the official app.

How We Pick

I don’t just grab the top shows from a ranking chart. Here’s how I usually decide what makes the list:

  • First I check Crunchyroll’s seasonal lineup for 2025, just to be sure the titles I talk about are really on the platform.

  • Then I see what’s buzzing—articles, reviews, fan chatter. If people can’t stop talking about a show, that usually means something.

  • I also keep an eye on awards. Solo Leveling, for example, got Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year 2025, and that kind of recognition is hard to ignore.

  • And in the end, I trust my own watchlist. I think about how the animation looks, if the pacing drags or not, whether the soundtrack fits, and if the characters stay with me after the credits.

The Best Anime on Crunchyroll Right Now

Turkey! Time to Strike (2025 New Release)

One of the quirkiest new shows this year is Turkey! Time to Strike. On the surface, it’s a sports anime about a high school bowling team. But after a strange lightning strike, the team suddenly finds themselves hurled back into Japan’s Warring States period. It sounds absurd at first—bowling balls rolling across battlefields—but that’s exactly what makes it so entertaining.

What kept me watching wasn’t only the oddball premise. The fun part is seeing how the characters change along the way. They trip up, fight with each other, crack jokes, and eventually find ways to get back on the same page. It feels less like a gimmick and more like a real team muddling through.

This is perfect for anyone who enjoys sports anime but wants something different, or for fans of Steins;Gate and Dr. STONE who like stories that bend time and physics. Crunchyroll streams it as part of the Summer 2025 lineup, and in some regions the app lets you download episodes for offline viewing.

 

Maebashi Witches (2025 New Release)

Maebashi Witches is one of my favorite healing-type shows this year. It follows an ordinary high school girl who meets a talking frog and is invited to become a “witch apprentice.” That sounds like a standard magical girl setup, but the vibe is surprisingly lighthearted and cozy. Instead of epic battles, most of the charm comes from small-town adventures and everyday magic.

Why do I love it? First, the visuals are soothing—gentle colors, soft lighting, expressive character designs. Second, it emphasizes friendship and personal growth more than flashy powers, which makes it feel genuine.

If you liked Flying Witch or Somali and the Forest Spirit, this will feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. It’s on Crunchyroll’s Spring 2025 schedule, and depending on your region, you may be able to download episodes through the official app.

Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show (2025 New Release)

If you’re in the mood for something darker, Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show is the standout. The main character, Miko, starts out with a simple goal—she just wants more followers for her stream. Instead, she gets pulled into a strange VR world where nothing feels safe. There are odd creatures, broken rules, and a constant sense that something is very wrong.

What hooked me is how unusual it is. VR settings are common enough, but here it’s mixed with a creeping, old-school horror vibe. That mix felt fresh, and it made the whole show stick in my mind. You don’t often see a series mixing modern VR culture with old-school cosmic horror, and that unusual blend is exactly what kept me watching. The sound design is phenomenal—creaks, whispers, and distorted audio that make your skin crawl.

This one is for viewers who enjoy unsettling, cerebral anime like Serial Experiments Lain or Boogiepop Phantom. Crunchyroll streams it in the Summer 2025 lineup, and yes, some regions allow offline downloads—though horror in a dark train carriage might not be for everyone.

All-Time Favorites on Crunchyroll

Of course, not everyone dives straight into brand-new titles. If you’re new to anime—or just want a solid starting point—I’d also recommend some all-time favorites on Crunchyroll. These are shows that have proven themselves over the years, whether through romance that makes your heart race, action that leaves you breathless, or ratings so high they’ve become must-watch classics.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Among romance anime, nothing beats Kaguya-sama: Love Is War for sheer inventiveness. It’s not about two shy kids confessing—it’s about two geniuses in the student council who both refuse to confess first. Every interaction becomes a mind game, a “battlefield of love,” and the results are as hilarious as they are endearing.

I recommend it because it stands out in the romance genre: it’s witty, unpredictable, and beautifully timed with music and editing. If you like romantic comedies with brains as well as heart, this is for you.

Fans of Toradora! or My Dress-Up Darling will feel right at home. Crunchyroll offers it with regional offline viewing, so check your app before your next commute.

Jujutsu Kaisen

When it comes to action, Jujutsu Kaisen is the first title I bring up. The fights are breathtaking—fluid animation, weighty hits, and overwhelming powers that feel cinematic. Gojo vs. Sukuna is the kind of battle scene you can rewatch again and again.

What makes it special is that it isn’t just fighting. The characters have depth—Yuji’s moral struggles, Nobara’s fiery determination, Megumi’s quiet strength. It’s a story about friendship and sacrifice as much as curses and exorcisms.

If you’re into Bleach or Demon Slayer, this is a must-watch. Crunchyroll has the full series, and yes, in supported regions you can download episodes for offline binging.

Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan has been one of the most talked-about series in recent years. It starts with humanity fighting for survival against giant monsters, but the story soon branches into politics, freedom, and all the messy choices that come with them. Each new season kept fans debating online, and by the time it wrapped up it had become a show most anime fans felt they had to see.

What makes it stand out, at least for me, is the mix of sharp action, big plot twists, and characters who don’t always make easy choices. Long after an episode ends, I still find myself thinking about what those choices meant.If you’ve ever wondered “what’s the one anime I should watch to understand the hype?”—this is it.

Crunchyroll offers the complete run. I’ve personally downloaded episodes on long flights, but keep in mind that offline availability varies by region.

Solo Leveling (Anime of the Year 2025)

Finally, the crown jewel: Solo Leveling. Based on the wildly popular Korean web novel, it follows Sung Jin-Woo (Shun Mizushino in the anime) as he transforms from the weakest hunter into the world’s strongest, thanks to a mysterious “system” that lets him level up.

Why it’s Anime of the Year? First, it delivers pure adrenaline. Watching Jin-Woo crush dungeons and unlock new powers is ridiculously satisfying. Second, it has a fully realized world of guilds, monsters, and politics that makes it easy to sink into.

If you liked Sword Art Online, Overlord, or That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, you’ll love this. Crunchyroll not only streams it but highlights it as a flagship show. Offline downloads are supported in certain regions—I’ve used them myself while commuting.

What to Watch Next

If you finish the shows above and still have room in your watchlist, here are a few directions I usually point people to:

  • For more cozy, heartwarming vibes: try Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp) or Flying Witch. Both are slow, gentle, and perfect for unwinding after a long day—similar to the warmth of Maebashi Witches.

  • For darker, more psychological stories: Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi) and Paranoia Agent explore suspense, memory, and mystery in ways that stick with you. If Necronomico pulled you in with its eerie tone, these will scratch the same itch.

  • For big, high-budget action: Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) are both visually stunning and full of battles that rival anything in Jujutsu Kaisen or Attack on Titan.

  • For another 2025 standout: keep an eye on Momentary Lily. It hasn’t exploded in popularity yet, but its mix of post-apocalyptic survival and everyday slice-of-life cooking has been winning over fans this year.

These aren’t just “more of the same.” Each offers a slightly different flavor of what makes anime special—whether it’s comfort, intensity, or experimentation.

Some readers still look for ways to rip from Crunchyroll. These methods can work, but they’re not always reliable and come with risks—so it’s something to approach with caution.

Offline Viewing Tips & Regional Notes

  • Crunchyroll does offer offline viewing in many regions. I explained the details in can you watch Crunchyroll offline. Crunchyroll’s mobile app supports downloads for Premium subscribers in select regions.

  • Not every title is available for offline viewing—rights differ by region.

  • Downloads expire after a set period, so refresh them if you’re traveling.

  • Always stick to the Crunchyroll app if you want to watch offline. If your region supports it, the Crunchyroll app is the easiest way to save shows for offline viewing. I’ve also tried a few tools in my best Crunchyroll downloaders review; some work fine, but I still recommend sticking with trusted sources to stay safe.

FAQ

Q1: Can I download every anime on Crunchyroll?

No. Only series with offline rights in your region will show the download button.

Q2: Why does the download button disappear when I travel?

Licensing varies by country. If you switch regions, availability changes too.

Q3: How fast does Crunchyroll put up new episodes?

From what I’ve seen, it’s usually just a few hours after the Japan broadcast. That’s about as quick as it gets if you want to watch it legally.

Q4: Do the downloads last forever?

Nope. They time out after a while, and you’ll need to reconnect to renew them or just download again. For a step-by-step guide, you can check download Crunchyroll episodes. It lays out the process clearly if you want a quick walkthrough.

Q5: Is Crunchyroll the only option?

Not the only one—you’ll sometimes find shows on Netflix or Disney+—but Crunchyroll still has the biggest and most consistent library. Before the merger, I also covered Funimation downloads. That background is still useful today, since many of those shows now live on Crunchyroll.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my 2025 Crunchyroll recommendations—seven shows I think are worth your time, mixing brand-new releases with the most beloved classics. Whether you want quirky experiments like Turkey! Time to Strike, heartfelt romances like Kaguya-sama, or action spectacles like Solo Leveling and Attack on Titan, there’s something here for every mood.

One last reminder: watch anime legally. Creators pour years of effort into these stories, and supporting them through Crunchyroll or other authorized platforms is the best way to keep the industry alive. If offline viewing is available in your region, take advantage of it—but always through the official app.

Happy watching, and here’s to another great year of anime!