Makeine Takes Japan’s Top Anime of 2025 as One Piece Misses Top 5
One Piece Misses Japan’s Top 5 Anime of 2025
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines Takes the Crown
One Piece, one of the world’s most influential and longest-running manga and anime franchises, continues to enjoy enduring popularity even after nearly 30 years. However, the latest results from Japan’s Newtype Anime Awards 2025 shocked many fans as One Piece not only failed to claim the Anime of the Year title but did not even make it into the Top 5. The top spot instead went to “Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines,” a lighthearted and heartwarming slice-of-life anime that received overwhelming support from Japanese viewers.
Makeine Takes the No. 1 Spot, Surpassing One Piece in the 2025 Rankings
The voting results highlight the distinct difference between Japanese audiences and the global anime community. Many globally acclaimed titles such as Solo Leveling, despite having massive worldwide traction, were considered merely “generally watched” in Japan. This year, the crown went to Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines, an anime known for its relaxing storytelling and warm, comforting atmosphere. Its widespread popularity even surpassed expectations, ultimately overtaking One Piece to claim the Anime of the Year award.
According to the final rankings, One Piece failed to place within the Top 5. The runner-up position went to Gundam, followed by The Apothecary Diaries in third place. Solo Leveling Season 2 landed in fourth, with Umamusume rounding out the Top 5 in fifth place. Some of the disappointment expressed by fans reflects long-discussed issues within the One Piece anime, including slow pacing, year-round episode production, and inconsistent visual quality. Although the series remains beloved, it appears increasingly difficult for it to match the polished standards of modern anime productions.
With rising criticism and evolving expectations, the announcement of a brand-new One Piece adaptation by Wit Studio at Jump Festa 2025 was warmly welcomed by fans. Known for delivering stunning animation quality, Wit Studio aims to retell the journey of Luffy and the Straw Hats from the very beginning using cutting-edge technology. While no release date has been confirmed yet, the remake is expected to debut sometime in 2026, potentially marking a major turning point in revitalizing One Piece for a new generation of viewers.
origin: gamerant
