Projects announced at Anime Expo 2025
Anime Expo 2025 has shown that anime doesn't just thrive on big franchises: new titles based on webcomics, cult manga, or works by independent creators have made headlines with specific release dates, confirmed studios, and previews that excite veterans and newcomers alike.
Below, we rigorously review four key announcements—plus a bonus of indie projects—that will be coming to television, streaming platforms, or YouTube between late 2025 and 2026.
BÂAN – The Boundaries of Adulthood — Gigguk's anime debut
Producer: Garnt “Gigguk” Maneetapho
Director: Yoshimitsu Ohashi (also worked on Code Geass Rozé of the Recapture)
Music: Kevin Penkin (participated in Made in Abyss)
Studio: Studio Daisy
Release Date: August 24, 2025 (first in Japanese cinemas; Gigguk's YouTube premiere will be one week later, with a documentary)
Voices: Haruna Mikawa (Rin) and Shōya Ishige (Daichi)
Synopsis and updates:
Euthania and Japan are connected by a dimensional portal. Rin and Daichi, two young people who don't fit into their home worlds, cross the border in search of identity.
The preview shown at Anime Expo highlights a pictorial style that blends digital watercolors with subtle 3D backgrounds and a melancholic string soundtrack.
The project is part of GeeXProduction, the new division of the GeeXPlus agency for direct-to-Internet anime.
Let’s Play — contemporary romance and video games
Original Author: Leeanne M. Krecic (Mongie)
Studio and team: OLM; with direction by Daiki Tomiyasu (who also worked on Pokémon Sun & Moon), script by Aya Matsui (who participated in Marmalade Boy), character design by Saki Ebisawa, and soundtrack by Cornish
Featured Voices: Kana Hanazawa (Sam Young), Shimba Tsuchiya (Marshall Law), Yūichi Nakamura (Charles Jones), Tomokazu Sugita (Link Hudson)
Release Date: October 2025 (Fuji TV's +Ultra block, with simultaneous broadcast on Crunchyroll in Spain)
Synopsis and updates:
Sam Young is on the verge of fulfilling her dream: launching her first video game, Ruminate. But a devastating review from a streamer—who turns out to be her new neighbor—unleashes a torrent of social anxiety, professional challenges, and romantic entanglements.
The new trailer confirms a romantic comedy tone with touches of realistic drama, modern animation, and the promise of exploring themes like self-acceptance and "gamer" culture without falling into clichés.
Production has completed its dubbing phase and enters musical post-production this summer.
Soul Mart — demons and deadly drinks in 3D
Creator: DillonGoo Studios
Format: 12 episodes, 3D animation in Blender
Release Date: January 2026 on DillonGoo's YouTube channel (with confirmed Spanish subtitles)
Synopsis and updates:
In a near-future Tokyo, graffiti artist Kieru Kamiya discovers that his favorite energy drink will kill him if he falls asleep. Along with cashier Sarina and unemployed demon Reyk, he investigates the arrival of lethal products at his convenience store.
The trailer dazzles with fluid cel-shading and cinematic lighting effects.
DillonGoo is betting on episodic storytelling with cliffhangers and mobile-oriented editing.
Junji Ito: Crimson — the master of horror manga returns to the screen
Based on various stories by Junji Ito
Studio and team: although the studio, among other details, is yet to be revealed, we know that the opening "Karasuageha" will be performed by Yumi Matsutoya
Release Date: pending announcement; although internal sources speak of April 2026 with a global simulcast on Crunchyroll
Synopsis and updates:
After Collection (2018) and Maniac (2023), Crimson promises a format of independent stories that delves into the most psychological elements of Ito's horror.
At Japan Expo in Paris, a teaser was shown with a reddish palette and an oppressive atmosphere full of organic textures.
Crunchyroll confirmed in Los Angeles that it will hold simultaneous international rights and that the Castilian Spanish dub will be recorded in Madrid.
Although the cast has not yet been confirmed, production has already completed storyboarding for ten self-contained episodes.
Otachan! Rabbit Season — the OVA spirit of the 90s is resurrected
Studio: OtakuVersus
Release Date: August 2026, free broadcast on YouTube and DRM-free download for patrons
Synopsis and updates:
Otachan and her cameraperson Cam agree to work at a bunny girl bar, but an altercation with the yakuza throws them into an underworld of mad scientists, fight clubs, and ruthless assassins.
With only 24 hours to survive, the series promises stylized violence, dark humor, and references to late 80s anime.
The team will use hand-drawn layouts and digital coloring, embracing the classic OVA aesthetic.
News keeps coming
From the romantic comedy Let's Play to the visceral horror of Junji Ito Crimson, Anime Expo 2025 has confirmed that the anime scene is diversifying in both broadcast formats and themes.
Big studios and independent creators share the spotlight, and platforms like Crunchyroll or YouTube open the door to simultaneous premieres for the Spanish audience.
2025 and 2026 are thus shaping up to be years full of fresh content that connects traditional industry and web-born projects.
