Short anime is increasingly attracting viewers with its creativity and unique artistry. Below is a list of the 10 best short anime of 2025, selected from the playlist of renowned director Nowoka.
The year 2025 has seen an explosion of high-quality short animation productions, from Music Videos (MVs) to game trailers or opening/ending (OP/ED) sequences of popular series. To help you not miss any masterpieces, Hobiverse has compiled a list of the best short anime of 2025 based on the personal playlist of Nowoka, a renowned director and animator behind the success of many impressive MVs such as "Pain Give Form" (ZUTOMAYO) with its exquisite color palette.
Note: "Short anime" here refers to independent animated works such as commercials, music videos, or trailers, not anime series with short episode lengths.
1. Eve’s "Underdog" MV
The "Underdog" MV (released on November 28) stands out thanks to powerful animation by Ian Zhang. Using a predominantly black-and-white style, this MV focuses absolutely on detailed line work and character movement, creating an extremely captivating visual experience.
2. Momone Chinoi’s "Arata na Iroha" MV
The product from the duo Hamumeta (HuMuu and Metabo) brings a spontaneous and peculiar feeling. Like HuMuu's previous works, this MV seamlessly combines simple, stylish 2D design with live-action footage, creating a physical, realistic feel as if shot with a handheld camera.
3. Hatsuboshi Gakuen’s "Sunfaded" MV
Another successful combination of 2D and the real world. The MV for this indie rock song (performed by Hiro Shinosawa, a character from Gakuen Idolmaster) impresses with stunning visual direction. In particular, director Shun Yamaguchi's talent for graphic design and typography is clearly showcased, even without extensive animation.
4. Shigure Ui’s "Hihhifu" MV
An energetic and vibrant video from the Hurray! video production team. "Hihhifu" proves that short animation can convey joy and liveliness in the most concise way.
5. My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Opening
The opening sequence (OP) of My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, directed and storyboarded by Yuki Yonemori, is not only creative but also incredibly enjoyable to watch. It features elaborate backgrounds, clever credit integration, and strongly expresses Marin's personality, earning its place as one of the best short anime of 2025 in the OP category.
6. Blue Archive’s 6th PV
A breathtaking action trailer with countless stunning mechanical shots. Directed by gesoikuo and Tatsuya Fukumoto, this is a prime example of how short animation can elevate the game promotion experience.
7. Witch Watch! Opening
Another excellent OP that integrates credits into the animation. Storyboarded and unit directed by Megumi Ishitani (known for One Piece), the Witch Watch! OP explodes with clever ideas and superb visual techniques.
8. SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 Opening
The SHOSHIMIN Season 2 OP, directed by Kyohei Ishiguro (Your Lie in April), is an animated gallery full of quirky visual ideas, perfectly suited to the "unordinary" personalities of the two main characters, Kobato and Osanai.
9. Genshin Impact Yumemizuki Mizuki Character Teaser
A fantastical, dreamlike teaser, perfect for introducing Genshin Impact's psychologist character, Yumemizuki Mizuki.
10. Astra Yao (Zenless Zone Zero)’s "Wonderland Reverie" MV
A magnificent and captivating MV for the character Astra Yao from the game Zenless Zone Zero, demonstrating game companies' serious investment in creating high-quality animated content.
This list by director Nowoka is not just a personal playlist but also a guide for those who want to explore the creative peak of Japanese animation in 2025. Be sure to seek out and enjoy these best short anime of 2025 masterpieces!
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