The race for the best single episode of anime in 2025 was a fierce battle between long-running favorites and shocking new stories. While the year started with the dark horse Takopi’s Original Sin and the action-heavy Solo Leveling Season 2 taking early leads, the end of the year belonged to the emotional conclusions of two shonen giants. According to final IMDb user ratings compiled in early 2026, One Piece Episode 1136 and My Hero Academia Season 2 Episode 8 both achieved a near-flawless score of 9.9 out of 10, tying for the title of the highest rated anime episodes of the entire year.
This list breaks down the top 10 episodes that defined 2025, based on the final aggregated scores from thousands of fans worldwide. These are the moments that made viewers cheer, cry, and hit replay immediately after the credits rolled.
The Final Battle Pushes Deku to the Limit
My Hero Academia Season 2 Episode 8 (IMDb Rating: 9.9)
Securing a spot at the very top with a 9.9 rating is the penultimate clash in the final season of My Hero Academia. Episode 167, titled “Izuku Midoriya Rising,” delivered the emotional and action-packed conclusion to the decades-long story. The episode showed Deku landing the final, decisive blow against All For One, but it wasn’t just about the fight. It was interwoven with heartbreaking flashbacks revealing the full tragedy of Shigaraki’s past and the collective effort of every hero, with Bakugo delivering a crucial last stand to support his friend. Fans praised Studio Bones for giving the series a finale that honored every character’s journey, making it one of the most satisfying conclusions in modern anime .
Kuma’s Life Story Leaves One Piece Fans in Tears
One Piece Episode 1136 (IMDb Rating: 9.9)
Tying for the top spot, One Piece Episode 1136, titled “Kuma’s Life,” proved why this series remains a cultural force after over two decades. Airing in July 2025, this episode concluded the heartbreaking backstory of Bartholomew Kuma. It revealed the depths of his sacrifice for his daughter, Bonney, and his quiet observation of Luffy’s journey, believing him to be the liberator Nika. The direction by Yasunori Koyama was widely celebrated for its emotional weight, with the music and flashbacks creating a devastatingly beautiful narrative that viewers called a masterpiece. This episode took the top spot from Takopi’s Original Sin upon its release and held strong through the rest of the year .
The Heroes Unite in My Hero Academia’s Climax
My Hero Academia Season 2 Episode 3 (IMDb Rating: 9.8)
The third episode of the final season, titled “The Final Boss!!,” was the moment fans had waited over ten years to see. It featured the all-out brawl where every remaining hero stood together against the ultimate evil. Even severely injured, Bakugo’s fierce support on the battlefield became an instant classic moment. The episode’s incredible animation and the sheer weight of the heroes’ final stand earned it a massive 9.8 rating, proving that the final season was delivering on every front right from the start .
A Legendary Haki Blast Shakes the World
One Piece Episode 1152 (IMDb Rating: 9.8)
Airing in December 2025, this episode reminded everyone why the Egghead Arc was so groundbreaking. Episode 1152 featured the moment the legendary warrior’s Conqueror’s Haki was unleashed, a power so immense that it even scared the enigmatic figure Imu. The episode showcased the downfall of a Gorosei member, delivering a visual spectacle that felt like a movie. It secured a 9.8 rating and solidified the second half of the year as One Piece’s time to dominate the charts .
The Ant King Falls to Sung Jinwoo
Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 12 (IMDb Rating: 9.7)
Early in 2025, Solo Leveling was the king of ratings. Season 2, Episode 12, “Arise,” featured the long-awaited battle against the Ant King. The episode was a non-stop visual effects extravaganza, with A-1 Pictures pulling out all the stops to animate Jinwoo’s shadow army and his cold, powerful victory. With a 9.7 rating, it stood as the benchmark for action anime for months and remained the highest-rated episode from a series not named One Piece or My Hero Academia .
Luffy’s Gear 5 Overwhelms an Elder Star
One Piece Episode 1118 (IMDb Rating: 9.7)
Continuing the Egghead Arc’s streak of incredible episodes, this installment focused on Luffy’s Gear 5 fight against one of the Five Elders. The absurd, free-form animation style of Gear 5 was on full display as Luffy bounced around, turning a serious, ancient enemy into a cartoonish victim. The creativity of the fight and the stakes involved earned it a 9.7 rating, making it one of the most talked-about episodes of the summer .
A Dark Mystery in Takopi’s Original Sin
Takopi’s Original Sin Episode 1 (IMDb Rating: 9.7)
The surprise hit of the summer, Takopi’s Original Sin, debuted on June 27, 2025, and shocked everyone. At first glance, the cute alien character Takopi suggested a lighthearted story. Instead, Episode 1 dove headfirst into a brutally emotional narrative involving bullying, death, and trauma. The stark contrast between the art style and the dark themes, combined with a gripping mystery, earned it an immediate 9.7 rating, tying with Solo Leveling at the time and proving that deep, psychological stories could compete with action giants .
Bakugo’s Defining Moment of Growth
My Hero Academia Season 2 Episode 4 (IMDb Rating: 9.7)
While the final battle got the highest score, Episode 4 of the final season also resonated deeply with fans. This episode focused on Bakugo’s character growth, showing him fighting not just for victory, but to protect and support Deku. It was a culmination of his ten-year arc from bully to true hero. The raw emotion and his defiant stand against overwhelming power gave the series another 9.7-rated episode, highlighting the strength of the supporting cast .
The Truth About Kuma is Revealed
One Piece Episode 1120 (IMDb Rating: 9.7)
Before the massive 9.9 rating of Episode 1136, the flashback arc had already produced a 9.7 masterpiece. This episode detailed the moment Kuma volunteered to become a cyborg, sacrificing his own free will and memories to save Bonney. It was a gut-wrenching look at a father’s unconditional love, and viewers praised it for its tragic storytelling. It set the stage perfectly for the emotional payoff that would come just a few weeks later .
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The Straw Hats Face the Seraphim
One Piece Episode 1102 (IMDb Rating: 9.6)
Rounding out the top 10 is another entry from the Egghead Arc. Early in the arc, the mystery of Dr. Vegapunk and the threat of the Seraphim—the child-like versions of the Warlords—kept viewers on edge. Episode 1102 featured intense standoffs and shocking reveals about the state of the world. Its tight pacing and high-stakes tension earned it a 9.6 rating, proving that even the “setup” episodes of 2025 were better than most series’ peaks .
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These ten episodes represent the very best of what 2025 had to offer, from tear-jerking backstories to history-making final battles. Whether you follow the King of the Pirates or the Symbol of Peace, this list proves it was an unforgettable year for anime fans everywhere. For more daily updates on the latest ratings, release dates, and behind-the-scenes news from the anime world, keep it locked on VvipTimes.
