100 Anime in 2025: The Challenge Begins!
Welcome to my 2025 anime challenge!
Every year, I set an absurd goal: watch and complete 100 anime. Not start. Not “get halfway through.” Not just a stack of OVAs and movies. I mean complete 100 proper anime titles.
And guess what? I’ve never actually finished it!
Not once.
I think the closest I got was in 2017 when I was pushing through some JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, rewatching The Slayers, and binge watching Durarara.
It all started as a fun way to tackle my backlog, but over time, the rules had to evolve. Watching 20 episodes of something and then dropping it? Originally, that didn’t count. Loading up on short OVAs just to boost the count? Too easy. Watching 200 episodes of a long-running series and only getting credit for one? That didn’t sit right either.
Some years, I let my cats pick what I’d watch from my backlog. Other years, I used dice rolls, seasonal lists, hype trains, or recommendations from my Twitch and convention communities. Sometimes I stuck to one genre. Sometimes I went full gremlin mode and watched nothing but weird cult picks. It can get messy! Sometimes I like it that way, other times I want structure.
And after a five-year hiatus… we’re bringing it back!
This is the year I hit 100. For real.
Probably.
Maybe.
Don’t @ me when I don’t.
Don’t judge me! There aren’t that many thrillers out there right now!
✨ Want to join me?
I’ve created a challenge tracker for you to follow along on Canva and will be rolling out some Canva templates to help stay on target. Feel free to grab yours, adapt them however you’d like, and dive in with your own watchlist. Whether you're tackling a backlog, revisiting classics, or going full gremlin mode, you’re welcome here.
I’ll be sharing parts of those templates in various posts, but definitely don’t want my blog to get overrun with my methodical tracking and statistics. But you’re welcome to bookmark the links and check-in from time to time. Or, come here for commentary and encouragement!
Please tag me if you share your progress on your socials or on Discord! I’d love to see what you’re watching and cheer you on.
Let’s conquer our watchlists together!
What kind of anime content will you find here?
Whether you're on your own anime journey or just here for the vibes, I'll be sharing a mix of things throughout the year: some personal, some curated, and all created with the hope of helping you discover something you love.
Here’s a little of what you can expect:
Seasonal watch lists featuring top picks by genre. Even if I’m not watching a show myself, I want to highlight it in case it’s your next favorite.
Ongoing reactions and commentary about whatever I’m watching at the moment—whether it’s popular, niche, or totally unexpected.
Occasional fan art, whenever I get the chance to draw something that’s been living rent-free in my head.
Current obsessions that have completely taken over my brain (in the best way).
Opening and ending theme roundups, because anime music is an art form that deserves to be celebrated.
Guilty pleasure picks that I fully embrace and hope you do too—no shame here!
And who knows? There might be a few surprises along the way. I’m just excited to share the ride and make space for all kinds of anime appreciation.
How the Challenge Works
My Goal: Complete 100 anime by the end of 2025.
Sounds simple, right? But to keep things interesting (and avoid burnout) I’m following these rules:
📌 Balancing Modern vs. Vintage:
At least 4 shows per set must be from 2025 (because staying current is important).
At least 2 shows must be from before 2020 (to finally clear out some backlog).
The remaining 4 can be flexible, covering anime from 2018–2024.
📌 Keeping the Genres Balanced:
Each set of 10 anime must include at least one action, drama, romance (or romcom), and comedy.
📌 Avoiding the ‘Quick Wins’ Trap:
Seasons over 10 episodes count once (so picking a long series isn’t “punished”).
OVAs over 30 minutes count once (because OVAs deserve the same love as full series).
Movies and OVAs are limited to 2 per set (to keep the challenge fair).
📌 Mix & Match Viewing:
Sets of 10 anime give structure, but I’m free to jump between them if I need a change of pace.
2024 carryovers that I finish in 2025 count once but are excluded from year requirements.
📌 Addressing Dropped Anime:
It’s inevitable that I’ll drop an anime. Based on past experience, that shouldn’t be a punishment.
It’s ok to try something for a few episodes and decide that it isn’t right for you.
It’s ok to say “I don’t have time to waste on something I don’t enjoy.”
For 12-episode series, I’m allowing myself to drop a title (and still count it) after 3 episodes.
For 20+ episode series, I’m allowing myself to drop a title (and still count it) after 6 episodes.
For current shows, because we might not know their episode count, I’m allowing 3 episodes.
Ultimately, my goal is to complete 100 anime. So, if I reach that goal by the end of the year, but I have shows I dropped at 3 episodes, I’ll allow myself the opportunity to replace them with another anime without any of the above rules applying (except for movies / OVAs, those are still limited to 2 per every 10). Then, if all of those are completed, I’ll replace the ones that I dropped after 6 or more episodes until I meet my goal!
Join the Challenge!
Want to try the 100 Anime Challenge yourself? Grab this Canva template, create your own rules or just go goblin mode, and let’s track our progress together!
📌 Follow along on my Canva tracker where I’m sharing pictures, links to trailers, watch status, and stats!
📌 Follow my challenge progress on Anime-Planet here and share your list!
📌 Hop into Discord to chat about what you’re watching!
📌 Watch for your favorite characters to show up in my monthly Sketch & Emote Patreon polls! Winners get sketched or turned into free downloadable Twitch & Discord emotes!
👉 Join the Sketch & Emote Club on Patreon!
Let’s make 2025 the best anime year yet!
What’s your first anime pick?
