In today’s anime landscape, it’s going to sound almost counter-intuitive: Yes, new and original anime are exciting, and we’ll discuss plenty of them, but the truth is that some of the biggest anime franchises are still leading the charge in 2025. From global merchandise and streaming dominance to theatrical releases and spin-offs, the major names are firmly entrenched, and for good reason. In this article we’ll explore why legacy franchises remain dominant, highlight key examples, and give you insight into how this affects what you watch (and why you watch it) in 2025. Big-Name Franchises Still Dominating in 2025.
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Why “Franchise Strength” Matters in Anime
Before we dive into specific shows, let’s unpack the mechanics behind franchise dominance in 2025:
- Market size & brand value: The global anime market is already projected to be valued at over USD 32.15 billion in 2025 and to continue growing steadily. Future Market Insights When a franchise carries strong brand recognition, it’s more likely to be picked up by streamers, licensed for merchandise, and released theatrically.
- Merchandise & licensing power: Reports show that merchandising and licensing are among the fastest growing segments in anime. The presence of a big franchise means more consumer-hardware, figure sales, collaborations. Accio
- Global streaming and content pipelines: Big franchises are prioritized for distribution globally, including India and other non-Japanese markets. Their return seasons, movies, spin-offs are often used as “safe bets” by platforms.
- Fan momentum & legacy effect: Viewers who’ve followed a franchise for years carry over into each new season, film or spinoff. That built-in audience allows studios and distributors to invest in higher quality and broader release strategies.
- Spin-offs, films, cross-media extensions: A strong franchise doesn’t just rely on the core TV series, they branch into films, games, live-action, etc. These expand reach and reinforce dominance.
Because of all this, even as “original anime” and new IPs make headlines, the major franchises are still very relevant. They aren’t old relics, they’re evolving and still commanding market share and cultural presence.
Key Franchises Still Leading in 2025
One Piece
The 25-year-old mariner epic remains a powerhouse. Its anime adaptation is in Season 21, adapting the “Egghead” arc of the manga. Wikipedia
- In October 2025, producer announcements revealed major changes ahead, starting 2026, the anime will move to two seasonal cours and cap at ~26 episodes per year to better align with pacing. GamesRadar
- Netflix also holds live‐action adaptation rights, further extending the franchise’s footprint.
Why it matters: It continues to dominate in terms of streaming visibility and accessibility, making it a top “safe” pick for both new viewers and longtime fans.
What to watch: Pay attention to how One Piece manages pacing, quality and global rollout given the shift in production strategy.
My Hero Academia (MHA)
This superhero-shōnen franchise remains deeply influential. The manga concluded August 2024, but the anime has its final season (Season 8) scheduled for October 4, 2025. 9meters+1
- Spin-offs such as Vigilantes (premiering April 2025) are already extending the universe. Wikipedia
Why it matters: MHA touches on global themes, has heavy merchandising (action figures, apparel), and the final season announcement has renewed interest.
What to watch: With the “final season” tag, this franchise may undergo a transition, possibly toward films or new spin-offs. For fans and new viewers, this is a high-profile event.
Dragon Ball
While exact new TV seasons may vary, the Dragon Ball franchise continues to dominate globally. In May 2025, it broke a historic milestone—outselling both One Piece and Gundam in global sales. The Times of India
Why it matters: Built-in global fan base, decades of content, significant merchandise ecosystem—Dragon Ball is not just anime series, it’s a global brand.
What to watch: Any new movie, game tie-in or spin-off will likely get global release windows. For Indian audiences it means more availability and bigger events.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Though perhaps not an “old” franchise by some standards, Demon Slayer has become massive. It’s been recognized repeatedly for excellence (winning Best Animation awards). Wikipedia
Why it matters: Its success shows that a relatively new franchise (compared to One Piece or Dragon Ball) can ascend to the same level.
What to watch: Movies and major arcs from this franchise are breakout events (which then funnel new fans into earlier seasons and merchandise).
How Dominance Shows Up and Why It Matters for Fans
• Prioritised release windows
Big franchises typically get first access to international streaming and dubbed regions. That means Indian viewers often see them earlier, or with better quality localisation.
• Higher production budgets
With proven commercial performance, studios are more willing to invest in top-tier animation, special effects, sound design. The expectation for “big” franchises is higher, which in turn sets a quality baseline.
• Less risk, more reward
Studios are under less pressure to gamble on formats or unknown IPs when a franchise is established. So these series get more consistent follow-through—making them reliable “safe picks”.
• Community & cultural presence
When your friends, social media feeds, conventions all talk about the same big names, you’re culturally plugged-in. Watching the big franchises means you’re part of the conversation (which matters if you’re an avid fan).
• Spin-offs keep engagement alive
Even when a “main” series is ending or concluding, its universe still expands via films, games, companion series. Example: My Hero Academia’s final season is coming, yet spin-offs continue.
This means that even if the main story arc is done, you still stay in-franchise.
But, What Does That Mean for You, the Viewer?
If you’re updating your watch-list, choosing what to start, or picking what to binge next, here’s how to make this understanding work for you:
- If you’re new: Starting a big franchise can feel daunting (hundreds of episodes, many seasons). But 2025 may be a good year to jump in, there are global entry points, high-quality seasons, and strong streaming support.
Example: My Hero Academia’s final season offers a clean “culmination” moment. - If you’re a veteran fan: These franchises likely have continuation value—spin-offs, films, special arcs, so staying on them means you’re always part of the flow.
- Balance risk vs originality: Big franchises dominate for reasons, but if you’re craving something fresh, allocate part of your budget/time to lesser-known or original series while keeping one or two franchise pillars on your list.
- Merch & events: If you collect figures, attend conventions, or follow merchandise, franchises with staying power give you access to more releases, tie-ins, and limited-edition drops.
- Global and regional availability: For viewers in India, big franchises mean you’re more likely to get dubbed/subtitled versions, earlier releases, and broader platform availability.
Are There Risks to Franchise Dominance?
Yes—while strength is mostly positive, there are potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Fatigue: Long-running franchise viewers can feel the “same beats” repeating. The risk is stagnation if creativity dips.
- Barrier to entry: New viewers may be intimidated by decades of lore or back-story.
- Resource allocation: When studios focus heavily on proven franchises, it might reduce funding/attention for new IPs or experimental series.
- Quality plateau: Past a point, quantity may increase at expense of quality unless the production team actively innovates.
That said, many franchises are aware of this and taking steps, like One Piece’s upcoming production shift in 2026. GamesRadar
Looking Ahead: What to Expect for 2025-26
Here are some key trends for franchise dominance moving forward:
- More event seasons: Final seasons, major arcs, new films—2025 is likely to see major “event” windows for franchises (e.g., My Hero Academia, One Piece).
- Global synchronisation: Streaming and distribution improved across regions means Indian viewers will see fewer delays and better localisation.
- Expanded universes: Franchises will increasingly spin off into films, games, live-action, etc. The core series may be just one arm of a larger ecosystem.
- Quality-over-quantity: As seen with One Piece’s planned drop to fewer episodes per year, franchises may shift to fewer but better-crafted episodes.
- Merch & cross-media integration: With merchandise expected to keep growing, the big franchises will continue to dominate—not just in viewership but in fandom investment.
Final Thoughts | Big-Name Franchises Still Dominating in 2025
Big-name anime franchises are far from fading into the background in 2025. In fact, their dominance is stronger than ever, supported by market dynamics, global distribution, and massive fanbases. The key takeaway for you as a viewer:
- These franchises offer reliable quality, global reach, and cultural relevance.
- If you’re picking what to watch, keep at least one of the major franchises on your list—whether you’re new to anime or a seasoned fan.
- But don’t ignore original series entirely; use your time strategically, and let franchise strength anchor your viewing while allowing space for discovery.
Whether you’re ready to dive into the next major arc of One Piece, witness the final showdown in My Hero Academia, or pick up an action saga like Dragon Ball or Demon Slayer, 2025 is a strong year to lean into the familiar, and love it.
