2025 has been a sensational year for anime, with some of the most electrifying anime airing this year. Solo Leveling Season 2 kick-started everything in early 2025, and since then, it's maintained its position as one of the highest-rated anime of the year. Solo Leveling Season 2 was short, but it featured some incredible episodes. The episode that stood out most in Solo Leveling Season 2 was its 12th episode, “Are You the King of Humans?”
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This episode surpassed everything else that Solo Leveling had offered the fans before it, and it became the highest-rated episode of the series. Nevertheless, while Solo Leveling Season 2 episode 12 was great, it pales in comparison to what My Hero Academia season 8 has been putting out. My Hero Academia Season 8 has received high ratings across the board, but its 8th episode has made itself known with a rating of 9.9/10 on IMDb.
My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 8 Beats Out Solo Leveling’s Best Episode On IMDb
Solo Leveling Season 2 is most definitely a fan favorite anime in 2025. The story of Sung Jinwoo has been followed by millions of fans, and thousands were seated to see his biggest fight yet, which featured him taking on the Ant King. Jinwoo vs The Ant King unfolded in Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 12, titled “Are You the King of Humans?” It goes without saying that this episode was huge, and one of the most talked about this year. On IMDb, this episode has received a rating of 9.7/10, which is one of the highest for an anime episode this year.
This is impressive, but not as impressive as what My Hero Academia Season 8 was able to offer. My Hero Academia Season 8 has been massive, and while all its episodes have great ratings, My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 8 has stood out quite a lot. My Hero Academia Season 8 episode 8 came out on November 22, 2025, and it has quickly become not only the highest-rated episode of MHA Season 8, but the highest-rated episode of the franchise, in general.
Sometimes I do feel like I'm a failure. But even so, I'm not gonna give up! — Izuku Midoriya
At the same time, it is also the highest-rated anime episode this whole year. Right now, My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 8 stands with an incredible 9.9/10 rating on IMDb. This number will be impossible to beat for any other series this year.
My Hero Academia Season 8 Is A Bigger Hit than Solo Leveling Season 2
Solo Leveling has definitely proven itself as one of the biggest newcomer anime series. Fans have flocked to Solo Leveling to enjoy its fast pace, as well as its back-to-back intense battles. Solo Leveling has been so popular that it even became 2025’s Anime of the Year at the Crunchyroll Awards with its first anime season.
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If I can't save the one small girl in front of me, how can I become a hero that saves everyone? — Izuku Midoriya
Despite all that, it seems that My Hero Academia Season 8 is still the bigger hit of the two. Not only did My Hero Academia Season 8 have the highest-rated episode of this year on IMDb, but it was also higher-rated than Solo Leveling on other platforms, such as MAL. My Hero Academia Season 8 is currently ranked 30th on MAL with a score of 8.84, and that could still increase. Meanwhile, Solo Leveling’s highest-rated season on MAL is 96th. Its score is currently 8.62/10.
My Hero Academia Will Be Remembered For Years To Come
My Hero Academia Season 8 is the franchise’s final season. As such, fans are understandably sad to see their favorite series going away forever. MHA will still have smaller projects, such as Vigilantes, or a live-action movie, but those will never truly replace the original series.
There will always be people beyond our reach that we can't protect. Which is why we have to save people we can reach. — Izuku Midoriya
Despite concluding this December, MHA is the kind of series that will be remembered for years to come, and it remains a must-watch series for any anime fan.
The My Hero Academia manga concluded with 431 chapters for fans to read. All these chapters can be found on Manga Plus. My Hero Academia is also airing its final season, which will consist of 11 episodes in total. The series can be watched on Crunchyroll.