2025 has been quite a year for anime with standout releases ranging from Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 to Solo Leveling Season 2, along with second seasons of The Apothecary Diaries and Dandadan, as well as exciting debuts like Sakamoto Days, Gachiakuta, and Takopi’s Original Sin, among others. There have certainly been both expected and surprising hits this year, but what’s truly surprising is that this one anime comedy deserves far more recognition than it received.
Moving past the well-deserved hullabaloo surrounding 2025’s hits, Kyoto Animation released City the Animation this July, which explores themes vastly different from the hard-hitting intensity of recent titles like Solo Leveling and Infinity Castle. It feels like a well-deserved break for viewers seeking something fun and lighthearted.
Everything You Need to Know About Kyoto Animation’s New Gem, City the Animation
Set for 13 episodes, City the Animation is a quirky comedy, combining bizarre situations and the absurdity of everyday life. Keiichi Arawi’s manga CITY launched in September 2016 and concluded in February 2021, with its 13th and final compiled book published in April 2021.
An ongoing anime, City the Animation, is based on Arawi’s manga CITY, which follows the lives of three female leads known as the Mont Blanc Trio: Midori Nagumo, Ayumu Niikura, and Wako Izumi. It marks a milestone as the studio’s first non-sequel project in six years. Viewers may recall that Kyoto Animation also adapted Arawi’s Nichijou anime. Given the strong similarities between Nichijou and CITY — from eccentric characters to absurd situations, the latter is often considered its spiritual successor, done on a much larger scale.
City the Animation is directed by Taichi Ishidate, best known for Violet Evergarden and Beyond the Boundary. First announced in September 2024 during Kyoto Animation’s special livestream unveiling its 2025 slate, City the Animation premiered on July 6, 2025, with a new episode dropping weekly. The latest to hit the screen, Episode 8, debuted on August 25, 2025.
The Characters That Bring City the Animation To Life
The residents of the city (literally named City) are a quirky bunch, each with eccentric traits of their own. The three female leads at the heart of City the Animation are Midori Nagumo, voiced by Mikako Komatsu; Ayumu Niikura, brought to life by Aki Toyosaki; and Wako Izumi, voiced by Yui Ishikawa. City the animation also features Chef Tsurubishi Makabe, who runs Makabe’s Western bistro. His family members play a key role in the story, often finding themselves caught up in bizarre situations. The Makabe family includes Mrs. Makabe, an archaeologist who is just as eccentric as the rest of the family, Tsurubishi’s daughter, Matsuri, and his son, Tetewaku. Matsuri is dubbed the most “normal” of the bunch. Supporting characters extend to Makabe’s grandmother, Obaba, who is Chef Makabe’s mother-in-law.
Amid the love, laughter, and hustle and bustle of the city, the leading trio stir up mischief while chasing dreams and having fun. This time around, Arawi has cranked the worldbuilding up a notch, creating the potential to develop each character into a full arc.
What Makes City the Animation So Special
City the Animation has vibrant colors and playful music, with plenty of heartwarming moments. The story only seems to get better with each new release, with an increase in both quality and animation. The anime is a nostalgic throwback to Nichijou; it only raises the bar and carves out its own distinctive personality. It is unforgettable and has managed to earn praise for all its episodes, particularly number 5.
City the Animation boasts an interesting ensemble, quirky themes, and highlights how people’s lives intersect in the city. While there are many storylines at first, the gradual interactions between the main and supporting characters tie them together. Each day brings a new set of challenges for the city and its inhabitants, yet nothing they cannot handle. The animation is crisp and sharp, elevating every shot and character. Kyoto Animation captures Arawi’s work with finesse, amplifying it through vibrant hues.
The Mont Blanc Trio is the highlight to watch out for, and a comedy taken to outrageous levels is just worth devouring. The simplistic art style of City the Animation strikes a chord with viewers seeking a balance between outrageous humor and emotional depth. Props go to both the series’ author and the studio for capturing the essence of Nichijou while still offering a distinct experience in terms of intricate worldbuilding and character development. Both Nichijou and City the Animation share a similar feel, but the latter’s characters, unique settings, and overarching storyline make it well worth watching.
City the Animation, a slice-of-life anime, is available for streaming on Amazon Prime. And while it isn’t groundbreaking by any means, it deserves special mention in summer 2025’s very best, as it makes even ordinary life into something unpredictable.
