The Best TV Shows of 2025 according to Taiwan Critics and Reviewers
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Background
The "The Best TV Shows of 2025 according to Taiwan Critics and Reviewers " marks the fifth anniversary of this annual project since its inception in 2021. This year, we invited 202 Taiwanese drama critics to vote for their top series of the year. Based on statistical data and feedback from previous years, we have categorized the rankings into six major groups: Taiwanese Dramas, Japanese Dramas, Korean Dramas, East Asian Dramas Western Dramas, and Animation. To ensure a broader and more diverse selection, each critic was permitted to nominate up to fifteen titles, a system designed to both increase overlap among nominated series and broaden the overall diversity of the selection. Detailed lists of each critic's Top 15, along with links to their social media profiles, are provided on the second page to foster further discussion and community engagement.
This project brings together influential Taiwanese drama critics who are making a significant impact across various fields. Between December 24, 2025, and January 4, 2026, the editorial team invited 202 critics to participate. A total of 72 responses were collected, nominating 307 unique titles. Through a weighted scoring system, we have compiled the definitive 2025 rankings. The following sections detail the scoring methodology, participants, and final rankings. We sincerely thank all readers for your patience.
Scoring Methodology
1.Eligibility: Series or animation must have aired at least one episode (including premieres, continued airing, , or finales) between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, via broadband or legitimate streaming platforms.
2.Format Restrictions: Nominations cannot include feature films, short films, TV movies, or closed exhibition/conference screenings. However, one-act drama are eligible.
3.Data Sources: Premiere dates, country of origin, and related information should be verified via official websites, IMDb, or other recognized film and television databases.
4.Categorization: Rankings are divided into six categories. Except for Animation, categories are determined by the "Country of Origin" listed on IMDb rather than language. All animated works are categorized under "Animation." Other East Asian productions (e.g., C-Dramas, Thai Dramas) are categorized under "East Asian Dramas."
5.Ranking Calculation: Rankings are determined by total points. A 1st place vote receives 15 points, 2nd place 14 points, and so on, down to 1 point for 15th place. In the event of a tie in points, the number of mentions (votes) acts as the tiebreaker. If both are equal, the highest individual ranking achieved and its frequency are considered.
Participant List
We sincerely thank all the contributors to this project.
The list of participating critics and reviewers is presented below in order of submission.
推坑人妻、北土城影評人協會、凱特、WEIの追劇日常、CHIH夏日葵のタネ、來點咖啡因 拿鐵、住在影劇裡的雨瑜、觀影囈語、Rosie、神隱少年團動畫漫畫遊戲咖啡閒聊次文化電台暨物語廚俱樂部（二百五） 、KK帶路看影劇、映画案內所、震的小小觀景窗、徐佑德、E小姐愛看劇、Dramovel_smile (Miso)、雪奈日劇部屋、XXY、如果你也這樣覺得、MM、JJ影視廳、Whitefeathers（白羽影評）、彼得葉 peteryeh、筆名：JC （粉專：JC酒依絲 | Meet Me In Kismet)、Oliver、吾言少女｜吾劇吾述、Lizzy聊電影、Boom看劇、詹氏瞻視電影院、Ryo Shen、漫步影劇、延延聊電影、今敏木木、GaryLai、艾米希莉 Amesily、兩個腐女談我們愛的戲劇、時光說電影、大呼過影、少女心文室、Birdy Wei、凱文的觀影筆記、理工女看影劇、Min的追劇星球、Yuchi、追劇便利商店、娜比、heehee 희희、艾蜜莉關の影劇筆記、追劇二百五、Ashley、安在寫電影、偉士牌電視筆記、麥恩！、你的宅友已上線、芮塔、星晴、丹眼看電影、如履的電影筆記、我是影集控、Pony、𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥、卡欸蝶、Dear Han、祖寧、骰子543、大叔Pi 、dramaisadrama爪媽、陪甯看電影、九號球、電波比比、日本電影院、斯比亂講話
– Disclaimer –
This project was conducted as an independent initiative by the organizer to collect and analyze data; it does not represent the opinions of all critics in the industry. The invitees were subjectively selected by the organizers as "New-generation online KOLs who are passionate about new television and streaming series, consistently produce drama-related commentary, and possess a distinct critical voice and following." Due to limitations in networking, manpower, and time, invitations were primarily extended to those within our reachable network. If we have overlooked any esteemed critics, we sincerely apologize and welcome you to contact us for the 2026 edition.
We acknowledge that this year’s pool of critics lacks sufficient diversity in terms of geography, gender, age, ethnicity, viewing focus, taste, or platforms. As a result of sampling limitations, the list of nominated dramas may not be fully comprehensive. However, we hope this serves as a meaningful record of the development and preferences of drama critics in 2025. We hope to continue refining and expanding this initiative in the future. If you have any feedback, you are warmly welcomed via comments or direct messages on our fan page, helping the project grow more comprehensive and inclusive over time.
– Media & Social Promotion –
This project warmly invites entertainment media outlets and film/TV-related communities to publish posts or share reposts. A media press kit and social media posting kit have been prepared and are available for use. When publishing, please credit the organizing entity, and kindly tag our official Instagram account.
Organizers:
#The_Best_TV_Shows_of_2025_according_to_Taiwan_Critics_and_Reviewers
Project Team｜今敏木木 @konsatoshi631012、艾米希莉 @little_reading_monster、九號球工作室 @imletter_movie、斯比亂講話 @spi__moviedrama、蔡董 @chengyi_drama、Birdy Wei @birdy.wei、小蔡 @xttttttt.tw
Illustration Design｜小蔡
Website Development｜今敏木木
Data & Statistics｜斯比亂講話
Event Planning｜Birdy Wei
Video Editing｜蔡董（蔡承頤）
English Proofreading｜Pearl
Best TV Show Video Edit
Analysis of Participants
Invitation Numbers, Gender, and Age Distribution
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Primary Social Platforms
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The Best TV Shows of 2025 according to Taiwan Critics and Reviewers
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
2025 Overall Top 10
1.When Life Gives You Tangerines
2.Our Unwritten Seoul
3.Adolescence
4.Stranger Things Season 5
5.You and Everything Else
6.The World Between Us: After the Flames
7.The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
8.Then You Try Making it!
9.The Hot Spot
10.The Studio
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Taiwanese Dramas Top 10
1.The World Between Us: After the Flames
2.Black Tide Island
3.Had I Not Seen the Sun
4.Forget You Not
5.Oops! I'm in Jail
6.The Outlaw Doctor
7.The Resurrected
8.Tabloid
9.I am Married...But!
10.Holiday
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Korean Dramas Top 10
1.When Life Gives You Tangerines
2.Our Unwritten Seoul
3.You and Everything Else
4.The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
5.Law and The City
6.Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
7.The Price of Confession
8.Love Scout
9.Way Back Love
10.Resident Playbook
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Japanese Dramas Top 10
1.Then You Try Making it!
2.The Hot Spot
3.A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You
4.Glass Heart
5.Like Asura
6.The Proud Family
7.Sweet Bean Bread
8.Gannibal Season 2
9.Romantics Anonymous
10.Chihayafuru: Full Circle
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Western Dramas Top 10
1.Adolescence
2.Stranger Things Season 5
3.The Studio
4.Heated Rivalry
5.It: Welcome to Derry
6.Pluribus
7.Severance Season 2
8.The Bear Season 4
9.The Pitt
10.Boots
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
East Asian Dramas (C-Drama/Thai Drama) Top 10
1.The First Frost
2.The Prisoner of Beauty
3.The Best Thing
4.Legend of The Female General
5.Love in the Clouds
6.Mobius
7.Love's Ambition
8.Always Home
9.Speed and Love
10.Blood River
This image is based on the original Traditional Chinese design and was converted into an English version using the Gemini AI model.
Animation Top 10
1.My Hero Academia: Final Season
2.DAN DA DAN Season 2
3.Takopi's Original Sin
4.My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
5.WITCH WATCH
6.The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
7.The Summer Hikaru Died
8.Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2
9.Solo Leveling Season 2 - Arise from the Shadow
10.The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Final Results Analysis
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Taiwanese Dramas: 132 votes, 23 titles.13.8%
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Japanese Dramas: 120 votes, 48 titles.12.5%
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Korean Dramas: 270 votes, 56 titles.28.2%.
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East Asian Dramas: 107 votes, 58 titles (49 C-Dramas, 9 Thai Dramas).11.2%
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Western Dramas: 199 votes, 65 titles.20.8%.
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Animation: 130 votes, 57 titles.13.5%.
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Grand Total: 307 unique titles | 958 total votes.
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Summary: Compared to 2023, Korean Dramas continue to dominate both in data volume and vote count. Taiwanese dramas, which ranked second in 2023, were overtaken by Western dramas in this edition. Notably, the total votes for the Western series increased by approximately 2.5 times, likely due to the widespread adoption and growing influence of Western streaming platforms. The newly added Animation category performed impressively, trailing the third-rankedTaiwanese Dramas by only two votes. East Asian Dramasremain the category with the least amount of overall vote share.