25th EPJE anniversary: vision piece on EPJE role today and tomorrow.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of The European Physical Journal E-Soft Matter and Biological Physics, we reflect on the journal's origins, rooted in Pierre-Gilles de Gennes' vision of soft matter as a unifying field of physics, and trace its evolution to encompass biological and active systems. We review EPJE's current position as a journal combining strong European roots with global reach, publishing original research, topical issues, reviews, and experimentally focused Tips and Tricks papers. Looking ahead, we outline our vision: deepening coverage of non-equilibrium and active matter, expanding into functional soft materials, reinforcing our strength in rheology, prioritizing experimental innovation, and embracing sustainability-related research, while remaining committed to Open Access and to bridging generations of scientists in the field.