The Best Anime Series of 2024
Another year, another 12 months of anime studios teetering on the brink of ruin while the production committees that finance these projects reap immense profits. Once again, many airing series experienced mid-season delays as animators were flooded with unreasonable workloads. The medium may be more popular than ever worldwide, but much of this windfall still isn’t reaching the hands of the people who actually make these shows.
Still though, despite stifling conditions, there was still an impressive lineup of series that delivered well-realized fantasy worlds, affecting romances, emotionally unstable bands, and a poison-obsessed gremlin better at solving mysteries than Holmes himself. As for some positive trends, there was a refreshing number of female protagonists represented among this year’s best shows—even in the kinds of action-oriented series that usually give them the short end of the stick—as well as many excellent adaptations of manga written by women. This isn’t to imply there weren’t heaps of fan service across the medium writ large, but this year definitely delivered a range of characters from different backgrounds (aka, every protagonist wasn’t another teenage boy).
Overall, like many creative fields these days, the anime industry may be a mess, and animation continues to be a back-breaking process that requires absurd amounts of effort for meager wages, but that didn’t stop creators from once again proving why human-created art is irreplaceable in the face of generative AI produced nonsense. Some of these shows were so visually impressive that it was easy to forget just how ridiculously hard it is to bring them to life. Without further ado, let’s run down the best anime of the year.
Honorable Mentions: A Sign of Affection, Yuru Camp, Negative Positive Angler, Blue Box, My Hero Academia Season 7
15. Train to the End of the World
From its first episode, Train to the End of the World brimmed with creativity and chaos, resulting in the type of weirdo anime original we see too little of these days. After the botched rollout of the “7G cellular network” warps reality into an unrecognizable wonderland, Shizuru and her buddies set out from their hometown to find their estranged friend Yuko, who was headed to the big city of Ikebukuro, Tokyo before the disaster. As the group co-opts an abandoned train, they run into episodic hijinks along the way. Much of the series’ originality lies in these encounters, and it’s an exercise in futility to guess what’s in store any given week: malicious mushrooms, zombies allergic to Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and cartoons that come to life are just a few of the strange sights they witness.
And beyond these wacky adventures, the whip-sharp dialogue and characterization from veteran screenwriter Michiko Yokote (Shirobako, Princess Tutu, Mononoke, etc.) make the lightning-fast interactions between this group of teen girls feel both honest and hilarious. The bizarre happenings may draw you in, but it’s the overarching relationship drama between Shizuru and her distant bestie that pulls everything together. Thanks to this focus, Train to the End of the World is able to maintain its bedlam without going off the rails.
14. Dragon Ball Daima
Few series are as big a deal as Dragon Ball: Goku is deservedly a household name everywhere from Japan to Latin America. And unsurprisingly, as a long-running, sprawling thing, this tale has taken many forms over the years, from Dragon Ball Z’s endless parade of space fascists trying to blow up Earth to Dragon Ball Super and its escalating interdimensional conflicts. In many ways, Dragon Ball Daima feels like a return to the beginning, when our hero and his problems were much smaller scale. Taking place after Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga, in this iteration, a new bad guy steals the Dragon Balls and uses them to revert Goku and pals into children. From here, our spiky-haired Saiyan must travel to the Demon Realm and undo this wish.
Toei Animation entirely follows through on this OG Dragon Ball referencing setup by recapturing the adventurous, Journey To The West-inspired spirit of the original series. Once again, getting from point A to point B is far from trivial, and our protagonist is saddled with obstacles and restrictions that make it so power-scaling obsessed bros can’t get mad when Goku breaks a sweat while fighting low-tier goons. It also certainly helps that these martial arts showdowns are animated with a vim and vigor sometimes absent from Super, as each punch and kick sends cronies flying. Considering this was one of the final projects that series creator Toriyama worked on before his untimely passing, it’s wonderful that Daima is such a fitting send-off to one of the most influential artists of our time.
13. Undead Unluck
Undead Unluck has quickly proven to be one of the more quietly bonkers action anime in recent memory. Similar to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure before it, this series is about duels between opponents with outlandish abilities, resulting in puzzle-box battles that are as much about brains as brawn. But perhaps even zanier than these powers is how its worldbuilding slowly reveals the extremes of this setting, nonchalantly dropping exposition bombs that carry all sorts of fascinating implications. We follow Andy and Fuko, a pair who come into the crosshairs of an enigmatic organization that hunts down “Negators,” people who can nullify the rules of reality.
David Productions and director Yuki Yase capture these negation abilities through idiosyncratic editing and layouts that convey the strangeness of these metaphysical powers while also heightening the juicy melodrama surrounding its characters. Although this one was visually impressive from the jump, perhaps the biggest point of improvement is that it has done a much better job building out the relationship between Andy and Fuko throughout its run, pairing down the disconcerting sexual harassment “gags” between them in the process. With that unfortunate bit largely tossed aside, the show has continued to build on its avant-garde animation and intriguing premise to make for a well-produced and exciting action romp.
12. Ranma ½
I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am genuinely shocked that this reboot of Ranma ½ is so much fun. Much of that enjoyment can be chalked up to MAPPA’s excellent translation of Rumiko Takahashi’s iconic art style, as well as how they successfully bring both lithe martial arts and physical comedy to life. But what I didn’t expect was for the series’ sense of humor to hold up so well, especially considering how much of Takahashi’s work feels very of its time. Just like in the original series, the central premise here is that Ranma and Akane are two martial artists set up in an arranged marriage by their parents—oh, and there’s the whole thing where Ranma recently fell into a magic Chinese hotspring that makes it so whenever they are doused in cold water, they physically transform into a girl. Hijinks ensue.
While I won’t pretend most of the gender stuff here is exceptionally thoughtful, there is occasionally more going on than “Ranma looks like a woman now; isn’t that funny!” For instance, Akane struggles with comparing herself to her more traditionally feminine sister, while Ranma seems to become increasingly comfortable with switching back and forth between presenting as a boy and a girl. And all throughout, whenever a recurring bit is on the verge of getting old, unexpected bursts of absurdity keep things hilarious, like schoolwide melees for Akane’s hand or fated rivals without a sense of direction. Add in the fact this latest adaptation trims down some of the repetition from its source material while seemingly maintaining its most important arcs, and you have the ingredients for a revitalized classic.
11. Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Part 2
Nier: Automata is one of those games that means a great deal to a lot of people (myself included), so A-1’s adaptation of this oddball sci-fi story had a high bar to clear. Thankfully, it did just that, and between its meaningful additions and ability to translate the unmitigated emotional damage of its source material, Ver1.1a is a worthy adaptation of an all-timer. For those out of the loop, we follow 2B and 9S, two androids forced to fight in a forever war on humanity’s behalf against alien-made machines—somehow, this description doesn’t even scratch the surface of how bonkers things get. But despite its out-there qualities, the series grounds these circumstances with a cast of lovable characters who are increasingly pulled into the tragedy of this senseless conflict as this narrative blasts apart dogmatic ideology and rampant militarism with purpose.
However, beyond Ver1.1a only working as a retelling of this tale for people with no interest in picking up a controller, it also meaningfully expands on certain character arcs to fix some of the original’s storytelling problems, like how A2’s backstory didn’t feel fully explored. To this effect, it certainly helped that the game’s director and writer, Yoko Taro, helped co-write this series, allowing him to create a second draft of this narrative. While I still think the game is the best way to experience this story due to how exceptionally it utilizes its medium, Ver1.1a is a great way to embark on this crushing sci-fi odyssey.
10. Oshi No Ko Season 2
Oshi no Ko was one of last year’s breakout hits (in large part because of its attention-grabbing premiere), and the latest season of this showbiz drama built on what came before with another batch of beautifully presented episodes. We continue to follow Aqua and Ruby, the kids of a famous idol working their way up in the entertainment industry, as Aqua lands a role in a star-studded play. While this latest run is almost entirely focused on a single theatrical production instead of a broader range of topics like last season, it justifies this focus by delving into the nuances of this production and the people who bring it to life. Along the way, it remains rightfully critical of the entertainment industry; of its unfairness, how unglamorous it can be, and most of all, how it enables exploitation and abuse. But while it’s rightly scathing, it avoids being outright cynical by delighting in the intricacies and fun of making art.
Our central cast of aspiring entertainers are an absolute treat, and studio Doga Koba goes all out in externalizing their joy during performances through colorful, creative cuts of animation. Much like its nuanced take on showbiz, these characters are equally complicated, each motivated by big dreams and held back by past mishaps as they struggle toward the kind of performers they want to be. Tying into this, the latest season’s greatest improvement over what came before is that it’s dramatically better at conveying Aqua’s angst, moving him from a prototypical revenge-fueled protagonist into someone whose trauma is much more specific and well-illustrated. Thanks to its excellent cast, expressive animation, and rigorous dive into the entertainment industry, Oshi no Ko’s second season maintains center stage with ease.
9. The Dangers in My Heart
The Dangers in My Heart got off to a somewhat rocky start due to its main character’s edgelordian inner monologues, but quickly blossomed into an unexpectedly heartwarming tale. It follows two junior high students, Kyoutarou Ichikawa, a seemingly gloomy kid who scares others away with Hot Topic-fashion sense and an apparent love of gory true crime, and Anna Yamada, a tall model who’s the most popular girl in class. Although this setup initially reeks of wish-fulfillment due to its “dreary boy” and “bubbly girl” pairing, it transcends this thanks to how specific both characters come across. We find that Ichikawa’s awkward chuunibyou tendencies are a shield meant to deflect disappointment, while Yamada is a messy, non-idealized dork. Through cute vignettes, it conveys the burgeoning relationship between these two with fluffy delight, and, mercifully, its leading pair are capable of actually communicating with one another instead of letting misunderstandings linger for the sake of dramatic convenience. Small incidental moments slowly accumulate until you’re ready to ugly cry along with its cast, who have already come a long way in being increasingly honest with themselves and others. Through its second season, The Dangers in My Heart remains as engaging and adorkable as ever.
8. Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction
Weaving together its nuanced depiction of its central shitty teens with an avalanche of weighty themes, Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is a one-of-a-kind coming-of-age story you don’t want to miss. Events mainly center on Ontan and Kadode, two high schoolers trying to get through the tail end of their adolescence as a UFO looms over their hometown of Tokyo like a sword of Damocles. The series accomplishes the tricky task of successfully balancing mundanity and larger-than-life stakes as it jumps between hang-out shenanigans and behind-the-scenes meetings conducted by a callous, xenophobic government. In regards to the latter aspect, unlike many alien invasion stories, the humans here are undeniably the warmongering aggressors, as fear-driven politicians orchestrate massacres against a group they barely attempt to understand. Meanwhile, as the years pass, everyone waits for the day that the increasingly decrepit alien aircraft will finally fall out of the sky, presumably taking the city with it.
Against this brutal backdrop, we watch as our leading pair of disaster teens do their best to live out some semblance of a normal life, burying the grief of lost loved ones under heaps of banter—the dialogue between our central besties is so specific, sharply written, and consistently hilarious that these scenes are equally if not more compelling than the geopolitics bubbling in the background. If I have a major issue with how this one is handled, though, it’s that the ending comes too abruptly and doesn’t give some of its last-minute turns time to breathe. Still, even with this flaw, you could write several essays about the series’ subject matter: how the UFO’s imminent crash captures the particular experience of growing up under existential threats like climate change and thermonuclear destruction or how it evokes coming of age while your government commits hyper-nationalistic atrocities that many fellow citizens are eager to defend. But perhaps its most poignant thread is the radical lengths its central pair are willing to go for one another—they may not be able to save the world, but just maybe they can save each other.
7. Sound! Euphonium 3
It’s been more than seven years since Sound! Euphonium was last on the small screen (although there were some movies in between), and the latest season of Kyoto Animation’s masterfully animated music story demonstrates what a loss this absence has been. Things pick up where they left off with Kumiko in her last year at Kitauji High School, as she and the rest of the concert band aim to win Gold at the national competition. From the opening moments, it’s clear that the studio’s rigorous approach to portraying everyday life is in full form, as they render some of the most impressive character animation you’ll see on TV.
This thorough attention to detail captures the intricacies of subtle motion, such as playing instruments, and works perfectly with a narrative similarly obsessed with the minute emotional turns of its cast, as Kumiko attempts to hold together the egos and concerns of her band. You wouldn’t think a grounded account of a high school club could be so dramatic, but through its sustained hyperfocus on the little things, it has put us in the room with these characters so intensely that returning to this group after so long feels almost like being among old friends. Kyoto Animation has earned a reputation for putting out some of the most gorgeously produced TV anime we’ve ever seen, and Sound! Euphonium’s third season is no exception.
6. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
While there were plenty of pleasant surprises this Fall anime season, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth was easily the most unexpected discovery. The story follows Rafal, a child prodigy who comes to question his low-risk lifestyle after he begins researching the “heretical” and then-unproven model of heliocentricism. It’s an interesting premise, but where events become truly compelling is how this battle over astronomy gets at deeply held sociological beliefs and systems of theocratic control: through the geocentric model, this Catholic Church equivalent argues that Earth is the “lowest” point in the cosmos and that its inequities and cruelty are not only immutable but an intentional gauntlet of suffering that must be endured to secure a spot in Heaven (and of course, donating alms to the Church certainly helps see the pearly gates too). As a group of dissident thinkers and unlikely stargazers study the cosmos at risk of torture and execution from inquisitors, they each find that a dangerous truth is worth much more to them than a comfortable lie. If you need a reminder about the unbreakable nature of the human spirit and the beauty of passing down the possibility of a better future you may not personally see, you should probably watch this outstanding television program.
5. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Last year, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End stole the show. Its first sixteen episodes were a melancholic look at what it means to live forever, as the elf Freiren reflected on her place in a changing world. It riffed on high fantasy tropes in compelling ways, not only interrogating its protagonists’ circumstances but also revealing a complicated setting, well-thought-out magic systems, and clever spins on what it means to be a hero. Although this year’s second cour wasn’t as outright emotionally affecting as what came before, in large part because these episodes switched gears into a tournament arc, it still slipped in interesting character moments and bittersweet recollections in between all of the fisticuffs, which thrived thanks to studio Madhouse’s tremendous work.
In a modern anime industry where most series that run for back-to-back seasons eventually hit a noticeable dip in animation quality, by contrast, this is among the most consistent productions we’ve seen. In fact, it’s gotten even more flashy as these duels have taken center stage, bringing to life earth-shattering displays of magical acumen that fully sell the destructive power of these incantations. And even if this stretch is a little less thoughtful than the show’s first half, it still sprinkles in rewarding development and compelling dynamics (while also doing the very fun thing of introducing a bunch of cool guys with colorful abilities). Through the end of its first season, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End remains a quest worth embarking on.
4. Dan Da Dan
Defined by stylish action sequences and a surprisingly affecting central relationship, Dandadan has blasted past its already high expectations with supernatural skill. We follow Momo and Okarun; she was a ghost-believing girl, he was a UFO conspiracy boy. After a dare goes sideways, the two realize they’re both right, and Momo is granted telekinetic abilities while Okarun gains a paranormal power-up that they use to take on extraterrestrials and hostile spirits. While the source material is already very well-regarded, Science Saru has gone positively ballistic with this adaptation, capturing these otherworldly turns with punchy sequences that demonstrate the studio’s trademark creativity. It’s an exceedingly well-directed series, from the high-octane beatdowns to the more grounded will-they-won’t-they shenanigans between our wonderfully dorky leads. These two are just so well characterized, and Momo’s strong sense of justice, quick-thinking, and hilarious fixation on 20th-century Japanese film star Ken Takakura mixes perfectly with Okarun’s kindness, satisfaction with finally making a friend, and alien-obsessed eccentricities. As a result, the series works confidently regardless of whether it’s fixated on first kisses or ghost punching, and it’s all elevated by Science Saru’s eye-catching sense of style. At least so far, Dandadan is out-of-this-world.
3. Girls Band Cry
Finally available for streaming outside of Japan, Girls Band Cry is defined by delightful animation and lovable disaster characters which make this another banger in the increasingly crowded “girls start a band” sub-genre. The story centers on Nina, a teen who drops out of school to move to Tokyo and quickly crosses paths with her favorite musician, Momoka. Before long, Nina finds herself not just admiring from afar but making music for herself as she comes together with a group of fellow misfits to form a band.
The most immediately noticeable element here is the intensely expressive 3D animation, as characters stretch and bounce to sell physical comedy and genuine emotion. While a lot of anime’s 3D CGI looks stiff or awkward, there is a fluidity here that lends itself perfectly to both big musical performance sequences and playful banter between these bandmates. And as for the main cast, they’re an absolute mess in the best way possible, crashing through the streets of Tokyo as they flip people off, get on each other’s nerves, and find purpose in music. Nina makes for a compelling protagonist who alternates between being painfully sincere and a chaotic gremlin, ripping true feelings out of her compatriots as their music helps them address old hurts. Not to be upstaged, the other band members all have their own well-defined concerns that lead to authentic drama, such as Momoka’s fears of repeating the past or Subaru’s family issues. While our central cast may be a bit of a trainwreck, between this series’ affecting turns, striking look, and somewhat open-ended conclusion, I’m hoping we get more of this performance.
2. Delicious in Dungeon
Delicious in Dungeon juggles a lot and juggles it well. Through gut-busting humor, savory cooking sequences, colorful animation, and increasingly affecting character development, this series is a well-balanced meal that’s only gotten tastier with time. We continue to follow Laios (A Tallman warrior), Marcille (an elven mage), Senshi (a monster meal-obsessed Dwarf), and Chilchuck (a halfling locksmith), as they cook up creatures while journeying to save a lost party member from this dungeon. Although I was impressed with this fantasy tale from the jump, over its 24-episode run, the story has gone from amusing to outright devastating, as it has expertly built up its characters alongside all the mouthwatering meals. These goobers are the key to the show’s success, and it’s a delight to watch them deliver tasty dishes ripped from a fantasy rendition of the Food Network as we slowly uncover their backstories.
And it’s not only the cooking and cast that leave a mark because just about every element of this anime based on Ryōko Kui’s manga lands successfully; Kui’s creative spins on high fantasy tropes make this world feel unique and flavorful, and Studio Trigger captures these details via a slightly toned-down version of their trademark maximalist presentation. Oh, and did I mention it’s funny—like really funny? There aren’t many shows that, within 10 minutes, can seamlessly jump between a brutal backstory concerning potential cannibalism and a brilliant visual gag where a character is transformed into a doofy-looking dog, but Delicious in Dungeon does so with ease. Move over The Bear, this is the best culinary-focused show of the year.
1. The Apothecary Diaries
There are plenty of reasons why The Apothecary Diaries rose to the top of this strong lineup, but one of the most straightforward is how good it is at balancing episodic storytelling with its overarching ambitions. Week to week, we watch as our genius apothecary, Maomao, uses her deep knowledge of science and remedies to piece together mysteries within this fictionalized rendition of Ming Dynasty China’s imperial court. These whodunits are deeply entertaining in their own right, detailing complicated conspiracies and alchemic phenomena while offering ample room for our medicinal detective to flex her sharp wit. However, where they gain even more impact is in how these machinations connect to implicit critiques of the power imbalances and misogyny that define this historical setting. For Maomao, cracking these cases is frequently the easy part, and the true difficulty comes from navigating an invisible web of royal court procedure and faux pas that could lead to her getting expelled (or much worse) if she makes even a minor misstep.
But while this setting can be oppressive, the series also highlights how the people trapped in this walled garden carve out little spaces for themselves. Maomao is a lovable medicine goblin who’s quickly become one of my favorite anime protagonists, and this story is so good at capturing her over-the-top glee at gathering herbs and crafting concoctions (especially poison). We see other people’s passions, wants, and loves—the things that persevere despite these stifling circumstances. Toho and OLM’s consistently beautiful backdrops further put us in this historical moment as the show deftly balances its many tones and political circumstances. Thankfully, Season 2 is already slated for January; let’s hope the next chapter from Toho and OLM is just as moving as the last.
Elijah Gonzalez is an assistant Games and TV Editor for Paste Magazine. In addition to playing and watching the latest on the small screen, he also loves film, creating large lists of media he’ll probably never actually get to, and dreaming of the day he finally gets through all the Like a Dragon games. You can follow him on Twitter @eli_gonzalez11 and on Bluesky @elijahgonzalez.bsky.social.
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