10 Best Anime Series of 2024, Ranked

It’s official; anime has taken over the world. What was once a niche interest limited to its home country has blossomed into a medium of entertainment that audiences from every continent turn to on a daily basis. With thousands of anime series spanning countless genres. It’s inevitable for each year to have to come up with shows more vibrant and diverse and fascinating than ever before.

In 2024, several new anime series premiered on streaming and garnered massive popularity immediately. Alongside exciting newcomers, long-running franchises returned with new seasons as well. The sheer variety offered throughout the year is staggering – from epic fantasy adventures to delicate character studies, the medium has delivered stories that fans cannot help but embrace. The stunning animation, the unforgettable characters, and the captivating world building, all lead to the appeal of anime growing even higher.

But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. Of course, if you’re an otaku, you’re keeping track of new releases. But in this list, we’ve made sure to bring together the 10 absolute best anime series that graced our screens in 2024. Anime that transported us to new worlds to make us laugh, cry, and inspire.

10

‘Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!’

A teenage romance set against the backdrop of a high school setting, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! follows Kazuhiko Nukumizu, a quiet and introverted who never thinks of himself as the main character and has no hopes of finding love. But when he finds himself the center of attention of three girls, each rejected by their respective crush, he not only offers them comfort and support but also gets caught up in a whirlwind of drama and unexpected emotions.

Sharp and Humorous High School Romance

Generic in terms of storytelling, what Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! does brilliantly is set up a main character that’s equal parts hopeless and cynical, which reflects our collective yearning and inner insecurities. The satisfying animation captures the essence of teenage life and features relatable characters stuck in mildly humorous situations. It playfully deconstructs the convention that love comes easy and pokes fun at clichés that have become all too common.

9

‘The Elusive Samurai’

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The Elusive Samurai

Release Date

July 6, 2024

Cast

Asaki Yuikawa
, Yuichi Nakamura
, Hinaki Yano
, Mari Hino
, Sayumi Suzushiro
, Aoi Yuki
, Kikunosuke Toya

The Elusive Samurai, set in 14th-century Japan, takes you to a world where honor and duty are regarded highly. Hojo Tokiyuki is a young prince who becomes a fugitive after his family is betrayed and massacred by the Ashikaga clan. Instead of training as a samurai, Tokiyuki masters the art of escape and deception, and with the help of some royal retainers, he embarks on a journey of revenge and survival.

Unique Anime With Introspective Moments

One samurai’s dedication towards reclaiming his family’s honor and its rightful place in history is what takes the center stage in this captivating anime. The series combines historical drama with action and comedy, creating a rich and atmospheric world where every fight is meticulously crafted and every scene has a traditional Japanese elegance. The series’ score perfectly complements the intense and humorous moments and the well-developed characters have made it a fan-favorite already.

8

‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2’

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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Release Date

March 29, 2022

Number of Episodes

39

Cast

Yumi Uchiyama
, Tomokazu Sugita
, Amber Lee Connors
, Ai Kakuma
, Daisuke Namikawa
, Ai Kayano
, Konomi Kohara
, Toshiyuki Morikawa

Seasons

2

The second season of Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation picks up where the previous instalment left off and continues the journey of Rudeus Greyrat, who has now grown into a teenager. After a teleportation incident throws him into a fantasy world, he sets out to find his missing mother, Zenith, and enrolls at Ranoa University of Magic. Along the way, Rudeus reunites with his childhood friend, Sylphiette, who also disappears somewhere in the middle of the season, leaving more challenges and adventures behind for Rudeus to face.

Heartfelt Story with Engaging Plot Twists

A highly anticipated anime of 2024, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 builds upon the foundations laid in the first and seamlessly tells the gripping tale of Rudeus’ coming of age, his relationships, and eventually his marriage and the birth of his child. The series is visually stunning and the OST features tracks like “Spiral” and “Musubime,” which go well with the emotional stakes and the highs and lows of the story.

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7

‘Wind Breaker’

Based on Satoru Nii’s manga series, Wind Breaker has little depth, narrative, or plot twist. It’s just a show about some good-for-nothings looking for trouble wherever they go. We follow Haruka Sakura, a high school student with a traumatic past and a reputation as a formidable fighter as he enrolls at Furin High School and meets a group of classmates, who together form the Bofurin organization, which works to maintain peace in the town of Makochi.

An Action Enthusiast’s Paradise

If you’re a fan of Yu Yu Hakusho or enjoy watching high school delinquents fight their way into the hearts of people, Wind Breaker will be a breezy and entertaining watch. It excels in its portrayal of personal growth and brotherhood, with the main character often seeking approval, support, and compassion from others in order to continue getting into intense fights. The anime is also unique with its battle arcs and the entire concept of ‘Bofurin’ is pretty cool.

6

‘Kaiju No. 8’

Naoya Matsumoto’s original manga gets an anime adaptation thanks to Studio Khara and Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Psycho-Pass). The series follows Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old nobody who finds his inner strength and lifelong dream of joining the Defense Force alongside his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro, when a small talking monster flies into his body and transforms him into a humanoid kaiju with incredible strength. He grapples with the new identity and uses the power to protect humanity.

A Unique Blend of Action, Humor, and Heart

Kaiju No. 8 delivers on its promise and weaves together a tale filled with adrenaline-fueled action, sharp-witted humor, and heartfelt character development. The series’ unique premise, which combines elements of tokusatsu with traditional shounen tropes also allows for an engaging and unpredictable narrative. The battles are intense, the emotional depth of Kafka’s journey is jarring, and the animation is consistently excellent, which makes the anime a standout hit of 2024.

5

‘Tonbo!’

A lighthearted sports anime, Tonbo! centers on the life of Tonbo Ooi, a young girl who lost her parents in a car accident and was raised by her grandfather on the island of Kagoshima, where she learned to play golf and inherited No. 3 iron on the island’s three golf courses. When Tonbo meets Kazuyoshi Igarashi, a former professional golfer searching for work on the island, she helps him rediscover the joy of golf.

Charming Sports Anime

Golf has always been seen as a luxury sport, but one can’t deny the serenity and entertainment it brings. Tonbo! focuses on that feeling and combines a narrative about personal growth into its sports-centered premise. The characters, both relatable and intriguing, are a standout. There’s also a student-mentor relationship that forms between Tonbo and Kazuyoshi, which is delicate and charming. In a year filled with high-octane action anime and fresh seasons to beloved series, Tonbo! is rather poignant and moving.

4

‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’

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Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

Release Date

October 5, 2024

Number of Episodes

10

Cast

Maaya Sakamoto
, Kenjiro Tsuda
, Show Hayami
, Katsuyuki Konishi
, Yuichi Nakamura
, Saya Hitomi

It’s not everyday that you find a historical anime set in space, and one that is character-driven instead of battle-driven. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, like the name suggests, is an anime that explores the intricate dance of celestial bodies and their impact on Earth. The story revolves around a group of young individuals in 15th-century Europe, including twelve-year-old prodigy Rafal as they try to understand the cosmos through heliocentrism.

Explores the Fabric of Reality

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is a visual masterpiece. Its animation brings to life outer space and the many constellations that form with delicate accuracy. The series also combines science fiction with a coming-of-age narrative where young minds uncover cosmic mysteries. In a landscape where isekai anime are boring and repetitive, this one is a breath of fresh air because of its tone and thought-provoking narrative.

3

‘Dan Da Dan’

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Dandadan

Release Date

September 13, 2024

Number of Episodes

9

Cast

Natsuki Hanae
, Shion Wakayama
, Nana Mizuki
, Ayane Sakura
, Kaito Ishikawa
, Mayumi Tanaka
, Kazuya Nakai
, Kaori Maeda
, Miyu Tomita
, Ryûnosuke Watanuki
, Hikaru Tanaka
, Seitaro Taniguchi
, Satomi Kobashi
, Mayuko Kazama
, Ryuuzaburou Ootomo

Seasons

1

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Based on the manga of the same name by Yukinobu Tatsu, Dan Da Dan is an action-packed, supernatural comedy anime series that follows the story of two high school students, Momo Ayase and Ken “Okarun” Takakura. Momo believes in ghosts and Ken believes in aliens. Their conflicting beliefs lead them to a bet and to their surprise they each have strange encounters and are soon caught up in a fight with the supernatural.

An Adolescent Tale Set in a Supernatural World

An offbeat and unapologetic roller coaster of thrills, Dan Da Dan brings together two of the most beloved genres of all time: supernatural and comedy. The chemistry between Momo and Okarun, coupled with their delightfully wild and unpredictably twisted encounters with ghosts and aliens makes the series an inventive watch. The balance between humor and suspense is only elevated with the chaotic soundtrack.

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2

‘Solo Leveling’

One of the most anticipated releases of the year, Solo Leveling is an epic dark fantasy anime adapted from the popular South Korean web novel by Chugong. It tells the story of Sung Jinwoo, the weakest hunter in a world where people possess superpowers and fight monsters that emerge from mysterious portals. After he has an encounter with a double dungeon, Jinwoo finds himself bestowed with the unique ability to level up his skills and strength as he goes.

A Visually Stunning Masterpiece

Solo Leveling focuses as much on the mundane as it does on the extraordinary. It takes dark fantasy to new heights with its intricate storytelling and the exceptional animation quality. Sung Jinwoo’s transformation from the weakest hunter to an unstoppable force is a journey worth being a part of beincase it is filled with intense battles, jaw-dropping monster designs and an epic soundtrack. Solo Leveling holds an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus praising the main character and the world building.

1

‘Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2’

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Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Release Date

April 8, 2023

Cast

Chiaki Kobayashi
, Reiji Kawashima
, Kaito Ishikawa
, Takuya Eguchi
, Reina Ueda
, Hiroaki Hirata
, Yuuichirou Umehara
, Hiroki Nanami
, Yûki Kaji
, Takehito Koyasu
, Koki Uchiyama

Another anime that fans were really looking forward to watching in 2024 was the second season of Mashle: Magic and Muscles. An action comedy, it follows the adventures of Mash Burnedead, a boy who has no magical powers in a world where magic is everything. However, Mash’s lack of magic is compensated for by his unparalleled physical strength. In Season 2, Mash and his friends continue their year at the prestigious magic school and face new enemies and obstacles.

A Heartwarming Subversion of Shounen Tropes

The anime makes action and comedy more accessible to fans, and it’s fun to watch for fans of all ages. It continues to amaze fans with its use of magic and muscle-powered antics. The main character, Mash, takes an unconventional approach towards the many challenges he faces, but his determination is what makes every battle more hilarious and inspiring. Beneath the action, Mashle: Magic and Muscles also has some truly outlandish scenarios and layers of slapstick comedy to keep you entertained.