The best anime of 2024

Compared to the various shifts and controversies of the previous year, 2024 was an almost breezy year for anime. The space continues to grow and expand, and there was certainly no shortage of series to dive into all year long. While there were no major labor controversies this year, there is still definitely a sense that evolving business decisions are bringing change to the medium. As we look at the best anime of 2024, let’s also look at the year they came out in.

What’s old is new, and what’s new is also new

Right as the year started, manhwa was proven to be just as big as manga as a source for anime. Solo Leveling was a major milestone for the influence Korean comics, particularly online juggernaut WEBTOON, can have on anime. Love it or not, manhwa is definitely here to stay and will likely seed more anime adaptations. Rightfully so, in this editor’s opinion. Korean animators have been on contributing staff from anime for ages. It makes perfect sense for these creators to get to tell their own stories as well.

The manhwa boom won’t come at the cost of the familiar, anyway. Per usual, some of shonen’s newest big things saw their anime debuts to big fanfare. They arrive just in time. Weekly Shonen Jump in particular needs new juggernauts to fill the holes left by the conclusions of My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen in the magazine; with the former set to wrap up its adaptation next year as well. As for Jujutsu Kaisen’s animated future…us manga readers should just let them all find out, yeah?

As new stories hit animation, there does also seem to be a growing trend of looking back. Remakes look to be more and more on the horizon, if 2024 is an indicator. The Urusei Yatsura remake has been immediately followed up with another go at Ranma 1/2, and Spice and Wolf saw a retelling of its classic story kick off. New go rounds with fan favorites is hardly a new thing, but we’re even seeing years later revivals of series like Black Butler coming back to continue its story. We even got a look at the eventual One Piece anime remake this year, a concept that still feels alien.

Generational shifts

That One Piece remake may feel alien, but it does make a modicum of sense when paired with the recent news of Kazuki Yao, voice of Straw Hat shipwright Franky, retiring from the series. Anime (along with manga) are not exactly fresh new mediums, but like Western comics, they’re not necessarily old either. Many of the most iconic contributors in these fields are still here, in many cases still actively working. That work does come at a human cost, costs that are becoming more and more apparent.

Most notably of course is the tragic passing of Akira Toriyama at the age of 68. Toriyama was still very much working, if you’ve checked out Dragon Ball Daima, you’ve seen his direct influence. It was a massive loss, not the first the medium has seen and I fear not the last. In any case, more retirements will come naturally to the industry as a matter of course, and new creators will step up to fill these shoes.

The storm of industrial change

What the next generation of talent finds may be something very different. The landscape of anime continues to change in the background. As anime continues to grow as a worldwide phenomenon, larger corporations are really taking notice. Where a specialized streamer like Crunchyroll used to lock down a majority of streaming deals, things are much more cutthroat now. HIDIVE barely secured anything, and closed up shop in some regions entirely.

The efforts of Netflix in particular have made major strides — and it sure looks like they’re done jailing shows away. But Disney is making more moves to secure rights, though they don’t know how to advertise what they get. Even Amazon has remembered anime exists. Not enough to give us back Re:Creators but you can watch Look Back on Prime Video at least.

Big corporate moves

Even more interesting is that this expansion seems to be going in the opposite direction too. Toei in particular seems to be very interested in international expansion. They bought film distributor GKids this year in an unexpected move. They’ve have also been securing all kinds of marketing events: from football games, to cafés, to the Sphere.

After buying Crunchyroll and merging with Funimation, Sony has set its sights on increasing influence. They’ve invested more in publisher Kodansha, which does so much at different levels of industry that the company could eventually have an entire pipeline of anime creation. That’d be from accepting a manga or novel pitch to streaming the eventual anime to the West. That should raise some red flags, and that’s before this bombshell exposé on Crunchyroll dropped.

The best of the best

In both the good and the bad, anime itself continues to thrive. There really is something for everyone right now, but even more so than that 2024 had some really quality shows. If our internal voting at InBetweenDrafts is any indication, the year’s best were immediately apparent this year. Even so, we just had to expand the list out to 15 again for the second year in a row.

The anime we selected really encapsulate the year. They cross genres. Some are brand new, some have been running for years and have hit new peaks. One may use classic tropes with mastery and another deconstructs its entire premise. One thing they all have in common: they’re the best anime of 2024.

15. SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary

Something is wrong with the two leads of the unsettling SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary. Based on a series from Honobu Yonezawa and directed by Mamoru Kanbe, the series instantly stirs interest with its lush landscapes. The series’ unlikely protagonists are those who seem determined to go unnoticed. This central conceit and the mounting absurdity that traverses their lives make for a series where we’re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Instead, situations escalate with little reason, as a single comment grows into an immense visual and narrative gag. 

The animation is superb, with the direction casting odd shadows and lighting that create an uncanny atmosphere without drawing too much attention to it. The direction engages us even in the most mundane moments, with high quality framing and a wide lens that make for an all-encompassing picture. How to Become Ordinary is stunning and weird, and stunningly weird. It may not have the same buzz as other 2024 contemporaries, but it’s compelling. [Ally Johnson]

Watch SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary on Crunchyroll.

14. Wind Breaker

The magic of Wind Breaker, based on the manga written and illustrated by Satoru Nii, is how it runs with a basic set up. Haruka, a first year at Fuurin High School, arrives ready to fight himself to the top in a world consumed by teenagers brawling for power and friendship — and mostly friendship. Produced by CloverWorks, the bountiful action is executed with graceful fluidity. Each character fights with their own distinctive style, from balletic poise to hunched shoulders and thrown fists. 

But for a show so consumed by traded blows and bloodshed, the secret is that it’s heartwarming; wholesome even. Sakura and his feral cat ways are slowly domesticated as he meets and even begrudgingly befriends other Fuurin members. Once believing his path was one of solitude, he realizes that strength comes in numbers. This nimble and entertaining series anchors itself with a lovable protagonist and strong, dynamic animation that allows the action sequences to soar. [Ally Johnson]

Watch Wind Breaker on Crunchyroll.

13. Go! Go! Loser Ranger!

Go! Go! Loser Ranger! This was a sleeper hit for me. I wasn’t sure I would be into a story combining Power Rangers who are running a racket with a guy who’s sick and tired of it all but now I can’t wait to rewatch it. Loser Ranger follows Fighter D, a soldier of defeated alien Invaders, plotting to defeat the Dragon Keepers from the inside. He goes against the typical role he was cast for the respect he deserves and that’s a bit inspiring. While it might be a little cringe at times with gags, there’s heart in the deconstruction of Sentai.Go! Go! Loser Ranger! is a great example of how the good guys aren’t always the good guys and rising against others’ expectations of you. [Kayla Chu]

Watch Go! Go! Loser Ranger! on Hulu.

12. Blue Box

I would argue that most sports anime possess romantic undertones, as characters are moved by the passion of their peers or role models. Then, they channel that admiration as fuel towards bettering themselves. This perspective mirrors how romantic feelings often unfold – how the best partners are those that continuously ignite your motivation.

Blue Box beautifully explores this its leads find inspiration in each other and develop feelings along the way. This respect they hold for one another is the driving force of a show that celebrates youth, dedication, and the excitement of new romance. The series is bathed in light, capturing the warmth and vibrancy of young love and ambition. This animation style complements the story, with kinetic movement and expressive characters convey both the intensity of sports and the gentle color of romance. An excellent blending of genres brings life to Blue Box. [Carly Johnson]

Watch Blue Box on Netflix.

11. The Elusive Samurai

The Elusive Samurai appears at first to be one of the more straightforward shows of the year. A seemingly routine shonen plot in which a young lord seeks revenge for his family’s fallen honor, The Elusive Samurai quickly proves to be something else entirely. The tonal whiplash it displays is almost impossible to keep up with. Serious historic drama and brutal displays of violence are immediately countered by anachronistic comedy and ridiculous gag jokes.

Every time you think you have the show figured out, something will be thrown in. This keeps things feeling off kilter. It might be the fact that our lead hero’s skill is being ridiculously good at running away. Or his mystical benefactor being possibly being a (goofy) god, who is able to see the future. Then, each of the main enemies gets a different disturbingly exaggerated body part or highly specific animal theme. Come for the gorgeous animation, vivid color palette and serious dramatic stakes. Stay for the slapstick humor, brutal violence and creepy CGI ants. [Quinn Parulis]

Watch The Elusive Samurai on Crunchyroll.

10. Ranma 1/2

We are firmly in a Rumiko Takahashi revolution and I am here for it. MAPPA’s redo of Ranma 1/2 maintains the original’s quirky and transgressive charm without missing a beat. What’s even more impressive is that decades removed, Ranma is just as modern as it is a classic. The pushing of gender roles to their limits seeps into every bonkers scenario Ranma finds himself in. It’s also the root of his relationship with Akane, right down to the arrangement that brings them under the same roof.

Where many anime (to say nothing of mainstream Western animation) still very much struggles with the binary, Ranma 1/2 juggles it like a toy. It’s indeed rooted in an older understanding of such concepts, but MAPPA has also wisely adjusted some things without compromising this main theme. It’s a little less ecchi than the original, choosing to skew less defined with certain characteristics. This keeps things a bit more absurd, but also keeps the anime from accusations lobbied at those that could never keep up with Takahashi’s pace. [Travis Hymas]

Watch Ranma 1/2 on Netflix.

9. Kaiju No. 8

One of my highly anticipated releases, Kaiju No. 8 delivered exactly what I expected: epic fights against massive monsters. Nothing about this world or its characters are particularly original. Well, aside from the fact that our expertly named lead hero Kafka is a little older and worn than the usual Shonen protagonist. Sometimes originality is about a fresh and clean a take, as it is here in Kaiju No. 8.

The core cast of characters are lovable and dedicated. The kaiju designs are distinct and creative as well. Most importantly, the fight scenes with those kaiju are tactile and easy to follow. They’re necessarily bruising and unpredictable, too. It is easy to root for Kafka and his friends, while their world seems to be doing everything in its power to make itself uninhabitable for them. Kafka shoulders his way through it with the determination of a guy who has gotten comfortable spending his days cleaning up the guts of dead Kaijus with a smile on his face, just happy to help out. The show exists in a similar way, comfort food that any passing shonen or kaiju fan can’t resist. [Quinn Parulis]

Watch Kaiju No.8 on Crunchyroll and for some reason, the site formerly known as Twitter.

8. A Sign of Affection

This show truly took me by surprise. Romance anime is a genre I genuinely enjoy and appreciate, but I initially approached this one with low expectations. I feared it would be primarily aesthetic shots against sentimental piano whilst limiting a deaf character to nothing more than her impairment. I’m so happy to have been proven wrong. It’s true that Yuki’s deafness shapes some of her identity; she is aware of how her experiences differ from those of hearing individuals. However, this aspect does not entirely define her.

As Yuki connects with Itsuomi, her perspective, which had been somewhat restricted by her sheltered upbringing, expands greatly. This transformation illustrates the possibilities that love can bring to anyone willing to embrace it. The series tone is matched by the gentle pastels that paint each scene – the palette as soft as the storytelling. A Sign of Affection is a show about connection and appreciating the depth of another person’s world. [Carly Johnson]

Watch A Sign of Affection on Crunchyroll.

7. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Second Cour)

We praised Frieren with very high marks in 2023, so it is with even more praise that I say that its second cour is better. This cour marks the moment the series starts to experiment with longer storylines and characters that leave more impact beyond the main party. In fact, one of the most surprising moments comes right from the jump, with the small but subversive arc given to Sein. In any other series, Sein would have absolutely joined up and become a fixture. But Frieren gives his character plenty of space to become someone better off not with our main cast, organically.

That is all before Frieren pivots into, of all things, a tournament arc. There’s plenty of reasons to enjoy a tournament arc, and what makes up the rest of this cour might be one of the best ones ever. It’s designed not just to expand the world of the anime via new characters, we also finally get to really dig into Frieren beyond her flashbacks. Separating her and Fern for a chunk gives both mages room to grow. Fern learns more about modern magic away from her teacher while Frieren is forced to coordinate with much younger and less reserved mages. And it only gets better from there. [Travis Hymas]

Watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on Crunchyroll.

6. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

Perhaps my biggest surprise of the year, Too Many Losing Heroines, is the most aesthetically pleasing anime of 2024. Despite the title, the series is devoid of any significant fight scenes or supernatural or super-powered elements. The A-1 Pictures adaptation instead follows the trials and tribulations of three teenage girls and the boy who befriends them. With a stellar first episode that annnounces itself loud and clear with an energized character introduction, the series only raises the bar with each episode.

The story and the friendships are intricately built and lived in, each character brings a distinctive personality to the story. More than anything, the sheer craft on display is breathtaking. Backed by composer Kana Utatane’s winsome, twinkling score, the animation captures beauty in the mundane. Somehow, there is a sense of deep-felt nostalgia into a show about teenagers. From the rust on the pipes of the school to the scuff marks along the walls where desks were dragged against to dog-eared, well-loved books adorning shelves, the series maintains an air of warmth. The world is overflowing with compassion and curiosity for these characters, and it’s seen first in the generous artistry poured into the details that build into a full life. [Ally Johnson]

Watch Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! on Crunchyroll.

5. The Apothecary Diaries (Second Cour)

The Apothecary Diaries triumphs due to what it doesn’t do. By eschewing mainstream expectations, the OLM series became an utter delight in both the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 seasons. The animation is gorgeous as it depicts both sides of the inner and outer courts. Lavish set pieces and costumes heighten the formal settings in which Maomao finds herself. The direction highlights the striking contrast of different architectural designs. The crisp lines and rough walls work in contrast against the fabric adorning our characters. 

Beyond the artistry, the series finds its heart and humor in its unlikely and eccentric protagonist, Maomao, and her unlikelier dynamic with Jinshi. The political drama fuels the entire season with genuine intrigue, giving anime fans a well-earned slow burn. From how the series depicts women’s struggles in this world of all varying walks of life to the science and medicine that Maomao finds so alluring, The Apothecary Diaries never goes where we expect it to. [Ally Johnson]

Watch The Apothecary Diaries on Crunchyroll.

4. My Hero Academia Season 7

We have immersed ourselves in My Hero Academia for years, and the seventh season is the culmination of its character development and world building. This amplifies the emotional weight of everything. Battles unfold across several stages, with some heroes fighting for their lives in a “coffin in the sky,” while others confront their family at the site of All Might’s final stand. These fight sequences left me breathless, as the animation’s momentum carried the intensity of each battle.

This season has also left me empathizing with the villains more than ever. This season commits to highlighting the parallels between them and the heroes. It’s the way they mirror each other that makes the villains’ downfall all the more tragic. Season 7 serves as a reminder that our actions hold significance; the kindness we extend can echo far beyond our expectations. Offering a hand to someone who needs it, regardless of our judgments or how we measure worthiness, can profoundly affect lives. This season is a testament to the growth of MHA’s storytelling, as we yet again confront the line between good and evil and recognize how circumstances can blur the two. [Carly Johnson]

Watch My Hero Academia Season 7 on Crunchyroll.

3. One Piece

It may feel like a bold claim to say that One Piece is the best it’s ever been on its 25th anniversary. But, the evidence overwhelmingly speaks for itself. In 2024 the anime reached the conclusion of one of the manga’s most acclaimed and exhilarating arcs to date and transitioned to an island that poses answers to some of our oldest questions. The year’s run also included One Piece Fan Letter, a special episode in honor of that anniversary and directed by Megumi Ishitani that alone justifies the placement on this list. Fan Letter returns to a cornerstone moment in the story via a brand new perspective with a more modern animation style.

In addition, the anime is currently being treated to a remaster of the entire Fishman Island arc. While your mileage may vary in terms of excitement over choice of said arc, the reason is noteworthy. For the first time, the anime is taking a moment to catch its breath. The quality we have seen of the anime’s take on the Egghead arc is nothing short of astonishing. There are moments in some of the fights so creatively animated that you’ll want to immediately rewind. Hearing that it is taking a few months off to make sure the rest of the arc is up to standards makes sense. Finally, the One Piece anime is standing with the best anime on air. It’s gotten there through such confident displays of artistry and passion that it’s both validated lifelong fans and has paved the way to win over millions more. [Quinn Parulis]

Watch One Piece on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

2. Dandadan

It’s safe to say that Dandadan is one of the top anime of the year for me — and for pretty much everyone else. Combining aliens and the occult with a completely out-there plot shouldn’t work, but it does and well. Plus, how can you not love Turbo Granny as a maneki-neko doll? Her growth throughout the first season was beyond fun to watch.

What I love most about the anime adaptation is how much life the animators of Science Saru gave Dandadan. It does the original manga justice while also allowing the anime to be its own thing, aliens and ghosts included. So many different inspirations influence just about every frame of Dandadan, both from its sources and its animators, but everything feels fresh. Each week gave viewers a dash of action, humor, and young romance in perfect measures. The hype fans of the manga had was spot on. [Kayla Chu]

Watch Dandadan on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

1. Delicious in Dungeon

Readers, I crunch the numbers. I follow the trends. I try to keep my finger firmly on the pulse. Nothing is less shocking to me than Delicious in Dungeon being at the top of this list. The anime was an instant hit and it’s incredibly easy to see why. The anime is a pitch perfect blend of fantasy adventure, role-playing elements, and heightened personality. This blend is so balanced that Delicious in Dungeon can jump between deliberate animation of food preparation, to an extended sequence of hilarious gags, to heart pumping action without missing a beat. There’s no tonal whiplash here.

It turns out Studio Trigger, a studio best known for exaggeration, is a perfect fit for this series. They capture every moment with their trademark energy, even in the most quiet of scenes. Even with a pretty solid track record of projects (some shared with a previous incarnation), Delicious in Dungeon is easily one of the best they’ve done. The source material is no slouch either, not just setting up a story but building up an entire ecosystem to explore. That building comes not from lore exposition but from experience, by highlighting details and needs that other series would overlook. Delicious in Dungeon is a truly special work, and very deserving of the year’s best. [Travis Hymas]

Watch Delicious in Dungeon on Netflix.

Featured images ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueshia, Toei Animation; © Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee; ©Takibi Amamori/Shogakukan/Losing Heroine Cheering Committee; © Haruba Negi, Kodansha / “Sentai Great Disqualification” Production Committee; © Ryoko Kui / KADOKAWA / “Delicious in Dungeon” PARTNERS, Netflix; © Miura Castle / Shueisha, “Ao no Hako” Production Committee; © Honobu Yonezawa, Tokyo Sogensha / Koshimin Series Production Committee