2024 was a brilliant year for anime. Every season had at least a couple of fantastic series and covered a wide spectrum of genres to ensure there was nearly always something to complement every taste. Romance, action, isekai, comedy, sci-fi, and drama all received exciting representatives that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all-time classics. While a couple of disappointments slipped through, the positives far outweighed the negatives. Simply put, it is an exciting time to be an anime fan.
With so much content out there, picking out the shiniest stars in the universe can be a tough task. However, thebest 2024 animehave a way of differentiating themselves from the crowd. They stand out and deserve to be noticed. Let’s go through them.
Updated on Jul 21, 2025, by Mark Sammut:Spring 2025is nearly done, and Summer 2025 is right around the corner. If you are looking for a show to fill the time until the next season starts, you might wish to check out a few of thebest anime of 2024that you might have missed. Two more recommendations have been added, including a show that is about to produce a sequel.
Here are a few important criteria:
Honorable Mentions
2024 produced so many great shows, there is not enough room to spotlight all of them. Consequently, let’s mention a few series that came very close to landing among thebest anime of 2024:
One of 2024’s most hyped new anime,Kaiju No. 8had a successful opening season that paved the way for aSummer 2025 sequel. The world needs more kaiju-based anime, and I firmly believe there can never be too many shows about massive monsters battling it out.Kaiju No. 8will likely go down as one of the most famous examples of this type of story, and the lack of mecha might have helped tempt people who tend to avoid that genre.
For a shonen property, the series features a refreshingly older protagonist, with Kafka being well into his thirties and mostly acting the part. He dreams of joining Japan’s Defense Force to help fight off kaiju attacks, but he has always failed to pass the exam to qualify. However, one day, he accidentally eats a small kaiju and gains the ability to transform into a monster. Long story short, he joins the Defense Force, makes a few friends, and tries to hide his secret.
Moving beyond the kaiju appeal,Kaiju No. 8works due to having a lovable cast of characters, with Kafka being by far the shining star. The action is also quite spectacular, benefiting from great animation and consistently fun monster designs. The story is, ultimately, nothing that unique, but it gets the job done.
Re:ZEROdeserves all the praise in the world for its willingness to take risks, something most isekai stories seem to resist. Every season has its own identity that sets it apart, but they all still combine to create a consistent and enjoyable whole.Season 3is the most accessible entry so far, telling what is ultimately a fairly straightforward action arc, at least by the standards of the show.
While not devoid of quiet moments or dialogue-heavy episodes, this arc is way more fast-paced and fight-oriented than any of its predecessors, which can be divisive sinceRe:ZEROis not specifically beloved for its action. The heroes head to Priestella for a meeting among the royal selection candidates, only for the city to become a warzone thanks to the arrival of multiple Witch Cult archbishops. Although present, Subaru’s time-loop ability takes a backseat, with season 3 highlighting a range of characters rather than just the protagonist and Emilia.
This season was divided into two parts, with only eight episodes (the Attack arc) airing in 2024.
2024 was great for boys love anime; in fact, it might have been the genre’s best year ever. Except for Fall 2024, each season produced at least one very good series, all of which were wholesome and fairly mature. Despite being known for scandalous relationships, BL’s reputation mostly stems from its pre-2016 releases, and the genre nowadays prioritizes same-age relationships.
Welcome Homewas 2024’s best BL anime, although it was not the most accessible. Part of the Omegaverse, the story is set in a world that uses a gendered class system that can be a bit complicated. However, the main thing to know is that, in this universe, some people are known as Alphas, meaning they can impregnate certain men and women, while others are Omegas, meaning they can get pregnant even if they are men.
Masaki, an Omega, is married to Hiromu, an Alpha, and they are raising two kids.Welcome Homeis a slice of life romance about a young couple that is mostly just trying to do right by their children, while also connecting with their neighbors. For the most part, the anime is quite lighthearted and cozy; however, the show also touches upon Masaki’s feelings of inadequacy stemming from discrimination. It is handled very well.
By the same creator behindDanmachi,Wistoria: Wand and Swordshines in pretty much the same ways as that long-running series. Despite not telling the most captivating story or featuring particularly novel characters, the anime executes its familiar tropes so well that it does not matter. Lavished with impeccable production value that compares favorably to other high-end 2024 anime likeSolo Leveling,Wistoriadelivers top-notch animation, especially during its many, many fight sequences. Action is 100% the name of the game, and the show completely delivers in this area.
Also, while nothing special, the plot is by no means terrible either. Set in a world where mages rule, Will’s warrior class puts him at direct odds with the rest of the students at Regarden Magic Academy. Despite having almost no affinity for magic, Will is still aiming to become aMagia Vander, a position that would allow him to connect with a childhood friend. Yeah, this story has been done before, butWistoriapresents a good example of this type of narrative. Will is a likable enough protagonist, and he is surrounded by mostly entertaining rivals (and a few friends).
In a genre known for divisive shows,Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationarguably stands as one of the most polarizing. With gorgeous animation, top-notch world-building, ambitious storytelling, and a willingness to take risks, Studio Bind’s series has all the ingredients to craft a masterpiece and, for the most part, brings them together well. However,Rudy is the definition of a “love or hate” protagonist, particularly during the first season, and his early behavior can be off-putting enough to make the rest of the show not worth sitting through for some people.
Be that as it may,Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationstill deserves praise for its generally strong writing, andSeason 2 Part 2arguably represents the story’s peak so far. While the previous season dragged at times, the 2024 entry nailed its pacing by gradually transitioning from slow-life drama to nail-biting action. While initially starting with a feel-good moment, the first half of the season also challenges Rudy to explore his past life’s actions through one of his sibling’s struggles, giving both characters some much-needed development. The second half ramps up the action and intensity considerably, culminating in a final stretch of episodes that were among the year’s best.
Natsume’s Book of Friendsis nothing if not consistent. 15 years and seven seasons after its debut, the anime continues to deliver the perfect blend of supernatural and slice of life goodness, all wrapped up in aniyashikei bubblethat heals the soul. At the end of the day, season 7 is just another 12 episodes of mostly cozy situations and cases, albeit with a few more high-stakes situations due to Matoba having more of a presence and a few yokai being genuinely intimidating.
Even during the more suspenseful episodes,Natsume’s Book of Friendsalways shows restraint and takes a matter-of-fact approach to these moments, never over-indulging in action or intensity. While hardly an easy recommendation for newcomers, anyone who has been following the series for years will likely love season 7.
While surpassed by its 2025 sequel season,Solo Leveling’s debut was still a huge deal that largely succeeded in meeting expectations. Anime based on South Korean web novels predate 2024, but Chugong’s story is arguably the most popular andbeginner-friendly manhwa of all time. A-1 Pictures needed to nail the adaptation, as a critical and commercial flop could have negatively impacted the changes of similar anime being produced. Manhwa is still very much an untapped market for animated series, andSolo Levelinghad the potential to unlock or seal it.
Moving past its cultural significance, this series is just a plain old entertaining action extravaganza.Solo Levelingis set in a reality where Gates to dungeons have been popping up all over Earth, and they can only be closed if human hunters defeat the bosses within. Sung Jin-woo is an E-rank hunter, meaning he is so weak that he barely contributes anything during missions. During one particularly bad run, Sung is left to die by the other hunters, only for him to hear a strange voice that asks him if he wants to become the “player,” allowing him to improve his stats and skills. This moment starts Sung’s journey to becoming the strongest hunter.
Solo Levelingis a power fantasy, albeit one that chronicles its protagonist’s rise rather than just instantly making him OP. While the story is decent but nothing too special, the anime shines in its fantastic animation and constantly stellar fights, the latter of which were comfortably among 2024’s best action sequences.
A slow burner,Orb: On the Movements of the Earthis a two-cour series that achieved its peak in 2025; however, the 14 episodes released in 2024 were top-notch. Telling a genuinely unique story, the anime is set during the 1400s in Europe and follows different people who want to learn the truth about Earth’s place in the solar system. Yes, this series is about astronomy, but it goes well beyond stargazing. These characters exist in a society ruled by religion and undeniable truths, and challenging the latter is treated as heresy and punished with torture and potentially death.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earthis nail-bitingly intense. Every single action taken by the main characters could lead to the gallows, and there are spies pretty much everywhere. Along with tight storytelling, the anime has a fairly unique structure, with the narrative being split into parts with new protagonists who build on the research and knowledge of their predecessors.
This ranking is based solely on the content that aired in 2024;Orbhad an even better 2025 – watch this show.
For the most part, 2024 was a solid year for isekai anime, with each season including at least a couple of good shows. While newcomers likeDemon Lord 2099andThe Wrong Way To Use Healing Magicproved to be fun additions to the genre, 2024’s best isekai releases were all sequels to established properties. Polarizing as its protagonist can be,Mushoku Tenseican be relied upon to deliver top-notch animation and world-building, and season 2 part 2 was no exception.Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3was mostly fantastic, but only eight episodes aired in 2024, witha return set for February 2025.
That leavesKonoSuba, a consistently great series. Even the comparatively forgettable Megumin spin-off is entertaining, and the main seasons represent comedy isekai at its peak. Except for maybe the movie, season 3 is arguablyKonoSuba’s greatest production yet, blending action, comedy, and character development better than anything else that came before it.
Despite being unapologetically dysfunctional and prone to arguments, Kazuma’s party has built a strong rapport throughout their adventures, and they nowadays feel like a proper family rather than individuals who are begrudgingly working together. Before the 2024 entry, Darkness was the group’s weak link, coming across as relatively one-dimensional. Fortunately, season 3 rectified this issue by focusing almost exclusively on her, fleshing out her family history, sense of responsibility, and integrity. While surprisingly dramatic, the core story never takes away from the humor, which is on point throughout the season.
A decade had to pass for a continuation, butKimi ni Todokemade its long-awaited return in 2024. Fortunately, the wait was more than worth it, with Production I.G putting together not only the strongest season yet but also one that enhances its predecessors. While good, the anime was undermined by a reluctance to bring together Sawako and Shouta, with their romance only becoming official toward the end of season 2. The 2024 sequel follows from that point, with the duo finally being allowed to explore their feelings out in the open.
Sawako and Shouta serve as the beating heart throughout most of season 3, with the first episode seeming like a joyful celebration of their romance. After the honeymoon period fades, their relationship faces its first realistic challenge as neither character is great at communication. Beyond Sawako and Shouta,Kimi ni Todokealso explores a few other major potential romances, specifically Ryuu/Chizuru and Ayane/Kento. Ayane, in particular, is season 3’s MVP.
