{"id":38451,"date":"2025-01-01T18:46:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T22:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/?p=38451"},"modified":"2025-01-01T20:13:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T00:13:17","slug":"johns-picks-for-2024s-best-tv-anime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/johns-picks-for-2024s-best-tv-anime\/","title":{"rendered":"John\u2019s Picks for 2024’s Best TV Anime"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Since at least 2001<\/a> I’ve deliberately tried to sample as many of the new anime TV and web titles released in Japan each year as I could access. I like knowing about anime. And I find that first-hand experience is useful because occasionally new series surprise me by being vastly different from my expectations. A case in point is 2024’s Duel Masters Lost: Tsuioku no Suishou<\/em>, a show that exhibits almost no similarity at all to the prior 22 years’ worth of Duel Masters<\/em> anime. I consider “new” anime titles ones with literal title changes or new seasons that re-start their official episode numbering from one. By those criteria, I counted 228 “new” anime and web series that premiered in 2024. Doubtlessly my count misses a few obscure titles. My count also excludes non-Japanese productions aired on Japanese television during 2024 including Hyakuyoufu<\/em> (Bai Yao Pu<\/em>), Rekka Gyoushuu<\/em> (Liehuo Jiao Chou<\/em>), and Shita no Kai ni wa Mio ga Iru<\/em> (Aishang Ta de Liyou<\/em>), to name a few. Of those 228 “new” titles, I was able to sample at least one episode each of 225 of them during 2024 (plus about three hours into 2025). The three “new” 2024 shows that I didn’t watch any of were Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen season 2<\/em>, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha 20th Anniversary Selection<\/em>, and Sylvanian Families: Flare no Piece of Secret<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In my observation, 2024 was an anime year comparable to 2016 through 2018 and 2023, years with a lot of new titles yet few brilliant breakthroughs. Across the web, many critics have acclaimed Kusuriya no Hitorigoto<\/em> and Sousou no Frieren<\/em> among the best anime series of 2024. Both titles are excellent, but neither of them premiered in 2024.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m fond of spotlighting new anime that were unique, creative, and exceptional. Natsume Yuujincho<\/em> was great in 2024, but it was also the seventh season of a show that\u2019s been consistently great. Hibike Euphonium<\/em> may have been beautiful in 2024, but it\u2019s also the third season of a show that\u2019s always been gorgeous, so it\u2019s hardly unique. Using my subjective standards, four new 2024 series deserve mention, along with two runners-up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dandadan<\/em> from acclaimed, eclectic production studio Science Saru, falls just short of being a home run due to its frustrating cliffhanger non-ending. (A second season is coming.) Dandadan<\/em> manages to be wildly stylized yet simultaneously grounded. The characters are clearly scripted, artificial creations yet still feel like fully rounded, dynamic humans. The show is zany and ultra-kinetic nearly to a fault, yet it also has a heart, an emotional and affecting undercurrent that\u2019s predictable yet still effective at hitting viewers\u2019 heartstrings. From characterization to story development to action to animation quality Dandadan<\/em> delivers everything that viewers instinctively expect from the wild and crazy foreign art form known as anime.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Jiisan Baasan Wakagaeru<\/em> seems to be one of 2024\u2019s overlooked little gems. This heartfelt and charming modern folktale is rooted in the traditional Japanese Momotaro<\/em> myth and is steeped in modern Japanese culture and social philosophy. A show that could have very easily been a redundant one-trick pony is uplifting and rewarding, consistently delivering a sense of loving joy and respectful nostalgia for family loyalty, loving devotion, the rewards of hard work, and living life to the fullest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

NegaPosi Angler<\/em> takes a vastly different modernist approach to similar themes. The series uses fishing as a symbol for whatever singular passion gets us through the stresses and anxieties of our daily lives. When all looks bleak, there\u2019s still something to live for, no matter how simple, mundane, or personal that rationale is. And the show serves as an illustration that even though every human is broken or inadequate in some way, we all have a support system that\u2019s willing to pick us up off the ground, even if that support system is total strangers or (in the case of NegaPosi Angler<\/em>, literal) ships passing in the night. At a more technical level, NegaPosi Angler<\/em> is populated by a great, dynamic cast of characters, beautiful art design, and a strong sense that series director Yutaka Uemura is personally an avid fisherman.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m personally very fond of anime that enlighten niche aspects of Japanese culture. Japan has previously produced anime starring VTubers such as Virtual-san wa Miteiru<\/em>, Stars*Collection<\/em>, and Holo no Graffiti<\/em>, and at least one series about a VTuber-in-training, Kizuna no Allele<\/em>, but 2024\u2019s VTuber Nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta<\/em> is unique in anime history for providing such an incisive look inside the sub-culture of Japanese VTuber fandom. While the show is filled with anime references and in-jokes, the show is equally rife with examples and instances of exclusive VTuber fandom slang, perspective, and personality. The show gives \u201cnormie\u201d anime viewers a window into a niche culture within an already niche fandom. Moreover, the VTuber Legend<\/em> anime was clearly a labor of love for its production staff. The show exhibits unusually strong animation quality and art design, and even each episode\u2019s ending credits scenes and music are entirely exclusive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The first of two 2024 anime series that didn\u2019t quite reach the pinnacle of my selection but still warrant mention is Yubisaki to Renren<\/em>. Although not especially common, anime about handicapped characters aren\u2019t especially rare. Most of them, like Hurdle<\/em>, 5-tou ni Naritai<\/em>, and Momoko, Kaeru no Uta ga Kikoeru yo<\/em>, are formal educational anime productions. The beloved feature film Koe no Katachi<\/em> (A Silent Voice<\/em>) and the two Ousama Ranking<\/em> television series are examples of better-known, more mainstream productions. Yubisaki to Renren<\/em> takes the traditional approach of shoujo romance anime like Kimi ni Todoke<\/em> and Ao Haru Ride<\/em> and applies it to college students, adding the unique twist that the protagonist is deaf. The 2004 Makasete Iruka!<\/em> OVA was heavily touted for featuring authentic sign language, but the use of sign in the OVA was actually minor and sidelined. Signing is a prominent, central conceit of A Sign of Affection<\/em>, making the show somewhat unique. But like so many shoujo romance anime, Yubisaki to Renren<\/em> develops its story so slowly that it feels non-committal even when it does depict concrete relationship developments.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shoushimin Series<\/em> capably treads a fine line between pretentious and satirical. The show, and particularly its two primary characters, seem terribly self-serious, yet they also know that they\u2019re being conceited. The series is ostensibly about solving mysteries, yet the mysteries are almost always trivial or insignificant. The characters challenge each other and themselves to unravel mysteries as a form of friendly teasing and an idiosyncratic, peevish way of amusing themselves. In addition, the show has a lovely, vivid art design featuring highly cinematic editing. And once again demonstrating the show\u2019s own pretentious bias, the show isn\u2019t shy about making its editing over-obvious. In effect, the show is a dry, witty, and cynical joke, one that puts a wry smile on the viewers\u2019 face when the viewer understands the fundamental absurdity and silliness of the show\u2019s concept.<\/p>\n

2024’s New Anime Series:<\/strong>
\n0 Saiju Start Dash Monogatari
\n2.5-jigen no Ririsa
\n30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Narerurashii
\nAcro Trip
\nAgeo to Time
\nAkuyaku Reijou Level 99 ~Watashi wa Ura-Boss desu ga Maou dewa Arimasen~
\nAmagami-san Chi no Enmusubi
\nAo no Exorcist Shimane Illuminati-hen
\nAo no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen
\nAo no Hako
\nAo no Miburo
\nArifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou 3rd Season
\nAsatir 2: Mirai no Mukashi Banashi
\nAstro Note
\nAtashin’chi Next
\nAteuma Chara no Kuse shite, Super Darling Ouji ni Chouai sareteimasu.
\nATRI-My Dear Moments-
\nBananya: Around the World
\nBartender: Kami no Glass
\nBlue Archive the Animation
\nBoku no Tsuma wa Kanjou ga Nai
\nBoukyaku Battery
\nBUCCHIGIRI?!
\nBye Bye, Earth
\nCARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD Divinez
\nChi. -Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite-
\nChibi Godzilla no Gyakushuu 2nd Season
\nChiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata
\nChou Futsuu Ken Chiba Densetsu
\nDandadan
\nDate-a-Live V
\nDekisokonai to Yobareta Motoeiyuu wa Jikka kara Tsuihou sareta node Sukikatte ni Ikiru Koto ni Shita
\nDelico’s Nursery
\nDosanko Gal wa Namara Menkoi
\nDragon Ball Daima
\nDuel Masters LOST: Tsuioku no Suishou
\nDungeon Meshi
\nDungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka V: Houjou no Megami-hen
\nDungeon no Naka no Hito
\nEgumi Legacy
\nElf-san wa Yaserarenai.
\nEnter the Garden [web anime]
\nFAIRY TAIL: 100 Years Quest
\nGarouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf [Netflix anime]
\nGekai Elise
\nGekkan Mousou Kagaku
\nGendai Goyaku
\nGiji Harem
\nGimai Seikatsu
\nGirls Band Cry
\nGoukon ni Ittara Onna ga Inakatta Hanashi
\nGrendizer U
\nGrimm Kumikyoku [Netflix anime]
\nHaigakura
\nHamidashi Creative
\nHananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai
\nHari Maware! Koinu
\nHazurewaku no “Joutai Ijou Skill” de Saikyou ni Natta Ore ga Subete wo Juurin suru made
\nHenjin no Salad Bowl
\nHibike! Euphonium 3
\nHIGHSPEED Etoile
\nHime-sama “Goumon” no Jikan desu
\nHimitsu no Aipli
\nHitoribocchi no Isekai Kouryaku
\nHoshifuru Oukoku no Nina
\nHousou-Shitsu no Chaku-Gurumi garu [web anime]
\nIdolmaster Shiny Colors 2nd season
\nIsekai de Mofumofu Nadenade suru Tame ni Ganbattemasu.
\nIsekai Shikkaku
\nIsekai Yururi Kikou ~Kosodateshinagara Boukensha Shimasu~
\nIshura
\nJaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun 2nd STAGE
\nJantama Kan!!
\nJiisan Baasan Wakagaeru
\nKabushikigaisha Magi-Lumi\u00e8re
\nKagaku \u00d7 Bouken Survival!
\nKaii to Otome to Kamikakushi
\nKaiju 8-gou
\nKami no Tou 2nd season
\nKami wa Game ni Ueteiru.
\nKankin Kuiki Level X
\nKarasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai
\nKatsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai shiteita.
\nKekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka
\nKekkon Yubiwa Monogatari
\nKenka Dokugaku
\nKidou Senshi Gundam: Fukushuu no Requiem [Netflix anime]
\nKimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen season 2
\nKimi wa Maid-sama.
\nKingdom 5th season
\nKinnikuman: Perfect Origin-hen
\nKinoko Inu
\nKoi wa Futago de Warikirenai
\nKoneko no Chii: Ponponra Natsuyasumi [Netflix anime]
\nKono Sekai wa Fukanzen Sugiru
\nKono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 3
\nKumaba
\nKumarba season 2
\nKuromi\u2019s Pretty Journey: Escape from the Multiverse! [web anime]
\nKuroshitsuji: Kishuku Gakkou-hen
\nKyuujitsu no Warumono-san
\nLoop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijou wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyuu Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsu suru
\nLove Live Superstar 3rd Season
\nLv2 kara Cheat datta Motoyuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life
\nMaarui Kanojo to Zannen na Kareshi
\nMadougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai: Kyou kara Jiyuu na Shokunin Life
\nMahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha 20th Anniversary Selection
\nMahou Shoujo ni Akogarete
\nMahouka Koukou no Rettousei 3rd season
\nMahoutsukai ni Narenakatta Onnanoko no Hanashi
\nMajo to Yajuu
\nMake Heroine ga Oosugiru!
\nMaou 2099
\nMaou no Ore ga Dorei Elf wo Yome ni Shitanda ga, Dou Medereba Ii?
\nMaougun Saikyou no Majutsushi wa Ningen datta
\nMaou-sama, Retry! R
\nMato Seihei no Slave
\nMayonaka Punch
\nMecha-Ude
\nMeiji Gekken: 1874
\nMeitou “Isekai no Yu” Kaitaku-ki ~Arafou Onsen Mania no Tensei Saki wa, Nonbiri Onsen Tengoku Deshita~
\nMetallic Rouge
\nMirai no Kuromakukei Akuyaku Reijou Moriarty no Isekai Kanzen Hanzai Hakusho
\nMob kara Hajimaru Tansaku Eiyuutan
\nModaete yo, Adam-kun
\nMomochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji
\nMonogatari Series Off & Monster Season
\nMurai no Koi
\nMurder Mystery of the Dead
\nNageki no Bourei wa Intai shitai
\nna-nare hana-nare
\nNatsume Yuujinchou Shichi
\nNaze Boku no Sekai wo Daremo Oboeteinai no ka?
\nNegaPosi Angler
\nNeko ni Tensei shita Ojisan
\nNige Jouzu no Wakagimi
\nNijiyon Animation 2
\nNozomanu Fushi no Boukensha
\nNyaaaanvy [web anime]
\nOi! Tonbo
\nOkaimono Panda!
\nOne Room, Hiatari Futsuu, Tenshi-tsuki.
\nOokami to Koushinryou: merchant meets the wise wolf
\nOre dake Level Up na Ken
\nOre wa Subete wo “Parry” suru: Gyaku Kanchigai no Sekai Saikyou wa Boukensha ni Naritai
\nOroka na Tenshi wa Akuma to Odoru
\nParty kara Tsuihou sareta Sono Chiyushi, Jitsu wa Saikyou ni Tsuki
\nPochars
\nPon no Michi
\nPuniru wa Kawaii Slime
\nPunirunes 2
\nRaise wa Tanin ga Ii
\nRamen Akaneko
\nRanma 1\/2
\nRe:Monster
\nRe:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3rd Season [continues numbering]
\nRekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni Naru zo
\nRick and Morty: The Anime
\nRinkai!
\nRising Impact [Netflix anime]
\nRoly Poly Peoples
\nSaijaku Tamer wa Gomi Hiroi no Tabi wo Hajimemashita.
\nSai-Kyo-Oh! Zukan: The Ultimate Battles
\nSaikyou no Shienshoku “Wajutsushi” de Aru Ore wa Sekai Saikyou Clan wo Shitagaeru
\nSaikyou Tank no Meikyuu Kouryaku ~Tairyoku 9999 no Rare Skill-mochi Tank, Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou sareru~
\nSand Land: The Series
\nSasaki to Pii-chan
\nSasayaku You ni Koi wo Utau
\nSayonara Ryuusei, Konnichiwa Jinsei
\nSeirei Gensouki 2
\nSeiyuu Radio no Uraomote
\nSengoku Youko
\nSenpai wa Otokonoko
\nSentai Daishikkaku
\nSHAMAN KING FLOWERS
\nSHIBUYA?HACHI
\nShikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan
\nShin no Nakama ja Nai to Yuusha no Party wo Oidasareta node, Henkyou de Slow Life suru Koto ni Shimashita 2nd
\nShin Tennis no Ouji-sama: U-17 WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL
\nShinkalion: Change the World
\nShinmai Ossan Boukensha, Saikyou Party ni Shinu hodo Kitaerarete Muteki ni Naru.
\nShort Anime Daisakusen
\nShoushimin Series
\nShuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?
\nSnack Basue
\nSokushi Cheat ga Saikyou Sugite, Isekai no Yatsura ga Marude Aite ni Naranaindesu ga.
\nSuicide Squad Isekai
\nSword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II
\nSylvanian Families: Flare no Piece of Secret
\nTadaima, Okaeri
\nTaishou Itsuwari Bridal: Migawari Hanayome to Gunpuku no Mouai
\nTasogare Out Focus
\nTasuketsu
\nTensei Kizoku, Kantei Skill de Nariagaru
\nTensei Shitara Dainana Ouji Datta node, Kimama ni Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
\nTensui no Sakuna-hime
\nTerminator Zero [Netflix anime]
\nThe Fable
\nThe iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors
\nTHE NEW GATE
\nTogane! Omatsuri-bu
\nTohai – Ura Rate Mahjong Tohai Roku
\nTokidoki Bosotto Russia-go de Dereru Tonari no Alya-san
\nTonari no Youkai-san
\nTono to Inu
\nTougane! Chronicle
\nTouken Ranbu Kai: Kyoden Moyuru Honnouji
\nTrillion Game
\nTsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria
\nTsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu 2nd Season
\nTsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru.
\nUji ni wa Monogatari ga Aru [web anime]
\nUnnamed Memory
\nVampire Dormitory
\nVTuber Nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta
\nWIND BREAKER
\nWonderful Precure
\nYami Shibai season 12
\nYami Shibai season 13
\nYarinaoshi Reijou wa Ryuutei Heika wo Kouryakuchuu
\nYoasobi Gurashi
\nYoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai
\nYoukai Gakkou no Sensei Hajimemashita!
\nYoukoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 3rd season
\nYozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen
\nYubisaki to Renren
\nYuruCamp season 3
\nYuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bravern<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since at least 2001 I’ve deliberately tried to sample as many of the new anime TV and web titles released in Japan each year as I could access. I like knowing about anime. And I find that first-hand experience is useful because occasionally new series surprise me by being vastly different from my expectations. A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38452,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-john"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024.best_.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38451"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38466,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38451\/revisions\/38466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}