2023 was an extraordinary year for anime. And if the first few weeks of 2024 are any indication, viewers can probably expect another great year of great shows.
From new seasons of returning favorites like My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sound! Euphonium, And Mushoku Tensei: Unemployed Reincarnation to exciting new premieres like Delicious in the dungeon, Kaiju #8, Dragon Ball DaimaAnd LazarusAnime fans have a lot to look forward to in 2024.
To help you stay up to date with everything coming out this year, we gathered a quorum of Polygon’s anime lovers to create a list of the best anime of the year. For clarity and convenience, these shows are presented in reverse chronological order, so the most recent releases always appear first. We will regularly update our list season by season. So check back regularly to see what’s new, what’s trending and most importantly – what’s the best. Enjoy!
Bucchigiri?!
Where to see: Crunchyroll
Sk8 the infinity Director Hiroko Utsumi is back with another original anime series. This time it’s a fantasy comedy about Araji Tomobishi, a shy young student who transfers to a new school full of bullies and gangsters. Worse still, he becomes possessed by a powerful spirit whose power inadvertently puts him between two of his school’s strongest bonds. To top it all off, the poor guy just wants to lose his virginity and instead accidentally hits others, which lands him in increasingly deadly and precarious situations.
If you’re looking for a nonsensical action comedy with over-the-top antics, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure-similar battles and unforgettable character designs, Bucchigiri?! is an absolute pleasure. –Toussaint Egan
Brave Bang Bravers!
Where to see: Crunchyroll
Last year’s fans Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of MercuryRejoice: There’s another great giant robot anime to watch this year, and once again it’s certainly one of the funniest anime comedies of 2024.
It was directed by veteran mecha anime director Masami Ōbari. Brave Bang Bravers! tells the story of Isami Ao and Lewis Smith, two mech pilots who meet during a joint US-Japanese military exercise in Hawaii. When their military base is besieged by an alien threat, all hope seems lost – until a giant humanoid robot named Bravern comes to save the day… but only if Isami agrees to pilot it.
But where exactly does Bravern come from and how does he know who Isami is? The answer, at least for now, is: Don’t worry – just the mood! A big-hearted parody of a “super robot” anime with explosive action, funny characters and intense homoerotic undertones. Brave Bang Bravers! is an early contender for one of my favorite anime of 2024. -THE
Metallic blush
Where to see: Crunchyroll
Bones, the critically acclaimed studio behind popular anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Eureka Seven, Mob Psycho 100And My Hero Academia, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. What better way to celebrate the legendary production house than with a brand new original anime that combines tokusatsu-inspired action with a byzantine sci-fi conspiracy plot?
Set in a future where humanity has colonized the inner solar system and androids called “Neans” fulfill their every wish, Metallic blush tells the story of Rouge Redstar – a Nean with the ability to disguise herself as a human who is sent on a top-secret mission to Mars. Along with her partner Naomi Orthmann, Rouge fights against a terrorist faction of androids bent on overthrowing society, while also transforming into an all-powerful armored fighting form called “Metal Rouge”.
Co-author: Yutaka Izubuchi (RahXephon) and Toshizo Nemoto (Protocol horizon), the series feels like an absolutely perfect throwback to the aesthetics and storytelling of early sci-fi anime, complete with wild left-field twists, dense world-building, and a New Jack Swing inspired bop of a theme song. It’s definitely an entertaining watch that requires repeat viewings to grasp every new detail and clue that the series imparts to its audience. -THE
Solo leveling
Where to see: Crunchyroll
Go in Solo leveling, I knew nothing about it except that it was one of the most anticipated anime releases of the season; I didn’t even look up the premise before getting started. When the credits rolled on the third episode, I honestly still couldn’t tell what exactly happened in it Solo leveling
A mix of typical fantasy adventure beats and video game elements. Solo leveling is a unique and exciting take on the typical zero-to-hero narrative. I have to admit that Sung Jin-woo isn’t the most dynamic protagonist, but the spectacular animations, impeccably choreographed action, and fast-paced narrative always make me want to make a huge splash in the next episode. –Sadie Gennis
Delicious in the dungeon
Where to see: Netflix
Delicious in the dungeon (also known as Dungeon Meshi) Is The Anime this year, with a fun cast of characters and a delightful plot: as a group of adventurers make their way through a dungeon to rescue one of their fallen comrades, they try to save money Eat the creatures they kill. It turns out that the creatures in this labyrinth are more edible than expected. Along the way, the gang learns a lot about the dungeon and the people in it by analyzing the creatures that kill and eat them.
The author behind it Delicious in the dungeonRyoko Kui, Ryoko Kui, clearly has a love for the fantasy genre as you can clearly see her attention to detail when it comes to fantasy racing, designs and world building that rivals even the best Dungeon Masters. from “Dungeons & Dragons”. All the characters are charming in their own way and each episode makes you look forward to the next one. –Julia Lee
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