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While there’s never a shortage of anime shows per year, we can all agree that 2024 had some of the best the industry had to offer. From dungeon crawlers filled with cooking to powerful elves and even a bit of supernatural weirdness, the variety of this year was wild. Even if we would’ve loved to make a longer list to give most shows time to shine, we went with our five favorites and one honorable mention that showcased the best of this media.
Honorable Mention – Wistoria: Wand and Sword
It might be a bit of a controversial choice, but Wistoria: Wand and Sword was a sleeper hit of the season. While it didn’t have the fame as other shonen or anime shows involving magic, teenagers, and a school setting, it was definitely one of the best in 2024. Following the story of Will, a student who can’t use magic in a magic school, he slices his way through every test with his trusty sword. In a very bad way to describe it, it is a more serious version of Mashle. The cast of characters is amazing, the world-building is superb, which few shows of this genre have nailed lately, and the animation is mind-blowing. Fortunately, there’s a second season coming, so Will’s sword-wielding antics are far from over.
5. DanDaDan
Now, moving on to the proper list, let’s kick off with one of the year’s latest: DanDaDan. Many were already on the bandwagon as soon as Creepy Nuts was announced as the OP’s artist. We don’t blame them after the banger the band did for Mashle. However, DanDaDan hooked everyone thanks to its versatile storytelling, terrific characters, and gorgeous animation. After a bet goes terribly wrong for Momo and Okarun, they both end up with supernatural powers and are involved in all sorts of wild situations. From testicle-searching moments to helping possessed mannequins and the latest case of exorcising a house, this show was amazing in every way. We’re not that happy with the first season’s cliffhanger, but the payoff will be worth it when season two arrives.
4. Oshi no Ko – Season 2
By now, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Oshi no Ko in any “best anime” list, and well, it deserves it, especially after its second season became one of the best 2024 had to offer. While the plot might’ve started a bit slower than that of the first season, the whole Tokyo Blade arc was a visual delight. It featured some of the best animation that tied to its superb storytelling and culminated in episodes that saw every single character growing considerably.
3. The Apothecary Diaries
No one expected a House M.D.-like anime to air this year, and that might be a weird way to describe it, but it also does it a bit of justice. The story follows Maomao, a brilliant apothecary who ends up working for the imperial court after being sold. Initially, it seems like it leans more to the lighthearted side of things, but in truth, it has some nail-biting arcs full of intrigue, mysterious murders, and more. Yet, the characters are the ones that steal the show. Maomao is one of the best female protagonists ever made, and her synergy with the rest of the cast is amazing. Luckily, there’s more of this show coming soon, so we’ll get to see more of Maomao’s investigations in the future.
2. Dungeon Meshi
You just knew Dungeon Meshi had to make the list. Many might’ve skipped it, and I don’t blame them. At first, it seemed to be a food-centric show. A bunch of adventurers defeating monsters and cooking something up with their parts. And yes, it is practically that. But the story it weaves with all the food shenanigans is amazing. There’s a cursed party member who was devoured by a dragon. An evil mage as an antagonist. All sorts of in-depth and heart-wrenching character stories, and more. However, this is one of the few shows that maintains a movie-like quality when it comes to animation, surpassed only by one other anime on our list, which you might already know about.
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End tackles the existential question all adventurers have after a show ends: what’s next? We see it through the eyes of Frieren, an elf with a long life span who doesn’t care much about the ephemeral years of humans. However, once her adventuring party starts to grow old and die, she starts finding more meaning in these small moments you share with people. It is a show full of introspective moments, arcs that will have you in tears, and the best animation ever seen at the hands of Madhouse Studios. All other shows have been amazing, but only this one lives rent-free on our minds. Plus, it is nice to see a more original take on the whole cluttered fantasy genre. This one is certainly a breath of fresh air in every single way and the best anime show in all of 2024.
