Best Fall 2024 Anime

As the year steadily comes to a close, the last batch of Japanese animated shows are airing, and the best anime of Fall 2024 could very well rank among the strongest offerings of the last 12 months. As with all quarters, the current season has nearly every genre covered, including romance, action, fantasy (isekai and otherwise), sports, sci-fi, and even horror. At a glance, Fall has the most well-rounded lineup of the year, most of which are airing on either Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, or Netflix in North America.

With 40+ Fall 2024 anime series, viewers are spoiled for choice, which is both a blessing and a curse. Keeping up with everything can be downright exhausting, so knowing which shows to prioritize can be helpful. Let’s go through the season’s best anime.

Updated on November 3, 2024 by Mark Sammut: With the season in full swing by this point, the best Fall 2024 anime are starting to cement themselves.

Here are a few criteria and things to keep in mind:

• The rankings will be updated weekly.
• The current cut-off date for episodes is November 1, 2024.
• MyAnimeList scores are included as a reference, but they are not the deciding factor.
• Only anime that debuted in Fall 2024 will be included; therefore, no continuations like
  One Piece
  ,
  Tower of God
  , or
  Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
  .
• Click on an anime’s heading to read a preview. Please note that not every show has one.
• Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
  has been removed as one great episode is just not enough to warrant a recommendation. That said, horror fans should check out the opener.

13 Love Live! Superstar!! Season 3 (NEW)

Multiple Steps In The Right Direction

Love Live! Superstar!! followed a great opening season with an underwhelming and messy sequel. While not terrible, season 2 dedicated a lot of time to an arc that ended up being somewhat pointless, along with introducing a one-note antagonist who was frustratingly undermined during the final performance showdown to give Liella the win. Season 3 needed to set the ship right to prove that its predecessor was a stumble and not the new norm, and so far, it has done an admirable job.

Season 3’s hook is that Margarete joins Yuigaoka Girls’ High School and starts an idol club to compete against Liella. Also, Kanon (who did not go abroad to study) joins Margarete’s club, along with a new girl who happens to be Sumire’s sister. Consequently, the anime now has two groups who are striving to qualify for Love Live, which raises the stakes quite a bit. This premise shifts Kanon away from Leilla, granting space for the latter’s other members to shine, which was an issue during season 2. Margarete is also steadily transforming into a three-dimensional character rather than just an obstacle.

12 Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Disturbance (NEW)

Threading Familiar Ground Confidently

An all-time great anime, Rurouni Kenshin did not need an update. Still, the 2023 season was decent, setting the stage for a 2024 follow-up that covers arguably the story’s most famous arc, at least for anime-only fans. On the one hand, Kyoto Disturbance very much feels like a rethread with modern visuals, especially since the ’90s series was very loyal to the manga. The scenes are almost one-to-one at times, which might bore people who have watched the original version fairly recently.

That said, Rurouni Kenshin is considered a classic for many reasons, and Kyoto Disturbance showcases its well-written characters, historical depth, and explosive fight sequences. The animation is also fantastic. This series might be unnecessary, but that does not mean it is underwhelming or unenjoyable.

11 365 Days To The Wedding (+/- 0)

A Unique Romance Anime About Two Awkward People Who Have To Fake An Upcoming Marriage

Based on a manga by the same author behind The World God Only Knows, 365 Days to the Wedding takes a peculiar look at marriage by revolving around two coworkers who decide to pretend they are engaged to reduce their chance of being relocated to Alaska by their employer. Rika and Takuya both struggle with communication, to the point that almost nobody at their job truly knows them (or even their voices). The workplace environment and adult cast instantly set the show apart from most other anime romances, and those are hardly its only unusual elements.

Now, Rika and Takuya are not instantly likable. The former’s pragmatism keeps both the latter and the audience at a distance; meanwhile, Takuya’s subdued personality is relatable but not captivating. However, they both start as fully realized characters, and 365 Days does a great job of immediately establishing their dispositions, insecurities, and comfort zones.

A Date, A Goddess, And Complications

Although always decent, DanMachi upped its game during season 4, delivering by far its best run of episodes to date. The Fall 2024 entry has to live up to its predecessor’s lofty standards, a tough task considering the anime uses a structure that rotates through different girls in each arc. Consequently, Bell’s dynamic with Ryuu is not a focus of season 5, despite going through so much development in the previous saga.

While this aspect can be frustrating, DanMachi has still mostly hit the ground running, with the opening few episodes opting for a refreshing lighthearted touch as Bell finds himself invited on a date during the Goddess Festival. Naturally, it does not take long for the series to shift and take on a more serious tone, with Bell finding himself in a world that has been twisted by an obsessed goddess who is willing to do anything and everything to get her way.

The Best Game Anime Ever?

Fall 2024 is overflowing with great action anime. While perhaps not attracting the same attention as some of its contemporaries, Shangri-La Frontier‘s fight sequences compare favorably with pretty much any other show, except for maybe Bleach and Dandadan. They are beautifully animated and well choreographed, all the while incorporating gaming-related mechanics that make sense within the framework of an MMORPG that is presented as being at least somewhat realistic.

Now, admittedly, the premise – characters playing a game just to have fun – puts a ceiling on just how intense these battles can be since, ultimately, there are no real stakes; however, that also means Shangri-La Frontier can simply focus on delivering character-driven encounters filled with humor and over-the-top absurdity. Rakurou is a fantastic protagonist, and he is supported by nearly exclusively great and hilarious characters. The anime delivers a constant sense of adventure that will make any gamer long for the day when VR technology can replicate this sort of immersion.

The Return Of A Classic

Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½ manga is an all-time classic, and the same can mostly be said for the 1989 anime. As watchable as the original version still is, MAPPA’s 2024 adaptation is nevertheless welcome, serving as an accessible entry point for newcomers who might not be familiar with Takahashi’s stellar work. A couple of changes aside, this is still very much classic Ranma ½, which means a lot of hilarious slapstick driven by well-defined characters who poke fun at manga and anime rom-com tropes.

The premise barely needs to be repeated at this point, but here goes: Ranma transforms into a girl when he gets wet. Furthermore, his father plans to marry him off to one of the Tendou sisters. As none of the children are interested in getting married, they are not exactly on the same page, especially Ranma and Akane.

With top-notch animation and timeless humor, Ranma ½ is an absolute delight.

A Fitting Tribute To And Celebration Of Akira Toriyama’s Legacy

Months after the untimely passing of Akira Toriyama, the legendary mangaka’s final project, Dragon Ball Daima, has finally started airing. So far, it is fantastic. Gorgeously animated and drenched in timeless whimsy reminiscent of Dragon Ball‘s early sagas, Daima has all the makings of a modern classic that blends adventure, action, and comedy perfectly, something not every storyline in this (generally great) franchise manages.

The first episodes do a great job of balancing nostalgia through revamped sequences of DBZ‘s Buu Saga while also using these moments to spin a fresh tale, one that dives into concepts only previously touched upon. While Daima has just barely gotten going, the future is bright and exciting, especially as Goku and Supreme Kai have now arrived in the Demon Realm. Despite a set-up that impacts pretty much all the Z Fighters, the story has been pretty silly and lighthearted so far, which is not a bad change of pace from the likes of DBZ and Super.

6 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (+1)

Standing Up In The Face Of Doctrine

Now, here is a unique anime. Set in Poland during the 15th century, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth envisions a world driven by theology, where going against established doctrine is punishable by torture and execution. The church states that Earth is the center of the universe, a claim that certain brave scholars are willing to challenge, regardless of the cost. Rafal, a child, is ready to throw away his future in pursuit of knowledge. The story follows a few different protagonists as they build on each other’s ambition to challenge the status quo.

Blending history, fiction, and sci-fi, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is engrossing, both in terms of its setting and characters. The story is still building up steam and has been a gripping slow burn, in the sense of keeping its intended direction hidden. Madhouse’s animation has been great so far, but this anime is all about the writing.

Like A Warm Blanket On A Cold Night

While not Fall 2024’s biggest sequel, Natsume’s Book of Friends is a very welcome return, especially since season 6 finished airing in 2016. A subversion of typical supernatural stories, this series revolves around Natsume, a teenager who can see yokai and inherits his grandmother’s Book of Friends, which holds the names of spirits and, by extension, controls them. So, Natsume decides to start returning these names to their owners, all the while aided by Madara, a powerful yokai who is in somewhat weak form at the moment.

Natsume’s Book of Friends is one of the greatest iyashikei slice of life stories of all time, and season 7 maintains its predecessor’s high quality. Moving at a refreshingly lethargic pace, the anime is comforting, entertaining, and (occasionally) emotional, making it the perfect companion piece to many of Fall 2024’s high-octane thrill rides.

A Rare Sports & Romance Anime That Does Justice By Both Genres

One of the most highly anticipated Fall 2024 anime, Blue Box has hit the ground running, partially thanks to Telecom producing stunning visuals during the opening episode. Although made up of somewhat familiar parts, the story sticks out due to the way it combines sports and romance elements, two genres that occasionally interact but rarely share the spotlight evenly.

Taiki has a big crush on Chinatsu, and he is inspired to take badminton seriously after seeing the latter’s passion for basketball. Out of nowhere, he suddenly gets an opportunity to get much closer to Chinatsu when the two end up living under the same roof. Blue Box is built around not only lovable characters but ones who have pretty great chemistry, and that goes beyond just the main two. Taiki’s friendships with Kyou and Hina are also great and produce quite a few laughs, all the while the latter adds a touch of tension due to having very obvious feelings for the protagonist.

The Redemption Arc Continues

In 2012, the Bleach anime faded into nothingness, bringing to an end a near-decade run that peaked early and gradually lost steam. Despite being generally pretty good, the series seemed to become a footnote in battle shonen history, at least on the anime side of things. However, Pierrot opted to revive Ichigo and cover the manga’s Thousand-Year Blood War, an effort that has revamped Bleach‘s image and produced arguably the most consistent batch of action-driven content of the 2020s so far.

The Conflict, aka Part 3, continues the Soul Society’s war with the Qunicy, kicking things off with two jaw-dropping fights that deliver stunning visuals, unique abilities, and shocking-ish moments. Since then, the anime has continued to knock everything out of the park, delivering not only jaw-dropping animation but also a few brilliant twists that expand on well-known Bleach icons. Honestly, Thousand-Year Blood War is so brilliant, that it is worth recommending as a standalone experience to somebody who has no intention of watching the original show.

The Best Isekai Anime Is Back For Another (Hopefully) Great Season

Re:ZERO can be polarizing. Subaru is a frustrating protagonist throughout most of season 1, although he improves as he reflects on his behavior and exercises more self-awareness. Despite being generally fantastic, season 2 threatens to overstay its welcome at points, particularly during part 2’s long dialogue-heavy sequences. Still, as far as the isekai theme is concerned, this anime is ambitious, smartly written, well-animated, and fond of frequent splashes of unsettling darkness.

Adapting volume 5 of the light novel series, Re:ZERO season 3 sends Subaru, Emilia, and a few other characters to Priestella. This journey is triggered by an invitation sent by Anastasia, a Royal Selection candidate who is striving to claim the throne before Emilia and a couple of other girls. The current storyline appears set to dig deeper into Re:ZERO‘s political situation, with the five candidates featuring prominently in the (90-minute) opening episode. Except for Emilia, the rest of the girls should benefit greatly from further exploration, something that has already proven to be the case concerning Priscilla.

However, season 3’s main focus involves the arrival of a familiar danger that threatens everyone in Priestella, and Subaru soon finds himself stuck in another “Return by Death” cycle. Re:ZERO has always known how to balance optimism and cruel tragedy, a talent showcased splendidly by the Fall 2024 arc’s lengthy first episode and its successors.

A Hilarious Comedy With Great Action And Characters

Except for maybe Uzumaki, Dandadan was Fall 2024’s most hyped new anime; in fact, the first three episodes even received a theatrical run, just to emphasize the adaptation’s momentum. While still early days, Science Saru appears to have completely captured the manga’s magic, producing perhaps the best debut episode of 2024. Dandadan exudes an irresistible kinetic energy, brought to life through a fluid art style and explosive animation that lend themselves perfectly to both slapstick humor and off-the-wall action sequences.

Momo and Ken take center stage as two teenagers who get into a bet to see who can prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, respectively. Naturally, they get way more than they bargained for, introducing themselves to a war of bizarre otherworldly entities, supernatural grannies, and confiscated things. Despite starting as basically strangers, Momo and Ken’s friendship blossoms extremely quickly, and it does not feel rushed or forced.

Dandadan continues to go from strength to strength, producing arguably the most well-rounded and complete journey of the year. The anime juggles comedy, action, world-building, and even romance; more importantly, it manages to combine them all in a complementary way that enhances each element. The romance aspect is particularly special, as Momo and Ken are developing a rapport that is just beautiful. Episode 5 revolved almost solely around the leads’ friendship as they tried and failed to communicate properly at school. In some ways, this was a test to see if Dandadan could maintain its high standard in a mostly “normal” situation. The answer proved to be a resounding yes.