Anime of the Year · 1:58am Dec 28th, 2024
I watched at least one episode of 38 shows this year (though three were continuations from previous years), down from 48 shows in 2023.
That’s kind of a big drop, and accelerated as the year went on. I’m not sure if anime is getting worse, I’ve reached a critical point of having read so many manga that I already know just about every new anime that premieres, or if I’m getting burned out.
Of those 38 shows I tried, I watched 10 to completion, and they’re listed below.
What’s it about? Game devs debugging code find themselves trapped in their medieval fantasy game.
Should you watch it? If you want to see a different kind of VRMMORPG story.
An unconventional plot. Diverse characters. The animation was generally solid, if understated, and visually distinct. Pretty consistent plot, too, never an off episode. I appreciate it for what it did, it knew what it wanted to accomplish, and was always diligent about the core plot. There was the occasional moment of comedy, and some genuinely impactful touches of horror. This is a buggy video game the characters are trapped in - imagine clipping through a wall and falling into the void forever. For those attributes, it made it onto the list. However, it’s #10 because the steady pace and regular plot meant it never really rose to lofty heights. The story has another season in it for sure, but unfortunately I don’t know if I see this anime getting one.
What’s it about? In a world where being a magical girl is an actual career choice, a new college grad gets a job at a tech startup.
Should you watch it? If you’re bored with normal magical girl shows, or if you have fantasies about working at a job you actually like.
There’s some interesting worldbuilding here, in a setting where magical girls are not just commonplace, but the average person can apply and get paid to be one. They’re treated as private security against monsters. It’s almost refreshing to see a modern magical girl show where every character is an adult and acts like one, and there isn’t some kind of dark twist - this show is pretty much what you see is what you get, and despite that manages to keep my interest in the old school way by simply being, well, interesting. Which is not to say it doesn’t have a few moments of mundane slice of life - this is a workplace show, after all. I think the animation is a little oversaturated, but nothing to complain about. The real fantasy in Magical Girls Inc. is that a company that cares this much about employees exists. Season two is on the way.
What’s it about? A novelist in the 1940s attempts to commit suicide with his girlfriend, but they get isekai'd. The guy sets out to find her so they can continue to double suicide.
Should you watch it? If you like dark comedy and aren’t quite burned out on isekai yet.
A very unique isekai in all respects. The protagonist literally wants to die. There are video game leveling mechanics that confuse everyone because none of them have ever played a video game before. The harem of cute girls are arguably the actual main characters, having their own plot arcs, and interact more with each other than him. It occasionally had the off moment where the parody wasn't good enough and it just felt like it was leaning into tropes instead of twisting them, but they were rare. Always good for a laugh. Needs at least one more season to finish the plot, and I hope it happens.
What’s it about? A suave wizard and a murderhobo with gender dysphoria hunt witches.
Should you watch it? If you like gothic style, battle-junkie characters, and big magic fights.
If I was still in eighth grade, this show would probably go to the top of my favorite list. It’s so cool and edgy. It’s got modern fantasy, bloodshed, and revenge. However, now that I’m older and somewhat more cultured, I appreciate that the writing could use a polish: after an entire season, it felt like practically no time had passed. Though, I get the feeling that this season is only foundation for something else to come. The animation is good, all the better to show huge fight scenes. The characters have some depth. Even if the show might occasionally put flash over substance, it’s still pretty badass. Maybe it’ll get another season, because I would like to see the payoff for this season’s setup.
What’s it about? A group of guys meet a group of girls who work at a crossdressing bar.
Should you watch it? If you’re fine with any gender of romance as long as it’s cute.
Let’s get this out of the way up front: with a little editing, this would be a yaoi. The girls dress as guys 87% of the time (I counted). There is zero fanservice. But with that aside, and pushed to a corner where it doesn’t matter, this is a really cute romance. In fact, it’s three romances in one, three couples. This lets the show explore many more tropes and how different characters act in a relationship, but also triples the wholesome. There’s really only one central joke, but the comedy almost always worked. In fact, if I had a single complaint about the show, it would be the animation. It generally looked good, but after so many bokeh stills and cuts to chibi, you start to wonder where the budget went. Eagerly waiting for another season.
What’s it about? A tech company accidentally warped reality. A group of schoolgirls who have their own train set off into the apocalypse to search for a missing friend.
Should you watch it? If you like your wacky (rail)roadtrip adventure comedy with a pinch of dark.
“Dynamic” is the best word for this show. Something is always happening, and there’s never a dull moment. I could never predict what would happen next because everything was so off the wall. Being so surreal works for the adventure angle, with new discoveries around every corner. Plus, the animation is some of the best of the year, and I can tell that someone on the staff is a big train nerd. That’s not to say everything is all sunshine and rainbows, though. There are a handful of dark moments that really hit in among the comedy. If I had to level criticism, it’s that looking back from the perspective of the end, some of the middle journey with its randomness and bonkers twists never paid off with actual plot, and that the yuri bait never pays off, either. It’s just one self-contained season, so don’t wait to watch it.
What’s it about? In a world of animal people, where weapons are alive and music is war, the world's only human goes on a journey with her huge sword to find her origins.
Should you watch it? If you like cool swordfights and worldbuilding, and aren't hung up on plot continuity.
This show was beautifully produced, and had a unique world. The plot was all over the place. I'm not saying it was a bad way to tell the story, though it sometimes made me think “Wait, what? Did I miss an episode?”, but it always kept me guessing trying to figure out what the hell I just watched. This anime only shows you about 80% of what actually happens - and you do have to fill in the pieces. I didn’t so much mind that I didn’t know what was going on for most of the season, I just wish it wasn’t because the pacing sometimes felt rushed. If this had been a traditional twelve episodes instead of ten, that probably would have been better. I know it sounds like I’m complaining a lot, but I wouldn’t have put this show as my number four if I didn’t think it was worthy, it just doesn’t apologize for being itself, and you sometimes have to actually do some thinking about the plot. The characters and world are endearing enough that I actually looked forward to figuring it out. Shows that can actually get you engaged rather than just passively feeding you a story are rare. Second season announced, and I'm ready.
What’s it about? In a world where such things are normal, an old housecat evolves into a youkai, and consults his god neighbors to figure out what his new life means.
Should you watch it? If you like Studio Ghibli, but wished they went harder.
This is one of the few anime I’ve ever watched and thought “I wish I lived in that world.” Sure, it’s got problems, but it’s so darned interesting seeing the different species all living together in a modern fantasy, and with great animation to boot. There are centaur astronauts, a middle aged throuple where one of them is a car, and things like cats and trees regularly gain sapience and have to get social security cards. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a climactic final battle, though. For being a slice of life, they go hard on the life. Sometimes, things just happen. Disasters. It's not necessarily the story I wanted, but to do otherwise would deny how real this show is. Shit happens, and sometimes shit has to happen to see what the world is really made of. And I love this world. I wouldn’t mind seeing a second season, but you won’t feel left hanging at the conclusion of the first.
What’s it about? A girl bets a boy that ghosts are real. He bets her that aliens are real. Unfortunately, they’re both right.
Should you watch it? If you like wacky action comedy that includes the occasional brush with horror, and are fine if the romance doesn’t go anywhere.
I knew this show would be good, but even I was surprised just how far the staff dialed it up. The production values are off the charts. As Pascoite noted, the show is capable of adeptly handling any genre, and sometimes runs through them all in a single episode. It’s mostly an action comedy, and does both equally well, but occasionally dips into horror. It's just so far above everything else this season that it feels in a class of its own. My knowledge of the manga, solely, is the reason this isn’t my #1 of the year. It heavily hints at romance, but I read to chapter 80 in the manga and it still hadn’t gone anywhere, as of that point the main plot was still in the rising action, and every new supporting character introduced was much less likable than the protagonists. I recently glanced at the cover art for the manga, and as of volume seventeen, new characters are still being added. So, watch this season - it’s fantastic! - but be aware you might be signing up for a lot if you choose to continue. A new season is coming in six months or so.
What’s it about? On a rescue mission, with supplies running low, an adventuring party learns to cook and eat dungeon creatures.
Should you watch it? If you like worldbuilding, adventure, comedy, and horror, in that order. Even if you don’t, it’s worth a look.
After a slow start to get to know the characters and setting, the show drops the hammer. This is literally life-or-death, after all. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have plenty of cuisine and comedy, though. I have very little to criticize. While it wasn’t always my favorite show week to week, everything was objectively great: production value, character quality and depth, interesting worldbuilding, and a plot that kept me watching. It was obvious that a lot of thought went into crafting every aspect, not just in the base manga writing, but in the anime production. Not even just the food, but, for example, some of the dungeon traps, or how every character has an appreciably different body type. Many, many little things that other anime would have skipped over are apparent here. Out of everything I watched this year, this was just the all around most solid show. I have nothing bad to say, and encourage everyone to try it out. A second season is on the way, and I’ll be there.
Sengoku Youko
An unlikely group of humans and animal spirits travel around the medieval era righting wrongs. Feels pretty '90s shounen, for better or worse. Animation is deceptive, alternating between looking flat and flashes of brilliance. Some comedy. I enjoyed it, and favorably compared it to, say, Inyasha, but ultimately it was airing in a season with some real heavy hitters, and I ran out of time to continue watching it.The Fable
A legendary hitman who shows signs of being on the spectrum is told to take a year off to let police interest die down, and has to figure out how to live a normal life. It was pretty good quality, with deep characters and good animation, and better than average attention to guns. I admired the restraint of the plot, and the small moments of comedy. Unfortunately, it may have been a little too slice of life for me, but could find a better audience who knows what to expect.Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Title is plot summary. Wholesome as they come. I feel that it was difficult for me to focus, though, because it was a clip show, skipping between unrelated scenes. A little more plot continuity would have helped keep my attention among the slice of life.
That’s it for anime of this year. I’m probably going to take a little while off in the new year.
And now down into the manga.
List organized in rough order of my most to least favorite.
Below are those manga that I recommend.
Gumshoe City
A world where literally everyone is a detective.
This is extremely dense hardboiled dialogue and I'm here for it. Art is simple but effective for the style. Short.
The Day He Became an Octopus
Title is plot summary.
One shot. Honestly, went a lot better than it could have.
Lock On
A girl has such a big crush on a cop that she gets pretty big, too.
Short chapters. Wish there was more.
Yoshida Lemon Drops
A guy starts college and meets a girl who is in the professional wrestling club.
Lots of detailed characters. Long chapters, which only emphasizes how long it takes to get to the actual romance.
Below are those manga that I conditionally recommend.
Truck Driver Tag Team Match
A girl gets hit by a truck, but it's the truck driver that finds himself in the other world.
Protagonist is middle-aged, and it doesn't seem like there will be much romance with the young female lead. A pretty unconventional isekai, though I wish I found the comedy engaging.
Below are those manga that I do not recommend.
Anmitsu Whip! Stories of My Girlfriend Who Can't Live Without Me
Yuri cohabitation slice of life.
One page per chapter. I guess I knew it was a slice of life going in, but still would have preferred more substance.
Childhood Friend Yuri
Title is plot summary.
1-2 pages per chapter. Not much to it.
My Friend's Girlfriend is Clearly Not Human
Title is plot summary.
Short and inconclusive.
Going through in order...
#10: Didn't watch this one. Was marginally interested, but it got shoved out by the other things I wanted to see that season, plus isekai is one of my least favorite genres.
#9: Can't really comment yet since I haven't finished it yet. The site I normally watch can be haphazard about missing notifications that a new ep of this or that posted, so I just now saw ep 11 was new, but they still don't have ep 12 even though it's supposed to have aired in Japan over a week ago.
#8: For the same reasons as #10, I didn't watch this when it was new, but based on recs by you and one other person, I've added it to my watch list.
#7: Agreed this has lots of promise. I have a sinking feeling, since the same studio did a terrible job on another show with a very similar setup, and just as promising a start only a season earlier, The Kingdoms of Ruin. So I won't be surprised to see this take a nosedive if it continues, but I'd continue it and see.
#6: Didn't watch this. It rates well enough, but it just doesn't click with me.
#5: Great journey, disappointing ending, but the production values sure made it memorable. This must have been a lot of fun to make, and the dialogue writing was great.
#4: Another with great production values, but I'm unclear on whether it'll ever explain everything, at least give some context, or be happy leaving viewers to fill in the world-building gaps with their own imaginations. Either way, it's an experience.
#3: Haven't watched it yet, but based on your recommendation right after it finished, it's on my watch list.
#2: This does it all and somehow does it all well. I do wish it'd spend some more time developing the characters it already has instead of continuing to pile on more, but I'm looking forward to season 2 in July.
#1: This show had a great sense of when it was starting to stagnate and needed a fresh infusion, and it reliably re-energized itself whenever that happened. Fun and with good characterization.
Sengoku Youko just finished yesterday, so I'll be putting it in a blog sooner or later. It changed its focus numerous times, and while I see the overall narrative it was going for, it felt pretty disjoint. You might have done well to leave it when you did.
I liked The Fable more than I thought I would, given my bias against things that try to show anything mafia in a positive light, but the characterization of the two leads won me over. It was pretty good.
Thank you for introducing me to Tonari no Youkai-san.
As I alluded to in my blog, a bunch of the shows i was watching this season may not have finished. Dandadan explicitly said it'll continue and already has a trailer out. You mention Magi-Lumiere continuing as well—the site I use still doesn't have the finale posted, so I don't know whether it's another that explicitly says so or if the studio has announced it. But since you often have a better sense of these things, I thought I'd ask in case you'd heard anything. None of these outright say they will continue, none have released trailers for additional seasons, and none of them have a page set up for an additional season at MyAnimeList, which are my usual indicators, but you may have other sources or happen to know, for instance, if the manga is complete and the show already adapted all of it.
Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions. S1 explicitly called out a S2, but S2's ending didn't call out more. But there's still the menace of the criminal organization out there, and it ended with a reveal about his parents, so it sure seems to beg more.
You are Ms. Servant. Ended on a stinger that Yuki is still going to be needed as a bodyguard, plus her finally realizing the nature of romantic love, so it sure seems set up to deliver more. Plus they never went anywhere with the thread of tracking down her sister.
The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Become Magicians. Ended on a stinger that there were still some nefarious forces at work and the current resolution was unstable.
Nina the Starry Bride. Ended on a cliffhanger of multiple main characters' lives being threatened and their ultimate goal still unachieved.
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Generally, if I have an idea when a show will continue, I'll say. For example, Dandadan specified July. Though, sometimes even the studios aren't sure on dates when they make the announcement that there will be another season.
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In these cases, it was more that these weren't shows you watched, so you wouldn't have had occasion to say whether they might continue. Just with the way the plots ended, I'd guess they will, but it certainly wouldn't be the first series to stop while leaving things unresolved.