Since it’s already the New Year, it’s time to share my top anime of 2024. Of course, this list is subjective and only shows aired in 2024.
The shows that I watched are:
- Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete
- Metallic Rouge
- Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?
- Sasayaku You ni Koi o Utau
- Yuru Camp 3
- Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
- Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai
- Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan
- Mayonaka Punch
- Na Nare Hana Nare
- VTuber nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta
- Elf-san wa Yaserarenai
- Acro Trip
- Sword Art Online Gun Gale Online 2
- Love Live Superstar 3
- Kabushikigaisha Magilumiere
- Mahou Tsukai ni Narenakatta Onnanoko no Hanashi
Honorable Mentions:
- Yuru Camp 3
- Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan
- Sword Art Online Gun Gale Online 2
- Kabushikigaisha Magilumiere
- Mahou Tsukai ni Narenakatta Onnanoko no Hanashi
Dishonorable Mention
Metallic Rouge
Metallic Rouge was supposed to be Bone’s 25th-anniversary anime, but this show is a big mess, and none of it matters. Probably the best part is Rouge’s relationship with Naomi and Rouge kicking a person who disguised himself as a dog. Otherwise, it’s perhaps the most disappointing show of the year.
Top 9 Anime
- Acro Trip
While people say that Acro Trip is a family-friendly version of Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete since Chizuko, the main character, obsesses over Berry Blossom, a magical girl, it has a lot of funny moments. Well, Chizuko gets dragged to the evil side so that she can see Berry Blossom at her best and gush over her. As expected, most of the funny moments concern Chrome’s incompetence as a villain.
- Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?
After 7G alters the world, the girls set out on a journey to save a friend. Of course, there are many funny, scary, and enjoyable moments. While I like the characters, that one instance gave me mixed feelings, with Chizuru acting like a jerk to her friends and deciding to ditch them just to join them again and not apologizing after they reunited. Of course, the opening song of this show is one of the best parts, besides the story.
- Sasayaku You ni Koi o Utau
I like the story since there are a lot of sweet moments with Yori and Himari as the latter figure out what love means to her, along with the developments with Shiho and Aki, but of course, there are production problems.
While the music and voice acting are great, the animation is a big mess. Perhaps one of the worst production disasters in recent history has led to the studio becoming bankrupt and the Blu-ray releases getting canceled. Not to mention, the stage play recording Blu-ray release got canceled. I feel that the companies behind this disaster disrespect the creator’s works. I feel sympathetic towards the author and see their work disrespected. That said, I enjoyed the story despite the production issues.
- Love Live Superstar 3
Redemption of the 2nd season. It was nice to see Margarete finally redeem herself and see a resolution to the strained relations between Tomari and Natsumi. Also, the music is good here, but there is nothing else to add otherwise.
- Mayonaka Punch
As expected, a Youtuber girl starts a “YouTube” channel with five vampire ladies. It can’t be this fun. Of course, Live has a massive crush on Misaki, and the only way she can get her blood is to make YouTube videos with other vampire girls at the manor. I admit that some moments are exciting and funny, with enjoyable characters.
- Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote
Seeing a gyaru girl, Yumiko and a reserved girl, Chika, having to do a radio show together is fascinating. While in their idol personas, they have opposite personalities and don’t get along because of their constant bickering and rivalry. The saying goes, they get closer as they develop close bonds and have some pleasant yuri moments. After all, opposites attract. Of course, seeing behind the scenes with Seiyuu’s work is also enjoyable.
- Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai
As expected, seeing a group of young ladies make a musical group together was interesting. The characters, of course, are relatable, besides Mei gushing over Kano. But really, the relationship between Mahiru and Kano is probably the most interesting as Mahiru regains her motivation to draw in helping Kano’s music career as JELEE. While there is some wasted potential since the show ran out of time, there are lovely moments with Mahiru and Kano. Yes, it includes Kano kissing Mahiru on the cheeks and getting a motorbike license so she can ride with Mahiru, which is sweet.
- VTuber nanda ga Haishin Kiri Wasuretara Densetsu ni Natteta
While I don’t usually watch VTubers, an anime about VTubers, primarily Hololive loosely, is probably the most interesting as Awayuki goes viral after she left her stream on, drank a Strong Zero, and said many unhinged things while drunk. It eventually boosts Awayuki’s VTuber career. As expected, the characters are enjoyable, especially Awayuki’s large female harem. They make it look like a VTuber stream using Live2D models and even playing actual games, which are knockoffs of the light novel.
- Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete
Yes, it’s not too surprising, and it’s pretty much the anime that had a lot of discussion. Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete is a middle school girl, Hiiragi Utena, who is into magical girls being forced to the dark side and who fights against magical girls. Yep, she becomes a sadist magical girl who does interesting things to the magical girls she loves, especially Azure/Soyo.
As expected, Yuri doesn’t disappoint with Utena, Kiwi, Matama, and Nemo. Of course, given how big of a surprise hit this show was, it received a second season, which most Yuri anime adaptions hope to get but don’t.
@chikorita157 Just wanted to say that Chizuko Date’s character design is great in that show.
I fear we won’t see a S2, and I’m thinking I should read the manga instead.
It’s a good setup to avoid the tropes.
Yep, I agree… but yes, the lack of S2 is the case for most shows, unless they are really popular.