Daria "Foxdari" Sedelnikova The world of anime continues to surprise fans of the genre, and 2024 is no exception. We've watched many series, compiled a list of the most interesting, anticipated ones — from sequels to beloved stories to original projects.
This list includes adaptations of iconic Korean manhwa, a cooking show, a comedy about a villain, and remakes of popular anime. There is no first or last place in the list — every series is worth your attention. If you don't find a favorite title or a lesser-known one, please let us know in the comments.
Delicious in Dungeon
This isn't just an anime about fantasy adventures with humor, fan service. Ryoko Kui, the author, illustrator of the original manga, brings a fresh perspective to the familiar dungeons and magic for the audience. His story skillfully balances humor, creativity, and drama. Dungeon Meshi is sure to become a genre classic.
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The plot centers on the warrior Laios + his team. Their last expedition ended in disaster: their equipment was lost, they had no money, and worst of all, Laios' sister was eaten by a dragon. Together with his friends, Laios decides to rescue her as quickly as possible before she's fully digested. Due to their lost resources, the adventurers resort to desperate measures — cooking food from monsters.
The anime raises philosophical questions about the nature of food, the boundaries of edibility. Is it possible to eat succubi or chimeras? How do you properly cook a hippogriff? Throughout the story, the author reflects on what can and cannot be eaten.
The charismatic characters are divided into two camps: the fearful elf who is against eating dungeon fauna, and the protagonist Laios, who enthusiastically listens to the dwarf gourmet's recipes and asks, "Can we eat magical armor?" Many comical scenes arise between the travelers. Frames from the anime have already become memes.
Despite the comedic tone, Dungeon Meshi does not turn into an endless sitcom, the manga is already finished. The story gradually unfolds, and the level of drama increases. With each episode, viewers learn more about the structure of the dungeon. For example, in one episode, the team tries to navigate a floor with mermaids, a kraken, a razor fish without harming the ecosystem. In another, we see them planting cabbage, carrots on golems.
Solo Leveling
A new anime series attracts attention with its fresh take on the classic shonen formula: a strong hero, an internal conflict, a brutal world.
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The main character, Sung Jin, is one of the hunters — humans with supernatural abilities. The organization fights monsters to close portals leading to dungeons with powerful adversaries. If the hunters fail to kill the boss, all the monsters from the portal will break free.
Sung Jin is not a typical overpowered hero but an ordinary person, the weakest of all. Circumstances force him to improve and level up alone, without a team. This approach gives the series a unique dynamic, depth, setting it apart from other representatives of the genre. Viewers are intrigued to watch the hero's development and how his thoughts, motivations change.
A Sign of Affection
The main character, Yuki, has been deaf since birth, but this does not prevent her from living a full life. She enrolls in a regular university, easily makes friends. Fate brings her together with Itsuomi, a polyglot, avid traveler. The young people start communicating, and gradually their feelings for each other become romantic.
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This adaptation of a popular manga is worth a chance if only to see a story of mature love without cheap emotional manipulation. Instead of the banal plot twist of "will they be together?". The anime focuses on how two completely different people learn to understand and accept each other, overcoming difficulties, shortcomings. The warm atmosphere of the series will warm the hearts of viewers, especially those disillusioned with love, wanting to believe in its power, beauty again.
Behind the project is a stellar team: director Yuta Murano, known for the second season of "Nice to meet you, God", scriptwriter Youko Yonaiyama, who worked on "Skip and Loafer", and composer Yukari Hashimoto, who created the music for "Toradora"! Their efforts make the anime stand out not only for its depth of plot but also for its superb visual execution.
Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
Let’s have a reunion of old fans: comment if you watched Fairy Tail from the first season and got goosebumps from the main theme. The desperate guild team returns to the screens: Natsu, Lucy, Happy, Gray, Erza, Wendy.
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The adventurers are set on a challenging mission that hasn't been accomplished in 100 years: they need to seal legendary dragons. For this, the team embarks on a journey to the north.
The adaptation of the continuation is handled by a different studio, J.C. Staff, but the team remains the same: directors Shinji Ishihira, Toshinori Watanabe, character designer Sako Yurika, composer Yasuharu Takanashi, scriptwriter Atsuhiro Tomioka.
Wind Breaker
An anime that promises to be a bright representative of the shonen genre. At the center of the plot is Haruka Sakura, a teenager with multicolored eyes, black-and-white hair. Due to his unusual appearance, society does not accept him. Thus, he decides to start a new life in another city.
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Haruka enrolls in a high school that is a haven for society's outcasts. However, it soon becomes clear that the students there are actually guardians of the city's order, and the locals consider them heroes. The teenager must adapt, find his place in this unusual group.
Wind Breaker is a classic shonen where a talented but reclusive hero gradually gains friends and a noble goal. The plot is clearly inspired by the popularity of "Tokyo Revengers". The production is handled by the successful studio CloverWorks, known for their work on "Bocchi the Rock!", "Spy x Family", "Horimiya".
Bartender: Glass of God
The cult anime of the 2000s has returned to the screens. The first adaptation of the shonen manga by Palm Studio in 2006 did not cover the entire story of the original source. But in 2024, viewers are treated to a full-fledged remake.
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At the heart of the story is the genius bartender Ryuu Sasakura. He masterfully selects cocktails for his clients, sensitively capturing their moods, hidden desires. The right drink loosens the tongues of the guests, and they begin to share their personal joys, sorrows with Ryuu.
Each episode is a small drama. The stories of the visitors are sometimes tear-jerkingly touching or funny, but they all have one thing in common: they are lifelike, relatable. The preparation of cocktails is presented as a craft, beautifully animated, making you want to recreate what you see at home.
If you're tired of endless battles, fan service, Bartender: Kami no Glass is the perfect anime to relax your soul. The slow-paced storytelling, beautiful visuals, atmospheric music, and deep dialogues draw you in just as much as a twisty plot. Everyone will find something familiar in the characters' stories.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
This year has been bountiful with continuations of cult series, and Demon Slayer is no exception. Studio Ufotable delighted fans with a new season. After the epic battle in the village of blacksmiths, Tanjiro still dreams of saving his sister and becoming one of the elite demon slayers.
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To achieve this goal, the young man undergoes grueling training under the strict Stone Pillar, Gyoumei Himejima. But the enemies are not idle either: the demon king and his three powerful warriors are preparing a counterattack. Their goal is to find Tanjiro's sister, the leader of the demon slayer organization.
Studio Ufotable once again impresses with the quality of its animation. Every frame of Demon Slayer is a work of art, with detailed, dynamic battles, stunning landscapes, vibrant, lifelike characters.
Black Butler: Public School Arc
A sudden but long-awaited return of beloved characters. Young Earl Ciel Phantomhive, a giant in trade and a loyal servant of Queen Victoria, once again finds himself at the center of mysterious events. Together with his impeccable butler Sebastian, the earl can unravel any mystery.
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This time, trouble has struck one of the best state schools in England, located near London. The queen personally asks Ciel to investigate the disappearance of several students, among whom is her relative. The young earl and his butler must infiltrate the school under cover to get to the truth.
Fans of the franchise will surely be thrilled to dive back into the dark atmosphere of the series. Victorian England, gothic interiors, charismatic characters, and, of course, the signature black humor are all abundant in the new season. Sebastian is as elegant and dangerous as ever, while Ciel, despite his young age, demonstrates incredible detective skills.
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf
The parade of "returning legends" continues with the series about the wolf goddess Holo. A remake of the cult 2008 anime, which is rightly considered one of the best in the romance genre. The original still enjoys popularity among fans, captivates viewers with the tender love story of a goddess, a simple merchant.
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The plot revolves around a middle-aged man named Kraft. He passes by a small village where locals have long believed in the divine wolf Holo, who grants bountiful harvests. But it turns out that this is not just a belief — the goddess exists. Moreover, she dreams of leaving the village, and by a happy coincidence, Kraft becomes her companion. They embark on a journey together, and romantic feelings develop between the characters.
The original series of the 2000s was not a complete adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's original light novel. The remake promises to correct this injustice and give fans the long-awaited continuation of the story on screen. If you are a longtime fan of Ookami to Koushinryou, the remake will not disappoint. Familiar characters, atmosphere, and new plot twists — what could be better? If you have never heard of this anime, now is the perfect time to get acquainted with the legend in modern graphics.
NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a Part 2
Nier: Automata will once again immerse viewers in the dark world of the distant future. In the second part, we can expect even more epic battles, philosophical reflections, incredible music that captures the soul from the first notes.
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The plot unfolds in the year 5012, millennia after alien invaders occupied Earth. Humanity was forced to seek refuge on the Moon while an endless war raged on the planet's surface between the aliens, the android army. Seven thousand years later, humans created an elite squad of combat androids, YoRHa, whose mission is to permanently expel the aggressors from Earth.
Adapting the universe of the game Nier: Automata is no easy task. It's not enough to simply depict post-apocalyptic landscapes with ruined skyscrapers, add touching music. It is crucial to convey the atmosphere of despair and the message of the original game — the weariness of an endless war.
However, Studio A-1 Pictures has proven that such a challenge is within their reach. The team managed to bring to the screen not only the visual style, plot twists of the original source but also its emotional depth. Each frame is filled with melancholy and a sense of hopelessness. The characters, despite their artificial nature, evoke empathy.
Kaiju No.8
Shonen lovers, meet a bright representative of the genre. Kaijuu 8-gou is the long-awaited adaptation of the popular manga from Shonen Jump magazine.
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The action takes place in an alternate Japan terrorized by giant monsters — Kaijuu. To combat them, an elite Defense Force was created. The main character, Kafka Hibino, always dreamed of joining their ranks but failed the selection. As a result, he decided to work in a cleaning squad, clearing the streets of monster carcasses. During one mission, a small flying enemy crawled into Kafka's mouth and transformed him into a humanoid monster.
Unlike most shonen where the protagonists are teenagers or children, Kaijuu 8-gou centers on an adult man who has come to terms with the fact that his dream is unattainable.
He is ready to spend the rest of his life in routine. But the sudden transformation gives him a second chance. Thus, the hero's development story turns into a narrative about overcoming a midlife crisis.
Suicide Squad Isekai
News about a Suicide Squad anime series won't shock DC universe fans. But those who don't follow all the superhero universe novelties might have missed an unusual new entry in the isekai genre. For those unfamiliar with the term, isekai is a popular genre of anime + manga where characters are transported to another world.
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In this case, Harley Quinn and other antiheroes from the Suicide Squad suddenly find themselves in a world with dragons, magic. They have only 72 hours to find their way home, or the nanobombs in their necks will activate.
The idea of such characters being transported to another world looks fresh and attractive. Warner Bros made a bold decision: to combine the DC universe with the popular anime genre. The implementation of this unusual idea was undertaken by Studio WiT, known for Attack on Titan. The director's chair was occupied by debutant Eri Osada, known for working on Jujutsu Kaisen, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
If you're curious whether the series can replicate the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners or can't wait to see how the supervillains fit into the world of magic, be sure to watch Isekai Suicide Squad.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Bling Bang Bang Bling Bang Bang Born... Do you hear it too? The catchy opening of the second season of Mashle, which became a trend and garnered 95 million views on YouTube.
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In the continuation, the main character Mash is ready once again to prove that brute force can defeat magic. From the first season, viewers know the rules of the world: magic rules everything, and those without it become society's outcasts. The protagonist managed to enter a wizarding academy with his incredible physical strength to change the laws and equate people with magicians.
In the new season of Mashle, the protagonist Mash fights for the status of a divine visionary, possibly changing the very structure of the world, stopping the discrimination against non-magical people.
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
A touching story about a second youth for the elderly. An elderly couple lives a quiet life in the countryside, reminiscing about the past. But one morning, something incredible happens: they wake up in young and healthy bodies, retaining all their life experience, memories.
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The couple doesn’t try to hide their miraculous transformation from others and continue to do their usual gardening. Only in the evenings do they try everything they didn’t have time for in their youth. Grandpa buys Grandma a fashionable dress, they walk holding hands, and enjoy their physical form.
This anime is soulful, deep, teaching the value of life’s small joys. The story is not so much about returning to youth, but about the importance of remembering time spent with loved ones. Each episode evokes strong emotions, and the finale will bring tears even to the most stoic viewers. The authors skillfully filled the series with both sadness, joy. After watching, you feel an unusual mix of melancholy, happiness.
Ninja Kamui
The main character, Joe Logan, is a former ninja trying to start a new life with his family in rural America. But his past catches up with him. A group of mercenaries attacks, brutally kills his wife, son. The protagonist narrowly escapes and is now driven by a thirst for revenge.
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Ninja Kamui is the result of an unexpected collaboration between the American channel Adult Swim and the young Japanese studio E&H Production. Despite the sudden release, the anime is quickly gaining popularity on social media thanks to its unique approach to the genre.
The creators skillfully combine the successful formula of John Wick with mystical ninja abilities. The anime features many exciting battle scenes where the hero uses cloning, growing extra limbs, and even resurrection. The antagonist is a powerful tech corporation — a classic villain for such stories.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
Imagine a classic school romance, but with a twist — the main heroine speaks Russian and Japanese! In 2024, an anime adaptation of the popular light novel of the same name, which has already won the hearts of Japanese readers and ranked in the top five titles in 2022, was released. It’s no surprise that an adaptation appeared within two years.
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The plot revolves around Alya, the daughter of a Russian father + a Japanese mother. She is in love with her classmate, the lazy, slovenly Masachika Kuze. Embarrassed to confess her feelings directly, Alya switches to Russian whenever she wants to compliment him. Little does she know that the boy understands her perfectly.
The creators invited voice actress Sumire Uesaka to play Alya. She is a big fan of the Russian language and culture, so the main character's favorite word, "milashka" (cutie), sounds almost without an accent in the series.
No Longer Allowed in Another World
The protagonist is the real Japanese writer Dazai Osamu. The story begins in 1948 when he tries to commit suicide, ends up in another world. But even there, his main goal remains to find a soulmate and... commit double suicide.
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Dazai Osamu is not a rare guest in anime, and in Isekai Shikkaku, he is depicted as cynical, sad. With his moral inner compass, striving for heroism, his personality is very complex, ambiguous, making the title truly captivating. It’s fascinating to watch the character’s decisions, imagine yourself in his place.
An unusual hero, an original plot, and ironic mockery of popular genres are the main reasons to pay attention to this title. The story is dark but captivating: about a writer who cannot get rid of his demons even in the afterlife.
Tower of God Season 2
The continuation of the anime adaptation of the cult Korean manhwa. The first season captivated viewers with its thrilling plot, vivid characters, epic battles.
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The protagonist Baam continues his ascent of the great tower to fulfill his cherished wish: to save his friend, mentor. The path to his goal is dangerous. Baam faces powerful enemies, forms difficult alliances, and even betrays friends. Each step brings him closer to uncovering the tower’s mysteries, reuniting with his friend, but the price he pays is steep.
The second season is produced by The Answer Studio, known for its work on children's series, directed by debutant Kei Suzuki.
These changes cause some concern among fans. Kami no Tou has won over viewers not only with its beautiful animation but also with deep themes touching on friendship, betrayal, and the pursuit of dreams, masterfully brought to the screen by the previous director.
Mr. Villain's Day Off
A comedic story about an antagonist who just wants to take a break from the hard work of world domination.
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Warumono-san is the head of a sinister organization aiming to conquer Earth. Every day, he battles against a group of heroes protecting the planet. But even bad guys need weekends. Here’s where it gets interesting.
An ideal choice for those looking for something light, funny after a hard day. The original manga consists of short comedic stories showing how the main villain spends his weekends. It turns out he is crazy about pandas and shops like any ordinary person.
Don’t expect intricate plots or unexpected twists. This is more of a sitcom where each episode is a standalone story, and everything returns to the status quo at the end. But this very repetition makes the anime so relaxing.
My Hero Academia Season 7
The world where most people have superpowers returns to the screens. Izuku Midoriya continues his journey to become the greatest hero and protector of the world, despite being born without superpowers.
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After meeting his idol, the legendary hero All Might, Midoriya inherited his power, enrolled in an elite hero academy. There he learns, grows, fights alongside his friends + allies.
Over six seasons, much has changed. From a naive, innocent children's series, Boku no Hero has turned into a serious drama where the stakes are the lives of heroes. Conflicts have become more complex, enemies more dangerous. The continuation of the series is more intense, emotional. Massive battles, character deaths, and shocking betrayals by friends. Each episode will keep you on edge.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the original manga, on which the anime is based, is still ongoing. So even the most devoted fans don’t know what ending awaits Izuku + his friends. But one thing is certain: it will be an epic, dramatic, unforgettable spectacle.
We hope you found something new and interesting in our list. Maybe you're already getting ready for a cozy evening watching a long-awaited title? Share plans and opinions in the comments.
Main image by DALL-E
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