Winter anime and 2025 releases like The Summer Hikaru Died are probably on your mind, but before saying goodbye to this year, it’s worth a look back and rewatch of some of 2024’s best anime. It’s a given that Demon Slayer is a winner, so we kept it off this roundup because you’ve undoubted already watched, but the other titles are prime for a good binge if you’re relaxing before the new year.
You can visit Crunchyroll for some of these, but Hulu, Netflix and Prime offer anime and Max has Uzumaki. Check out our list of entertaining anime movies and shows that were among the best that this year had to offer.
Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2024
Dandadan is on multiple platforms, and it’s one of my favorite anime releases of the year. Yukinobu Tatsu’s story makes it to the small screen and introduces high schoolers Momo and Okarun. Momo’s family is steeped in mediumship, so she believes in ghosts but doesn’t believe in aliens. When she meets the quirky Okarun, he reveals his belief in extraterrestrials and casts doubt on ghosts’ existence. The fast friends find out they’re both right and learn to tap into super-abilities to fight paranormal threats. Banana theft gets scary, y’all, if you know what I mean. Stream on Crunchyroll, Netflix or Hulu.
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Whether you like him or not, Subaru is back after getting a win last season. He’s in chill mode while Emilia and her crew get ready for the royal selection. Their plans change and they head for the city of Priestella, and things are turned upside for Subaru when they all set out for the trip. Season 3 premiered on Crunchyroll in October, so you can catch up.
Ranma 1/2
This beloved manga has been adapted by MAPPA studios for a new anime release that arrived this past October. Ranma Saotome and his father were cursed when they fell into springs, with Ranma transforming into a girl whenever he touches cold water. The gifted martial artist is set up in an arranged marriage to Akane to keep the family dojo business going. But the school-age couple encounters all sorts of problems in this romantic dramedy that you can watch on Netflix.
Blue Box
Netflix launched an adaptation of Kouji Miura’s rom-com manga, Blue Box, in October, and it’s worth a watch. Taiki is starting out on his high school badminton team but soon crosses paths with his crush, a young girl named Chinatsu, an athlete who excels at basketball. Will their competitive natures get in the way of their romance? Stream the new series if you’re into love stories.
Delicious in Dungeon
Dungeons and dragons are the meat of this series from Ryoko Kui , with a group of adventurers winding their way through dungeons to rescue one of their own. Linking up a with dwarf who survives by eating monsters teaches them that these unusual and magical recipes can go a long way in helping them stay alive. Fights, food and friendship make for an interesting watch. Stream it on Netflix.
Manga fans should decide for themselves whether they like this TV adaptation. Junji Ito’s horror manga comes to life in the new Uzumaki anime series. A spiral-tinged curse hits the town of Kurouzu-cho, where residents are affected by horrific, supernatural events. Some effects are even fatal. The story follows Kirie and her boyfriend Shuichi, two high school kids who get caught up in the paranormal while trying to learn how to escape town and beat the curse. The four-episode series from Adult Swim is available to stream on Max.
Look Back
A gut-wrenching story about friendship, maturity and loss, Look Back comes from Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. The movie follows two girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, two talented manga artists who share a common path. The story takes you from their childhood into adulthood, where jealousy, competitiveness and tragedy cause one of them to look back. Stream the film on Prime Video.
Solo Leveling
The artwork in Solo Leveling isn’t the only reason to watch the action fantasy series that launched in January. Watch the protagonist Sung Jin-woo transform from a meager hunter into a force to be reckoned with as he becomes adept with his power. There are some graphic scenes in this series as it takes viewers into the dingy horror-filled depths of dungeons, but watching the main character’s arc and meeting its lineup of hunters, healers and other interesting beings is worth it.
My Hero Academia Season 7
It’s the penultimate season of My Hero Academia, the superhero show that took us through the halls of UA High School into battle zones with young, powered-up teens and their adult peers and foes. Deku, Todoroki and all your other favorites do more damage — and suffer more damage — in the latest installment before the series bows out with season 8 in 2025.
The third installment of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is here. Dubbed The Conflict, part 3 keeps the blood war going between the Quincies and Soul Reapers. While defending their turf, the Gotei 13 recover their Zanpakuto spirit powers to beat their adversaries. Part 3 debuted on Hulu in the US in October and on Disney Plus for international viewers. Don’t miss out!
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
If you’re a fan of captivating visuals and reflective stories, then there’s no reason to skip Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Frieren, the elf mage, must learn to live in a world where life is fleeting, especially for humans. Season 1 began in September 2023 and ended in March. The first installment found her on a quest to learn new magic and connecting with humans for the first time after 50 years. But some of the best sequences are with Himmel, her dwarf friend (the comet scene is chef’s kiss). Stream season 1 on Crunchyroll.
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Kazuhiko Nukumizu is at the center of this adaptation based on Amamori Takibi’s manga. The high schooler strikes out in the romance department, but when he sees one of the popular girls, Anna, also strike out, he feels compelled to comfort her. He soon gets caught up with other girls who aren’t the luckiest in love. You can stream the first season of the series on Crunchyroll.
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle
A box office hit in Japan, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle takes Karasuno High’s volleyball team into high-stakes tournament. The feature film is streaming on Crunchyroll, where you can watch Shoyo and Kenma face off.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
A follow-up to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, the film takes place after the Second Alliance-PLANT War. Compass, the peacemaking organization, agrees to team up with Foundation so they can take out Blue Cosmos, a group wreaking havoc on Earth. When the Compass ship lands on Earth, its crew is faced with betrayal, attacks and a surprising reveal about genetics. Stream the movie on Hulu or Netflix.
The Elusive Samurai
A revenge story written by Yusei Matsui, The Elusive Samurai pulls from history with its main character, Hojo Tokiyuki, heir to the governing shogun’s nation. After his family’s rule is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji, Hojo — who is endowed with superhuman powers to flee — goes on the run with a Shinto priest. You’ll like the artistic style and story in this series about vengeance and reclaiming one’s power.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball manga comes a completely new story from Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball Daima finds Goku and crew shrunken and in another dimension called the Demon Realm and introduces a new set of characters. Watch the series on Crunchyroll.