filrosa beacon yamaris
Norine Wiltshire
The summer 2024 anime season is now here, with major names returning and a sprinkling of shows to pay attention to across August and September. But given the overwhelming wave of new anime releasing every week, it can be an overwhelming task to keep track of everything.
Need more to look forward to? There's major Netflix titles such as Arcane and The Witcher to keep an eye on. On top of that, we now have release dates for the likes of the Suicide Squad anime and Dandadan, plus several exciting new movies just over the horizon and announced by Crunchyroll. There's also the intriguing Look Back, which is getting serious buzz online.
Below is nearly every major upcoming anime show out in 2024. It ranges from Netflix's upcoming slate of video game entries - Devil May Cry and Tomb Raider both feature - to some old favorites and new faces.
2024 marks the year where we say goodbye to Beastars, the anime set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, looking at the rising tensions between carnivores and herbivores. The series focuses on the affable grey wolf Legoshi and his complicated relationship with rabbit Haru at the Cherryton school.
Yes, Bleach is still going and, yes, it's still amazing. The adaptation of the final arc continues and sees Ichigo return for 'The Conflict'. The first trailer was released at Jump Festa and offers up a scintillating teaser for the upcoming battle between our protagonist and Wandenreich's emperor Yhwach.
After the twin-related twist at the end of the first season, Blood of Zeus is set to be an epic addition to Netflix's burgeoning anime collection. With Heron still reeling and the gods gunning for the son of Zeus, it's all available for an Olympus-sized binge with season 2 now on Netflix
Blue Exorcist fans sure have been patient. The first season premiered way back in 2011 and the second season arrived in 2017. After another long break, the new season will continue the saga of Rin, the son of Satan. Expect more brutal cliffhangers and surprises as we return to True Cross Academy.
Don't expect a Jose Mourinho-style second season syndrome here, however. The soccer anime aims to hit the heights of its initial run, which saw fledgling forward Isagi form part of Japan's hilariously overblown new project to find a star striker - by putting hundreds of students through their paces in a prison-style structure.
Set after the events of the acclaimed Lelouch of the Resurrection, Roze of the Recapture will supposedly be the first of a multi-part saga. Roze will be played by the prolific voice actor Kohei Amasaki. Little else is known about the project's story, however.
As the name might suggest, Classroom of the Elite focuses on the cohort of the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, a facility designed to nurture the best and brightest Japan has to offer. Unfortunately for newcomer Kiyotaka, he's in class 1-D - 'D' for 'Defective'. The third season rounded out the manga's arc that covers the first school year.
Could this be the next big anime in 2024? Dandadan has sold over 3 million copies and its odd premise - Momo and Okarun, who believe in spirits and UFOs respectively, before coming into contact with poltergeists and extraterrestrials amid a budding romance - has proven to be a hit with readers. It's all set to release this October.
This year started off piping hot with Delicious in Dungeon, a kooky anime series that centres on the bid to rescue adventurer Falin from the belly of the beast - literally. Along the way, the band of heroes cook up some tantalizing treats and mouthwatering meals for the party as they inch ever closer to the dungeon.
One of the world's most popular anime, Demon Slayer tells the story of Tanjiro, a boy who faces family tragedy after an encounter with murderous demons. He, along with his friends Inosuke, Zenitsu, and half-demon sister Nezuko, set out to strike back at the Upper Rank demons with the help of the heroic group of Hashira warriors.
It's taken a few years for Dante to come to our screens but we're almost there. Of course, the devil is in the detail but it all sounds promising enough: The adaptation of the iconic hack-and-slash Capcom game is heading our way in 2024 and will feature a younger Dante. It'll be brought to life by Studio Mir, best known for its work on The Legend of Korra.
The second cour of fantasy anime Frieren began in January and continues the story of elven mage Frieren who, after defeating the Demon King, returns to see the band of heroes she fought alongside either growing old or dying. Due to her longevity, she travels north to bid a final farewell to one, Himmel. Along the way, she sets about discovering more of the world and befriending new people. It was a hugely acclaimed journey, too, reaching the top spot on anime site MyAnimeList.
Otherwise known as Kimi ni Todoke, From Me to You is a slice-of-life romance drama that will tug at the heartstrings. It involves the timid, shy Sawako (cruelly nicknamed 'Sadako' due to her resemblance to the creature from The Ring) coming out of her shell amid a blossoming relationship with popular classmate Kazehaya.
One of the most popular manga of recent years, Kaiju No. 8 is getting an exciting anime adaptation from Production I.G. (Haikyu, Ghost in the Shell). It's also be streamed exclusively on Crunchyroll at the same time as its release in Japan.
In a world devastated by continual kaiju attacks, Kafka Hibino sets about finally making the grade for the Defense Force. Until now, he's only part of Monster Sweeper, the clean-up crew, while his childhood friend Mina Ashiro makes captain. After an incident, Kafka has to hide a monstrous secret from his friends and co-workers...
The second half of the Kengan Ashura anime's second season is set to bolster Netflix's anime ranks later this year. Not caught up? You're missing out. It tells the story of Ohma Takita, a modern-day gladiator who enters tournaments just for the love of fighting and decimating his opponents. It's brutal, with a killer hook - a tournament arc with a special prize at the seat of power - just as powerful as Ohma's own right hand.
One of the best-selling manga of all time, Kingdom - written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara - loosely adapts the historical 'Warring States' period in ancient China. The fifth season continues the saga, serving up more of the series' trademark epic battles and political intrigue.
Our hero is caught at a crossroads in the new season, however: will he rule Eternia as his musclebound alter-ego, or as Adam? Whatever happens, it's all set to be a chaotic explosion of color and mayhem in a similar vein to that which enraptured audiences in the 1980s.
This could be the sleeper anime hit of the year. Moonrise revolves around Jack, a man who enlists in the army after the loss of his family thanks to rebel fighters based on the moon. However, he soon finds out that his former best friend is now on the opposite side of the war. It's being brought to life by Attack on Titan's WIT Studio. Look out for it later in 2024.
Bundled with one of the weirdest anime premises we've seen in a minute, Mushoku Tensei follows the story of a homeless man who reincarnates in a fantasy world under the moniker Rudeus Greyrat - and aims to make the most of his second chance. The second part of the second season hits Crunchyroll this April.
While My Hero Academia's star may be on the wane compared to some of the other big name peers that have dominated the medium in recent years, the superhero shonen will likely edge towards its endgame in fine style. It's definitely adapting the Star and Stripe arc, featuring America's eponymous hero, and will inch ever closer to the epic Final War arc later this year as our superheroes in training continue to rise to the occasion.
One Piece, the long-running anime featuring wannabe Pirate King Monkey D. Luffy as he searches far and wide for the mythical One Piece alongside his Straw Hat crew, has crossed the 1000-episode mark. It's now adapting the Egghead island arc.
To spoil Oshi No Ko's premise would do a disservice to what was one of the most mindblowing twists in recent years. Needless to say, we'll keep it brief: the anime focuses on two twins who find themselves embroiled in the world of pop idols, all deliciously wrapped up in a murder mystery. The second season is setting up to be a must-watch, in our eyes.
So long, Ash! The winding road that saw Pallet Town's favorite son finally become a Pokemon Master came to an end last year. Now, Pokemon Horizons kicks off a new era, and sees introverted Liko travel the world with the swashbuckling Mighty Volt Tacklers - and its Captain Pikachu. Part 2 of the series is on Netflix in the US from May.
Anime loves a good isekai - the genre which often sees a protagonist transported to another world - and Re: Monster should be right near the top of the pile this year. After dying, Kanata finds himself reborn in a fantasy world, but not as a knight, or a traditional hero. No, he's a goblin. The newly-named Rou must struggle to survive and quickly get accustomed to his new environment - or risk winding up dying for a second time.
Rick and Morty has often dabbled in anime, with the Adult Swim series presenting a collection of brilliant (and authentic) shorts across 2020 and 2021. Buoyed by the reception, a 10-episode series was ordered. Expect to see more madcap adventures from Rick and Morty in 2024.
Rising Impact is set to tee off on Netflix this June, adapting the acclaimed manga from Nakaba Suzuki. It follows the journey of Gawain Nanaumi at Camelot Academy, armed with little more than a dream and an uber-powerful golf swing.
This is a two-for-one if you haven't already caught the original Sand Land movie. The feature, directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima, adapted Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama's shonen manga formed the first six episodes of this new anime.
Are we witnessing the making of a new classic? Solo Leveling revolves around "the world's weakest hunter" Sung Jinwoo, who gets humbled in a high-level dungeon. Fortunately for him, he stumbles across the System, a program that allows him to level up and turn the tables on his foes. The manga has already received acclaim from fans for its pacing, action, and unique premise. Here's hoping that can translate to the animated medium. Honestly? The early signs are looking very promising indeed.
90f70e40cf