Even though they are not all born equal, every season contains dozens of anime that successfully manage to keep viewers coming back for roughly three months. The best Summer 2024 anime will not only inspire weekly discussions during their runs, but they are also likely to be remembered for years after their conclusions. The quarter is shaping up nicely and features plenty of new shows and sequels that are worth watching; however, a few series stand out from the crowd.
As the Summer 2024 anime season progresses, certain anime will naturally fall to the wayside as people begin to streamline their calendars. Simply put, keeping up with everything is rarely worthwhile. Therefore, let’s highlight the season’s greatest series to make picking what to watch as easy as possible. Which are the greatest anime of Summer 2024?
Updated on August 31, 2024 by Mark Sammut: With the season nearly over, the best Summer 2024 anime are mostly already set in stone. Still, a few series are setting themselves up for potentially big finales, which could see them go from good seasonal releases to some of the strongest anime of 2024.
Here are a few criteria and things to know:
- This selection of the best anime of Summer 2024 will be updated every week.
The current cutoff date is August 30, 2024
. - Only anime that debuted this season will be considered, and that includes sequels. No continuations like
One Piece
or
My Hero Academia
. -
Netflix-type anime
that drop all their episodes in one go will not be considered. That said,
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You Season 3
is incredible. - MyAnimeList scores are included as a reference, but they do not determine the rankings.
13 The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2 (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.43
Nothing exists in a vacuum, and that extends to anime. The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses is very much a traditional harem that caters to a very specific target audience, and if somebody does not usually enjoy these types of shows, they are unlikely to get much out of this series. Conversely, anyone fond of harems with ecchi content will find one of the genre’s best representatives. Even though Summer 2024 might have “better” shows, most of these will likely not be remembered as all-time greats for their respective genres; meanwhile, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses reached that status after its first season, and the sequel is even better.
As the title suggests, the anime follows Hayato as he manages his grandmother’s cafeteria while employing five girls who also live with him. The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses takes this fairly straightforward concept and delivers a story that gets most of its basics right. Assertive, confident, and mature, Hayato is a fantastic male lead who has strong and, more importantly, unique dynamics with all five potential suitors. He is comfortably among the harem genre’s best protagonists.
The girls are also pretty good in their own right, with each one of them getting their moments to shine. The sequel has added quite a bit of depth and nuance to Ami, Akane, and Riho, all of whom are likable characters in their own right.
12 My Deer Friend Nokotan (-2)
MyAnimeList: 7.42
My Deer Friend Nokotan is kind of weird. The anime garnered quite a bit of attention before its debut, attracting excitement as a potential meme generator that leans into absurdist humor. That marketing strategy helped establish Wit Studio’s comedy as one of Summer 2024’s most highly-anticipated series; however, that fervor died down considerably after a few episodes, and the show nowadays feels like a footnote rather than a standout release. My Deer Friend Nokotan can be pretty amusing, but it is not shaping up to be an all-time hilarious anime. Honestly, it is not even the funniest show of this season.
Just to be clear, My Deer Friend Nokotan is not a disaster or anything like that. Unpredictable, likable, and chaotic in a good way, Noko Shikanoko is a great comedic force and among 2024’s funniest characters. Although nothing amazing, Torako works well as a counter who exists to react to Shikanoko’s antics. Whenever the focus is exclusively on these two, My Deer Friend Nokotan is an unspectacular but cute gag anime that is good for a few laughs.
Unfortunately, the show has done very little with the rest of the characters, most of whom are introduced as tropes and have yet to evolve into anything more. Torako’s sister, Anko, is the worst example. She is uncomfortably obsessed with her sibling, playing into the tired perverted archetype that has grown somewhat out of fashion. That is not a bad launchpad for a character, but Anko’s contributions have amounted to repeating the same joke in nearly every scene. She is just a trope and nothing else. This character’s direction is devoid of any creativity.
11 The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies (+1)
MyAnimeList: 7.53
An adaptation of Cocoa Fujiwara’s final manga that was left incomplete when the author tragically passed away in 2015, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is not only a cute show in a vacuum, but also a fitting tribute to its creator. As the title implies, the story revolves around two “enemies” who would rather go on dates than engage in battles over the world’s future. Mira seems like the ultimate evil lieutenant at a glance, but he turns to mush whenever in the presence of the slightly absent-minded Byakuya, who very much regards her magical girl role as just another job (and she has plenty of them).
Sometimes, predictability is perfectly fine. The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies has delivered very few surprises so far, instead focusing on its adorable main relationship while occasionally parodying magical girl tropes. Although mostly cute, the anime introduces a couple of surprisingly dark ideas, mainly on the side of the heroes. Byakuya is a rather tragic figure when her full situation is taken into account, and she seems to be isolated and easily manipulated. The anime is at its best when the Magical Girl takes center stage, which does not happen as often as it should.
10 Pseudo Harem (+1)
MyAnimeList: 7.58
Perhaps the cutest Summer 2024 anime, Pseudo Harem revolves around two awkward teenagers who are more than happy to be clumsy around each other. In an inspired take on a divisive genre, the anime presents a one-woman harem, with Rin – a member of her school’s drama club – utilizing her acting chops to play different archetypes who take turns teasing her senpai, Eiji. Yes, this is a rare “harem” story that allows every girl to win.
While romance is undeniably in the air, Pseudo Harem is primarily a slice of life, one of the genre’s few proper entries airing during the current season. The episodes largely consist of 2-3 segments chronicling Eiji and Rin’s adorable but mundane interactions, and their banter is immediately charming. Even if it is nothing too amazing in the grand scheme of things, this anime is pleasant and features two protagonists who are near-impossible to not love. Even though their relationship moves very slowly, Pseudo Harem is not completely static and has a sense of constant growth, regardless of how minimal it is.
9 Senpai is an Otokonoko (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.01
Summer 2024 is stacked with romances, none of which are as unique as Senpai is an Otokonoko. Saki instantly falls for her senpai, Makoto, and that feeling does not change when the former learns that the latter is a boy who cross-dresses like a girl. Ryuuji is also in love with Makoto, although he keeps it a secret since he is not quite sure how to process these emotions.
While a love triangle is forming, Senpai is an Otokonoko primarily focuses on exploring its characters’ gender and sexual identities, particularly Makoto. Due to his mother, he cannot be his true self at home, a situation that amplifies his stress and shame. Fortunately, Saki and Ryuuji are both incredibly supportive, allowing Makoto to slowly grow more confident in himself.
As Saki has taken something of a backseat, Ryuuji and Makoto have assumed center stage, and their complex relationship has been a delight to watch unfold. Neither character is 100% sure how to manage their emotions and interests, but they are willing to put themselves out there. It is, honestly, great and addictive.
Although mostly wholesome, Senpai is an Otokonoko can get very heavy at times. The anime focuses quite a bit on parent-child dynamics, showing that abuse and neglect can take many forms beyond physical violence. Saki’s relationship with her father is a particularly sensitive and powerful exploration of this concept.
8 Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.98
Fairy Tail is back with a proper sequel rather than just a new season. At this point, most people should be well aware of what to expect from Hiro Mashima’s franchise, and 100 Years Quest largely maintains its predecessor’s course, delivering action, comedy, fanservice, and a decent sense of adventure. Although things are explained well enough to follow the basic plot, newcomers should start with the 2009 show since Team Natsu’s members have already gone through most of their character growth and development.
As far as the best anime of Summer 2024 are concerned, 100 Years Quest is harder to rank than any other sequel as, for better or worse, it is just more Fairy Tail. There is nothing wrong with that, and the season should hit the mark with die-hard fans while having almost nothing to offer anyone else. Compared solely to its predecessor’s quality, the sequel is generally better than Fairy Tail‘s final few arcs, at least going from the content released so far. 100 Years Quest has been very action-packed so far, with most episodes revolving around fights in some form or another. They have not all been fantastic, but they generally have a decent sense of scale and showmanship. The new characters have also been pretty interesting, even if they are almost all exclusively villains.
7 NieR:Automata Ver1.1a – Cour 2 (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.95
Returning after a rough first season in terms of production, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a has largely managed to steady the ship, delivering a sequel that has so far matched and even surpassed its ancestor. Now, the new entry is not designed for new viewers, and people will need to watch its prequel to have a general idea of what is going on. Even then, the sci-fi anime is rather convoluted at times, with the story introducing so many characters that keeping track of everyone can be harder than it should be.
All that being said, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a is still among the best Summer 2024 anime in a few key areas. For one, the animation compares favorably to nearly every other show, only being topped by a couple of visual juggernauts like Wistoria and Monogatari. While their journeys are not always easy to follow, 2B and 9S are great leads, with their tragic relationship serving as the story’s steady beating heart. This universe’s lore is also fascinating, and the sequel does a better job of sprinkling in reveals than its predecessor.
6 Wistoria: Wand and Sword (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.83
Whether someone is a fan of DanMachi or not, they should watch Wistoria, the latest adaptation of a Fujino Omori story. With a capable but vulnerable protagonist, very good animation, a familiar but fascinating setting, and fun monster designs, the Summer 2024 anime has nearly everything someone could want from an action fantasy show.
To stand alongside his friend, Elfie, Will must become a Magia Vander, which requires mastering magic and making a name for himself at Regarden Magical Academy. Unfortunately, Will cannot use magic at all, earning him the derogatory term “talentless,” along with plenty of animosity from his classmates and teachers. However, he is a strong warrior who can hold his own in battle, despite the class being considered inferior to mages.
Although his personality is relatively typical for a battle shonen, Will works because he has just enough weaknesses to ensure battles have a degree of tension. More importantly, Wistoria‘s fights have yet to miss the mark.
5 The Elusive Samurai (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.89
Potentially the nicest surprise of Summer 2024, The Elusive Samurai has incredible production value, with CloverWorks seemingly going for broke to ensure a committed adaptation of Yusei Matsui’s shonen manga. The positives do not end with the animation, however, as the anime has so far been packed with lovable characters, historical information, and effective comedy. If it was not for another currently airing anime, The Elusive Samurai might just have the weirdest sense of humor of 2024, largely thanks to Yorshige’s outlandish antics.
The story gets off to a flying start, chronicling a bloody uprising against the imperial court that results in a new regime and the young Hojo Tokiyuki as one of the few survivors. Saved by an unorthodox Shinto priest and aided by a few child allies, Hojo sets out to regain his family’s lost power, a journey built upon his impressive talent for dodging and running away.
4 Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 7.92
Arguably Summer 2024’s most highly anticipated new anime, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian has lived up to the hype so far. As far as school-based romcoms are concerned, Doga Kobo’s adaptation tells a familiar tale about a popular girl hiding her obvious interest in a somewhat “normal” male lead; in this case, Alisa’s cold demeanor is constantly undermined when she exposes her crush on Masachika in Russian, falsely believing that her classmate cannot speak the language. Not wanting to embarrass her, Masachika has kept this fact to himself, at least for the moment.
Although not built on the most original concept ever, Alya‘s executes its genre staples well. Alisa and Masachika’s playful banter is not only cute but also presents the characters as equals. Unlike the many cookie-cutter male protagonists who drag down their respective anime romcoms, Alya features a strong MC who is more than capable of standing his ground and does not come across like an audience stand-in.
As fun as Alisa and Yuki are, Masachika is the glue that holds this story together, and he manages to balance humor and drama quite well. Alisa is a fairly prototypical female lead in many ways, but she demonstrates just enough nuance to come across as a three-dimensional figure rather than a dream girl. Meanwhile, Yuki is one of the funniest characters of the Summer 2024 season, and she also has an interesting family dynamic.
3 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 8.34
Summer 2024’s comedy anime lineup is fantastic, arguably exceeding the previous few quarters’ offerings. Initially setting itself up as a “serious” drama about teen love, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! shifts to refined hilarity when Anna makes her proper debut and drags her friendless classmate, Kazuhiko, into her tragic love life.
The classic childhood friend, Anna selflessly encourages her crush to pursue her best friend, a situation that leaves her unable to decide if she loves or hates them. Kazuhiko’s deadpan humor serves as a great counter to Anna’s emotional outbursts, and they are instantly a great pairing. Lemon and Chika are also fun characters who have been introduced well, even if they are not shaping up to be quite as funny as Anna.
Elevated by great animation courtesy of A-1 Pictures, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! is an entertaining dissection of harem and romcom conventions that also treats its characters as proper people rather than tools for mockery. So far, all the main characters are likable, and their relationships are blossoming naturally. That said, Kazuhiko is probably the weakest link, although that will hopefully change as he starts to be a more active presence rather than someone who seems to be dragged along for the ride.
2 [Oshi No Ko] Season 2 (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 8.54
Popularity can be a double-edged sword. [Oshi no Ko] was always going to be the most talked about current anime after the success of the first season; however, that means the sequel had to live up to extremely high expectations. Crucially, season 2 launches directly into an arc that does not have all that much to do with Aqua’s search to discover who might be behind Ai’s murder, beyond immersing the protagonist in another part of the entertainment industry.
For the most part, [Oshi no Ko] has spent most of Summer 2024 documenting the exhausting process of translating a battle shonen manga into a 2.5D stage production, along with emphasizing the tensions that can arise due to creative differences despite everyone involved’s best efforts.
Putting aside the whole murder mystery storyline, [Oshi no Ko] arguably shines the brightest when focusing on the passionate forces that strive to bring entertainment to the masses, emphasizing their philosophies, motivations, and flaws. Season 2 showcases the characters’ strong but still fragile personalities, particularly Kana, Akane, and (surprisingly) Melt. [Oshi no Ko]‘s visual identity is also consistently impeccable, with the animation making fantastic use of colors to empower the characters’ emotions.
Also, if somebody is mainly interested in Aqua’s storyline, season 2 does not ignore it either. For example,
episode 4 dives into Aqua’s guilt
, and the same can be said for episode 9.
1 Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season (+/- 0)
MyAnimeList: 8.99
A prequel/sequel/whatever in one of the more inaccessible anime properties, Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season will only attract people who are already die-hard fans of Araragi, Shinobu, and company. Consequently, a recommendation feels pointless since anybody interested is almost certainly already watching, while newcomers should not even slightly consider starting with Shaft’s 2024 entry.
Nevertheless, Off & Monster Season is unsurprisingly brilliant. Monogatari rarely sets a foot wrong, and any “bad” arcs are just relative. Due to the conclusion of Araragi’s story in Zoko Owarimonogatari, the current series focuses on the girls who define this universe, telling seemingly smaller-scale stories that explore these important characters’ continuing journeys. No other Summer 2024 anime is as visually creative or as densely written as Monogatari, and an argument could be made that it also has the best characters. Even after all these years, the series is still producing top-tier content, even with its default male protagonist being absent.
Despite still having a ways to go, Off & Monster Season will almost definitely be among the best anime of 2024.
