Best Spring 2024 Anime

The Spring 2024 anime season is here, and plenty of shows are competing to leave their mark on the industry. As always, the lineup includes sequels and new properties, with the former hogging most of the attention. Still, there are more than a few newcomers that have the potential to become hits, potentially spawning their own sequels later down the line.

Spring 2024 covers most of the popular genres and demographics, even if the selection is not split evenly. Regardless of personal preferences, most fans should be able to find a story that suits their needs. However, if someone is not sure what to start with, they can check out the following recommendations that represent the best Spring 2024 anime.

Related

Spring 2024 Anime Lineup: Where To Watch Every Series

The Spring 2024 anime schedule is packed with great shows, and here are the season’s lineups for Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Hulu, Netflix, and more.

13 Date A Live 5 (NEW)

MyAnimeList: 8.06

Date a Live is way better than it has any right to be, and that has been the case for most of the anime’s run. Building on its very strong predecessor that introduced Phantom, the fifth season has, so far, delivered a sense of scale that matches the previous arc, with Shido, the Spirits, and especially Kurumi engaging in what is effectively an all-out war against DEM (and AST) in preparation for a battle against the Spirit of Origin.

Obviously, any series that is in its fifth season cannot be recommended to newcomers, and Date a Live is far from an exception. While still containing the occasional slice-of-life harem moment (episode 2 was mostly this), the anime is nowadays largely focused on its overarching story and action sequences, both of which are strong enough to carry the show.

12 Black Butler: Public School Arc (NEW)

MyAnimeList: 8.10

As Black Butler loves to make fans wait for new anime entries, they need to be worth it when they arrive. Fortunately, the source manga is consistently great, so the adaptations tend to be of high quality. Spring 2024’s Kuroshitsuji: Kishuku Gakkou-hen seems to be continuing that good form, at least going by the currently available episodes. CloverWorks is a great match for Black Butler, with the studio delivering gorgeous animation that fits the story’s gothic nature.

Related

Black Butler: Strongest Characters, Ranked

Black Butler features several powerful characters who shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here’s how they stack up.

At the behest of the queen, Ciel infiltrates a school that houses the children of Britain’s most powerful and wealthy families. Recently, the students have started to distance themselves from their parents, refusing to even leave the academy; consequently, Ciel is hoping to get close to the school’s four Prefects since they are likely at the heart of this strange mystery. Oh, and Sebastian is supporting his master by becoming a staff member.

As always, Ciel and Sebastian are the stars of the show here. Although still more intelligent than most, the former feels a bit out of his comfort zone, especially as he is still trying to come to grips with Weston College’s politics. Conversely, the demon butler is just enjoying the ride, which makes for a hilarious and entertaining watch.

11 Train to the End of the World (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 7.43

One of the more unusual debuts of Spring 2024, Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? envisions a version of Japan that has been turned upside down by the introduction of 7G. The system’s launch turned everyone over 18 into animals, and while they have retained their consciousness for now, their humanity seems to be gradually fading away. A group of girls who only know their small town’s strange circumstances decide to go on a trip when they see one of their friends in another city’s newspaper. Therefore, they jump onto a train and head out into the post-apocalyptic unknown.

Train to the End of the World has gotten off to a charming and creative start, one that raises questions that will hopefully lead to fun answers. Boasting a lighthearted tone while still taking its premise seriously, EMT Squared’s anime has set the stage for a fresh adventure that could deliver thrills, laughs, and suspense. Hopefully, the show delivers on its promise, and the second episode was packed with humor and even some tension.

10 Jellyfish Can’t Swim In The Night (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.11

An original anime with a hard-to-decipher title, Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai could have been anything, and Doga Kobo’s recent successes led to the show attracting high expectations. The story follows a few girls who form an artists’ collective with a jellyfish logo. A musician and former idol, Kano wants to eradicate the memories of her previous persona and rise out of the ashes as a V-Tuber with an authentic voice. A once aspiring artist who left behind her passion after receiving unexpected criticism from her friends, Mahiru is encouraged to start drawing again by Kano, who happens to be a fan of a jellyfish mural she created as a kid. They are joined by Kimura, a superfan of Kano’s idol days who is also a talented composer.

So far, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night has dedicated all its time to establishing its main characters’ pasts, insecurities, aspirations, and hang-ups. While the cast will almost certainly expand further, Kano, Mahiru, and Kimura make for a rock-solid foundation, with all three characters bouncing off each other very well. Although their backstories are different, the girls are all ultimately trying to move on from their pasts, and they can only step forward together. Beyond the strong writing and unsurprisingly great animation, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night is consistently funny as well.

9 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.36

Despite producing plenty of polarizing anime, isekai’s most controversial representative is unquestionably Mushoku Tensei 2: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu. For some, this series not only showcases isekai at its peak but is also among the best fantasy series produced by the industry. For others, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is undermined by an unlikable protagonist who starts awful and has only shown minor growth since then. At this point, most people should know if they want to be part of Rudeus’ journey or not, and trying to change anyone’s opinion is an exercise in futility.

Focusing solely on the current cour, Mushoku Tensei seems to be setting the stage for an exciting arc that will hopefully explore more of this world’s politics and mythology, which have always been this anime’s strongest points. Rudeus and Sylphy are looking to settle down, with marriage and a house on the horizon. However, the former also looks ready to finally start searching properly for his mother, something that was pushed aside in the previous arc.

8 Wind Breaker (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Sometimes, simplicity is the best policy. Wind Breaker follows Haruka Sakura, an angry teenager who has always been an outcast through no fault of his own. Finding solace in violence, Haruka joins Makochi’s notorious Furin High School in the hopes of facing off against strong fighters. However, he quickly learns that the town and school have changed considerably in recent years thanks to Furin’s Bofurin gang working to keep the streets safe. While battles are still common, Haruka might have to accept that he cannot be an island.

Related

Best Anime Like Tokyo Revengers

Tokyo Revengers is one of the most popular anime of the last few years, and these great shows are perfect for fans of the series.

Wind Breaker has a shonen-standard protagonist and a delinquent-fueled setting that is hardly breaking new ground for action anime. However, tropes are inescapable for a reason: when done right, they work. Haruka is easy enough to like, and he is surrounded by characters who help balance out his angry outbursts. Also, CloverWork’s animation is great, both in the quiet moments and the well-choreographed fight sequences.

7 Whisper Me A Love Song (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 7.86

Based on Eku Takeshima’s beloved yuri manga, Sasayaku You ni Koi wo Utau is all about young, passionate love. Energetic and just plain old bubbly, Himari Kino is a high-school first-year student who immediately experiences “love at first sight” when she sees Yori Asanagi perform a song during the opening ceremony. In this case, Himari loves Yori as a fan. Determined to let her senpai know, Himari confesses to Yori, who mistakes the moment for a declaration of romantic love. And, Yori instantly falls head-over-heels for HImari. While she quickly realizes her mistake, Yori hopes that she can make Himari genuinely fall in love with her.

HIDIVE may not have many seasonal exclusives this time around, but Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night and Whisper Me a Love Song are both shaping up to be among Spring 2024’s best anime. Instantly endearing, Himari and Yori are both charismatic and lovable, and they share instant chemistry. The former is such a force of nature that she dominates every scene she is in; meanwhile, Yori’s realistic shyness helps ground the show, setting the stage for a cute, moving, and wholesome romance.

6 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.37

Isekai tends to attract hate for its overreliance on basic power fantasies. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime fits that descriptor like a glove, but it also serves as a prime example of this type of story’s appeal when executed to near perfection. Rimuru’s journey to bring peace to monster-kind is predominantly defined by a carefree tone that only sporadically dips into tense situations. Even though season 2 had some shocking moments, things largely worked out for the Jura Tempest Federation.

Related

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime: Strongest True Dragons, Ranked

Although this is how the True Dragons rank amongst themselves, they hold the top spot in That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.

Season 3 is set to maintain this course of balancing light political intrigue with well-animated action, slice of life shenanigans, and the ever-expanding hero worship revolving around Rimuru. Like in the previous cours, the protagonist acts as a glue that brings together a wide assortment of more interesting and charismatic characters, be it Diablo or the Demon Lords.

5 Kaiju No. 8 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.26

Despite not containing anything as hyped up as Solo Leveling or Frieren, Spring 2024 still has its share of highly-anticipated new anime. Out of all of them, Kaiju No. 8 is almost unquestionably the top pick, and Production I.G’s adaptation has gotten off to a stellar start. To protect the country from the constant threat of kaiju, Japan employs a special military force that utilizes weapons created from the same monsters they hunt. As he could never quite manage to pass the Defense Force’s exam, Kafka had to settle for the thankless job of cleaning up post-battle wreckages; however, his life changes when he swallows a little kaiju and transforms into one.

Launching with a non-stop opening episode that accomplished a lot, Kaiju No. 8 managed to establish its world’s current station, the Defense Force’s importance, Kafka’s dissatisfaction with his life, and set up a nice friendship between the protagonist and Reno. At the same time, the anime delivered two impressive and fairly different action sequences, which introduced fun kaiju designs that foreshadow the diverse roster of monsters still to come. Despite everything around him, Kafka is a surprisingly realistic character who should work well as a reluctant everyman forced into an extraordinary situation.

4 Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.23

Revisiting a classic is risky. Not only is Isuna Hasekura’s Spice and Wolf light novel an all-time fantasy great, but the 2008 anime is also excellent. Consequently, Ookami to Koushinryou: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf has to live up to the source material’s brilliance and, arguably, surpass a beloved adaptation. Passione must bring its A-game.

While still early days, the studio might just be able to pull off this difficult feat. Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf seems to have nailed Holo and Kraft Lawrence’s personalities, with both characters instantly coming across as fleshed-out individuals with long histories that drive their presents and futures. More importantly, they complete each other perfectly, with Lawrence’s pragmatism complementing Holo’s otherworldliness and whimsy.

3 Sound! Euphonium 3 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.64

Out of Spring 2024’s many, many sequels, Hibike! Euphonium 3 has the potential to be among the best and also the most ignored. Kyoto’s music-based series has a cult following but is hardly mainstream, and at this point, it is unlikely to attract all that many new viewers. While that’s somewhat disappointing, existing fans can look forward to high-quality weekly episodes that chronicle Kitauji High School’s band club’s latest attempt to win a national competition. As Kumiko is in her final year at high school, this will be her last opportunity to achieve her dream.

Sound! Euphonium 3 has done a great job of introducing a plethora of new club members, including the incredibly talented Mayu Kuroe, who also happens to play the same instrument as Kumiko. With stellar animation, strong writing, lovable characters, and a constant sense of drama, Sound! Euphonium 3 is destined to be among the best anime of Spring 2024.

2 Laid-Back Camp Season 3 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.45

Slice of life stories have become oddly rare in this day and age. Sure, most seasons include one or two SOL series, but that is usually it. Fortunately, Spring 2024 contains one of the genre’s standout names, with Yuru Camp airing its third season. Relaxing and freeing, this show eases the mind and feeds the soul, all the while showing viewers a few of Japan’s most gorgeous vistas.

Related

Best Slice Of Life Anime Of All Time

With comedy, drama, romance, and more, slice-of-life anime brings day-to-day moments to a whole new level.

As always, the Outdoors Activities Club’s members are looking ahead to their next camping trip, although they are still coming up with ideas. In the meantime, Rin heads on solo expeditions while reminiscing about her grandpa, the person who sparked her love for camping. Sweet, funny, and peaceful, Laid-Back Camp just has a way of improving even the most stressful of days.

1 KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3 (+/- 0)

MyAnimeList: 8.53

Kazuma, Megumin, Aqua, and Darkness are back and as funny as ever. The definitive isekai parody, Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! manages to hilariously mock the genre while simultaneously offering similar enough thrills to entertain fans. Filled with irreverent humor and driven by “awful” but irresistible characters, the series is constantly willing to push boundaries, all the while still knowing when it would be best to just rely on the effortless banter between the four leads.

For better or worse, season 3 has, so far, been just more KonoSuba. The humor has not evolved much, the characters are still largely the same, and the storylines are generally inconsequential. Ultimately, if something is not broken, there is no reason to fix it, and KonoSuba is far from broken. Kazuma’s unorthodox personality and free-spirited nature captured the innocent heart of a princess, who gave the protagonist a temporary taste of the good life; naturally, Kazuma found a way to make things complicated.