The summer 2024 anime season has been a standout, bringing many different genres and stories to the screen that have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. From thrilling historical action to heartwarming romance and imagination-filled fantasy, this season’s anime is sure to have a show for fans of any genre.
With both sequels of beloved series and fresh new stories, the anime industry continues to expand and deliver stunning animation and heartbreaking storytelling. This summer’s anime each have their own unique flair and narrative that make the summer 2024 anime season one of the best. Anime fans of intense battles, charming love stories, and mind-bending fantasy worlds will be pleased with this summer’s must-watch titles.
The Elusive Samurai
Cast
The Elusive Samurai is set during the Kenmu Restoration between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It follows Hojo Tokiyuki, a young boy whose family is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji. Accompanied by a priest and his followers, he seeks revenge using his extraordinary abilities to evade capture.
The Elusive Samuraiis a historical action anime, adapted from Yusei Matsui’s manga. The series follows young Hojo Tokiyuki, who is on a quest to reclaim his family’s lost glory after a betrayal leaves him homeless. With a blend of historical and shonen-style storytelling,The Elusive Samuraiis able to balance the anime’s serious themes with lighthearted moments.
Despite some complaints about the laterElusive Samurai’sepisodes' lackluster animation, the series' overall animation is well-done, and the fight scenes are breathtaking. WatchThe Elusive Samuraito see a story about honor, legacy, and survival. With hit Shonen Jump series likeJujutsu Kaisen,My Hero Academia, and evenOne Pieceeither having ended or ending soon, fans should get in on the ground floor ofThe Elusive Samurai, as it could very well represent the future of Shonen story telling.
My Deer Friend Nokotan
Torako, a high school student hiding her past as a delinquent, maintains a perfect facade until Nokotan, a transfer student with antlers, enters her life. Nokotan’s ability to sniff out secrets disrupts Torako’s world, leading to hilarious and heartwarming moments as they navigate high school together.
My Deer Friend Nokotanis a charming slice-of-life anime that has quickly become a fan favorite for its adorable character designs and cute story.The series centers around a human boy who makes a friend named Nokotan, a deer with magical abilities.
10 Best Anime Romances of Summer 2024
The summer anime season always introduces heavy hitters to fans, and this year, romance anime fans won out with a ton of great picks.
Their friendship grows as they go on small but meaningful adventures that teach lessons about nature, friendship, and the magical moments of everyday life. The show is meant to be calming and relaxing, giving viewers a break from the action-packed summer titles.My Deer Friend Nokotanis perfect for any anime fan seeking a gentle and uplifting show. The anime has already acquired a fairly large following among anime fans, so this is one series that already has the potential to be much bigger down the line.
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies
An evil lieutenant, tasked with destroying a magical girl, unexpectedly falls in love with his sworn enemy. As the lines between duty and desire blur, their newfound feelings create a complex and humorous dynamic, challenging the very nature of their rivalry while they navigate a world where love and war are intricately entwined.
This anime is a new and unique twist on the beloved magical girl genre by focusing on the unlikely alliance between a former magical girl and her once-feared archenemy. The two are forced to work together against an even bigger villain, as the show dives into the ideas of redemption, forgiveness, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
The two main characters have a funny and heartwarming relationship, full of witty dialogue and a storyline that will keep viewers amused.The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenanthas a great blend of action and emotional depth that will make the anime resonate with a broad audience and appeal to both old-school magical girl fans and newcomers alike. The result isn’t just unique, it’sone of the best magical girl animein recent memory.
No Longer Allowed in Another World
No Longer Allowed in Another World is a quirky adventure featuring Osamu, a disenchanted early 20th-century author who becomes an unwilling hero in a fantastical realm. Despite possessing superpowers and attracting charming companions, Osamu’s primary quest remains finding solitude to meet his end, continually interrupted by heroic escapades.
No Longer Allowed in Another Worldtaps into the popular isekai genre with a fresh perspective.This is the story of an author who, after being summoned to a fantasy realm, finds himself banned from returning.
The main character’s attempts to learn his new life back in the real world, without any of the powers and privileges he once had, give viewers a humorous and critical view of the idea of escapism.
This anime takes typical isekai tropes and turns them on their head using comedy and satire. The main character’s attempts to learn his new life back in the real world, without any of the powers and privileges he once had, give viewers a humorous and critical view of the idea of escapism. With its clever writing and intriguing characters,No Longer Allowed in Another Worldis one of the most unique isekai ever created.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a
Based on the video game developed by PlatinumGames and Square Enix, NieR: Automata 1.1a is an adaptation that centers around members of a special android force created by Humanity in the distant future. In the year 5012, with Humanity at the brink of extinction and Earth all but claimed by Alien invaders with Machine Lifeforms, Humanity launches a counterattack to reclaim the planet. 9S, an elite attack unit, is sent to convene with an analysis unit known as 9S to eradicate the threat. But as the two learn about the world and themselves, they ponder the meaning of existence and whether they’re more than just weapons of destruction.
The continuation of the anime adaptation of the acclaimed video gameNieR:Automatahas captured the love of fans just as much as the first season did. The animeexpands on the dystopian world where androids fight against alien machines, diving deeper into the existential questions that both the game and the first anime season are known for.
With breathtaking animation, especially in the action sequences, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, this season promises to be even better than the first.NieR:Automatais a must-watch for fans of the game and anime fans who enjoy thought-provoking stories. TheNieRanime is also just a clever adaptation of the games, with genuine thought put into how to adaptAutomata’sstrange and often esoteric plot. This is definitely one adaptation that fans of the original don’t want to miss.
Tower of God
Tower of God is an anime series based on the South Korean webtoon by SIU. It follows a young boy named Bam who embarks on a perilous journey to ascend a mysterious tower, where each floor presents unique challenges and tests. The tower promises to grant the deepest desires of those who reach its top. Along the way, Bam forms alliances and confronts adversaries while uncovering hidden truths about himself and the tower.
After the long wait,Tower of Godreturns with its highly anticipated second season,continuing the journey of Bam as he ascends the mysterious tower filled with dangerous trials and powerful enemies. After the massive cliffhanger at the end ofTower of Godseason 1, season 2 dives deeper into the tower’s politics, introduces new characters, and explores more of the world’s lore.
Tower Of God Season 2 Is So Good That Even Webtoon Paid It A Huge Compliment For A Surprising Reason
Line Webtoon hosts the Tower of God manhwa for English-language readers, and their acknowledgment of the anime’s high points is a big moment.
Tower of Godseason 2 has a unique art style, complex characters, and many different strategic battles that make it a thrilling watch. The evolving dynamics and alliances between the characters add layers of intrigue, making each episode cause viewers to want to continue Bam’s quest.Anime adaptations of manhwaare having their moment right now, and nowTower of Godseason 2 is definitely a must-watch for anyone who enjoys the unique energy of a good manhwa.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword
Will Serfort, unable to cast even basic spells in a world dominated by magic, dreams of becoming a Magia Vander to fulfill a promise to his childhood friend. As he navigates the challenges of Regarden Magical Academy, he must rely on his sword skills rather than magic, battling monsters and overcoming obstacles to prove his worth in a society that values magical prowess above all else.
Wistoria: Wand and Swordis a fantasy anime that blends magic and medieval swordplay, creating a perfect series forHarry Potterfans.The story follows a young sorcerer and a skilled swordsman as they journey through a land full of magical creatures and powerful foes.
The originalWistoriamanga was written by Fujino Ōmori, who is most famous for creatingIt Wrong to attempt to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
The anime excels in its world-building, creating a world that is very detailed and immersive that viewers can escape into. The dynamics between the main characters and the well-crafted spells, make this seriesone of the best fantasy anime. Fans looking for solid animation, likable characters, and fun world-building details can’t really do much better thanWistoria, which easily marks it as one of the highlights of an already strong season.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian (2024)
This romantic comedy has captured the hearts of romance anime fans around the world with its hilarious moments and relatable characters. The story centers around Alya, a high school girl who gets flustered easily by her crush Kuze and expresses her feelings towards him in Russian. There is only one problem with that: his old best friend was Russian, so he actually understands the language just fine.
The anime’s charmingly simple premise, coupled with the witty banter between characters and the heartfelt moments between Kuze and Alya (despite the harem around Kuze), gives viewers a fresh take on high school romance.Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russianexplores several fan-favorite romance tropes like communication and the complexity of teenage emotions, making it one of the best anime of summer 2024.
2Kimi Ni Todoke Season 3
The Beloved Romance Series Returns, Focusing On Sawako And Kazehaya’s Relationship
The long-awaited third season ofKimi ni Todokefinally arrived this summer, much to the delight of fans who have waited over a decade. This season continuesthe touching love story between the shy Sawako and her popular classmate Kazehaya.
Known for its realistic portrayal of young love and the challenges of high school life,Kimi ni Todokeis a classic in the romance genre.
Known for its realistic portrayal of young love and the challenges of high school life,Kimi ni Todokeis a classic in the romance genre. Season 3 brings back the beloved characters in a more mature manner, exploring themes of personal growth and the strength that can be built in relationships. It is a heartwarming story that is full of nostalgic charm, making it a must-watch for both new fans and longtime followers of the series.
Oshi No Ko
Oshi No Ko is a 2023 Japanese series that follows a small-town doctor’s encounter with a popular teen idol leading to an entanglement in the cutthroat entertainment industry. The narrative explores themes of ambition, identity, and the hidden realities behind fame as the characters navigate complex personal and professional challenges.
Oshi no Koreturned this summer with a second season that dives into the dark and dangerous world of the entertainment industry. The series continues to follow the life ofAqua, who is reincarnated as the child of his favorite idol, as he unravels the mysteries and scandals behind the glamorous entertainment industry facade.
Season 2 intensifies the drama, exploring the darker aspects of fame, media manipulation, and personal identity. There is also a surprising amount of action in season 2 ofOshi no Koas the series' Tokyo Blade arc prominently features the series' cast working on an action show, leading to some moments that are animated with incredible flare. With its gripping storyline, sharp social commentary, and well-developed characters,Oshi no Koseason 2 is the best anime of summer 2024.
