Every year, it feels like anime becomes increasingly global, and the first half of 2024 has been no exception. Whether it be a series like Delicious in Dungeon breaking through on Netflix, the ongoing influence of big battle shōnen such as Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer, or the upcoming anime for franchises like Lord of the Rings, Terminator, and Suicide Squad, the medium feels more popular every day (although unfortunately those gains still aren’t reaching the underpaid, underappreciated animators who make them).
And for those interested in diving headlong into the best of what this year has to offer, you’re in luck, because these first few months have had some of the most impressive shows in recent memory. We had fresh takes on fantasy, heartwarming romance, oddball originals, and a lot of sapphic-tinged tales about bands. While the industry itself is still undeniably a mess and only getting worse as more and more programs are green-lit, the creators behind these 10 series were able to defy trends and put out consistently animated spectacles that showcased their craft.
Honorable Mentions: Laid-Back Camp Season 3, Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf, Big Bang Bravern!, Kaiju No.8, and ‘Tis Time For “Torture,” Princess
10. Train to the End of the World
From its first episode, Train to the End of the World has brimmed with creativity and chaos, resulting in the type of weirdo anime original we see too little of these days. After the botched rollout of the “7G cellular network” warps reality into an unrecognizable wonderland, Shizuru and her buddies set out from their hometown to find their estranged friend Yuko, who, before the disaster, was headed to the big city of Ikebukuro, Tokyo. As the group co-opts an abandoned train, they run into episodic hijinks as they’re repeatedly waylaid along the way. It’s in these encounters where much of the series’ originality lies, and it’s an exercise in futility to guess what’s in store any given week: malicious mushrooms, zombies allergic to Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and cartoons come to life are just a few of the strange sights they witness.
And beyond these wacky adventures, the whip-sharp dialogue and characterization from veteran screenwriter Michiko Yokote (Shirobako, Princess Tutu, Mononoke, etc.) makes the lightning-fast interactions between this group of teen girls feel both honest and hilarious. The bizarre happenings may draw you in, but it’s the overarching relationship drama between Shizuru and her distant bestie that pulls everything together, both literally and figuratively. Thanks to this focus, Train to the End of the World is able to maintain its insanity without going off the rails.
9. Undead Unluck
Undead Unluck has quickly proven to be one of the more quietly bonkers action anime in recent memory. Similar to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure before it, this series is about duels between opponents with outlandish abilities, resulting in puzzle-box battles that are as much about brains as brawn. But perhaps even zanier than these powers is how its worldbuilding slowly reveals the extremes of this setting, nonchalantly dropping exposition bombs that carry all sorts of fascinating implications. We follow Andy and Fuko, a pair who come into the crosshairs of an enigmatic organization that hunts down “Negators,” people who can nullify the rules of reality.
David Productions and director Yuki Yase capture these negation abilities through idiosyncratic editing and layouts that convey the strangeness of these metaphysical powers while also heightening the juicy melodrama surrounding its characters. Although this one was visually impressive from the jump, perhaps the biggest point of improvement is that, over its run, it has done a much better job building out the relationship between Andy and Fuko, pairing down the disconcerting “gags” between them in the process. With that unfortunate bit largely tossed aside, the show has continued to build on its avant-garde animation and intriguing premise to make for a well-produced and exciting action romp.
8. Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
Delighting in emotionally hard-hitting turns, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night is a musical coming-of-age story bolstered by sharp direction and timely commentary on internet culture. It follows four girls, Mahiru, Kano, Kiui, and Mei, each facing problems in their personal lives that are at least partially alleviated when they come together to form the online music group JEELE. One of the series’ standout elements is how effectively it gets inside the personal hangups of its central cast, exploring each of their anxieties as they face whatever they’ve been running from, whether it’s peer pressure or manipulative parents. In particular, the story hones in on what it’s like to grow up with the internet, exploring social media self-consciousness, ego-surfing, idol culture, and more. The group’s growing bonds, including queer ones, culminate in big-swing dramatic moments that are elevated thanks to Ryouhei Takeshita’s confident direction and studio Doga Kobo’s consistent production. Although the show has a bad habit of wrapping up some of its messy arcs a little too cleanly, when everything else aligns, this musical act is tough to beat.
7. A Sign of Affection
Thanks to its lovingly rendered visuals and empathetic tone, A Sign of Affection has proven itself a heartwarming romance story. It follows Yuki, a young woman attempting to broaden her horizons at college, as she navigates what it means to no longer attend her high school for deaf students. As someone who isn’t deaf or hard of hearing, I can’t fully speak to the quality of the representation here, but I will say that events are firmly presented from our protagonist’s point of view, delivering internal monologues and grounded details that convey the nuances of her experience. It never shies away from showing the challenges of her circumstances, mostly around how others unfairly try to shelter her, but it also doesn’t come across like she’s typecast into a particular role due to her deafness, as her arc is largely about the joy that comes from meeting new people and trying new things.
However, while Yuki was a compelling character from the first episode, as the series has continued, it’s done a much better job fleshing out her love interest, Itsuomi. Although he initially came across as too invasive of other people’s personal space, these elements have eased up, and we’ve seen much more of why Yuki is interested in him. Specifically, we see how his love of learning languages, openness toward other cultures, and penchant for travel make him a perfect match for our protagonist. Plus, he’s hot (and considerate, too)! Between its soft color palette, lovingly animated sign language, and well-portrayed heroine, A Sign of Affection radiates good vibes.
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