There’s only one word to describe the Fall 2024 anime season after the first week of big premieres—WOW! If we want to talk about one of the strongest starts to a season in recent memory, Fall 2024 is undoubtedly atop the list right now. From some of the best theme songs of the year to wonderful productions and unique stories, the Fall 2024 anime season is shaping up to be something great.
Re:Zero Starts Everything With a Bang
While it wasn’t technically the first anime to air during the Fall 2024 season, it was undoubtedly the first big premiere that fans worldwide have been waiting in anticipation for the past three and a half years. A theatrical-length season premiere? Sign me up. Even better, it felt like the glorious return of Re:Zero opened the door for every other series this season, almost as if it held the key to open the gate. It’s no wonder it placed first in the Week 1 charts.
Then, in just one day, fans received stunning premieres on top of some possible under-the-radar gems. The animation brilliance of Dan Da Dan flowing over into what could be the most charmingly beautiful rom-com premiere of the season in Blue Box made me realize just how spoiled we, as anime fans, will be this season.
Creepy Nuts is returning this fall season with another possible hit opening theme song for Dan Da Dan that’s followed by a great ending theme by ZUTOMAYO. Then when we head on over to Blue Box, Official Hige Dandism performs the opening theme with the insanely talented Testuro Araki directing it then, of all people, Eve performs the ending theme. So not only are big-name series showcasing their wonderful productions but the soundtracks are already shaping up to be hit after hit.
Overlooked Premieres
So how about some under-the-radar anime? Madhouse’s Trillion Game, written by Dr. Stone creator Riichiro Inagaki, doesn’t have the production quality the others on this list do but it gave fans a thrilling two-episode premiere to start its season as well. Who wouldn’t want to watch the story of two college kids aiming to earn trillions of dollars by any means necessary? Here are six more anime that I thought kicked off the season with great premieres:
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Another Madhouse production but on a much higher level than Trillion Game. This series showed off with a breathtaking dual-episode debut that has an insanely stacked cast that also includes Kenjiro Tsuda (Nanami – Jujutsu Kaisen) and Junichi Suwabe (Sukuna – Jujutsu Kaisen). A historical fiction anime shrouded in mystery and suspense dealing with the persecution of scientists, this was my personal favorite debut of the Fall 2024 season. (Where to watch: Netflix)
Rurouni Kenshin Season 2
Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 is back with new Director Yuki Komada and the animation quality and overall creativity from the episode was a leap above Season 1. While many new anime are still setting up their stories, Kenshin took advantage of being a sequel and dove straight first into some intense action right out of the gate topped off with raw symbolism and character development. Even better, Tatsuya Kitani (Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 OP1) performs the opening theme song alongside Natori, who performed the opening theme for Wind Breaker, giving us one of the best openings entirely from this season. (Where to watch: Crunchyroll)
Ranma ½
Another remake with a great debut? Without a doubt. Ranma ½ kicked off with some of the original cast even reprising their roles from the original series. Studio MAPPA is back this season with a new project and it’s possible they may have hit a home run with Ranma ½. The retro feel to the series is never lost and the artwork is just as stunning as what David Productions did with the recent Urusei Yatsura remake. (Where to watch: Netflix)
365 Days to the Wedding
Need another serving of a slice of life/rom-com besides Blue Box? The anime 365 Days to the Wedding gave us a different style of setting with a story set up very similar to Spy x Family‘s in a way with the two main characters having to fake a wedding for work-related reasons. Even more so, Saori Hayami, the voice of Yor in Spy x Family, plays the role of the main female lead 365 Days to The Wedding, following her standout performance from last season’s series Psuedo Harem as the character Rin Nanakura. (Where to watch: Crunchyroll)
Negative Positive Angler
How about another original anime by the same studio that brought us Deca-Dence? Studio NUT has finally released their sole project of the year in Negative Positive Angler, one that arguably had one of the best set-up premieres out of any other series here in terms of scriptwriting. Focusing on someone who was given just two years left to live is now finding a possible bright light in his grim world around fishing is a story you won’t find anywhere else right now. (Where to watch: Crunchyroll)
Mecha-UDE
How about a sci-fi series that has people posting everywhere scenes of its eye-popping action animation? Despite the mecha elements of the series possibly being a turn-off for some, there’s no doubt that the staff over at TriF Studio put in work for Mecha-UDE that originally aired as a single OVA back in 2018, bringing the franchise back with a statement. I can’t help but think the series is like a sci-fi version of Kill la Kill minus the fan service. (Where to watch: Crunchyroll)
Still Much More in Store
Oh, I’m not even done. We still have series such as Dragon Ball Daima and Shangri-la Frontier Season 2 on the horizon too. There are still a ton of great anime set to premiere this season that also includes:
- Seirei Gensouki (Release: October 8)
- After-School Hanako-kun Part 2 (Release: October 8)
- Nina the Starry Bride (Release: October 10)
- Arifureta Season 3 (October 14)
- Blue Miburo (Release: October 19)
Dare I say that this may possibly be the best season for anime of the 2020s despite many years still to go? It’s just that mindblowing to me. The level of depth in this season is unreal right now. I didn’t even list off other series like Love! Live! Superstart Season 3, Acro Trip, Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga, or MF Ghost Season 2 either. The catalog is downright jaw-dropping. Cheers to the fall, ladies and gentlemen. It’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Featured image: DAN DA DAN, © Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA/DANDADAN Production Committee