The Winter 2024 Anime Season was a delightful surprise for fans of anime. It introduced some amazing new series and welcomed back some beloved ones, resulting in a diverse selection of top-quality shows that continue to generate excitement.
Despite the potential for some shows to gain recognition, they were often overshadowed by their more well-known counterparts or hindered by a lackluster start that discouraged viewers from tuning in.
That being said, let’s take a look at the top and bottom five anime of the Winter 2024 season.
Top 5 Anime to Watch in Winter 2024
5. Tasty Adventures: Delicious in Dungeon
Studio: Trigger
Although it may seem like a straightforward fantasy anime, ‘Delicious in Dungeon’ sets itself apart with its distinct characteristics. The narrative begins as a charming comedy that cleverly challenges typical fantasy tropes.
The main characters are all endearing and intricately crafted, each serving a purpose that justifies their presence in the group. The future of the series appears incredibly bright, with plans for it to continue airing until the spring of 2024.
4. A Loving Gesture
Production company: Ajia-Do
If you enjoy pure romance, then ‘A Sign of Affection’ is a must-see anime that is highly recommended. The series delves into the theme of love without delving into romantic comedy territory. It also showcases college-aged characters who behave in a manner that suits their maturity level.
Despite occasionally falling into a pattern, particularly after Yuki and Itsuomi’s relationship became official, the show’s quality remains uncompromised and instead showcases a consistent narrative structure. The secondary characters are diverse, with one in particular – a possessive childhood friend – eliciting a range of reactions.
3. Classroom of the Elite Volume 3
The studio responsible for the production is Lerche.
The third season of ‘Classroom of the Elite’ stays true to its theme of featuring intense mental battles and competitive academic atmosphere. It also introduces new obstacles for Ayanokouji to push his abilities to the limit. The central figures of Arisu Sakayanagi and Honami Ichinose are given greater focus, showcasing their distinct impact.
Despite the quick pace of certain storylines, the season effectively delivers important moments of suspense and character growth. The finale leaves a lasting impression, highlighting the intricate nature of Ayanokouji.
2. Mashle: Magic And Muscles – The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
The studio responsible for producing this project is A-1 Pictures.
The series ‘Mashle: Magic and Muscles’ blends the enchantment of Harry Potter with the dynamic action of battle shonen. While Season 1 was enjoyable, it lacked depth and only Mash stood out as a compelling character. However, Season 2 greatly improves upon the universe, delves deeper into character development, and introduces intriguing villains, ultimately elevating the series to new heights.
The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc impresses with its display of Mash’s strength and the strong relationships between the characters. With a lineup of notable villains, the series has hit its stride and offers shonen fans a perfect blend of comedy and thrilling action.
1. The Best Manhwa
The studio is A-1 Pictures.
Undoubtedly, the most highly anticipated anime of Winter 2024 was ‘Solo Leveling’. Being an adaptation of a widely acclaimed manhwa, it had immense pressure to meet expectations, and A-1 Pictures has managed to do so for the most part. Despite being exposition-heavy, the first episode effectively set the foundation for the series, although the pacing was slightly inconsistent.
Despite being a solid introduction, the subsequent episodes have lived up to the excitement. They continue to feature the series’ trademark intense action and a compelling protagonist with great potential.
5 Most Disappointing Winter 2024 Anime
5. My Unstoppable Instant Death Ability
Studio: Noburo Okuruto
This anime perfectly embodies the trope of an overpowered main character. Unlike other isekai anime with similarly strong protagonists, this one fails to create any sense of tension. The main character encounters no genuine challenges and does not need to employ complex tactics to achieve their objectives.
Despite having a main character who is overpowered, most other anime are able to balance this with elements such as compelling storytelling, humor, or memorable characters. However, this particular show is lacking in all of those aspects.
4. The Foolish Angel Tempted by Evil
The studio’s name is Children’s Playground Entertainment.
As the series continues, the initial positive impression of the anime begins to diminish, despite its strong start with a delightful comedic presence that initially captured the audience’s attention.
Despite the presence of charming characters and occasional moments of successful humor, the show’s downfall lies in its excessive use of comedy. The humor is often awkwardly inserted into scenes, ultimately taking away from the show’s potential. When the jokes fall flat, they diminish the overall experience and prevent the show from reaching its full potential.
3. Tales of Wedding Rings: A Fantasy Romance
Production Company: Staple Entertainment
Despite the anime’s praised art, critics point out its underwhelming protagonist and unrealistic plot elements. Specifically, they criticize the protagonist’s willingness to face powerful monsters despite their own weakness. However, the positive aspects of the animation are not enough to offset the overall disappointment with the lack of character development and storyline.
2. Shimmering Ruby
The production company responsible for this project is Bones.
Despite not being the worst anime of the season, ‘Metallic Rouge’ is a combination of sci-fi action and cyberpunk elements that can be quite complex. While it initially shows promise, the rapid pace and unclear themes make it convoluted.
Despite its shortcomings, the series provides entertaining moments, with a strong emphasis on the chemistry between the characters. Its main problem lies in attempting to cram too much material into a limited time frame, leading to a chaotic yet captivating viewing experience.
1. Magical Girl Mania
The studio is Asahi Production.
Despite being a magical girl series, the anime show has been heavily criticized for its subpar execution. Its excessive use of ecchi content and stereotypical characters have been particularly scrutinized.
While it is marketed as a profound and insightful coming-of-age story or an examination of sexual identity, it ultimately falls short and only relies on typical ecchi clichés.
Please keep in mind that this list is based on our personal opinions and may vary from individual to individual. We highly recommend watching the anime before making any definitive conclusions.
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