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As we head into the new Winter 2025 anime season, let’s take a look back at some of the Fall 2024 anime series I enjoyed the most. The season was filled with all different genres focused on various types of characters. It featured many new and returning favorites and with a bunch of surprises along the way.
First off, I was looking forward to watching these series, but didn’t have the time yet to check them out.
Blue Box (Netflix)
This sports, romance series was on my list to check out due to the fact that I love a good sports themed anime series. I have only heard great things about it and plan to watch it in the new year. The series will continue with its second cour into the Winter 2025 season as the first season contains 25 episodes.
Negative Positive Angler (Crunchyroll)
One of my favorite things about anime are series which focus on subject I normally wouldn’t watch. This series has a focus on fishing, something I wouldn’t normally find myself drawn to. A down on his luck guy finds himself close to a group of fishermen and his outlook on life may change for the better. I will still try to watch this one!
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Netflix)
I’ve heard rave things about this drama series focusing on astronomy. A young kid tries to prove heliocentrism, going against the church and the going theory of geocentrism. Such a fascinating concept and I will have to check it out at some point.
These ten anime series caught my attention for many reasons and I was very glad I watched them!
10) Tonbo! season two (Prime Video)
The second season saw Tonbo exploring a new life of golf outside of the island she has known her whole life. There’s something comforting watching the young amateur golfer Tonbo unlock her potential as a golf player. Her constant optimism is refreshing and the way she impacts those around her to become better players as well is fun. The stakes are low and it makes Golf interesting, seeing the inner thought process of Tonbo and the other players she encounters.
9) I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History (Crunchyroll)
I’m not usually one to watch Villainess series, but after thoroughly enjoying I’m in Love with the Villainess I figured I’d try this one out as well. While I didn’t find it as entertaining, it has a strong lead and the potential to grow into something even better. The Isekai aspect of the series is minimal and only informs the main characters intentions and actions.
8) You Are Ms. Servant (Crunchyroll)
This one has a sort of similar premise to The Maid I Hired Recently Is Mysterious but with more depth as a mysterious woman shows up and becomes a maid/servant for the young main character. It grew on me more as the series continued. The story grows with each episode creating more connections to each character, leaving you wanting to know more.
7) Uzumaki (adult swim/Toonami, Max)
Look, I know there was a lot of criticism about the drop off in animation quality after the first episode, but I still really enjoyed the series. The series animation recovered a bit in the final episodes but never hit the perfection of the first episode. I never read the manga, but the story was perfectly scheduled to air around Halloween. With a good mix of suspense and creepiness, I was very entertained.
6) Dragon Ball DAIMA (Crunchyroll, hulu, Netflix)
I watched Dragon Ball Z after school growing up so I have been a long time fan. I never got around to watching Dragon Ball Super, but I was really excited to check out this new series. Anyone looking for constant Super Saiyan powering up will be disappointed, but it is more similar to the original Dragon Ball in its more slice of life storytelling. You get a good mix of low key stories and action fighting. I will never say no to more Dragon Ball content!
5) Ranma 1/2 (Netflix)
Super silly and entertaining, it has a similar vibe to the always hilarious Urusei Yatsura. I never watched the original series, but the premise of Ranma changing from a boy to a girl based on getting wet is hilarious on top of the scenarios the characters find themselves in. Ranma and Akane can be at each others throats at one second, then finding themselves unintentionally bonding the next. I cannot wait to see what other crazy hijinks these characters find themselves in when the second season premieres.
4) Blue Lock season two (Crunchyroll)
This is another series which saw much criticism due to its step down in animation quality from the first season, but I am completely engrossed in the story about a group of kids vying to become the best striker in Japan. Great characters all around that will keep me tuning in as long as the series goes. Sure it didn’t feel as powerful as the first season, but I’m fully invested in finding out who makes it through the end of the Blue Lock program.
3) Demon Lord 2099 (Crunchyroll)
This one really surprised me. A demon lord from the past returns in the future and has to adjust to the new way of life. He must find former allies who are also still alive, new ones, and comes to blows with heroes and villains from his past. I love the way if feels current yet also a take on what a potential future could look like. It has more humor than I expected with lots of angst and fights. What I thought was the season long villain arc gets resolved sooner than I expected and it goes in another interesting direction.
2) DAN DA DAN (Netflix, hulu, Crunchyroll)
A unique premise involving aliens and the supernatural will have you laughing one second and then wondering why your face is suddenly leaking. It’s surprisingly deeper than how it presents itself at times. I loved the look of the animation and it had great characters with a fun story that constantly goes in unexpected directions. It feels unique and stands out in a crowded field of entertaining series. The cliffhanger ending has me dying to see what comes next when it returns for its second season.
1) MF Ghost season two (Crunchyroll)
I’m completely in love with this series. A followup to the incredible Initial D series, this one sees a new generation of car racers attempt to be the best, this time in an organized competition. The eurobeats still go hard, and the animation is even better, all while retaining the heart of the original series. Engaging and intense at times, it’s hard to look away and the episodes fly by. With a third season confirmed, hopefully some streamer will pick up Initial D again so I can do a rewatch. Last I saw hulu had a couple seasons but no one has them right now! Hopefully more people find this one as it deserves to be a huge hit.
With the Winter 2025 season about to begin, I’m looking forward to checking out these series: Solo Leveling season two (Crunchyroll), My Happy Marriage season two (Netflix), The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You season two (Crunchyroll), Sakamoto Days (Netflix), Honey Lemon Soda (Crunchyroll), Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective (Crunchyroll), Medalist (hulu), The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World (Crunchyroll), and the SK8 the Infinity OVA (FINALLY!!!). Hopefully I will be able to watch them all and I’m sure I’ll find even more unexpected ones to watch!
What were your favorite series of the Fall 2024 season? It’s never to late to start a new series! Here’s to more great anime in 2025!
These series and more can be streamed with English subtitles and some English dubs on various streamers including Crunchyroll, Netflix, hulu, Prime Video, Max, HIDIVE, and more.
