Anime Curious? Make 2024 the Year You Watch These 7 Anime Series

Tahlia Norrish Helps You Discover the Best Gateway Anime Series Around...

Once upon a time, being an anime fan was not something one readily ‘fessed up to. If you knew, you knew, but otherwise, your otaku alter ego was confined to evenings or weekends. Fortunately, times have changed. “Grown-up” anime series are now widely recognised and acclaimed for their imaginative storylines, complex characters, and dazzling design.

Here, we’ve pulled together a list of six anime series you should make 2024 the year you watch. Of course, there are many more than six to recommend, so we’ve aimed to highlight the best of the best across several genres, allowing you to revel in a masterpiece, whatever your vibe.

To be clear (and to preemptively stymie outrage), we focused exclusively on Japanese anime series. But worry not; we’ll have a companion list of six other animated series well worth your while coming soon. Similarly, we only considered anime series but will have a list showcasing the seminal anime films in the very near future, too.

Author: Tahlia Norrish
Date: April 10, 2024

When you’re Feeling Something Dark ‘n Twisty, Watch Death Note

Aired: 2006-2007 

Episodes: 37 (one season)

Official Trailer

Strong recommendation: only watch the series. We can all safely pretend the 2017 live-action film never happened. 

Imagine stumbling upon a notebook with the power to end lives. Write a name, picture the face, and it’s game over for them. When Light Yagami discovers the Death Note, he sets out to purge the world of criminals. Dealing justice from the shadows, Light is high-school student by day; “Kira” by night (a clever, cultural spin on “Killer”). But here’s where it gets spicy: a mysterious detective known only as L steps onto the scene, determined to capture Kira. What unfolds is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse filled with the twistiest of twists, moral dilemmas, and a deep dive into the psyche of wielding god-like power. Although Death Note is the oldest anime we’ll feature on this list, it’s every bit as compelling today as it was in the mid-2000s. 

If you want to continue the Death Note vibe, try Monster which is an acclaimed manga and anime series by Naoki Urasawa whose work, Pluto, based on in the world of Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka, was recently released on Netflix to great fanfare and is also one we highly recommend.

Would you like to know more?
Did you know that the world’s first (verifiable) anime dates back to 1917? That’s right, anime has been around for over a century! These early animations were quite simple and short, often just a few minutes long, but they laid the groundwork for the rich, complex anime stories we know and love today.

When you’re Feeling Something Supernatural, Watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Aired: 2009-2010

Episodes: 68 (one season)

Official Trailer

Just ensure you watch the version with “Brotherhood” in the title. Confusingly, there’s a separate anime series based on the same manga called Fullmetal Alchemist, and if you only watch one (and, to be honest, you need only watch one), make it Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. 

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood centres around two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who turn to the forbidden world of alchemy in a desperate attempt to bring their beloved mother back to life. Except things go horribly wrong. Ed loses an arm and a leg, and Al loses his entire body — his soul barely clinging to a suit of armour. Now, they’re on a quest for the Philosopher’s Stone, their best shot at fixing their mistakes. But, as you might imagine, the Elric brothers aren’t the only people keen to get their hands on this stone. It gets pretty dark pretty quick, but it’s loaded with heart every step of the way. 

To keep the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood feels going, hit Hunter x Hunter up next.

When you’re Feeling Something Unashamedly Sports-y, Watch Haikyu!!

Aired: 2014-2020

Episodes: 85 + 5 OVAs (four seasons) 

Official Trailer

There are some moods only a good sport anime can capture, and — if you’re not already on board the sport anime bandwagon — Haikyu!! is the definitive gateway drug. 

Meet high-schooler Shoyo Hinata, a guy short in stature but big on dreams — he’s got his sights set on becoming one of Japan’s top volleyball players. When he teams up with Tobio Kageyama, a volleyball prodigy who’s as talented as he is challenging to work with, things get interesting. But despite their differences, they agree on one thing: they’ll do whatever it takes to turn the Karasuno High School volleyball team from underdog to championship contender. If all that sounds a little “Meh”, we hear you, but this dynamo of a series is anything but. The character dynamics, the action sequences, the manifesto of growth and determination... we challenge you not to be cheering by the finale. 

If you want to maintain the Haikyu!! spirit, add Kuroko's Basketball to your queue.

When you’re Feeling Something Funny ‘n Bingeable, Watch One Punch Man

Aired: 2015-2019

Episodes: 24 (two seasons)

Official Trailer

Consider this recommendation 10x if you’re already an anime and/or comic book fan. You’ll appreciate the endearingly self-aware humour. 

Saitama is just your everyday guy who’s become so unbelievably powerful that he can defeat any adversary with a single punch. Sounds awesome, right? Well, for Saitama, it’s actually a bit of a drag. The thrill of battle? Gone. The challenge of a worthy opponent? Nonexistent. His quest for a real challenge leads him to join the Hero Association, where he and his ever-reverent disciple, Genos, attempt to navigate the world of professional heroes. Beyond a basic description, One Punch Man is rather hard to define — the series is beautifully, hilariously, and, occasionally, poignantly itself. True to its namesake, it delivers a knockout punch every time. 

If you want to continue the One Punch Man vibe, go for Mob Psycho 100.

When you’re Feeling Something Endearing ‘n Wholesome, Watch SPY x FAMILY

Aired: 2022-Current

Episodes: 37 (two seasons)

Official Trailer

There’s a reason why SPY x FAMILY cosplay dominated at the 2022 Anime Expo — viewers couldn’t help but instantly become smitten with the characters.

Another series that defies simple categorisation, SPY x FAMILY blends espionage drama with heartwarming family comedy, and the result is genius. At its core is Twilight, a top-tier spy tasked with an unusual — albeit mega high-stakes — mission that requires him to form a fake family. Enter Yor, an assassin who becomes his wife, and Anya, an adorable telepath who becomes their daughter. Only young Anya knows the true identity of the others, making every interaction pure gold. It’s a clever series that explores the themes of love, trust and the facades we present to the world, all while keeping you coming back for more.

To keep the SPY x FAMILY feels rolling, give Kaguya-sama: Love Is War a spin.

When you’re Feeling Something Truly Epic, Watch Vinland Saga

Aired: 2019-2023

Episodes: 24 (two seasons)

Official Trailer

Whether or not you commit to the second season (some people felt S2 became more 'Farmville Saga' than Vinland Saga), 1000% watch the first. 

Transporting us back in time to the days of the Vikings, Vinland Saga is a tale of revenge and the quest for peace. We follow Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior consumed by vengeance for his father’s death, as he carves his path by sword and blood. Yes, the battles are thrilling and the animation stunning, but it’s the impeccable character development that separates Vinland Saga from the action anime pack. Like Thorfinn at the helm of a formidable Viking battleship facing the equally formidable elements and never-ending slew of foes, you’re in for a tumultuous ride. 

If you want to keep the Vinland Saga-esque vibe going, continue on with Attack on Titan. 

Don’t Mind Crying into your Hands a Little Bit while Howling at the Moon, Watch Wolf’s Rain

Aired: 2003-2004

Episodes: 30 (one season)

Official Trailer

Wolf’s Rain is like a sad song you can’t get out of your head. (It also has one of the best opening title tracks, ever!)

The premise is post-apocalyptic, to a degree. Think Triggun or even Cowboy Bebop (if you know of them -- and if you don't, get on them, too!) and you’ll sort of know what we mean, but more importantly is that in this slice of life wolves are no more, but hold a special and near-god-like hold on the past. As with most religious articles, icons or ideologies, though, not everyone is so doting to their memory which sets us up for a journey as we discover wolves are still very much alive and can trick human minds into seeing them as literal ‘upright’ citizens. Naturally this veil is lifted and those who aren’t in the wolf corner cause a ruckus while our key ‘pack’ goes about following their full-moon-loving hearts and, well… a genuinely heartwarming and uplifting story unfolds full of verve and character and all the meaningful drama you could want from such a set up.

The biggest issue is getting a hold of this one as it’s *currently* (as of publish) not on a streaming platform, but is available to buy on Blu-ray, you just need an unlocked or capable system to watch -- but the legwork is worth it.

/End

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the scene, there’s never been a better time to dive into some of the most compelling narratives Japanese animation has to offer. Do your future self a solid and catch up on these six series in 2024.

We promise you won’t regret it

About the author

Written By Tahlia Norrish
Tahlia Norrish is an Aussie-Brit actor, writer and founder of The Actor's Dojo. Currently, Tahlia is based in Meanjin (Brisbane, Australia) where she's an MPhil Candidate at the University of Queensland's School of Sport Sciences. Tahlia credits/blames an early obsession with Pokémon for her continued love of anime and gaming.
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