Top 5 Anime You Can’t Miss from Fall 2024

As the year winds down, Fall 2024 delivered a solid lineup of anime. While it didn’t boast the sheer number of heavy-hitters as Winter or the overall depth of Spring, there was still plenty to dig into. This season brought us fresh takes on two legendary series, a highly anticipated newcomer that truly delivered, and one remarkable surprise. Let’s dive into the five best anime of Fall 2024.

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5. Dragon Ball Daima

While Dragon Ball Daima might not offer the planet-exploding stakes some fans expect, this latest entry is a charming throwback to the series’ roots. Goku, once again embarks on a journey to collect the Dragon Balls, this time to defeat a villain who’s transformed him and his friends into children.

Perhaps the most eye-catching detail of this spin-off is its stunning visuals. The Super Saiyan fight sequences are animated with a more convincing and dynamic style than the series has seen recently, likely due to the shorter episode count and less demanding production schedules of other Dragon Ball shows. For those who fell off the series after Dragon Ball Z, Daima offers a bite-sized return that beautifully honors the late, great Akira Toriyama’s legacy.

4. Negative Positive Angler

As someone with no interest in fishing, I was surprisingly hooked by Negative Positive Angler (pun unavoidable!). While the series does a good job explaining the intricacies of the pastime in an informative and entertaining way, what truly makes it shine is its deep dive into the characters’ personal struggles during their extended hangout sessions.

The story follows Tsunehiro, a college student burdened by gambling debt and a dire medical diagnosis, who finds an unexpected sense of community with a quirky group of fishing enthusiasts. Studio NUT (Deca-Dence) renders a range of expressive character designs that perfectly convey each personality, and the series expertly brings out the best in its ensemble cast through engaging conversations. While its heavier themes might seem an odd fit for an otherwise cozy story, these moments effectively illustrate how our down-on-his-luck protagonist finds a renewed sense of purpose through fishing and the people he shares it with.

3. Ranma ½ (Remake)

Remaking a beloved classic like Ranma ½ comes with high expectations, but MAPPA has truly delivered, bringing this absurd comedy to life with fluid action and sharp punchlines. Young martial artists Ranma and Akane are set up in an arranged marriage by their parents, quickly becoming entangled in convoluted love triangles as they battle weekly suitors. Further complicating matters is Ranma’s curse: cold water transforms them into a girl, and hot water reverts them to a boy, leading to endless misunderstandings.

As someone who previously struggled to connect with Rumiko Takahashi’s work, this remake strikes a good balance between old and new. It captures Takahashi’s iconic art style and humor while smoothing out some pacing issues and outdated plot points. The result is a fast-paced love letter to the original that still allows the main couple to gradually develop their relationship amidst increasingly ridiculous circumstances—from rhythmic gymnastics meets to ice skating death matches, and even the original kung-fu panda.

2. Dandadan

Dandadan was the most hyped newcomer of the season, and Science Saru absolutely exceeded expectations with a positively kinetic adaptation. The story centers on Momo and Okarun, two teens thrust into paranormal circumstances, with Okarun developing psychic powers and Momo falling under a curse. Right from the start, the show delivers the high-octane action expected from a Shonen Jump series, making it consistently thrilling to watch Momo and Okarun punch their way through various aliens and spirits. Science Saru takes these battles to visually abstract places, perfectly complementing the plot’s supernatural twists.

While the fights are spectacular, it’s the genuinely convincing rapport between the leads that truly sets this series apart from other action anime. Their will-they-won’t-they dynamic is consistently adorable and sharply written, avoiding common pitfalls as they actually communicate instead of getting trapped in uninspired clichés. The result is a show that seamlessly blends action, romance, and paranormal investigation, with Saru transitioning between each mode with equal care and craft.

For instance, Episode 7, “To A Kinder World,” is a shattering tale of motherhood that somehow successfully slots in next to over-the-top hijinks and crude jokes, like a naked guy being ridden like a surfboard while fighting a knock-off Godzilla. And while the show is bookended by a few unsettling scenes that put its heroine in compromising situations, these moments are relatively few and far between. With Dandadan, Science Saru solidifies its reputation as one of the most exciting names in the anime industry, and while Season 2 isn’t far off, summer can’t come soon enough.

1. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is, without a doubt, the biggest surprise of the Fall season. This taut historical thriller delves into themes of belief, epistemology, and the courage required to fight for a better world. We follow a rotating cast of characters pursuing cosmic mysteries as the theory of heliocentricity spreads in the face of church persecution.

While not a 1:1 historical recreation, the series uses its late Middle Ages/early Renaissance backdrop to powerfully convey the impact of perceived truths. A Catholic Church stand-in asserts that Earth is the physical center of the universe, an unchangeable place of suffering to be endured to reach heaven—an ideology conveniently designed to keep them at the top of the social order.

As these nuanced characters challenge these notions, the story explores the self-affirmation found in seeking and sharing truth, even at the risk of one’s life. The series’ portrayal of fighting for change in a time of systemic cruelty is remarkably reminiscent of Yukimura’s masterpiece, Vinland Saga—the highest praise possible. It can often be hard to believe that the arc of history bends towards truth and and justice, but Orb: On the Movements of the Earth makes a damn convincing argument that it does.