Top 10 Anime to watch for New year 2024

The best wonderful anime that are recommended to watch in the new year

we've gathered some of the best anime series and movies across 10 categories, offering a handful of honorable mentions for each. The selected anime in each category rises above its genre through exceptional storytelling, characters, animation, voice work, and other factors. Each series or film has the power to inspire significant changes within its genre or stands out as a standout work in the anime landscape.

Steins Gate

Anime excels at delivering intricate sci-fi technobabble, offering a plethora of real gems that delve into intriguing themes and concepts. Notable examples include Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, serving as a worthy companion to the movie, Psycho-Pass, a disturbing crime thriller with inspiration drawn from Blade Runner, and Noein, a captivating exploration of quantum physics. These anime series contribute to the genre by providing thought-provoking narratives and unique perspectives on science fiction.

Steins;Gate, centered around the theme of time travel, distinguishes itself by not treating it merely as a plot device. Instead, it delves into the concept in a captivating manner, establishing internally consistent rules that govern how time travel operates. The series features a meticulously crafted time loop plot that stands out as superior to others, contributing to its acclaim and making it a standout work in the exploration of temporal themes in anime.

Boku Dake ga inai Machi

Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling 29-year-old manga artist, faces frustration not only in his career but also due to a unique supernatural ability. He involuntarily travels back in time to prevent deaths and disasters, repeating the timeline until the incident is averted. His life takes a dark turn when he becomes entangled in a murder case, finding himself framed for the crime. Determined to save the victim, he activates his time-traveling ability, only to discover that he has returned to his grade-school years, specifically one month before the disappearance of his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki. Now, Satoru embarks on a new quest: to save Kayo and unravel the mystery behind her disappearance.

Mirai Nikki

This psychological thriller, adapted from Sakae Esuno's manga, revolves around Yuki, a socially isolated individual who finds solace in writing a diary on his cell phone and conversing with his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina – The God of Time and Space. Yuki's perception shifts when he discovers that Deus is more than a mere creation of his mind, as he is thrust into a battle royale alongside eleven others. Each participant receives a special diary with the ability to predict the future, featuring unique attributes that offer both advantages and disadvantages. Over the next 90 days, the contestants must navigate a perilous game of survival, with only one emerging victorious to claim the title of the new God of Time and Space.

Blue lock

Every so often, an anime captures my enthusiasm to the point where I can't stop talking about it, even to friends who don't typically watch anime. This year, Blue Lock claimed that spot. Perhaps an apology is due to those who endured my rants about the superb animation, the narrative's subversion of typical sports anime tropes, my admiration for the complex yet empathetic characters, or how the matches induced stress reminiscent of why I avoid real sports. However, no apology is offered because I stand by every word, convinced of the anime's excellence.
Blue Lock skillfully fuses the standout elements of near-superpowered sports anime, such as Kuroko’s Basketball, with the intense and cutthroat competition akin to Squid Game. The outcome is a refreshing and exhilarating experience. Now, with the anticipation for season 2 building, I eagerly await the opportunity to restart my "Have you watched Blue Lock yet?" campaign, ready to share the excitement once more. —Sadie Gennis

Your Lie in April

The best dramas often possess the ability to emotionally manipulate their audience, and Your Lie in April certainly fits this description. For those with any lingering emotions, this show has a remarkable capacity to draw them out, accompanied by a cascade of tears that can't be easily dismissed as mere allergies. The emotional depth and impact of Your Lie in April contribute to its reputation as a poignant and affecting drama within the anime landscape.

Absolutely, Your Lie in April is renowned for its emotional depth and its ability to profoundly affect its audience. The show is adept at evoking a range of emotions, and the tears it elicits are a testament to its poignant storytelling. The impact it leaves on viewers contributes to its reputation as a standout and emotionally resonant drama in the realm of anime.

Toradora

Toradora! claims the top spot among many great romance anime series, largely owing to its exceptional characters. The essence of a good romance story lies in its character-driven narrative, and Toradora! excels in this aspect. The characters in the series are intricately crafted with their own motivations and reasons, which significantly contribute to their behaviors and interactions. This depth in character development adds a layer of authenticity to the romance, making Toradora! a standout in the genre.
In contrast to a harem anime, Toradora! doesn't center its mystery on determining who the main character will end up with. An astute viewer may discern this early on. Instead, the narrative revolves around the characters' growth and their journey of discovering the true meaning of love. The focus on character development and the exploration of love as a profound theme distinguishes Toradora! from traditional romance and adds a layer of depth to its storytelling.

Gintama

Comedy in anime can be a challenging genre, as the funniest series often rely on Japanese puns that may not easily translate. An illustrative example is Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, which Western audiences recognize for its surreal and nonsensical humor. In its original Japanese form, the comedy is primarily rooted in puns and double-talk, showcasing the cultural nuances that contribute to its unique and often bizarre sense of humor.

Ghost Stories is another noteworthy example where the humor was predominantly introduced through the English dub. The original Japanese version presented the material in a more straightforward manner, while the English dub took creative liberties, resulting in one of the most hilariously reimagined anime series of all time. This demonstrates how the localization and adaptation process can significantly impact the comedic elements of an anime for Western audiences.

Gintama skillfully treads a fine line where certain jokes may be lost on Western audiences due to cultural differences. Nevertheless, the series successfully earns its title as the best comedy anime by delivering genuinely funny moments that transcend language barriers. Some of the humor is derived from jokes that resonate despite cultural distinctions. Additionally, Gintama incorporates absurdist humor and sight gags that prove effective regardless of your frame of reference, contributing to its widespread appeal and comedic success.
 

Cowboy Bebop

There's a segment of anime enthusiasts who exclusively watch anime in Japanese, adhering to the belief that Japanese voice acting surpasses its English counterparts in anime dubs. While there is some truth to this sentiment, as there are instances of poorly executed dubs, it's important to note that certain shows boast exceptional English voice work. The quality of voice acting can vary widely, and there are instances where the English dub captures the essence of the characters and narrative just as effectively as the original Japanese version.
 Cowboy Bebop is often regarded as having the best anime dub of all time. While the Japanese voice acting is of high quality, the English cast excels and is praised for its exceptional work. This anime stands out as one of the first instances of a truly great English dub, especially during a time when many anime dubs were considered mediocre. The main voice actors deliver outstanding performances, with Steve Blum's portrayal of Spike standing out as a perfect fit for the character. "See you, space cowboy" has become an iconic phrase associated with the series, highlighting the lasting impact of Cowboy Bebop's English dub.

full Metal alchemist

The reason Fullmetal Alchemist is the best fantasy anime of all time is that it paints a fully realized and distinctive world with internally consistent rules, each with tangible consequences. The series builds upon this foundation to present a story about two brothers, blending a grounded narrative with the fantastic setting. This synthesis of a well-constructed universe and a compelling, emotionally resonant storyline contributes to the show's widespread recognition and praise.

The inclusion of the Elric brothers' story on any list of the best anime is undisputed. The debate often centers on whether to choose Fullmetal Alchemist or its counterpart, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
For those unfamiliar, both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood share the same manga source material. The distinction lies in their production timelines—Fullmetal Alchemist was created while the manga was still ongoing, resulting in a conclusion independent of the manga's ending. On the other hand, Brotherhood, produced later, faithfully adapts the entire manga. Both versions feature excellent animation, captivating narratives, and stellar voice acting in their respective dubs.

Opting for Brotherhood is a wise decision if you lean towards a faster pace, increased action sequences, and a touch of humor. The original series, in contrast, maintains a more measured pace and emphasizes a richer dramatic narrative. The choice between the two often boils down to personal preferences for pacing, action, and the balance between drama and humor.

Pluto

Pluto stands out as a remarkable narrative in the exploration of robots with emotions, not being the first to tackle the theme but certainly one of the best. An adaptation miracle, Pluto takes Naoki Urasawa's acclaimed manga — itself a reinterpretation of Osama Tezuka's Astro Boy — and infuses it with dramatic depth, a compelling murder mystery, and a poignant metaphor reflecting the complexities of the Iraq War. The result is a story that goes beyond the typical robot narrative, delving into intricate themes and weaving a captivating tale.
In its narrative about a mysterious serial killer intent on destroying the world's greatest robots and the human activists advocating for their rights, Pluto offers a contemplative exploration of humanity from the unique perspective of machines experiencing its extremes firsthand. The robots in the story undergo the profound experiences of love, hate, and grief for the first time, adding a poignant layer to the narrative. The portrayal of the raw emotions of the robots, in contrast to the sometimes forgetful nature of humans, raises thought-provoking questions about the essence of memory and the significance of remembering in the face of profound experiences.