The Spring 2024 anime season has come to an end, and though at first glance, this season didn’t look like much to write home about, I have to admit – now that we’re moving into the next anime season, there are definitely some names from the Spring 2024 anime lineup that I’m sad to say goodbye to. Typically, I try to keep up with ten anime per season, so in this article, I’ll be looking back at the ten I tuned into each week, some of which are complete, some of which will be carrying over into the Summer 2024 lineup. 

Keep in mind though, I am but one man, and the seasonal anime timetable can be a lot to keep up with! There will always be anime that I’ve missed, but that’s why I’ve included a small section at the end, looking at a few standout anime that I didn’t get to keep up with this Spring. I’ve also avoided including spoilers for these shows, so if you’re just looking to get into some titles from a new anime season, this list has you covered! With that being said, let’s get into the shows that made it into my weekly anime schedule, and weigh up just how good the anime Spring 2024 had to offer were!

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The Anime I Watched

Demon Slayer: The Hashira Training Arc

Image by Ufotable

If we were to lay out all Spring 2024 anime in a neat list, this would likely be the one to catch many anime fans’ eyes, mainly due to the unwavering popularity of the shonen genre. Demon Slayer has maintained a certain level of quality over the years since its debut, so while many viewers may have raised an eyebrow at the seemingly mundane nature of this arc, others placed their complete faith in Ufotable to keep the Demon Slayer hype going – and boy, did they deliver. Admittedly, I did have some issues with this season of Kimetsu no Yaiba – namely the painfully slow third episode, and the mysterious episode count that was kept under wraps until the very last moment, but all in all, this arc was a pleasure to watch.

In what was likely one of the most challenging manga adaptations of the season, what with the manga’s extremely scarce amount of content pertaining to this arc, this season of Demon Slayer managed to place character work at the forefront, in a TV series that often leans fully into the action genre, at the sacrifice of all else. To add onto this, the conclusive episode of the season may just be one of, if not the greatest episodes of the show as a whole. Is Demon Slayer the most in-depth, profound entry in the shonen genre? No – it never has been, but that’s not what it aims to be. It aims to be an action-packed thrill ride, with some fairly hefty emotional jabs thrown in – and on that front, like its other seasons, The Hashira Training Arc was a success – though I’m not as anxious to rewatch this season as the show’s previous entries.

KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3

Image by Drive

My relationship with KonoSuba is a complex one. When I first started the show, I was fully convinced it was not for me. Despite being one of the most popular franchises in the current anime scene, the whole vibe of the show from the first episode rubbed me the wrong way. Say what you will, but I will never be someone who seeks out ecchi in anime, and combining that element with the fact that the show initially seemed like just another isekai, I considered dropping it before I really gave it a chance. But once you get into KonoSuba, lean into the wackiness and realise how deeply ingrained the satire is in this show, you start to see what it really has to offer – and that is an insanely fun experience, like no other.

The third season, which is what I’m reviewing here, is potentially the show’s strongest outing yet. In a comedy anime with episodic elements, which KonoSuba is, it’s common to have a couple of dud episodes, but that really wasn’t the case with this season. Every episode was a blast to watch, the final arc centered around Darkness was surprisingly emotionally poignant, and episode 9 is quite possibly the hardest I’ve ever laughed at an episode of KonoSuba – which is no small feat. Light novel adaptations can sometimes be hit-or-miss, but this show has consistently kept up its charm, and I have to say, I’m really going to miss it while we wait for the fourth season. A standout in the Spring 2024 anime lineup for sure.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2

Image by Studio Bind

Here we have the other Spring 2024 isekai anime that I watched. Remember when I said that I was skeptical of KonoSuba’s more ecchi-oriented elements, but came around in the end? I’ve had a similar experience with Mushoku Tensei, except I haven’t really come around on this Studio Bind anime yet. Let’s be honest, and I’m sure most fans of this anime can agree – Mushoku Tensei can be a very weird, if not totally uncomfortable, watch at times, and more often than not, its insistence on including those scenes often undercuts the very strong story that the show has at its core. With each season, the show has the potential to lean fully into the supernatural fantasy world that it’s created, but instead, we often get to know more about the main character’s questionable sex life than anything else – which is unfortunate.

This season of Mushoku Tensei was one of highs and lows. Anything is an improvement on the absolutely dysfunctional (apologies for that pun) first part of this second season, so already, this part stood one step ahead. And admittedly, this season stood as a pretty strong entry in the franchise, especially following the shocking tenth episode, which was one of the most memorable episodes of the Spring anime season overall. Then, a certain plot twist happens in the final stages of the season, a plot twist which I absolutely hate, and then the season ends – and I am left with a very sour taste in my mouth. Overall, the season was enjoyable, but sometimes it feels like this show just wants me to facepalm at some of its baffling decisions – and I do…every single time.

Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night

Image by Doga Kobo

Each season, I like to pick at least one anime that I know absolutely nothing about. When the anime happens to be an original series, it’s even better – because now, no one knows anything about it! Often, in doing this, you come across a hidden gem, and that was just what Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night was for the Spring lineup. A slice-of-life with a fair amount of drama thrown in, this anime mainly caught my eye because of how full of life it was. Each character was bursting with personality, making it stand out from other entries in the genre. Unfortunately, this show did fall victim to the curse of being a 12-episode standalone season…with no second season on the way.

This show, ultimately, feels like a missed opportunity, in more ways than one. There was just too much going on for the episode count it was given – most of the characters aren’t even properly introduced by the time we’ve gotten four or five episodes in, and by then, the season is almost halfway over. The story is also fairly rapidly concluded, meaning a second season is likely never happening. Also, there’s a very clear romance brewing in this anime between two of the main characters, but it’s a romance that the show never pursues for whatever reason, leaving that tension completely unresolved. Brimming with potential, but failing to reach it fully, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night was a welcome entry to my weekly anime schedule, but lost its original shine as the weeks came to a close.

Kaiju No. 8

Image by Production I.G

Every once in a while, an anime comes along (usually shonen) that makes you say, ‘I really miss the days of weekly anime’. Sure, we would end up with some horrible filler that would likely become running jokes within the fanbase, but the show would never completely lose its hype. That is exactly the kind of anime Kaiju No. 8 is. In many ways, this anime does everything right. A compelling storyline with a fairly unique premise, a likeable cast of characters, and of course, action on top of action! Production I.G also did a spectacular job on the animation front. It falters in only one way – it is way too short for its own good. 

Kaiju No. 8’s first season ended at an incredibly awkward time. The show reaches a climactic seasonal peak around the ninth and tenth episodes, and then it just sort of fizzles out, because we have two episodes left we have to fill, and then it’s going off the air. At the very least, this anime needed a 24-episode season to really solidify itself in the current landscape. It’s an excellent show, and for the moment, it’s got my attention – but while we wait for a second season, and other anime jump in to take its place, will it be able to maintain its hold on the public? Only time will tell. Overall though, the first season of Kaiju No. 8 was a blast – definitely check it out.

Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf

Image by Passione

There has perhaps never been a more enjoyable way to learn economics than Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf. Originally adapted into an anime in 2008, this 2024 reboot of Isuna Hasekura’s light novels has a certain charm to it that will draw in even the most skeptical viewer – after all, it might be difficult to sell fans of a show that, on the surface, is entirely about trading and business. The reason I say ‘on the surface’ is because there’s a lot more to Spice and Wolf than this.

With an intriguing plot and engaging characters, excellently brought to life by Passione, Spice and Wolf has an exciting underbelly that you may never experience if you convince yourself it’s not for you before giving it a shot. And the best part is, this anime isn’t strictly contained to Spring 2024, and will carry over into the Summer lineup – which technically makes its second half one of my most anticipated upcoming anime of the year. Without giving away anything else, give Spice and Wolf a shot – it may not be your thing, but if it does click with you, you’ll be in for an experience like no other.

Bartender: Glass of God

Image by Liber

Much like Spice and Wolf, Bartender: Glass of God is a blast from the past for some longtime anime fans. Originally receiving an anime adaptation in 2006, Bartender made its return to streaming platforms this season with this new adaptation. Unlike Spice and Wolf, however, I did not enjoy Bartender. Let me start out with the things I liked. There were two solid storylines I enjoyed – one involving an interesting father-son dynamic, and one involving death and guilt. I also occasionally enjoyed looking at the drinks that were made in this show – Liber did a nice job of making them look appetizing. 

Outside of this, this anime has very little going for it, at least for my taste. It’s almost too chill for its own good. It’s one thing being relaxing, and it’s another making me want to fall asleep in my chair. If you are an enjoyer of bars, alcohol, cocktails, the likes, you may get something out of this show really overexplaining the process of making drinks. If you’re not, you’re likely going to find this show as I did – pretty uneventful with a side of pretentiousness. I appreciate that it stands out from the crowd this season though, and I definitely think that this show has an audience – that audience just isn’t me.

My Hero Academia Season 7

Image by Bones

Every time a new season of Bones’ My Hero Academia starts airing, I have to take a moment to process the fact that this show is as long as it is. Something about it doesn’t feel like we’ve been through six seasons of it, but nonetheless, the seventh season has arrived. This season started fairly late into the Spring season, and is set to carry into the Summer lineup, so there’s not much to say on it just yet, other than My Hero Academia fans will know what to expect, as will haters. The show has never really changed in its direction or core values, which is something to be admired given the controversial reception it’s had over the years.

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of My Hero Academia. The strength of the show’s many seasons has fluctuated more dramatically than any other shonen of this length, and I’ve never really clicked with the whole superhero vibe. That being said, this season so far has delivered on being a climax for the show’s overall storyline – even if that climax sort of came out of nowhere. This kind of feels like the final season of the show, even though that has not been confirmed, and this sudden showdown of nearly all of the anime’s major characters up until this point kind of arrived out of the blue. So though I’m not a fan of the franchise as a whole, I’m here for the ride season 7 is taking us on – whether it’s our last ride or not.

Wind Breaker

Image by CloverWorks

Wind Breaker is like a burger. The top bun, aka the first few episodes, is a nice introduction to the world of the show, the meat in the middle is a fighting tournament, and the bottom bun is a conclusive set up for the second season. Now imagine if the meat in the burger was absolutely huge, leaving the two buns feeling like thin, almost transparent slivers, that are just kind of slapped on either end of what the burger is really about. What I mean to say here is that if you’re not a fan of lengthy fighting scenes, and a show that’s almost entirely centered around delinquents punching each other, steer clear of this one.

For any fans of Tokyo Revengers, however, this might just be the anime of the season for you. It’s very similar to that show, except without all the time travel stuff – so basically, it’s a bunch of teenagers battling it out. Luckily, there’s a little more relatability to the goals of our protagonists in this anime, as they aim to protect their town from other delinquents who would terrorize the residents if allowed to run rampant. All in all, Wind Breaker achieved what it set out to do, in that the huge chunk of action content in the middle is successfully adapted into pretty thrilling episodes. The protagonist himself is also pretty likeable, and hopefully, the second season of this adaptation will lean more into exploring his nuances. Check this one out if you’re looking for some action, but beyond that, you might be left feeling a little let down.

One Piece

Image by Toei Animation

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a seasonal anime roundup without checking in on the eternal presence that is One Piece. It feels like this show has gotten to the point where there’s no one who needs any more convincing to dive into this journey – the hype around the anime has remained high, particularly since the conclusion of the long, LONG, Wano Arc in 2023. Since the Egghead Island Arc began in early 2024, and Toei took a more appropriate approach to the pacing of their manga chapter adaptations, One Piece has been a joy to tune into each and every week – and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

You have to respect how long One Piece has managed to stick around, while also never feeling like it’s overstayed its welcome. Fans of the manga are likely overjoyed with how well this arc has been adapted thus far, with some standout episodes from a production standpoint, and the story is reaching climactic heights like never before – and if anything, the Summer 2024 episodes of One Piece will only take the series to greater heights. If you’re set on never getting into One Piece, then it’s unlikely anything will convince you – but, if you’re even slightly considering taking the plunge, now is the time. This arc, and its upcoming episodes, will be one to remember.

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The Anime I Missed

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3

Image by 8Bit

Of all the new releases I’ve missed out on, this one makes me the most frustrated. No anime has eluded me quite like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Every time I’ve looked to start it, I just…haven’t – and now it’s reached its third season, and I feel like I’m missing out on the fun. From what I’ve heard, this season takes a slower approach than prior installments, which has left fans with mixed feelings to say the least – one quick browse through MyAnimeList let me know that instantly. 

Overall though, the show has earned a solid reputation over the years, and maybe this is biased, but it certainly looks to be a better show than the name would have me believe. I’m sorry, but isekai anime with more than six words in the title always make me raise an eyebrow. This season is continuing into the Summer 2024 season, so I’ll be looking to catch up somewhere along the way, and finally understand the hype. For established fans of the franchise, however, make sure you don’t miss out on the season!

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again

Image by Gekkou

I have absolutely no idea what to make of this show. Part of me wants to watch it – I’ve heard that it’s a fairly heartwarming experience, which I’m in no way opposed to. If that was all that there was to it, it would make an excellent comfort show. On the other hand, I’ve heard that the anime contains a multitude of somewhat off-colour jokes, that have made the show’s ratings fluctuate throughout it’s short run – I think it’s jumped between a 6 and an 8 on MyAnimeList each time I’ve checked – makes me wonder just what’s going on in this seemingly cozy show.

The premise of the show is laid out in its title – a grandpa and a grandma turn young again to get a second chance at life. They aim to inspire everyone around them, and take in all the joy of youth while they have it – they’re like Might Guy, but they’re actually old, and probably less eccentric. I have to say, I’m sad I missed this one, mainly out of curiosity alone. If you’re looking for an uplifting anime, this might be the one for you.

Go! Go! Loser Ranger!

Image by Yostar Pictures

I haven’t exactly missed this anime, per se. I have, however, only seen three episodes of it at the time of writing this article – and to be honest, I am loving it so far. I’ve seen many people make this comparison, but it’s essentially if you took the concept of falsified superherodom from The Boys, and mixed it with the plot of Power Rangers. So your Red Ranger here, known as the Red Keeper, is pretty much Homelander. The first three episodes, at least, have been an absolute blast, and I’m surprised more people haven’t gotten on board with Go! Go! Loser Ranger!

Whether the anime maintains its momentum is something I have yet to discover. I can see it going off the rails in its later episodes, and very unfortunately, this is once again a mere 12-episode anime, so whether the season becomes worth it in the end is yet to be seen. From what I’ve seen, however, the show is a very fun time, with an intriguing storyline, and a certain liveliness to it that makes it a joy to watch. I definitely recommend getting into this one if you haven’t yet!

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Conclusion

And that’s it for the Spring 2024 anime season! There were definitely a few surprise standouts this season, and some seasonal sequels that kept up, if not exceeded, the quality of their prior seasons. If I had to pick one favourite from the lineup, it would have to be KonoSuba – that show has finally clicked with me, and every episode was a magical experience full of laughs. My least favourite would be Bartender, though even then, I can see that anime landing with its target audience. So all in all, this was a strong season! With some exciting titles lined up for the Summer schedule, it doesn’t look like the anime industry is slowing down anytime soon! Be sure to check some of these anime out, and let us know your thoughts on them! 

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