There’s no doubt thatSolo LevelingSeason 1’s victory at the 2024 Crunchyroll Awards sparked strong reactions among viewers, especially since the nominees on the slate have been somewhat of a mixed bag, with each title being groundbreaking in its own way. Even if some of them have some glaring flaws, after digging beneath the initial reactions, there’s a lot to love about these series, and they deserve to be on any anime fan’s watchlist.
2024 had amazing gem series likeMushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2,Yatagarasu, orDead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction.So whether some believe thatSolo Leveling Season 1deserves the accolade or not, for those searching for what makes these nominees' titles so noteworthing and deserving of being recognized,here’s how the Anime of the Year at the 2024 Crunchyroll Awards nominees should be rankedand why viewers need to check out each one of them.
Kaiju No. 8
Bringing the MonsterVerse into anime,Kaiju No. 8is a refreshing shōnen that knew how to appeal to a broader audienceby making its protagonist, Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old man who has given up on his dream instead of the typical teenager in every other anime of the demographic. While its goofy, charismatic characters create many hilarious moments, making the anime easy to binge-watch due to its lighthearted tone, the best part ofKaiju No. 8is undoubtedly its exciting battles against the humongous kaijus who run rampant, destroying everything in their path.
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 will premiere in July 2025.
Furthermore,Kaiju No. 8perfectly sets up its worldand hints that there’s more behind the enemies they face, building up its plot and leaving viewers wanting more. As a result,Kaiju No. 8Season 1 feels like an extended introductory arc. The anime still needs to develop its story to stand out from the other hit animes of 2024 and achieve success in the long run. Additionally, the anime features stunning animation during its major fights, but its inconsistent character design was a negative aspect of the series that has fortunately beenaddressed ahead ofKaiju No. 8 season 2.
Dandadanwas the unexpected hit anime of 2024, surprising viewers with its unpredictable story that managed to perfectly balance widely different genres in an entertaining way.Dandadanis a dark fantasy shonen, rom-com, and sci-fi with paranormal horror elements all at once, but far from what it sounds like a parody series, the anime skillfully uses its unique setting to its benefit to convey deep themes like friendship, acceptance, family, and regrets in an emotional way that hits harder to viewers through heartbreaking backstories.
While its eccentric and bizarre story may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as some early scenes in the series could be too much for sensitive viewers,Dandadanhas stood out by embracing its weird premiseand enhancing it with a unique animation style that uses vibrant colors, frenetic action sequences, and chaotic scenes that don’t resemble anything seen in the anime medium before.Dandadanhas something for everyone, casually going from fights against paranormal creatures from Japanese mythology to interplanetary creatures that kidnapped humans to slow-burn high school romance and introducing the most bizarre quest ever seen in shonen.
Delicious in Dungeonmixes both gastronomy and fantasy, turning dungeon exploration into a gourmet adventure in the purest form of those who do not eat are eaten. The anime features high-quality animation, lighthearted comedy, and great character dynamics, but the aspect that makesDelicious in Dungeonone of the best animes of 2024 is its amazing worldbuilding, as the series features a complex underground world with a balanced ecosystem that hosts many dangerous creatures, building out the series' overarching plot as the characters go deeper into this dungeon and get closer to rescuing their companion.
Furthermore,it may seem like a slice-of-life anime about life in a dungeon, butDelicious in Dungeonexcels at introducing its darker, more serious elements in an unexpected way that breaks the tone of the series, making viewers anticipate more of this side of the story and resulting in the show feeling too slow-paced at times. However, as the later events feel like a herald of things to come, they tease thatDelicious in Dungeon’supcoming seasonwill be even better and bring the anime to its absolute peak moments.
Not only didThe Apothecary Diaries Season 1have one of the best opening sequences in recent years, enthralling viewers with a display of animated beauty with a sound proposal at its finest point, but more than being visually excellent, the anime captivates with its fascinating plot.Beyond the typical romance (which still builds up slowly throughout the story),The Apothecary Diarieshas a more detective approach, with great mysteries that tie in with a greater political conspiracy, managing to redefine its genre and appeal to a broader audience.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 1manages to make palatial life interesting for any type of viewer, even those who enjoy another genre of anime
As the series reveals the past and the true identity of important figures within the imperial court who may influence changes in the power games of the palace and, subsequently, the life of Maomao,The Apothecary Diaries Season 1manages to make palatial life interesting for any type of viewer, even those who enjoy another genre of anime. Furthermore, it delves into its cast, developing endearing and complex characters, leaving viewers wanting to continue Maomao and Jinshi’s story.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis one of the most beautiful adaptations of the last decadeand well-deserved for its great reception among fans of the medium for how it subverted the classic fantasy anime. The anime’s greatest strength is precisely its focus on interior development instead of the physical or power growth of the characters, becoming a journey whose true purpose is to create lasting bonds and reflect on the importance of the twists in life and the meaning of human connections hidden in the facade of a great adventure on the outside.
This introspective story where Frieren learns about how ephemeral life is and learns to interact with othershas touched the sensitive fiber of viewers, receiving worldwide acclaim thanks to Madhouse’s breathtaking artistic direction with beautifully colored landscapes and a soothing soundtrack that elevates the heartwarming and emotional moments in the series. Additionally, the series is filled with comedic and dramatic moments and action that blend in an organic way.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endhas a confirmed Season 2in production.
Frierenmay feel slow at times, but its deeply human story that intertwines the past and present with startling emotion makes it one of the most unique animes in recent years.Being placed afterSolo Leveling, whichcaters to more viewers in today’s anime landscape due to its fast-paced story,has been divisive, and rightfully so due toFrieren’s critical acclaim. Still, the anime is a subtle work of art that takes its time but develops into a comforting viewing experience, which makes it all the more powerful for it.
Solo Leveling’s immense popularity is by no means undeserved, as it took further ahead the common power fantasy premise and enhanced it into a series that viewers can’t help but look at. With an unprecedented success not seen since anime likeAttack on TitanandDemon Slayer,Solo Levelingtakes the crown as the rising anime of 2024, thanks to the high-quality and technical proposal by A-1 Pictures that brought to life some of the best action sequences in animation, being a visual feast for the eyes and following the path set by anime likeOne Punch Man Season 1.
From a fantastic soundtrack by the renowned Hiroyuki Sawano that conveys the atmosphere of dreadful life-or-death situations and brilliant battle choreography that knows how to make use of perspective and movement to showcase speed and intensity,Solo Levelingbuilds up tension to keep viewers hookedand waiting for the next episode. Moreover, the fact thatSolo Leveling Season 1managed to break record after record is a bigger feat as it also became the first adaptation with a non-Japanese source material to be nominated for best anime of the year.
So, even thoughSolo Leveling Season 1mostly focuses on fights that seem unconnected, each of them serves as development for Jinwoo, who starts as the weakest hunter but tries to gain the strength he needs to survive inside the dungeons. Furthermore, the anime subtly gives hints about the mystery surrounding the system that forces him to keep leveling up, being more than a plot device but something that ties into the series' overarching plot,teasing that the story only gets better from that point onward.
Solo Leveling
Cast
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-woo, the world’s weakest hunter, who gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program after surviving a brutal monster attack. As he navigates his newfound abilities, Jinwoo embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of his powers and the dungeon that altered his fate.
