Another banner year for anime is coming to a close, and we thought it would be fun to look back at 10 best anime episodes of 2024. Some episodes make us cry, others laugh, or dazzle us with brilliant animation. But the entries on this list go above and beyond by giving us a mix of these things as they became centerpieces for some of the great series we’ve enjoyed over the past year.
10) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Episode 21 – “The World of Magic“
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Serving as the capstone for the first test in the Mage Exam Arc, this episode featured everything that makes this series memorable. Opening with a flashback to when Frieren first met the Elven mage Serie, this sequence delivered key background for Frieren’s master Flamme and gave viewers their first introduction to the mysterious mage who was in the intro all season. The flashback would also further establish Frieren’s desire to seek out magic, cementing it as more than a simple hobby, as the mage had often claimed it to be.
This entry in our 10 best anime episodes of 2024 list also delivers some fantastic examples of magical combat. Madhouse went all out in Freiren: Beyond Journey’s End whenever combat broke out, and this episode features some of the most varied examples of it. From Denken’s fiery tornado to Kanne’s crushing water sphere, every attack was unique and memorable.
But while the combat animation is always excellent in this series, from the first episode, the series made it clear that combat wasn’t going to be the only thing to wow fans with breathtaking visuals. Every use of magic, from flying to creating a field of flowers, would take our breath away. And no moment brings the awe-inspiring power of magic to the forefront of the series like when Frieren shatters the barrier enclosing the testing ground. The beam of light that launches into the sky, the way the light plays on everything, and the shattering of the dome itself all dazzle. Coupled with Evan Call’s pitch-perfect score you have a moment that burned into into many a fan’s mind.
9) My Hero Academia Episode 140 – “Specter“
This season of My Hero Academia came out swinging. Opening with the arrival of Star and Stripe, the first two episodes featured the wielder of New Order taking on Shigaraki in a desperate fight. While the first episode of the season introduced America’s number one hero, it’s the second entry in our 10 best anime episodes of 2024 that brought the full range of the character to the audience.
From the moment this episode opens, we begin to see Star in a different light. Thanks to an excellently implemented flashback, we learn about Star’s insecurities where her quirk’s limitations are concerned, and how people view her because of them. We see the pilots in the flight of support craft quickly discourage her negative thoughts, building an awesome camaraderie within the group that plays of vital importance.
After learning about the emotional side of Star, we get to see the brilliant tactician she is as she masterfully uses her quirk in ways that would turn any other foe to dust. Her ability to analyze and adapt to her opponent feels nearly on par with Deku.
These tactical maneuvers lead to some of the best visual moments in the series. From a giant “hard air” version of Star catching a cluster of missiles to slam into Shigaraki to the rampage of New Order within Shigaraki’s body, every hit and explosion is shockingly delivered.
But even more hard-hitting was how the episode brought the hero’s demise to viewers. Seeing the character literally disintegrate before their eyes, they listened as Star said a fond farewell to her master and inspiration, even though he’d never heard her words. Romi Park brought all of Star’s personality to life excellently, but it is in these final moments that the voice actor truly shines, locking this episode onto our list.
8) NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 13 – “reckless bra[V]ery“
Lots of episodes feature events that change the course of their stories forever. However, far fewer can do this and recontextualize much of what came before. The third entry in our 10 best anime episodes of 2024 list does just that. The reveal that 2B has been murdering 9S to keep him from learning the secrets of YoRHa is shocking. As the episode plays out, we see time and again when 2B cuts down her partner.
While the shock twist would be enough to make the episode memorable, even for long-time fans who wouldn’t be expecting the reveal yet, the episode goes beyond the brutality of 2B’s duty to also showcase the toll her work takes on her. Each kill drains 2B, creating the conflicted personality viewers have come to know. Why she is so hot and cold towards 9S becomes clear as they see the hidden history between the two. Both the animation from A-1Pictures and the voice work of Yui Ishikawa bring these emotional details to life.
From the opening scene showing 2B cradling a deceased 9S in her arms to 2B’s frustration with 9S’s memory loss after their first mission, so much that feels off about the series clicks into place. So many small details change in meaning to the point that the viewer knows that this wasn’t a twist concocted on the fly but an integral point in the narrative that was always there—they just couldn’t see it yet.
7) Blue Box Episode 2 – “You have to go to Nationals“
There’s only one thing that makes a series stand out more than being different. That’s finding a way to be different that elevates you above your competition. This episode in our 10 best anime episodes of 2024 does just that as it crafts the mutual admiration and strength of its leads Taiki and Chinatsu.
Rather than creating a story about a boy’s struggles to catch the eye of the school idol, Blue Box makes its story one of mutual inspiration as its two leads discover strength and motivation in each other. This mutual appreciation begins to shine in this early episode as Taki and Chinatsu first begin to adapt to living together. While viewers already knew how much Chinatsu inspired Taiki, it’s here that they learn the reverse is true. At the same time, they also show new facets of Chinatsu’s personality, such as her tendency towards considering others and her sparkling charm. Chinatsu is not just a cutie who plays basketball. This revelation makes Taiki’s feelings for her so much deeper than simply physical attraction.
Making all the heartfelt energy and occasional moments of humor between the cast members shine is the gorgeous visual direction of the series. Telecom Animation Film does a great job of recreating the warmth and softness that is first crafted in the pages of the manga. Not willing to simply recreate the moments that make this episode great, the studio also goes beyond the pages by utilizing some of the softest lighting seen in anime. The warm highlights and glows of characters make what would be great scenes magnificent.
6) The Grimm Variations Episode 5– “The Town Musicians of Bremen”
The other entries on our list deliver a singular piece of a tale, this entry stands apart as a tale told in its entirety. In 30 minutes, it introduces its characters, and the world, and lets its story play out. It does all this with a memorable style as its techno-western setting and rock-enhanced classical soundtrack create the perfect stage for its stellar cast of characters.
The primary element that makes this entry worthy of its place is the starring trio of ladies. Known as Dog, Donkey, and Cat, the story does a fantastic job of using the developing narrative to flesh out each of the characters. Not only does it manage to craft their personalities seamlessly with the story, getting the most mileage out of its limited runtime, but each of them has a striking presence that draws the audience in, making their victories over the ruthless and crude Wade Brothers Gang all the more fun to witness.
Just as the music and setting take familiar concepts but add elements to create something different, so too does the story. So many Western tropes appear here but with just enough of a twist for the viewer to feel intrigued by what exactly plays out. Just like its protagonists, this episode breezes into viewers’ living rooms unexpectedly, only to deliver something truly memorable.
5) Dan Da Dan Episode 5 – “Like, Where are your Balls?“
For a series that focuses much of its time on the misadventures of its stars as they struggle through encounters with creatures of the occult, this episode flips the plot, deciding to take the central duo of Momo and Okarun and follow them through a more ordinary day of school. While it lacks the stylish action and outlandish monsters of other episodes, this entry in our 10 outstanding anime episodes of 2024 list shows that the series can deliver far more personal moments too. And in doing so, it makes the series as a whole far stronger for its efforts.
The core element of this episode is how it showcases the growing feelings that the stars have for each other. Momo and Okarun can think about nothing during class but getting to talk to each other. The two carry a mutual secret, one they are both excited to explore with each other. When a series of near misses cause them to fail to find each other during lunch, the pair plunge into depression, each worrying that they have offended the other.
The shifting dynamic between Momo and Okarun, as the episode plays out, creates something truly special between the two. Each has moments where they shine, as well as ones where they falter. The complexities of youth and coming to terms with new emotions are explored brilliantly. By the end of the episode, there is no doubt that the duo is in love, they just haven’t figured it out yet. Capping the brilliant episode with Momo coming to save Okuran’s dignity by telekinetically dropping a wash pan on Aira’s head and low-key threatening her as she walks by arm-in-arm with Okarun cements the already great character as possibly the best friend anyone could ask for.
4) The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 — “Beauty and Death: Final Act”
The Witch and the Beast in its entirety is a series focused on dark magics and those who wield them. Yet, there is frequently a bizarre cernal of love and affection nestled in many of its episodes. Strangely, this is perhaps truest in this entry in our 10 outstanding anime episodes of 2024 list, which focuses on necromancers and their connections to those they raise from the dead.
Having hunted down a rogue necromancer, the necromancer witch Phanora Kristoffel and her companions confront him in his estate. As the villain brags about his perverse achievements and his aims, we see Phanora become more disgusted with her query by the second. As she explains to the local law officer who has accompanied her, necromancers not only manipulate a person’s body but in doing so also condemn the soul to be lost from the cycle of reincarnation.
The eternal cost that the resurrected must pay is what fills Phanora with rage toward the unnamed necromancer. Raising a deceased individual is something that should only be done with the individual’s knowing consent. And even once the deed is done, the necromancer is responsible for the care and well-being of those they have restored. Her prey shows no such care. The chillingly cold wrath that Phanora bears throughout the climax of the episode leaves a tremendous impression.
The lasting mark the character leaves is reinforced thanks to the terrific visual design of the series. The runic scrawls that wrap around her limbs and cascade off her like water give an epic feel to her as she prepares to put an end to the necromancer’s twisted experiments.
But when Phanora isn’t dealing with the villain, the episode shifts tones swiftly, but skillfully, creating an instant aura of peace. When she speaks comfort to those hurt by the events of the episode, she seems almost unrecognizable from the wrathful monster that was previously seen. How voice actor Saori Hayami manages to balance all these tones within a single character is a tremendous showcase of range and skill.
3) Frieren: Beyond Jounery’s End Episode 26 – “The Height of Magic“
While Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is often most loved for its deep themes and slice-of-life moments, it holds nothing back when combat starts. Nowhere is this clearer in season one than when Fern and Frieren enter battle with a replica of the elven mage.
There is nothing one can ask for from the spectacle of this battle that isn’t present. Giant rock golems, huge gouts of flame, and what I’m fairly certain is even a miniature black hole are conjured in this epic battle. MADHOUSE brings it all to life with gorgeous animation, vibrant colors, and some first-class camera work that pulls the viewer into the midst of the battle. Accompanied by the suitably epic track “A Knife to the Throat,” the battle that stands at center stage would alone earn this episode a spot on this list. But this is Frieren, what would an episode be with world/character-building?
While the duo faces the gravest danger together, the rest of the test takers are forced to confront their own challenges, lest the two be caught off guard and killed by other attackers. While these tasks provide even more moments of excellently crafted combat, the narrative uses these threats as a means to flesh out the intricate magic system when the sociopathic mage Übel confronts the replica of the first-class mage Sense. The replica’s defeat is explained through an intriguing flashback that dives into the nuance of the show’s magic system. The complexities of what viewers learn about magic promise that battles in the series will never be determined simply by who is more powerful.
The sequence also cements Übel as an intriguing, if at times disturbing character. How she talks and the extraordinarily unique way her mind works ensures that she will be a character of note whenever she appears in the future.
2) My Hero Academia Episode 158 – “A Girl’s Ego“
Himiko Toga came into this season as one of the most loved villains in My Hero Academia. How her quirk made her different and how those differences drove her to resent the society that had so utterly rejected her made her motives sympathetic, even if her actions frequently crossed lines. With the recent death of her friend Twice, Toga’s emotional state is more compromised than ever. As she sets out to unleash her own Sad Man Parade thanks to a vial of Twice’s blood, Toga is chased down by one hero who refuses to see her as an irredeemable villain, Ochako Uraraka.
The lengths that Uraraka goes to try to save Toga from her the inevitable conclusion her rage will lead her to brings about one of the most heartbreaking moments of the series. As Toga is finally confronted by someone who is not only willing to accept her without judgment, she even finds that Uraraka is willing to give her blood to help Toga manage her quirk.
The actions that Uraraka takes to save Toga would be powerful enough on their own to see to it no dry eyes are watching this episode. But when they are juxtaposed with the cruelty that Toga’s parents inflicted on her in their efforts to make her “normal” they take on an entirely new depth. When the traumas of the past come clashing with the present, Toga can push beyond her past hurts to accept Uraraka’s compassion. Unfortunately, this moment only comes after Uraraka has suffered a life-threatening stab wound.
Bringing the pain of Toga’s past and the beauty of Uraraka’s desire to help her together, Toga resolves to save Uraraka by giving her blood. All of her blood. Too weak to stop her, Uraraka can only lie there as Toga gives her life for her. As Toga slips away, all that is left is to wonder what could’ve been if someone as accepting as Urarkara had shown up sooner.
1) Dan Da Dan Episode 7 – “To a Kinder World“
What starts with an exciting race against a murderous yokai named Acro Silky changes drastically when Aira, the child sought after by the spirit is killed. Wishing to undo its actions, the spirit offers her aura to restore Aira’s life. When Momo provides the conduit for the energy to flow, both she and Aira witness the spirit’s tragic life and how she came to be connected to Aira.
To say that Acro Silky’s past is brutal to wash is an understatement. The story of a mother who is doing everything she can to provide a happy life for her daughter only to have it all ripped away from her is executed in a way that can only be described as cinematic perfection.
As the story plays out, soft music accompanies the mother’s time with her beloved child. Dance lessons and birthdays are brought to life with stunning camera work and smooth animation. Although the viewer knows it is all going to go wrong, the moment is etched out with such warmth and power that they cannot help but become invested in the mother and child.
When it all does come crashing down, the animators at Science SARU embrace the violence as fully as they did the joy. When the mother is thrown through a glass door, a close-up sees shards of glass digg into her arms, leaving deep gauges that are soon spilling blood everywhere. These shots do not feel like shock material though. Rather, the wounds she sustains work to elevate the mother’s force of will, as all that is done to her doesn’t keep her from charging out of her apartment, desperate to catch up with her daughter, but to no avail.
As the mother bleeds out on a sidewalk, the sequence shifts to the woman, unharmed, as she begins a ballet dance. Silutetted by crisp starlight and accompanied by a perfect musical choice, the sorrow and mournful energy of the mother is beautifully conveyed through the dance.
The flashback ends with the spirit encountering a young Aira, who someone can see the yokai and mistakes it for her mother. This confuses Acro Silky, causing her to believe that Aira is the child she lost.
As the episode ends, the yokai is seen crumbling to dust. Turbo Granny states that since the spirit is leaving this world filled with regrets, it will cease to exist, and all will forget her. Challenging this cruel fate, we see Aira run to the crumbling ghost and hug her.
Calling her mommy, the young girl tells the spirit she loves her and that she made her the happiest person in the world. Trying to stand in for the lost child, Aira’s attempt to save the spirit’s place in creation caps off the episode with one final heartbreaking moment and provides a powerful finish to what many will undoubtedly call the most outstanding episode of anime this year, and possibly for many to come.
Here is our list of 10 best anime episodes of 2024. Thanks to these episodes and many others, anime fans have experienced a wealth of powerful stories this year. Here’s hoping that the oncoming seasons can live up to the bar they set.
