The Best Upcoming Fall Anime of 2024

Welcome to the wild world of anime in 2024, where titans finally fell, demons continue to be slain, and every other show seems to have someone stuck in a video game or reincarnated into something new.

It’s been a year packed with climaxes, cliffhangers, and comebacks—whether we wanted them or not. The anime landscape has never been more chaotic, with long-running series reaching their emotional conclusions, while a flood of cookie-cutter isekai tries to fill the gaps. But hey, who are we to complain when we’re still glued to our screens like it’s day one?

If you’re the type of fan who’s been around long enough to watch Naruto graduate to Boruto and still argue whether Attack on Titan is the best anime of all time, 2024 has given you a lot to chew on. So grab your popcorn (or Pocky, if you’re feeling shmancy) because we’re about to break down the state of anime in a year that’s been nothing short of explosive.

If 2024 has one thing going for it, it’s the absolute powerhouse of shows continuing this fall. We’ve got a mix of fan-favorite returns and long-awaited new seasons, and it’s giving anime fans a lot to get hyped about. Whether you’re here for intense soccer matches, demon-slaying priests, or slick animation with wild storylines, this season has it all.

Let’s break down some of the biggest returning hits:

The Season of Epic Comebacks

Blue Exorcist: Season 3 – Finally, Some Closure

After what felt like a lifetime of waiting, Blue Exorcist is finally back for its third season. Fans have been starved for more of Rin Okumura’s demon-slaying antics, and 2024 is the year we’re getting some much-needed closure (or at least the next step toward it). Season 3 picks up the Kyoto Impure King Arc, and let’s be honest—Blue Exorcist has always balanced an interesting world of supernatural chaos with some heart-pounding emotional moments.

For those who’ve been patiently waiting, this is the perfect time to dive back into the story. Blue Exorcist has always been a mix of action, demon lore, and heartfelt moments that pull at your emotions, and Season 3 is set to bring all that and more. Whether you’re here for the jaw-dropping battles or the character development (because Rin’s growth is everything), it’s going to be worth the wait.

Watch Blue Exorcist on Crunchyroll

Blue Lock Season 2: The Next Generation of Egoists

If you were hooked on Blue Lock Season 1, get ready, because Season 2 is bringing back that intense, adrenaline-pumping action that made it one of the breakout sports anime of recent years. Watching these soccer matches feels like a life-or-death situation—and honestly, the stakes might be even higher this season. The ego battles? Cranked up to eleven. The competition? Even fiercer. And, as if it couldn’t get more nostalgic, Blue Lock gives off those classic Prince of Tennis vibes, but with way more psychological warfare and way less chill.

This isn’t your typical “teamwork makes the dream work” sports anime. Blue Lock is all about survival of the fittest, and every episode feels like a knockout punch. Expect jaw-dropping goals, strategic mind games, and characters who are willing to crush their friends to become the best. If you’re into sports anime with a serious edge, Blue Lock Season 2 is going to be your jam.

Watch Blue Lock on Crunchyroll

Arcane Season 2: The Return of League of Legends’ Finest

It’s hard to talk about Arcane without gushing over its first season, which quite literally broke the internet. Riot Games managed to bring the League of Legends universe to life in a way that blew everyone’s minds—whether you’re a die-hard LoL player or not. The storytelling? Next-level. The animation? God-tier. And don’t even get me started on the soundtrack. Now, with Arcane Season 2 hitting in late 2024, fans are ready to dive back into the world of Piltover and Zaun.

Expect the same stunning animation style, complex character dynamics, and political intrigue that made Season 1 such a smash hit. Jinx and Vi’s fractured sisterhood, the rise of Viktor, and the undercurrent of revolution are all back and more intense than ever. If Season 2 is anything like the first, we’re in for another emotional rollercoaster, and we cannot wait.

Watch Arcane on Netflix

Solo Leveling Season 2: A January 2025 Powerhouse

Okay, technically this isn’t a 2024 fall anime, but with Solo Leveling Season 2 dropping in January 2025, it’s close enough and the hype is already building. Solo Leveling absolutely owned the anime scene when it first aired, bringing that slick, overpowered protagonist energy we all crave. Season 2 promises to up the ante, with Sung Jin-Woo becoming even more of a one-man army.

If you loved the first season’s mix of insane action scenes and Jin-Woo’s rise to godlike power, then Season 2 is going to be a blast. The world-building expands, the stakes get higher, and the dungeons are deadlier. It’s safe to say that Solo Leveling Season 2 is going to kick off 2025 in style.

Watch Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll

New Fall 2024 Anime: The Hype, The Nostalgia, and The Endless Milking of IPs

As the leaves start to fall, so do the new anime releases, and 2024 is stacking up to be one hell of a season. We’ve got some fresh faces, some old friends, and a few that make you go, “Really? They’re still going with this?” Let’s dive into what the fall lineup has in store with Dan Da Dan, Dragon Ball Daima, and the return of the Sword Art Online universe.

Dan Da Dan – October 3, 2024

Kicking things off is Dan Da Dan, the anime adaptation of the super-popular manga that blends sci-fi, supernatural, and rom-com elements into one wild ride. If you’ve been following the manga, you know it’s a trippy, fast-paced journey filled with aliens, psychic powers, and a whole lot of weirdness—and honestly, that’s why it’s so hyped. People have been clamoring for an adaptation since the manga first blew up, and now it’s finally here.

The series centers around two unlikely friends: Momo, who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and Okarun, who believes in aliens but not ghosts. Their worlds collide in ways neither of them expected when they encounter both ghosts and aliens in their small town. What follows is a blend of action, humor, and heart that makes Dan Da Dan a standout in this season’s lineup.

The animation quality looks stellar, and if the pacing stays true to the manga, this could easily be one of those must-watch anime that everyone’s talking about. The hype is real, and for good reason—Dan Da Dan is about to deliver a fresh, quirky experience unlike anything else on the fall slate.

Watch Dan Da Dan on Netflix

Dragon Ball Daima – October 11, 2024

Now, let’s talk Dragon Ball Daima. This one’s got the Dragon Ball fandom buzzing, but let’s be honest here—it’s giving off major Dragon Ball GT vibes, and not in a good way. Daima is essentially taking the gang we know and love and—wait for it—turning them back into kids. Yeah, we’ve seen this plot before in GT, and it didn’t exactly stick the landing. So, here we are again, in the year 2024, wondering why we’re rehashing the same old trope.

Look, Dragon Ball is Dragon Ball, and there’s no denying that the fandom is gonna show up for it, no matter how many times Goku turns into a child or how many times we’re introduced to a new (but sort of familiar) villain. But there’s an eerie sense of deja vu with Daima, like we’ve been down this road before, and we’re not entirely sure why we’re going back…

That said, Dragon Ball is a franchise that knows how to deliver action and fanservice, so even if the story feels like a GT rerun, it’ll still be packed with flashy fights, Saiyan transformations, and nostalgia for long-time fans. But if you’re hoping for something groundbreaking or revolutionary?

Keep those expectations in check.

This one’s for the ride-or-die Dragon Ball fans who can’t resist the pull of the franchise—even if it’s dragging us back into kid-form, chibi chaos.

Read About Dragon Ball Daima Release on Crunchyroll

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II – October 4, 2024

And then there’s Sword Art Online—a series that’s about as persistent as Kirito surviving yet another life-threatening situation. I’ll say this right off the bat: SAO should have gracefully ended after the masterpiece that was season 1. That first arc? Chef’s kiss. The tension, the stakes, the mystery—it was all peak anime. But instead of going out on top, the SAO franchise decided to keep on trucking, and here we are, with Gun Gale Online II trying to keep the dream alive.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Gun Gale has its moments, and SAO fans will no doubt appreciate the return to the bullet-riddled world of this VRMMO. But at this point, it feels like the series is just milking the IP for all it’s worth. The magic of that first season has long since faded, and while I ended up enjoying the other seasons (for the most part), they never quite recaptured the magic that made SAO such a phenomenon in the first place.

Gun Gale Online II looks like it’s going to continue that trend, focusing on more high-octane action, sniping duels, and tactical gameplay. If you’re here for the cool guns, over-the-top battles, and VR escapism, it’ll probably scratch that itch. But for those of us still holding onto the hope of SAO returning to its former glory? Yeah… not happening.

Watch Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online on Crunchyroll

Upcoming Anime Movies

Attack on Titan: The Last Attack – November 8, 2024 (Japan)

If Attack on Titan has mastered anything beyond making us cry over our favorite characters, it’s making “final” sound like the least final thing ever. Remember when they announced the “Final Season”? Yeah, that was back in 2020, and since then, we’ve gotten a two-part “final” season, multiple “final” episodes, and now, a Final Final movie that’s really super-duper final. Seriously, if we slap the word “final” on this thing one more time, it might just loop back around and start all over again.

So here we are—Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, which is basically the last four episodes of the show cut together into a “movie.”

But you know what?

I’m still going to watch it.

Why? Because despite all the endless “finality” jokes, Attack on Titan is just that epic. From its mind-blowing plot twists to jaw-dropping animation, it’s a show that hooks you in and refuses to let go. Whether you’re here for the spine-chilling Titan battles or just want to see how far Eren Yeager’s madness goes, this movie (or glorified compilation, really) is still going to hit hard.

But hey, if I have to hear the word “final” one more time, I might just turn into a Titan myself. Here’s hoping this really is the end—or, you know, the “final” final end… for realsies this time.

Read About Attack on Titan: The Last Attack on Crunchyroll

My Hero Academia: You’re Next – October 11, 2024

While Attack on Titan tries to figure out what “final” means, My Hero Academia is just here to give us another round of high-octane action. My Hero Academia: You’re Next is set to hit theaters on October 11, 2024, and if past MHA movies are anything to go by, this one’s going to be packed with intense battles, emotional stakes, and even more over-the-top hero moments.

Deku and the crew are in for another showdown, and this time, it looks like things are going to get personal. MHA has always been great at balancing hope and despair, and You’re Next is sure to take those themes to new heights. Expect stunning animation, some fresh villains, and plenty of feel-good (or feel-bad) moments as our heroes face their toughest challenges yet.

Read About My Hero Academia: You’re Next on Crunchyroll

2024 Updates on the OG “Big Three”: Bleach, One Piece, and Naruto/Boruto

The year 2024 has been a mix of nostalgia and frustration for fans of the “Big Three”—those legendary anime series that shaped an entire generation. We’re talking about Bleach, One Piece, and Naruto/Boruto. Whether you’ve been catching up on the Thousand Year Blood War, still following Luffy’s adventures, or waiting (and waiting) for the Naruto-Verse to finally give us something—there’s a lot to say about where these once heavy hitters are at now.

Bleach: The Thousand Year Blood War Continues… Slowly

Bleach is finally, finally continuing its long-awaited Thousand Year Blood War arc in 2024, which is both exciting and—let’s be honest—a little infuriating. Look, we’ve been waiting for over 10 years to see this storyline animated, and now that we’re finally getting it, it’s frustrating to see how long it’s taking to release episodes. The long hiatuses between releases are giving me serious filler-arc flashbacks, and anyone who survived the Bleach Hueco Mundo filler wars knows how brutal that wait can be. Remember when we got 40+ episodes of filler, and we just had to grin and bear it?

It’s wild to think that they’ve had over a decade to finish the production on this arc, but we’re still getting these long breaks in 2024. Like, what were they doing all that time? Despite the drawn-out schedule, I can’t deny that the Thousand Year Blood War arc has delivered on the action, animation, and fanservice we’ve been craving. We’re finally seeing some of the most epic hidden Bankais, and the power scaling has never been more intense. Even if the pacing is driving us all insane, the payoff is worth it for those long-time fans who’ve stuck around. We’re in it for the long haul, so buckle up—Bleach may keep us waiting, but the conclusion is going to be fire.

Check Out the Thousand-Year Blood War on Hulu

One Piece: Post-Wano and New Content

If Bleach is testing our patience, One Piece is giving us whiplash in the best way possible. Fresh off the high-energy insanity of the Wano arc, One Piece is back with new content, and let me tell you—it’s not holding back. The introduction of Imu sitting on the Empty Throne has officially kicked the plot into overdrive, and things are getting wild.

The Wano arc was a beast of its own, with incredible battles, major character developments, and some of the best pacing we’ve seen in recent One Piece history. Now that we’ve wrapped that up, it feels like the show is finally peeling back some of the biggest mysteries of the series. Imu’s reveal has been teased for what feels like forever, and now we’re seeing the implications of this hidden puppet-master pulling the strings behind the World Government.

With new twists, insane power-ups, and the ongoing search for the One Piece treasure, Luffy’s journey feels more exhilarating than ever. One Piece is in a very exciting place right now—there’s so much left to uncover, and every new episode feels like a step closer to the truth we’ve all been dying to know. If you’re not keeping up with this new era of One Piece, you’re missing out. It’s only getting better.

Watch One Piece on Crunchyroll

Naruto/Boruto: When Will We Get New Content?

And then we have Naruto/Boruto… sigh.

What can we even say about this? As of 2024, there haven’t been any new episodes since March 2023, and the silence is deafening. We’re stuck in limbo with no clear indication of when—or if—we’re going to get more. The original Naruto series was a cultural juggernaut, but Boruto hasn’t had quite the same grip on the fandom. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great moments in Boruto, but the pacing, filler arcs, and uneven storylines have made it hard for even the most dedicated fans to stay engaged.

The lack of closure is frustrating. It feels like we’ve been left hanging with so much unresolved, and at this point, we’re all just waiting for some kind of update to give us hope. Maybe the break is giving them time to rethink things and come back stronger, but right now? It’s looking bleak. We’re craving that next chapter, and the sooner they can give us something to work with, the better. Until then, we’ll be stuck rewatching old episodes (Gaara vs. Sasuku, I’m looking at you) and waiting for news.

Watch Boruto on Crunchyroll

The OGs in 2024: Still Legendary, Still Frustrating

The Big Three have been with us for years, and even in 2024, they’re still delivering… just at different paces. Bleach is making us wait (again), One Piece is firing on all cylinders, and Naruto/Boruto is stuck in a content desert. But hey, these are the series that defined anime for so many of us, and no matter how slow or inconsistent the updates may be, we’re all going to keep coming back for more.

It’s the power of nostalgia and the promise of seeing these legendary stories reach their epic conclusions—or at least we hope so.

And that’s a wrap, folks.

2024’s anime scene has been a rollercoaster of emotions—whether it’s wrapping up decade-long stories, hyping up new seasons, or begrudgingly revisiting old tropes (we’re looking at you, Dragon Ball Daima). But hey, that’s what we live for, right? The highs, the lows, the endless supply of reincarnations and overpowered protagonists. It’s been a wild ride, and it’s only getting wilder.

So whether you’re binging the latest episodes or diving into the nostalgia well for a rewatch, just remember: anime may be chaotic and messy, but it’s always there, ready to blow our minds—or at least give us something to talk about.

Stay tuned, stay hyped, and we’ll see you on the other side of the next plot twist.