Top 10 Most Popular Anime of 2024 as Ranked by MyAnimeList

Year 2024 was a great year for the anime industry with a lot of shows to appeal to fans worldwide. There were isekai adventures that took us to magical worlds and school dramas that looked at the highs and lows of youth and friendship, the variety of series released was nothing short of remarkable. According to MyAnimeList, a site for anime fans, the most watched anime of the year were great in story and animation. Each show grabbed our attention with the story and showcased the artistic skills and creativity that anime is known for and kept us entertained all year round.

Oshi No Ko

“Oshi No Ko” kept its hold on viewers throughout 2024 with 397,000 views. This series has a one of a kind story about a doctor and his former patient who after their untimely deaths find themselves reincarnated as twins born to a Japanese pop idol. As the story goes on the twins navigate the treacherous waters of the entertainment industry and explore themes of child stardom, the pressures of fame and family relationships.

The characters are well written with flaws and vulnerabilities that we can relate to. And the plot is full of twists and intense moments so it’s never boring and thought provoking. This combination of character driven story and themes is a must watch for people who like stories that get into the human side of things.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle: Magic and Muscles went big in 2024 with 404,000 views and got compared to the beloved Harry Potter series. The story takes place in a magic academy and follows Mash Burnedead, a young guy who stands out in a world where magic is everything. Unlike his classmates, Mash uses his impressive physical strength instead of magic to face the challenges of this magical setting.

The series really shines during the Divine Visionary Exam arc where students from top magic schools compete. This part is full of exciting fights and mixes humor with action, you won’t be bored. Mash’s way of overcoming obstacles is unique and he’s a relatable and lovable main character. His determination and strength can be felt by the audience, that’s why you can connect with his journey in a world where magic is valued more than physical strength. This idea and the fun storytelling makes Mashle: Magic and Muscles a standout anime.

Delicious in Dungeon

With 419k views, "Delicious in Dungeon" (aka "Dungeon Meshi") is a fresh take on the fantasy genre. After losing a team member to a dragon, the brave adventurers go on a crazy mission to rescue her in a dungeon. What makes this series special is how they deal with challenges; as they go through the dangerous dungeon, they cook and eat the monsters they meet along the way.

This adventure, comedy, cooking mix is a lot of fun. The series is full of funny moments and heartwarming interactions between the characters, showing their friendship and cleverness in tough situations. The cooking parts add a creative twist to the story and will appeal to both fantasy and food fans. As they try out different recipes and ingredients from the monsters, you get a great mix of action and cooking throughout the series.

Classroom of the Elite

Classroom of the Elite Season 3 got 434,000 viewers in 2024 and goes even deeper into the intense and overwhelming pressure students face in a competitive school. The story is around Kiyotaka Ayanokouji from Class D as he navigates the complex social dynamics of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School. This school is not just a place of learning, it’s a battlefield where students are pitted against each other to be the best academically and socially.

The anime explores deep themes like societal pressure and the psychological toll of chasing success. It’s a good watch for those who love deep character development and social commentary as it makes you think about the cost of ambition in a high stakes environment.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

“Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” Season 2 got pretty popular with around 449,000 views. This Isekai series is loved by many and follows Rudeus Greyrat, a man who gets a second shot at life in a magical world after a sad ending to his previous life.

The story is about his journey of redemption and self improvement as he learns to live his new life and make meaningful connections. Rudeus has battles and magic spells but also his emotions as he faces his past and try to improve himself. The series balances sadness and victory well and connect with the audience and stand out in the Isekai genre.

KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World

KonoSuba is back for its 3rd season and has 463,000 views! Kazuma Satou is a young man who meets a ridiculous and embarrassing fate only to be reborn in a fantasy world. In this new world he teams up with the goddess Aqua who is lovable and frustrating and a bunch of other weirdos. They go on silly adventures and it’s just fun and lighthearted and the characters are cute and relatable. KonoSuba is a favorite of isekai fans because it’s a nice change of pace from all the serious and dramatic stories in the genre. It’s a fun watch for everyone.

Kaiju No. 8

“Kaiju No. 8” debuted in April 2024 and got over 520,000 views in no time. The story is about Kafka Hibino, a young man who wants to join the military but fails the entrance exam. Instead of fighting on the front lines, Kafka becomes a kaiju cleaner, cleaning up after the big kaiju battles that wreak havoc in Japan. Everything changes for him when a kaiju parasite enters his body and gives him superpowers to fight back the monsters that are threatening his country. The anime has won fans over with its action scenes and an interesting story that mixes action and monster, it’s a fan favorite

Dandadan

Dandadan is a fan favorite with 541,000 views since October 2024. This comedy anime has ghosts, aliens and supernatural stuff and follows the misadventures of Okarun and Momo as they navigate their weird and wacky world. The humor in "Dandadan" is quirky and sometimes cringey and is for people who like unusual stories that break the mold. With a fun cast and plot twists that will keep you guessing "Dandadan" has become one of the best of the year and is charming all sorts of people with its weirdness.

Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer is still super popular in the anime community with the Hashira Training Arc getting 566,000 views in 2024. This arc goes into the lives and backstories of the characters we love and show their tough training as they prepare for the battles to come. The series is known for it’s amazing animation that makes the action scenes and emotional moments pop, it’s a visual treat. With it’s personal storytelling that connects with people on a personal level Demon Slayer is a must watch for old fans and new fans just starting out to get into the story and world.

Solo Leveling

First is Solo Leveling with 812,000 views since it’s release in January 2024. Based on the popular webtoon, the anime follows Sung Jinwoo, a low level hunter who’s struggling to survive in a world full of monsters and tough enemies. His life changes when he gets chosen by a mysterious system that gives him powers beyond his wildest dreams and allows him to level up in ways he never thought possible.

As he becomes one of the strongest in his world viewers get to see him in epic battles showing off his new powers and important character growth that adds depth to his story. The hype around its release and the great animation that brings the story to life has made "Solo Leveling" a phenomenon, winning the hearts and minds of anime fans worldwide.

Final Thoughts

2024 was a great year for anime, with so many different genres and storytelling styles that really resonated with the audience. There were shows that were emotional dramas that touched people’s hearts and action packed adventures that had everyone on the edge of their seat. Each of the top 10 shows grabbed fans’ attention with their individual stories and helped shape the future of anime, leaving a lasting impact that will be remembered for a long time. The different themes and styles of these shows prove that anime is getting more creative and more artistic, 2024 was a good year for fans.