It’s that time of the year again. The time for resolutions that will go unfulfilled. For no new movies to come out. For staying inside with a nice cup of cocoa, bundled up against the cold.
Most importantly of all: time for a new season of anime!
Let’s start off with the sequels:
- Classroom of the Elite Season 3
- Tsukimichi Moonlit Fantasy Season 2
- Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2
- The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
- Blue Exorcist Season 3
There are more, but those are the ones I’m primarily interested in. As much as I’d like to, I can’t keep up with every ongoing series. Believe me. I tried.
Now then, let’s have a look at what’s new and interesting!
Solo Leveling
Written by Chugong, Animated by A-1 Pictures
This seems to be the hot new show this season. I’ve seen the hype trains kicking into gear all across the internet. Me? I’ve never even heard of this. Let’s see what all the excitement is about.
The Gate connects the human world with the world of monsters. In order to combat the threat, humans were given superhuman abilities; those that use these to fight monsters are Hunters. Our protagonist, Sun Jin-Woo, is known as the weakest Hunter around, but he keeps hunting to pay for his mother’s medical bills.
It’s your typical underdog anime story. Main hero is a weak loser until he gets a special thing that will make him the strongest around, you know the drill. At least here, he isn’t handed godly strength on a silver platter; he’s got to work for it, and the work he needs to do is nothing short of brutal.
The atmosphere is also really intriguing. The Gate itself is super creepy, making for a strong visual. And the monsters are all pretty cool.
Still, promising as this show is, I don’t think I fully understand the hype. But I’ll keep an eye on it. Maybe it’ll surprise me by the end, who knows?
Delicious in Dungeon
Written by Ryoko Kui, Animated by Studio Trigger
In my Frieren review, I asked for more fantasy anime. And here we are. Truly, I am blessed.
A guild of adventurers dive into a dangerous labyrinth in search of great treasure. But when one of their party is lost, they must rush to save them. To do so, they must break a taboo of the world: eating monsters.
From a premise like that, you’d think the show would be dark, depressing, and grim. But not so. It’s actually really bright, goofy, and just plain fun.
It’s an interesting direction to take a standard anime fantasy plot. Think “Is It Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon” combined with “Kitchen Nightmares” and you’ve got the gist of it. This show dares to ask the question buried deep in everyone’s mind: “What would a dragon taste like?” It’s an angle most fantasy stories avoid, which makes it so much more interesting to me.
Also the blonde elf is really cute and funny. Not even an episode in and she’s already a meme. I’ll call that a good sign.
Speaking of signs:
A Sign of Affection
Written by suu Morishita, Animated by Ajia-do Animation Works
Holy shit, this one is so cute!
Yuki Itose is a university student with a hearing impediment. One day, she runs across Itsuomi Nagi, a multilingual traveler and a friend of a friend. The two hit it off, sparks fly, romance ensues, etc.
This show should come with a diabetes warning, it’s so sweet! It’s like a significantly less depressing take on “A Silent Voice” and I love it! Sure, it isn’t complicated; the actual narrative is your standard romcom anime plot. But it does it brilliantly!
Honestly, I don’t really have much of a reason to enjoy this show. It’s just delightful. And for me, that’s enough.
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
Written by Kurokata Kurotaka, Animated by Studio Add and Shin-Ei Animation
And now it’s time for our serving of isekai nonsense.
Ken Usato is perfectly ordinary in every way, unlike his friends in the Student Council. When they end up getting pulled into another world, Ken gets sucked along with them! Here, he discovers his hidden talent for healing magic. But that hidden talent might just bring the wrong kind of attention.
That’s at least an interesting take on your isekai formula. An isekai hero who was never meant to be isekaied sounds like it could be fun! I only wish the author went further with it and made a full on comedy about a normal person getting dragged along for their friends’ ridiculous power fantasy nonsense.
Even so, what we have here is an idea with potential. Will it rise above the usual isekai bar? Probably not. But I’m always open to be surprised. If nothing else, it’ll be another bit of dumb fun.
I just enjoy trash, alright? I’m like an anime raccoon!
Conclusion
2024 anime is off to a great start. Between the new and returning shows, I doubt anyone will be found wanting for good viewing material for the next few months. I’ve barely even scratched the surface of what’s on offer!
So, before we go, let’s have a look at some honorable mentions:
- Chained Soldier
- Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable
- The Witch and the Beast
- Metallic Rouge
- Ishura
- The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
- Fluffy Paradise
If any of these prove worth watching, let me know and I’ll check ’em out!
Or don’t. You do you. As far as you’re concerned, I’m just words on a screen, I can’t control your life.
Jonah's Books & Rants 
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