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Burkely’s Top Thirty Anime TV Shows of 2024 [Part 1]

In 2023, I listed my top ten (Western) animated series and top twenty anime. Most series are new, but some are holdovers from 2023, like Oshi No Ko. The other series noted in this post, are: My Deer Friend Nokotan!, Pon No Michi, Acro Trip, Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Narenare: Cheer for You!, Mayonaka Punch!, Wonderful PreCure!, Metallic Rouge, Beloved Zako Streamer, Senpai is an Otokonoko, and Train to the End of the World. I also included some series not presently airing, which I watched, like Spice and Wolf, Bofuri, and Cowboy Bebop. There will be spoilers for each series featured.

I wanted the list to be a round number, increasing it from twenty at the beginning of the year to thirty by the end of the year. As a warning, this post will discuss trauma, suicide, blood, death, nudity, and other mature topics. When I mention Disney+, I mean when it is bundled with Hulu, during subscription payments. This is the first post of two. This post will cover list items 16-30, and the next one will cover items 1-15.

30. My Deer Friend Nokotan!– Streaming on Crunchyroll and Prime Video

In July 2024, a number of new series premiered. One was this slice-of-life anime. The production values were low, even more than the production issues with the Whisper Me a Love Song anime, or I’m in Love with the Villainess anime adaptation. Based on Oshioshio’s manga, which has five volumes at present, My Deer Friend Nokotan! is a fun and silly anime. It is so absurd at times that you ask yourself: what is even happening? While this can be a downside, at some points, at other points it is comedy gold.

This series has some yuri “crumbs” as some apt viewers have noted. More than that, the characters have chemistry with one another. This is clear from the interactions between Torako Koshi and a deer girl named Shikanoko. She notices that Torako is hiding her delinquent past while constructing a self-image as a beautiful and popular girl. Everyone else believes her projected self is “real.” Even more bizarre, no one but Torako believes anything about Shikanoko is wrong! The interactions between Torako and Shikanoko center the series and keep it going, despite any other issues between the characters.

After episode one, some accused Crunchyroll of using A.I.-generated subtitles. Some jumped ship on the series entirely following this claim. In later episodes, Shikanoko is attacked by a random assailant. She’s Koshi Anko, Torako’s little sister. She has a major sister complex (which made me cringe). Koshi and Shikanoko battle one another in a contest, answering personal questions about Torako, embarrassing her to no end, in an incomprehensible storyline. The later episodes feature live-action deer exhibiting behavior typical of their species, Koshi embarrassing herself, and introduction of Bashame, before the series ends.

29. Pon no Michi– Streaming on YouTube

This original Japanese anime, animated by OLM, premiered in January 2024. A manga adaptation, by Tsukasa Unohana, began its run in September 2023. The possible yuri themes, and sharing some qualities with Birdie Wing, drew me to this mahjong-centered series. I know even less about mahjong than golf, but this series makes it exciting to watch. Other series have also featured this game. The mediocre, badly-executed (especially the final three episodes), and ableistic The Day I Became a God also had mahjong games in the fourth and tenth episodes.

Some Pon No Michi episodes are food-centered (see episodes three and four). This slice-of-life nature sometimes resembles Laid-Back Camp. The fifth episode introduced a new character, Haneru Emi (Hibiku Yamamura). She demands to play Riche Hayashi (voiced by Yui Kondou) in mahjong. At first, this series could only be watched on less-than-legal sites or illegal YouTube uploads. This resulted in no coverage from Anime Feminist and little coverage on Anime News Network with some exceptions (see here and here). This changed on March 1st, when Animation Digital Network began streaming the series on YouTube.

Pon no Michi centers on Nashiko Jippensha (voiced by Kaori Maeda), who brings her friends Pai Kawahigashi (voiced by Iori Saeki) and Izumi Tokutomi (voiced by Shion Wakayama) into an abandoned game parlor owned by her dad. They play mahjong together, even having dreams about it. In the process, she meets Riche Hayashi, Haneru, and a magical talking bird named “Chonbo” (voiced by Akio Otsuka) after a game penalty. The talent of these voice actors, the animation studio, and music come together with a nice vibe between five female friends. It was a great way to begin 2024. Although this series only has twelve episodes, it sets the stage for more.

28. Spice and Wolf– Streaming on Disney+ (season 1) and Crunchyroll

This anime mixes adventure, romance, and fantasy. It’s based on Isuna Hasekura’s light novel series. Although there was a recent reboot, I decided to watch the original instead, which ran from January 2008 to September 2009. It has twenty-four episodes and two OVAs. Series director Takeo Takahashi, who directed the reboot/revival, also co-directed Wasteful Days of High School Girls and the controversial Citrus anime adaptation. Japanese animation studio Imagin produced the first season. Brain’s Base and Marvy Jack produced the second season. Both are known for series like Penguindrum, Anonymous Noise, and The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases.

The first season centers around Kraft Lawrence (voiced by Jun Fukuyama), a traveling merchant. He tries to raise start-up money for his own business and comes across Holo (voiced by Ami Koshimizu), a majestic wolf-diety. She takes the form of a girl aged 15-17. Both use their knowledge and cunning nature (in the case of Holo) to secure good deals. She travels with him, aiming to return home. Her real form attracts unnecessary attention from religious figures. During their travels, Lawrence and Holo grow romantically closer. In fact, he gets annoyed when other men flirt with her. Holo is similar. She is especially annoyed when a wandering shepherd named Norah Arendt (voiced by Mai Nakahara) flirts with him.

In the second season, their journey to Holo’s homeland (Yoitz) continues. A rift between Lawrence and Holo develops. She visualizes his death and remains jealous of Norah. The season introduces merchant Fermi Amati (voiced by Saeko Chiba), storyteller-of-sorts Gi Batos (voiced by Susumu Akagi), part-bird woman Dian “Diana” Rubens (voiced by Akeno Watanabe) who lives in the town slums, and merchant-helper (for Marc Cole) Eu Landt. Things get complicated when Fermi attempts to marry Holo, causing Lawrence to get involved in this contract dispute. Later on, he wins back Holo, Fermi is ruined, and they go to another town. While there, they interact with mysterious female merchant Eve Bolan (voiced by Romi Park). The series ends with Lawrence and Holo continuing their journey, together.

27. Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense– Streaming on Disney+

This anime, also known as Bofuri and I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’d Like to Maximize My Defensive Power, adapts Yuumikan’s light novel of the same name. I’ve watched many video game adaptations, but this one begins differently. It centers on Kaede Honjō, who takes on the name of “Maple” in the fantasy game of Brave World Online. Kaede emphasizes her defense above anything anything else. She’s later joined by her friend Risa Shiromine who uses the name “Sally” in the game.

I agree with Anime Feminist that this series “holds up better than a lot of its peers,” and has no “life-or-death consequences.” Even if other series on this list are stronger, this series still deserves to be here. After all, it has a nice story and animation. The series accepts different styles of play. Maple wants to kill cute monsters (often with spells or shields), while Sally goes through it more traditionally. This series focuses on friendship between the female cast members and has little fan service.

The show’s likable characters play off one another, forming “satisfying friendships…through [their] online interaction.” Bofuri’s dub cast is great, especially Megan Shipman as Maple, Jad Saxton as Sally, and Caitlin Glass as Iz. Shipman voiced the dubbed versions of: Yuzu Aihara (Citrus), Aoba Suzukaze (New Game!), Sakura Adachi (Adachi and Shimamura), Komichi Akebi (Akebi’s Sailor Uniform), and Anya Forger (Spy × Family). Saxton dubbed Chika Takami in Love Live! Sunshine!!, Haru in My Roommate is a Cat, and Chika Fujiwara in Kaguka-Sama. Glass voiced Haruhi Fujioka in the Ouran High School Host Club dub, Fengxian in The Apothecary Diaries dub, and Willow Schnee in RWBY. The series has an impressive dub cast overall.

26. Acro Trip– Streaming on Crunchyroll

This magical girl comedy anime adapts Yone Sawata’s manga of the same name. Voil produced the series, with Ayumu Kotake as director, Shinichi Inotsume as writer, and music by Technoboys Pulcraft Green-Fund. The series begins with the protagonist Date Chizuko (voiced by Miku Itō) spending a week at her grandpa’s place in Naniga City. She comes across a magical girl named Berry Blossom/Kaju Noichigo (voiced by Inori Minase) fighting a villain named Chrome (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki). Her excitement later turns her into an “intense fan” of Berry. Chrome sadistically loves being beaten by Berry. He tries to convince her to join Fossa Magna, an evil organization fighting Berry, but she runs away.

In later episodes, she debates whether to join Fossa Magna and is held hostage, by an armed robber, with Chrome. He brings her to the secret Fossa Magna base. She agrees to sign a magic contract. It’s later revealed that the evil base is under her grandpa’s house! This absurdity carries on throughout the series. Date bonds with the Kuma Kaijins and transforms into an (evil) magical girl. Chrome continues his silly plans and defeats another evil mastermind. Berry gets the wrong idea about Chrome (she thinks he has a crush on her). In an interesting twist, viewers learn that Chrome’s classmate (and coworker-of-sorts), Mashima, was transformed into Mashiro, and becomes Berry’s magical familiar.

Minase previously voiced Cure Parfait in Kirakira PreCure a la Mode, Chino Kafū in Is the Order a Rabbit?, Tapris Sugarbell Chisaki in Gabriel DropOut, and Mari Tamaki in A Place Further than the Universe. She also voiced Sophia Ascart in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Shia Foschurose in Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, Viola in The Duke of Death and His Maid, and Princess Syalis in Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle! [1] Beyond being the first anime adaptation of a shoujo magazine manga for seventeen years, character designer Toshie Kawamura previously worked on Smile PreCure!, Yes! PreCure 5, Hug! Pretty Cure, and other Pretty Cure series. 2024 featured many magical girl series, apart from this series, such as Wonderful PreCure! [#22], Magilumiere Co. Ltd [#25], and The Magical Girl and Evil Lieutenant Used To Be Archenemies [#15].

25. Magilumiere Co. Ltd.– Streaming on PrimeVideo

This anime adapts Sekka Iwati’s manga of the same name, which Yuu Aoki illustrates. Before this began airing, I read the first volume, one of the five English volumes currently available. Director Masahiro Hiraoka is known for his design work on Heartcatch PreCure!, Lapis Re:Lights, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story, Suite Precure, and Spy x Family cour 2. Script writer Singo Nigai composed ten Bofuri (#27) episodes, nine Girly Air Force episodes, and multiple New Hame and Somali and the Forest Spirit episodes.

This anime begins with the absurd notion of a magical girl start-up company. Kana Sakuragi (voiced by Fairouz Ai), a college graduate struggling to get a job, helps a magical girl named Hitomi Koshigaya (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori) defeat a creature known as a Kaii. In the process, she starts working at Magilumiere, the aforementioned company, along with Hitomi. She meets president Kouji Shigemoto (voiced by Rikiya Koyama) who dresses up like a magical girl, and magical engineer Kazuo Nikoyama (voiced by Daiki Yamashita). I liked how the series immediately throws you into the action. Kana slowly becomes more used to being a magical girl, with her opinion continually valued throughout the series.

Some voice actors, like Ai, Hanamori, and Chika Anzai, were familiar. Ai had voice roles in If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die (Eripiyo), Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure (Manatsu Natsuumi/Cure Summer), Shine Post (Remi Nashinoki), Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Ramona Flowers), and Mayonaka Punch (Live). Hanamori voiced characters in Laid-Back Camp (Nadeshiko Kagamihara), Otherside Picnic (Sorao Kamikoshi), Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure (Sango Suzumura/Cure Coral), Too Cute Crisis (Liza Luna), and Sorairo Utility (Izumi Akina). Anzai, who voices Mei Tsuchiba, prominently voiced characters in Sound! Euphonium (Reina Kōsaka), Lycoris Recoil (Chisato Nishikigi), Train to the End of the World (Shizuri Chikura), Whisper Me a Love Song (Hajime Amasawa), My Roommate Is a Cat (Nana Ōkami), O Maidens in Your Savage Season (Niina Sugawara), Mayonaka Punch (Kikka), Suicide Squiad Isekai (Katana), and Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night (Mion). Kikuko Inoue, who voices Miyako Asō, voiced characters in The Duke of Death and His Maid, Yurikuma Arashi, My Deer Friend Nokotan, Do It Yourself!!, and Komi Can’t Communicate (Shūko Komi).

24. Narenare: Cheer for You!– Streaming on Crunchyroll

This original coming-of-age sports series, also known as Na Nare Hana Nare and Nanare Hananare, centers on a group of high-school-age female cheerleaders. It’s produced by Japanese e-commerce company DMM.com and animated by P.A. Works. The latter anime studio is known for Canaan, Tari Tari, Shirobako, The Aquatope on White Sand, and Skip and Loafer. Apart from this series, the studio also produced Mayonaka Punch in 2024.

As noted last year, Miku Itō, who voiced protagonists in Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night and The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio, voices Megumi Kaionji. Before the series premiere, social media users noted that it featured a Japanese-Brazilian blond girl “who seems to like kissing other girls a little too much.” The fact that Koudai Kakimoto directed and wrote for the series hinted at yuri themes, considering Kakimoto previously directed BanG Dream! It’s My Go!!!!!. One show writer, Midori Goto, wrote scripts for the BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! and two BanG Dream! movies. Ayana Yuniko, a well-known yuri show writer, also wrote for the series. Yuri subtext is clear from interactions between protagonists, Kanata Misora and Megumi Kaionji, Obunai Suzuha and Shion Tanizaki.

Narenare begins with a cheerleading contest. Later scenes focus on Kanata’s visit to her friend Megumi (voiced by Miku Itō) who’s going through physical therapy, and cheerleading practice. The team tries to deal with absence of Kanata (voiced by Rika Nakagawa), whose traumatic cheerleading experience caused her to drop the sport. She comes across aforementioned skilled Japanese-Brazilian pushy student and musician Anna Aveiro Nakamura dos Santos Morella Cuccittini (voiced by Larissa Tago Takeda) and a gymnastic, and socially awkward, girl named Obunai. When Anna kisses Kanata on the cheek as a greeting, she is surprised. She later meets Nodoka Ōtani. In other episodes, there’s cheerleading tryouts, Kanata cheering for herself, and Shion admitting she has feelings for Obunai. The focus on the vinyl records store, and need to save it, in fourth and fifth episodes, reminded me of Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop. [2]

23. Mayonaka Punch!– Streaming on Crunchyroll

Some social media users hyped this comedy series, the second P.A. Works series to air in 2024 (the other is Narenare: Cheer for You!), due to the voice talent, story, and yuri subtext. This is no surprise. Ikumi Hasegawa (voiced Masaki in this series) voiced characters in series with direct or subtextual yuri themes, like Ikuyo Kita (Bocchi the Rock!), Mitori Tajima (Happy Sugar Life), Sorane Matsuyama (If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die), Koito (My Master Has No Tail), Kotoko Nogisaka (Ippon Again!), Shizuka (World Dai Star), Lene Aurousseau (I’m in Love with the Villainess), and Otome Sakuranamiki (The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio).

The first episode begins with a bang. This anime’s opening sequence showcases the characters’ chaotic energy. Masaki is fired from a popular MeTube channel and the two creators blame her entirely for her outburst. She starts her own channel. It fails after she’s consumed by negativity. She puts out a casting call, which fails spectacularly. Live (voiced by Fairouz Ai), a vampire who lives in a mansion with Ichiko (voiced by Yuina Itō), wakes up after twenty years after having a sexy dream. Ichiko has been racking up debt due to stock-trading. Live realizes the girl in her dream is Masaki. She wants to suck her blood. One night, she chases a wasted Masaki through an abandoned hospital and saves her after she accidentally falls.

Masaki tells Live that when they reach one million subscribers, she can make a “meal of her.” The latter has sexual and literal meaning like in This Monster Wants To Eat Me. In the second episode, Live flies Masaki to her place, occupied by previously mentioned jerk-off creators, Kikka (voiced by Chika Anzai) and Otomi (voiced by Reina Kondō). Masaki then travels to Banpai Manor where cute-loving Ichiko, Live, and shy Fū (voiced by Hina Yōmiya) reside. They make short videos to get subscribers. Yuki (voiced by Ai Kayano) mucks up the works. Live convinces Masaki, a twenty-something, to make videos with them without revealing their true forms, under the name “Mayonaka Punch.” Gambling-lover Tokage (voiced by Hitomi Ueda) first appears in episode three. In the fourth episode it’s revealed that Fū ran from an audition but her musical partner (Aya) passed away before she could see her again. She agrees to sing again and is helped by Aya’s spirit. [3]

22. Wonderful PreCure!– Streaming on Crunchyroll

At the beginning of 2024, I hoped there’d be a soft/fluffy anime to replace the warm-and-fuzzy feeling of iyashikei fantasy comedy Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear. I thought that Fluffy Paradise, an isekai, fulfilled this, but as it went on, I liked it less. Later, I changed my view to Wonderful PreCure! when it filled the time slot filled by Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure. It begins with Iroha’s dog, Komugi, transforming into a humanoid form. The ending song is fun. Although I’m not in the target audience, I enjoyed it all the same, even more than watching Disney series. After all, the importance of bonding with animals is a major theme of the series, setting it apart from others.

By the second episode, Iroha is unsure how to react to a talking sheep (Mey Mey) and Komugi, her rescue dog companion. The opening song is full of energy and has no voice distortion at all. Monsters in Wonderful PreCure are known as garugarus. Although Mey Mey declares they cannot tell anyone they are PreCures, Iroha isn’t sure about this and almost spills the secret to Satoru. Once affected by magic, Komugi can talk in human language. Mayu, and her rescue cat companion (Yuki) make the story that much richer. Iroha transforms into Cure Friendy in the second episode, allowing her to help Cure Wonderful/Komugi. The kind-hearted Satoru Toyama assists Iroha (who he’s crushing on) and the others with his knowledge.

Although some didn’t like that these PreCures hug animals rather than fighting them, there’s a reason for the hugging: they are rescuing the animals. Most that are freed from their out-of-control behaviors are brought to Niko Garden where they can live freely. Komugi and Iroha are friends. Mayu is socially awkward, but bonds with Iroha. She knows how close Mayu is to Yuki. Other episodes show that the garugaru are more than possessed animals. The series begins by focusing on Komugi and Iroha. Later it shifts to Mayu and Yuki, and their connections with one another. Yuki, in her cat and Cure Nyammy forms, is very protective of Mayu, whether as a human or as Cure Lillian. The last part of the series centers on the wolf named Gaou who vows to destroy humanity due to previous human efforts to wipe out his fellow wolf comrades in the past. It ends on January 26th of this year.

21. Metallic Rouge– Streaming on Crunchyroll

Metallic Rouge (also known as Metarikku Rūju) is an original mecha anime, produced by Bones. That company is known for Ouran High School Host Club (see list #13), Gosick, Space Dandy, and Carole & Tuesday. Show staff include Motonobu Hori as director, Yutaku Izubuchi as supervising director, Toshizo Nemoto as screenplay writer, Toshihiro Kawamoto as character designer, and three individuals (Taisei Iwasaki, Yuma Yamaguchi, and Towa Tei) as music composers. When I first heard about Metallic Rouge in 2023, I was excited from the get-go, since it has similar vibes to Lycoris Recoil, with yuri subtext between Rouge Redstar and Naomi Orthmann. I was not disappointed in this regard, even though the series begins abruptly.

I will always remember Metallic Rouge for badass characters including Rouge and Naomi. Even so, I wish that this series had treated them, and others, better. This is one of the reasons I did not rate this series higher. Regardless of how the series panned out in the end, it will surely live on in people’s minds, whether in memes, in fan fiction, or otherwise. The strongest parts of this series are it’s action, voice acting, and music, even as the plot faltered at times, apart from the focus on what it means to be “free.” Voice actors Yume Miyamoto and Tomoyo Kurosawa did a great job voicing Rouge and Naomi. After all, Miyamoto previously voiced Chi Nishikata in Teasing Girl Takagi-San and Kurosawa voiced Kumiko Ōmae in Sound! Euphonium, and Mitsumi Iwakura in Skip and Loafer!

All in all, if the series hadn’t been as condensed in thirteen episodes, the writing and story issues could have been better dealt with. As such, at its current length, everything is far too compact. In addition, I wish this series had fewer plot jumps and was more serialized. Such purposeful gaps in the story made it harder to understand, even when the characters were interesting. Furthermore, the focus on revolutionary ideals could have been more nuanced, instead of painting revolutionary thoughts as “wild” and “unrealistic.” Also, the weak yuri subtext could have easily become romantic without many changes to the story itself.

20. Beloved Zako Streamer– Streaming on YouTube

This series, produced independently by Naoya Ishikawa, known for Clone’s Light and Kuttsukiboshi (with some problematic themes mixed with yuri) is an indie anime produced by twenty people. It focuses on the relationship between two girls who get romantically closer to one another. The episodes release on the YouTube channel of Ishikawa’s company, Ishikawa Pro. At present, there are three episodes and four PVs. Originally there were no official English subtitles, meaning you had to use the “auto-translate” feature instead. Ishikawa noted in April 2024 that he was working to rectify this problem by creating subtitles, which he sucessfully did.

Beloved Zako Streamer, which can also be translated as My Beloved Zako Streamer-chan, My Beloved Zako Streamer or My beloved girlfriend is an unpopular youtuber, shows the strength of indie animation, even in anime. The series is made at a studio in the Japanese city of Sōka. Ishikawa also once made an animation named Docchi mo Maid, said to be “silly, stupid, with Yuri in it.” Hopefully other indie animators take some inspiration from it to create their own series. I like that masks are often worn by the characters, something I don’t see in many animations or anime, even though the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, reminding people that the virus is here to stay. I hope this series keeps moving forward in 2025.

19. Cowboy Bebop– Streaming on Crunchyroll and Disney+

Cowboy Bebop is a classic tech noir space western animated series directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. It features an “accidentally Jewish-coded” protagonist named Spike Spiegel (voiced by Kōichi Yamadera), who’s a bounty hunter along with Jet Black (voiced by Unshō Ishizuka). They are later joined by a woman named Faye Valentine (voiced by Megumi Hayashibara), a child named Edward (voiced by Aoi Tada), and a corgi named Ein (voiced by Yamadera). Spike doesn’t like connecting with others, but still has “moments of joy and comedy.” The music is one of the series’ best elements, connecting with a major plot theme: understanding your trauma. After all, Spike and Jet are emotional characters who have “complicated and conflicting motivations” throughout the series.

In watching this series, I was reminded of Space Dandy. It’s silly and has less social or political commentary than this series but Watanabe also directs it. Sure, Cowboy Bebop has its issues including Black and Latino characters leaning into stereotypes at times, taking inspiration from blaxploitation, and the very sexual nature of Faye’s character. At least there aren’t any transphobic characters like the unnecessary scene in an episode of Gargantia (seriously, that scene wasn’t needed). I haven’t watched Watanabe’s other series, apart from Carole & Tuesday, but this series stuck with me. Other people think the same. Cowboy Bebop served an ambassador-of-sorts, in the early 2000s, of anime for those in Western countries.

Not everyone liked the show’s ending. In my view, the final episode makes sense considering the episode that comes before it. Spike and Jet are drawn into a battle with the syndicate. While it’s heartbreaking to not see Faye, Spike, Jet, Edward, and Ein together, it’s great to see Faye return in the next-to-last episode. The same can be said when, in the final episode, Spike gets in a fight with the syndicate leader. Both kill one another, a fitting end to the series. The show’s voice actors have gone on to voice characters in Honey and Clover, Carole & Tuesday, Ranma ½, Kaleido Star, Library War, Gosick, Azumanga Daioh, Antique Bakery, Kageki Shojo!!, BNA: Brand New Animal, Outlaw Star, Tokyo Mew Mew, YuruYuri, Love After World Domination, Management of a Novice Alchemist, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and Spy × Family.

18. Oshi No Ko– Streaming on HIDIVE

Oshi No Ko season two was simulcast on HIDIVE, while the first season posted to Disney+ on July 1st. This series joined others from the formerly-mentioned streaming service, like Reincarnated as a Sword on July 3rd and Bloom Into You on July 15th. I wasn’t planning to add this series to this list, but with removal of VTuber Legend in early August from the list, I had to rework the list. Despite my issues with the focus on Aquamarine “Aqua” (voiced by Takeo Ōtsuka) in the first season, this season is completely different. It focuses on the clash between manga writers and screenwriters, something which plays out in the anime industry.

Powerfully, the season focuses on Aqua’s trauma, including seeing his mother (Ai) die in front of him, something unintentionally triggered by fellow actor Arima Kana (voiced by Megumi Han). There’s also competition between Kana and Akane for Aqua’s romantic affection. Ruby Hoshino (voiced by Yurie Igoma), who is Aqua’s sister, is consumed by a “combination of guilt and PTSD” from her past life. The play moves forward after the manga writer and screenwriter come to an understanding. Akane emotionally supports Aqua. They begin a real relationship in the season two finale. In that episode, Ruby begins going down a dark path, manipulated by mysterious girl, and loses her spark.

Akane says she will help him kill someone (he wants to kill the person who murdered his mother), even after Aqua warns her to not say it so casually. Ruby begins to get worried about Aqua, actors ruthlessly cut each other down, and Ruby shows bad judgment with men. Aqua learns his mother’s killer died a long time ago and is unsure of his life purpose. Akane realizes there is a loophole in his story, and is unsure how to handle it, without causing him to restart his revenge quest. Other scenes artfully combine the manga’s elements and make an amazing visual spectacle rarely unmatched by other series. That’s thanks to artists at Japanese studio Doga Kobo, known for YuruYuri and Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun.

17. Senpai is an Otokonoko– Streaming on Crunchyroll

When July rolled around, many series I had enjoyed had ended. I picked up a number of subpar series to watch, none of which qualified for a spot on this list. However, Senpai is an Otokonoko is different. Anime Feminist, in a micro-review of episodes 1-2, said that the series earnestly discusses gender dysphoria (and excitement) and pressures, but that framing the lead character, Hanaoka Makoto, through desire by his two friends, Aoi Saki and Ryuji, for him, makes for some uncomfortable scenes. Vrai Kaiser, in their review of episode one, rightly tagged the series with initially having a love interest who pushes boundaries and queerphobic/trans bullying, and noted possibly deeper meanings to Makoto.

Kaiser makes good points, including that visuals are nice, noting likely production problems, although not to the extent of Whisper Me a Love Song, and stating that the series has good intentions but clumsy execution. While those are valid points, the review is limited because it only reviews episode one. Later episodes explore the tension between Makoto’s school life and home life, the latter colored by the fact that his mother wants him to act a certain way: as a boy. She completely loses it when she sees something “girly,” causing him to almost throw everything away which allows him to dress as a girl at school. It’s revealed, later on, that she does this because her father crossdressed as a woman.

For Makota, he easily moves between being a “girl” and a “boy,” without any issue. It’s aligns with Judith Butler’s writings about gender. While Makoto feels comfortable dressed as a girl at school, he can easily dress as a boy and not feel nervous. It’s unsurprising he comes out as non-binary in the source material, according to Anime Feminist‘s aforementioned micro-review. Aoi and Ryuji give him the confidence he needs. The story develops interestingly: Aoi questions whether she truly loves Makoto or not (hinting she may be aromantic), while Ryuiji tries to hide his romantic feelings. In the fifth episode, Aoi breaks down after Ryuji admits he loves Makoto, although she does not feel the same toward Makoto. Ryuji recounts how he fell in love with Makoto and how he tried to stay ordinary. Makoto wrestles with his feelings for Ryuji. He then asks out Ryuji. This relationship does not last, as it’s clear Makoto doesn’t have feelings for Ryuji and is developing feelings for Aoi. Later Aoi tries to repair the relationship.

16. Train to the End of the World– Streaming on Crunchyroll

This series centers on strange occurrences in a rural town. Shizuru Chikura (voiced by Chika Anzai) is concerned about her friend Yōka Nakatomi (voiced by Nao Tōyama), who’s gone missing. She hops aboard a 2000-series train, after Neko rejects her request to go with her, to other settlements. She travels with three other girls: Akira Shinonome (voiced by Hina Kino), Reimi Kuga (voiced by Erisa Kuon) and Nadeshiko Hoshi (voiced by Azumi Waki). They travel through the world outside the rural town after learning Yoka is alive.

Although they are unsure they will come back in one piece, with unknown dangers awaiting them, they bond along the way, while traveling on the train. The series begins absurdly, with Yoko touching a “7G button” which messes up the world, in more ways than one. The art and animation are strong and the voice actors are talented. Some episodes have a more slice-of-life feel, including trying to outrun a huge wave. Others, like the third episode, go in a horror (comedy?) direction. I mentioned this yurish series in my July 2024 piece on yuri anime which aired in 2024, and cut down this entry as a result of that article.

 

Notes

[1] Itō previously voiced Hougetsu Shimamura in Adachi and Shimamura, Kokoro Tsurumaki in BanG Dream! [seasons 2-3], Kokkoro/Kokoro Natsume in Princess Connect! Re:Dive [seasons 1-2], Kukuru Misakino in The Aquatope on White Sand, Fatla in I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, Neko Kamimoku in Akebi’s Sailor Uniform, Katyusha Akae in Yurikuma Arashi, and Akina Kubo in Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible. In 2024, she also voiced Mahiru Kōzuki in Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, Megumi Kaionji in Narenare: Cheer for You!, and Yasumi Utatane/Yumiko Satō in The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio.

[2] I liked how Megumi “Megu” is a character with physical disabilities who is still an active participant in cheering (and activities) in general with the series accurately showing her struggles, including her attempts to start walking before she is ready, with Kanata remaining supportive of her no matter what, another indication of the show’s yuri subtext. At another point, Mari apologizes to the group, and Kanata more specifically, for posting a comment which led them to be flamed, and then joins the group. In the series finale, Kanata, along with three members of her school’s cheerleading team (including the captain) go to find Mari. They end up cheering for her, seeing her as part of the PomPoms family.

[3] Other episodes involve other hijinks, including Masaki bonding with her sister, Sakura, Yuki becoming a famed gaming streamer, Masaki getting overwhelmed by the hateful comments online, and being pranked by everyone else in MayoPan. As such, she is saved from “vampire hunters” by Live, but says her agreement to let Live eat her out is now null and void. However, Yuki later describes a “strong bond” between Masaki and Live, who met before, but Masaki doesn’t remember! They fly over the city together at the end. Live is grateful to Masaki (who says she will consider letting Live eat her out).

Burkely Hermann
Based in Baltimore, Burkely has been writing about pop culture since 2019, first on his own WordPress blogs and most recently on Pop Culture Maniacs. He enjoys watching current and past shows, especially animated series, and reading webcomics, then writing about them. Feel free to reach out to him on Twitter if you'd like some recommendations. When he isn't writing, watching animated series, or reading webcomics, Burkely enjoys swimming, editing Wikipedia pages, discovering more about his family history, and reading about archives, libraries, and political science, which he studied in undergraduate and graduate studies at two prestigious Maryland schools.
https://histhermann.wordpress.com/

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