5 Fall 2024 anime that exceeded all expectations (& 5 that immediately need to step up)

With the Fall 2024 anime season in its last stretch, it is that time of the year again when we see which anime from this season will become generational and some that might be forgotten before long. While titling the Fall 2024 anime season, the season of sequels might not be too far-fetched, the anime season also gave fandom some new anime that surpassed every expectation.

However, while there were roses, there were also some thorns (some even the sharpest). So, in this article, we will analyze the overall popularity of each anime series from the Fall 2024 anime season.

For optimal analysis, these ratings were taken from one of the biggest anime databases, MyAnimeList. However, a unique thing about this season was the overall popularity ranking, which was pretty ambitious. So, in addition to the popularity ranking, the performance of these anime from the Fall 2024 anime season was also considered.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this article solely belong to the author.

Blue Box and 4 other Fall 2024 anime that exceeded all expectations

1) Dandadan

Okarun as seen in the anime (Image via Science SARU)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
4	1

Perhaps the spotlight of the Fall 2024 anime Season, Dandadan, was one of the most awaited anime adaptations. While there was no doubt that the series would satisfy every carving of the series' fans, the only questionable factor was the performance of its animation studio, Science SARU (as the studio's previous series featured a unique animation style that was a hit-or-miss).

As the fans have already witnessed, the series soon became a phenomenon and was declared the best anime from Science SARU. While the anime's color choices might still be one of the biggest controversies, Dandadan might be the best series from the Fall 2024 anime lineup. The series followed the story of two high schoolers whose belief in the occult soon turned real.

2) Bleach Thousand Year Blood War Part 3 - The Conflict

Yhwach as seen in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Popularity Ranking in the Start	Popularity Ranking in the Middle
7	5

One of the most awaited sequels of a series that returned after a decade, Bleach TYBW part 3 could be considered a prequel to before the time when the Soul Reapers would go all out against Yhwach's army of Quincies.

While the series was already expected to deliver in every aspect, with the additional assistance from the author, its studio took things to another level by shifting the project to another studio. Bleach TYBW part 3 was animated by Pierrot Films, a subsidiary studio of Studio Pierrot, and this change proved wonders for Tite Kubo's magnum opus.

The studio was created to produce high-quality anime in a short time in the future, but with Bleach TYBW part 3, the studio's efforts proved wonders as the sequel is doing well in every regard. The sequel continued the story after Yhwach reached the Soul King and could be thinking of destroying the boundary that separates life from death.

3) Blue Box

Taiki and Chinatsu as seen in the anime (Image via Telecom Animation Films)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
11	6

Blue Box is a new series from the Fall 2024 anime lineup, produced by TMS Entertainment and animated by Telecom Animation Film. It was adapted from a manga series that blended sports and romance in equal ratios, setting a challenge for the animation studio.

However, given its recent success, everything went well for it. The story followed Chinatsu and Taiki, whose dedication to their sports soon made them like each other. While the series is still far from its peak, it has a bright future and might be already set up for a sequel adaptation.

4) Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3

Natsuki Subaru as seen in the anime (Image via White Fox)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
1	2

The sequel to bring new heights to the series' plotline, Re: Zero season 3, was a continued production from studio White Fox that adapted arc 5 and introduced some fan-favorite antagonists from the source (light novel). Given how the sequel was a hit amongst the true fans, it was still downgraded from its number 1 spot in popularity.

Fortunately enough, the biggest part of this was played by the increasing popularity of Dandadan. Moreover, as the series' ratings weren't affected by this drop (plus its smooth production followed a special prolonged first episode), this Fall 20204 Anime sequel might have the potential to become its series' best season. The sequel continues after Subaru meets all the witches, including Satella.

5) Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 3

Hajime and his party as seen in the anime (Image via asread)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
6	8

The series known for its horrible pacing and low-standard CGI scenes, Arifureta season 3 took things to another level as the entire production of this sequel was handled by Studio asread. Not only has the series become a favorite amongst the fans who had already dropped it, but its pacing has also improved significantly.

Moreover, unlike the prequels, which featured some haunting CGI animation shots, the third sequel of this Fall 2024 anime series considers everything. The downgrade in its rating, just like Re: Zero, might be due to the increasing popularity of other seasons. The sequel followed after Hajime and his party were on their way to the Hoelscher Empire when they were interrupted by another calamity.

Blue Lock season 2 and 4 other Fall 2024 Anime that need to step up

1) Uzumaki

Kirie as seen in the anime (Image via Adult Swim)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
2	3

A series that was dubbed as the biggest disappointment from the Fall 2024 anime Season (maybe even 2024), Uzumaki was the much-awaited anime adaptation of one of the most well-known works of Junji Ito. Given the overall perception of horror series, the series was in the top 3 most awaited series in the Fall 2024 anime season, meaning that the world was expecting good things.

Unfortunately, just like in the past, the fans got below-par CGI shots accompanied by an animation studio change that wasn't even announced by the series' production team.

While some episodes were delivered with close-to-perfect detail, the series fumbled and was included in the batch of one of the lowest-rated series from the Fall 2024 anime season. Moreover, given its short span, there is no way for it to redeem itself. The series followed the story of Kirie who was stuck inside her hometown of Kurouzu-cho due to the spiral curse that drives everyone insane.

2) Blue Lock season 2

Chigiri as seen in the anime (Image via 8bit)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
3	4

Adult Swim's Uzumaki might have been surpassed by another series when it came to low-standard production, and that was the much-waited Blue Lock season 2 featuring the fan-favorite arc, the Blue Lock vs U-20 Japan arc. It is almost unbelievable how the studio 8bit messed up the sequel given their satisfactory adaptation of Blue Lock season 1.

While the reason behind the sudden shift in animation is still unveiled (officially), an animator shed light on this aspect and revealed how the production team used the fandom's hype as a catalyst and opted for a low-effort production.

Given the series' current state, where every episode seems to be getting better (animation-wise), studio 8bit needs to pick up the pace before it's too late. The Fall 2024 anime sequel followed the story after Isagi and the entire Blue Lock team took the challenge to go against U-20 Japan to prove their worth.

3) Spirit Chronicles season 2

Rio as seen in the anime (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
5	7

Spirit Chronicles season 2 is a sequel of one of the most well-known light novel adaptations, animated by TMS Entertainment. Given the success of its prequel, the sequel of this Fall 2024 anime series was anticipated with high hopes. However, there wasn't anything special in it.

Compared to the elements the series introduced in season 1, the sequel couldn't give anything more and utilized the available ones, making it one of the Fall 2024 anime that needs to step up before the season concludes.

4) Loner Life in Another World

Haruka as seen in the anime (Image via Hayabusa Film and Passione)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
15	19

The Fall 2024 anime series that failed to bring something new to the game, Loner Life in Another World, was one of the few new isekai series released in the Fall 2024 anime season.

Despite the series having a good promotion, its story was your typical fantasy series combining the stereotypical isekai elements, making it one of the Fall 2024 anime that needs to step up. The anime followed the story of an isekai-ed protagonist who had a set of bizarre skills.

5) Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II (season 2)

LLENN and Pito as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Popularity Ranking in the start	Popularity Ranking in the middle
10	11

Just like Bleach, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II was another anime series that returned after many years but didn't meet the hype created in the current years.

The series utilized its previous elements (a gun-game battle royale) even though the fans expected something new. Moreover, with the series shifting to a bigger animation studio (Studio 3Hz to A-1 Pictures), it couldn't meet the fans' expectations. The sequel saw its protagonists, LLENN and Pito, return to the gun battle (Squad Jam) after becoming famous.

Final thoughts

While the majority of anime from the top of the Fall 2024 anime season wasn't included in this list, it still included the ones that were buzzing all over the internet since it began. Moreover, with the Fall 2024 anime season still a month away from its conclusion, it might be high time for some series to buckle up.

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Edited by Toshali Kritika