2024 Fall Anime Season Preview
The leaves are changing colour and the trees are shedding their coats. Pumpkin season is coming up soon, though at the time I'm writing this, it still feels a lot like summer where I live. The summer anime season has turned out quite well. My top favourite is Ramen Akaneko. Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction will stay with me for some time. And yeah to Shoushimin for getting a second season.
As for the upcoming fall season, there are the usual sequels to established franchise, a bunch of isekai, a remake of a much older series (i.e., Ranma 1/2), more Shonen Jump series crossing over to anime, and a gritty mahjong anime (Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku). Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is surprisingly getting a second season. And after much delay, the mini series Uzumaki will finally be released.
As usual, the list below only includes the series I'm more likely to watch. For a list of all series that are airing/streaming in the fall season, see AniChart.
Or check out the massive season preview over on Random Curiosity. For now, the preview is only available to Patreon supporters, but it should be available to everyone else in a day or two.
September 28
Uzumaki (manga by Itou Junji)
Horror. In a certain Japanese suburban town, what started out as a series of unrelated incidents involving spirals soon descends into cosmic horror. The anime will be 4 episodes long, directed by Nagahama Hiroshi (Mushishi, Aku no Hana). The anime adaptation strives to replicate Itou Junji's art style, and judging by the trailer, they've done a good job with it.
Trailer
October 3
Kekkon Surutte, Honto Desu ka? | 365 Days to the Wedding (manga by Wakaki Tamiki)
Travel agency workers Takuya and Rika are happily single. When their company announces that they are looking for unmarried people to transfer to the Siberia subdivision, Rika suggests to Takuya that they should get married to avoid being transferred. The main couple will be voiced by Kumagai Kentarou (Dungeon Meshi's Laios) and Hayami Saori (who is everywhere nowadays).
https://365-wedding-anime.com/ (PV)
Dandadan (manga by Tatsu Yukinobu)
Shonen Jump series. Born into a family of mediums, Momo believes in ghosts but not aliens. Her classmate Okarun is an occult enthusiast who believes in aliens but not ghosts. In order to convince each other otherwise, they explore various haunted spots and UFO sighting locations and accidentally awakens some kind of strange power within them. Science Saru will be responsible for animation production.
https://anime-dandadan.com/ (PV)
Ao no Hako | Blue Box (manga by Miura Kouji)
A sports x high school love story between a boy from the badminton team and a girl from the basketball team. I haven't read the manga, and I'm going into this one blind.
https://aonohako-anime.com/ (PV)
NegaPosi Angler | Negative Positive Angler (anime original)
Pessimistic college student Sasaki Tsunehiro is in a slump. His doctor told him he only has two years to live, and he's swamped with debts. When he falls into the sea while escaping from his debtors, he's rescued by fishing enthusiasts Hana and Takaaki, who persaude him to work at their convenience store and try out fishing. This one wasn't on my radar, but the PV looks really good. Studio NUT (Youjo Senki, Blue Giant) is responsible for animation production, with Suzuki Tomohiro (Sousou no Frieren, ACCA 13-ku) as series composition and scriptwriter.
https://np-angler.com/ (PV)
October 4
Goukon ni Ittara Onna ga Inakatta Hanashi | How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer (manga by Aokawa Nana)
Gender bender rom-com. When college student Tokiwa and his guy friends are invited to a mixer by a girl from the same seminar, they didn't expect to find three handsome guys waiting for them at the izakaya where the mixer takes place. The three cross-dressing ladies will be voiced by Komatsu Mikako (she's perfect for this kind of role), Yuki Aoi and Toyama Nao.
https://goukon-anime.com/ (PV2)
October 5
Ranma 1/2 (manga by Takahashi Rumiko)
Comedy and rom-com? Saotome Ranma has a problem, or rather, a curse. Whenever he comes into contact with cold water, he would turn into a girl. He can only return to being a boy when exposed to hot water. This leads to plenty of awkward situations and hijinks, particularly now that he finds himself engaged to the youngest daughter of his father's martial art friend. Most of the main cast from the original anime are returning for the remake. Confession: I've never watched a single episode of the original. Anime industry veteran Uda Kounosuke (Sailor Moon assistant episode director, ONE PIECE chief director) is directing at MAPPA.
https://ranma-pr.com/ (PV2)
Kimi wa Meido-san. | You are Ms. Servant. (manga by Shotan)
Former assassin Yuki shows up at high schooler Yokoya Hitoyoshi's home one day and asks him to hire her as a maid -- except she's surprisingly clumsy and terrible at house work. This one is helmed by an interesting director: Watanabe Ayumu (Summer Time Render, Komi Can't Communicate, the upcoming Witch Hat Atelier). His works tend to be artistic and ambitious in its visual langauge, and I'm curious to see how he would make of the material he's given here.
https://kimihameidosama-anime.com/ ( PV)
Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite | Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (manga by Uoto)
Historical drama. In an era when the church held absolute power over every aspect in life, anyone who disagreed with the church's teaching was branded a heretic. But that will not stop child prodigy Rafal from observing the sky in pursuit of the truth about the universe. Sakamoto Maaya will be voicing the main character Rafal, with animation production by Madhouse. The manga has won quite a few awards, including the 26th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and the 54th Seiun Award (basically the Japanese equivalent of the Hugo Award) in the Best Comic category.
https://anime-chi.jp/ ( PV)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II (light novels by Shigusawa Keiichi)
Online game gun action. Written by the author of Kino no Tabi, this is a more down-to-earth spin-off of Sword Art Online. There's a new VRMMO game in town, and it's called Gun Gale Online. LLENN is one of the best players in the game, but in real life, she's just a somewhat awkward young woman with a complex about her height. In season 2, she's teaming up with friends and former enemies in a new battle royale that has some highly unusual rules. Most of the staff from 2018's season 1 are returning for season 2.
https://gungale-online.net/ (PV)
Thunderbolt Fantasy: Touriken Yuuki 4
Wuxia fantasy puppet show. Conceived by famed scriptwriter Urobuchi Gen, Thunderbolt Fantasy sees him indulge in his love for wuxia. It's been a while since season 3, and I'd forgotten much of the plot other than the cursed swords. Anyway, after season 4 in 2024, we'll be getting a movie in 2025, which will serve as the final chapter of the series.
https://www.thunderboltfantasy.com/ (PV)
October 7
Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri 2nd Season | Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective (manga by Amano Akira)
Detective Conan style mystery. The feud between defective private detective Kamonohashi Ron and the Moriarty family continues, with kind-hearted police officer Isshiki Totomaru along for the ride. I said it already when I previewed season 1: I have a soft spot for Amano Akira's work. If this season is going to adapt the rest of the manga's part 1 to the end, the finale will be something to look forward to.
https://kamonohashiron.com/ (PV)
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii | Yakuza Fiance: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii (manga by Konishi Asuka)
Heavily inspired by live action yakuza films, with a dash of slow-burn romance. In order to form an alliance between two yakuza clans, Yoshino, the tough granddaughter of an Osaka yakuza boss, is betrothed to Kirishima, the dangerous grandson of a Tokyo yakuza executive. Yoshino is definitely the highlight of the story. A one-hour long Osaka prologue episode will stream exclusively on Amazon on September 28 and 29.
https://raisewataningaii.com/ (PV2)
Natsume Yuujinchou Season 7 | Natsume's Book of Friends (manga by Midorikawa Yuki)
Melancholic youkai fantasy with an emphasis on mono no aware. Orphan Natsume Takashi has been bouncing around different relatives until he settles in with an old couple in the countryside. When he finds his grandmother's youkai Book of Friends one day, his circle of friends and acquaintances begins to expand. It's kind of amazing that Natsume Yuujinchou is getting a 7th season. I can't think of any other shoujo manga with this many anime seasons. Anyway, studio Shuka will once again be responsible for animation production, with Oomori Takahiro returning as chief director.
http://www.natsume-anime.jp/ (PV)
October 8
Youkai Gakkou no Sensei Hajimemashita! | A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! (manga by Tanaka Mai)
Youkai school comedy. For newbie teacher Abe Haruaki (his name can also be read as Abeno Seimei; you can probably guess where this is going), the first day of his teaching career will be one he would never forget. You see, the high school he's assigned to is a school for youkai. This one reminds me of 2016's The Morose Mononokean with a similar comedy beat.
https://youkaigakkou.com/ (PV)
October 10
Tono to Inu (manga by Nishida Rie)
A slice-of-life revolving around a scary-looking former samurai and the adorable corgi he takes in. This series will have four versions; a different voice actor will play Tono in each version. I'm weak against adorable animated animals, so I'll be watching this one.
https://tonotoinu.com/ (PV)
Hoshi Furu Oukoku no Nina | Nina the Starry Bride (manga by Rikachi)
Fantasy shoujo manga. Nina is an orphan living in the country of Fortna. Because she has the same God of Stars eye colour as the recently deceased Princess Alisha, she is asked by Azure, second prince of Fortna, to become the deceased princess's substitute. As setup goes, this is classic shoujo fantasy territory.
https://hoshi-nina-anime.com/ (PV1)
December
Beastars Final Season (manga by Itagaku Paru)
Available on Netflix whenever Netflix decides to release it.
https://bst-animation.com/
As for the upcoming fall season, there are the usual sequels to established franchise, a bunch of isekai, a remake of a much older series (i.e., Ranma 1/2), more Shonen Jump series crossing over to anime, and a gritty mahjong anime (Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku). Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is surprisingly getting a second season. And after much delay, the mini series Uzumaki will finally be released.
As usual, the list below only includes the series I'm more likely to watch. For a list of all series that are airing/streaming in the fall season, see AniChart.
Or check out the massive season preview over on Random Curiosity. For now, the preview is only available to Patreon supporters, but it should be available to everyone else in a day or two.
September 28
Uzumaki (manga by Itou Junji)
Horror. In a certain Japanese suburban town, what started out as a series of unrelated incidents involving spirals soon descends into cosmic horror. The anime will be 4 episodes long, directed by Nagahama Hiroshi (Mushishi, Aku no Hana). The anime adaptation strives to replicate Itou Junji's art style, and judging by the trailer, they've done a good job with it.
Trailer
October 3
Kekkon Surutte, Honto Desu ka? | 365 Days to the Wedding (manga by Wakaki Tamiki)
Travel agency workers Takuya and Rika are happily single. When their company announces that they are looking for unmarried people to transfer to the Siberia subdivision, Rika suggests to Takuya that they should get married to avoid being transferred. The main couple will be voiced by Kumagai Kentarou (Dungeon Meshi's Laios) and Hayami Saori (who is everywhere nowadays).
https://365-wedding-anime.com/ (PV)
Dandadan (manga by Tatsu Yukinobu)
Shonen Jump series. Born into a family of mediums, Momo believes in ghosts but not aliens. Her classmate Okarun is an occult enthusiast who believes in aliens but not ghosts. In order to convince each other otherwise, they explore various haunted spots and UFO sighting locations and accidentally awakens some kind of strange power within them. Science Saru will be responsible for animation production.
https://anime-dandadan.com/ (PV)
Ao no Hako | Blue Box (manga by Miura Kouji)
A sports x high school love story between a boy from the badminton team and a girl from the basketball team. I haven't read the manga, and I'm going into this one blind.
https://aonohako-anime.com/ (PV)
NegaPosi Angler | Negative Positive Angler (anime original)
Pessimistic college student Sasaki Tsunehiro is in a slump. His doctor told him he only has two years to live, and he's swamped with debts. When he falls into the sea while escaping from his debtors, he's rescued by fishing enthusiasts Hana and Takaaki, who persaude him to work at their convenience store and try out fishing. This one wasn't on my radar, but the PV looks really good. Studio NUT (Youjo Senki, Blue Giant) is responsible for animation production, with Suzuki Tomohiro (Sousou no Frieren, ACCA 13-ku) as series composition and scriptwriter.
https://np-angler.com/ (PV)
October 4
Goukon ni Ittara Onna ga Inakatta Hanashi | How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer (manga by Aokawa Nana)
Gender bender rom-com. When college student Tokiwa and his guy friends are invited to a mixer by a girl from the same seminar, they didn't expect to find three handsome guys waiting for them at the izakaya where the mixer takes place. The three cross-dressing ladies will be voiced by Komatsu Mikako (she's perfect for this kind of role), Yuki Aoi and Toyama Nao.
https://goukon-anime.com/ (PV2)
October 5
Ranma 1/2 (manga by Takahashi Rumiko)
Comedy and rom-com? Saotome Ranma has a problem, or rather, a curse. Whenever he comes into contact with cold water, he would turn into a girl. He can only return to being a boy when exposed to hot water. This leads to plenty of awkward situations and hijinks, particularly now that he finds himself engaged to the youngest daughter of his father's martial art friend. Most of the main cast from the original anime are returning for the remake. Confession: I've never watched a single episode of the original. Anime industry veteran Uda Kounosuke (Sailor Moon assistant episode director, ONE PIECE chief director) is directing at MAPPA.
https://ranma-pr.com/ (PV2)
Kimi wa Meido-san. | You are Ms. Servant. (manga by Shotan)
Former assassin Yuki shows up at high schooler Yokoya Hitoyoshi's home one day and asks him to hire her as a maid -- except she's surprisingly clumsy and terrible at house work. This one is helmed by an interesting director: Watanabe Ayumu (Summer Time Render, Komi Can't Communicate, the upcoming Witch Hat Atelier). His works tend to be artistic and ambitious in its visual langauge, and I'm curious to see how he would make of the material he's given here.
https://kimihameidosama-anime.com/ ( PV)
Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite | Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (manga by Uoto)
Historical drama. In an era when the church held absolute power over every aspect in life, anyone who disagreed with the church's teaching was branded a heretic. But that will not stop child prodigy Rafal from observing the sky in pursuit of the truth about the universe. Sakamoto Maaya will be voicing the main character Rafal, with animation production by Madhouse. The manga has won quite a few awards, including the 26th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and the 54th Seiun Award (basically the Japanese equivalent of the Hugo Award) in the Best Comic category.
https://anime-chi.jp/ ( PV)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II (light novels by Shigusawa Keiichi)
Online game gun action. Written by the author of Kino no Tabi, this is a more down-to-earth spin-off of Sword Art Online. There's a new VRMMO game in town, and it's called Gun Gale Online. LLENN is one of the best players in the game, but in real life, she's just a somewhat awkward young woman with a complex about her height. In season 2, she's teaming up with friends and former enemies in a new battle royale that has some highly unusual rules. Most of the staff from 2018's season 1 are returning for season 2.
https://gungale-online.net/ (PV)
Thunderbolt Fantasy: Touriken Yuuki 4
Wuxia fantasy puppet show. Conceived by famed scriptwriter Urobuchi Gen, Thunderbolt Fantasy sees him indulge in his love for wuxia. It's been a while since season 3, and I'd forgotten much of the plot other than the cursed swords. Anyway, after season 4 in 2024, we'll be getting a movie in 2025, which will serve as the final chapter of the series.
https://www.thunderboltfantasy.com/ (PV)
October 7
Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri 2nd Season | Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective (manga by Amano Akira)
Detective Conan style mystery. The feud between defective private detective Kamonohashi Ron and the Moriarty family continues, with kind-hearted police officer Isshiki Totomaru along for the ride. I said it already when I previewed season 1: I have a soft spot for Amano Akira's work. If this season is going to adapt the rest of the manga's part 1 to the end, the finale will be something to look forward to.
https://kamonohashiron.com/ (PV)
Raise wa Tanin ga Ii | Yakuza Fiance: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii (manga by Konishi Asuka)
Heavily inspired by live action yakuza films, with a dash of slow-burn romance. In order to form an alliance between two yakuza clans, Yoshino, the tough granddaughter of an Osaka yakuza boss, is betrothed to Kirishima, the dangerous grandson of a Tokyo yakuza executive. Yoshino is definitely the highlight of the story. A one-hour long Osaka prologue episode will stream exclusively on Amazon on September 28 and 29.
https://raisewataningaii.com/ (PV2)
Natsume Yuujinchou Season 7 | Natsume's Book of Friends (manga by Midorikawa Yuki)
Melancholic youkai fantasy with an emphasis on mono no aware. Orphan Natsume Takashi has been bouncing around different relatives until he settles in with an old couple in the countryside. When he finds his grandmother's youkai Book of Friends one day, his circle of friends and acquaintances begins to expand. It's kind of amazing that Natsume Yuujinchou is getting a 7th season. I can't think of any other shoujo manga with this many anime seasons. Anyway, studio Shuka will once again be responsible for animation production, with Oomori Takahiro returning as chief director.
http://www.natsume-anime.jp/ (PV)
October 8
Youkai Gakkou no Sensei Hajimemashita! | A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! (manga by Tanaka Mai)
Youkai school comedy. For newbie teacher Abe Haruaki (his name can also be read as Abeno Seimei; you can probably guess where this is going), the first day of his teaching career will be one he would never forget. You see, the high school he's assigned to is a school for youkai. This one reminds me of 2016's The Morose Mononokean with a similar comedy beat.
https://youkaigakkou.com/ (PV)
October 10
Tono to Inu (manga by Nishida Rie)
A slice-of-life revolving around a scary-looking former samurai and the adorable corgi he takes in. This series will have four versions; a different voice actor will play Tono in each version. I'm weak against adorable animated animals, so I'll be watching this one.
https://tonotoinu.com/ (PV)
Hoshi Furu Oukoku no Nina | Nina the Starry Bride (manga by Rikachi)
Fantasy shoujo manga. Nina is an orphan living in the country of Fortna. Because she has the same God of Stars eye colour as the recently deceased Princess Alisha, she is asked by Azure, second prince of Fortna, to become the deceased princess's substitute. As setup goes, this is classic shoujo fantasy territory.
https://hoshi-nina-anime.com/ (PV1)
December
Beastars Final Season (manga by Itagaku Paru)
Available on Netflix whenever Netflix decides to release it.
https://bst-animation.com/