January - March • 225 anime
Winter 2024 felt like a season of returns and experiments — 225 shows in total, and a surprising number actually leaned into strong storytelling and presentation. SPY x FAMILY: CODE White was the crowd-pleaser that movie theaters needed, and Blue Exorcist’s Shimane Illuminati Saga brought spectacle and lore back into focus.
My take on Winter 2024 was that it rewarded patience more than flash: lots of continuations used their extra runtime to deepen characters instead of just recycling beats. Studios like A-1 Pictures, Lerche, and Production I.G. turned in moments that looked and sounded expensive, and that polish mattered when a show wanted to land an emotional scene or a big set-piece.
SPY x FAMILY: CODE White earned its place by leaning into the family stuff and staging genuinely cinematic action without losing the jokes. Blue Exorcist’s Shimane arc doubled down on myth and spectacle, giving fans a denser, more dramatic middle act. HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle delivered the kind of match direction the series is known for — kinetic, tense, and emotionally earned. BEASTARS Final Season Part 1 slowed the pace on purpose, focusing more on character reckonings than quick plot twists. And on the smaller end, Pokémon Concierge was a neat, comforting detour that reminded viewers why tiny, well-made projects can leave a mark.
