The 2024 Leo Lovelace Anime Awards
Check out the summary of the 2024 show down below!
The 2024 anime awards featured 30 unique nominees and 11 different winners across its 30 categories – the full list of nominees and winners is broken down by section and category below!
Genre Awards
Best Action
WINNER
Shangri-La Frontier
If the idea of watching a group of friends and skilled gamers play a fantasy RPG MMO together while discovering everything the game has to offer is appealing, then boy do I have good news for you – Shangri-La Frontier is all that and more. From the moment Sunraku enters SLF and until the final credits roll, this series is non-stop good vibes and pure fun. I really liked how “gamey” they made the anime feel – throughout all the questing and exploring, they’re strategizing before bosses, using deaths as a way to learn boss patterns, finding ways to cheese fights, engaging in a mix of PVE and PVP scenarios, and getting engrossed in the lore of the game. It really felt like I was watching a group of friends genuinely play a game together, so much so that watching Shangri-La Frontier made ME want to play an MMO with friends and experience something similar. It really shows off just how fun games can be, especially with friends, and when you mix those good vibes with the memorable fights and entertaining cast, you’ve got the recipe for a great action anime. Shangri-La Frontier was a really pleasant surprise that stuck with me all year, and if you like RPGs or MMOs at all, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with SLF too – it’s an absolute blast
Other nominees:
Best Adventure/Fantasy
WINNER
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
As the titular mage and her party travel to Ende, it quickly becomes clear that this new journey is more than just a typical fantasy adventure. Sure, we get to see Frieren, Fern and Stark go on an adventure spanning many years and even more cities, meeting a wide variety of characters along the way. But through frequent flashbacks, we also go on a parallel adventure with Frieren and her original party from 80 years in the past, when they set off to defeat the demon king. We get to see how Frieren’s adventure with Himmel shaped her into the person she is today, and in turn how she begins to influence Fern and Stark in the present. I loved how the series balanced the past and present in such a way that it felt like we got to go on two simultaneous adventures, and how we get to see how Frieren’s first adventure so clearly influences her new one. Of course, the fantasy aspect of the show is great too – the lore is interesting, the magic system is fun, and the cast is full of thoughtful, well written characters. But what really made the series stand out to me is that it’s an adventure in more ways than one – a literal adventure in the present, a nostalgic and bittersweet adventure through the past, and an emotional series of hello’s and goodbye’s that tie the past and present together into a grander journey than either one could’ve been individually. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the quintessential adventure
Other nominees:
Best Comedy/Slice of Life
WINNER
VTuber Legend
VTuber Legend is a series with a great mix of comedy and heart that really feels like it was created by vtuber fans, for vtuber fans – and regardless of whether you’re an actual vtuber or a fan of them, there’s a lot here to love. It follows a struggling vtuber voiced by Sakura Ayane who goes viral after accidentally getting drunk on stream, and from there on it wears its heart on its sleeve – as Awayuki and her agency continue to grow, we get to see new gen debuts, senpai and kouhai shenanigans, collabs both online and off, funny chat interactions, references to real vtubers, live shows, actual 2D models being used, and a huge variety of different streams that get dedicated bits, like an among us collab that actually played up the mystery pretty well, or my favorite, raging over gacha. VTuber Legend is an anime that understands vtuber culture and is all the better for it – thanks to the lovable characters, varied dynamics and fun dialogue, it has a great balance of laugh out loud moments and relatable, heartfelt ones as the girls in LiveOn continue to bond and grow together. Because it’s a very vtuber centric comedy, it may not have as universal of an appeal as something like Konosuba or Roshidere might, but if you’re like me and really enjoy vtubers, then VTuber Legend is an absolute treat to watch
Other nominees:
Best Drama
WINNER
Hibike! Euphonium S3
Hibike’s third and final season brings the story to a close, and in the process of doing so, affirms itself as a premier character drama. Kumiko and the rest of the cast’s fight to get a gold at nationals feels more urgent than ever as it’s their final year in the concert band, and that increased pressure serves as the backdrop for her and the band to undergo significant growth and development in order to make their dream come true. A new year means new faces entering the band, and with it comes new leadership, new dynamics, and new problems to solve. Should the band put fun first, or work towards a challenging goal? Should the band be a meritocracy and choose the best players, or prioritize seniors who won’t get another chance when they’re choosing who gets to play? The tone of the season did a great job contributing to these conflicts – the swings between the highs and lows with huge successes and legitimately surprising moments of failure was incredibly engaging, and there was a palpable sense of tension and unease underlying some scenes. The character drama was so well done and build-ups so well executed that at points, I felt as tense waiting for a character’s next line as I would when watching a suspense anime. Hibike Euphonium’s final season solidified the series as an excellent character drama with a fantastic lead in Kumiko and a great supporting cast – between the communal growth of the band, the painful lows and emotional highs, and the ultimate payoff to both the characters’ individual arcs and overall story, Hibike is a truly fantastic drama that fans of the genre and music should definitely watch
Other nominees:
Best Romance
WINNER
The Dangers in My Heart S2
Dangers’ second season is a great followup to the first that shows why this series is so beloved with source readers and serves as a strong adaptation to one of my favorite ongoing romance manga. At its core, it’s a coming of age story about Yamada and Ichikawa experiencing their first love, coming to terms with their feelings, and trying to express those feelings however they can. It’s both cute and gratifying to see how the two of them grow individually, learn to rely on one another, and in turn grow closer to each other. It has all the humor and awkwardness you’d expect from two teenagers bumbling through their first love, but I think that in Dangers’ case, it really adds to the charm and authenticity. Dangers is a heartfelt coming of age story that nurtures a cute romance between two incredibly likable leads, and ultimately capping off with a satisfying finale that brings the first part of their story to a close. Romance fans definitely need to watch this
Other nominees:
Best Suspense
WINNER
The Apothecary Diaries
From the moment Maomao found herself suddenly forced into a role in the Inner Palace and we got our first taste of the mysteries permeating it, I knew I’d love this series. The nature of the Inner Palace lends itself well to a suspense series – numerous factions all vying for the emperor’s favor crammed into one area meant a huge variety of characters and personalities to meet, plenty of locations to explore, and lots of secret plots to uncover. Though Apothecary initially presented itself as a “mystery of the week” type series, it quickly became apparent that it was more than that – there’s various overarching plots running concurrently, and the little mysteries Maomao, Jinshi and the rest of the cast encounter often serve as threads that eventually come together into something greater, and I absolutely loved seeing Maomao put the pieces together and become a more respected member of the palace. Apothecary also does a great job balancing the mystery from the overarching narrative with plenty of mystery on an individual character level, gradually drip feeding us info about Maomao and Jinshi’s backstories and relationships, challenging us to try and put the pieces together ourselves to discover more about these characters. Apothecary Diaries is a fantastic series with great pacing that expertly mixes political intrigue, a variety of mysteries both big and small, and strong cliffhangers to create one of the best suspense anime I’ve watched in years
Other nominees:
Character Awards
Best Protagonist
WINNER
Kumiko Oumae
Hibike! Euphonium S3
Hibike is a great series all around, but the main draw for me has always been Kumiko herself and her personal growth, and the final season delivered even more of what I wanted from her. Seeing Kumiko gradually grow from a wishy-washy people pleaser afraid to speak her mind into a capable leader who’s well respected by her peers, club members and advisers alike was incredibly satisfying, as was seeing her grapple with, and eventually come up with an answer to, the question of what she wants to do with her life in the future. Kumiko is a character I often found myself relating to and empathizing with in more ways than one, so to see her have such a triumphant sendoff to her character arc was really rewarding. Across the three seasons and three movies that make up Hibike Euphonium, Kumiko has grown into not just a phenomenal protagonist in her own right, but one of my personal favorites in anime
Other nominees:
Best Antagonist
WINNER
The Lunatic Magician
Dungeon Meshi
We honestly don’t know much about the Lunatic Magician, and they’ve barely appeared in the anime so far, but that actually works out in their favor – they feel mysterious, and that mystery makes them an even scarier enemy because of how many unknowns there are about them. Whenever characters talk about them, it’s clear that they’re feared, and when they do make an appearance, it’s immediately evident how powerful they are and how scared the rest of the cast is around them. The Lunatic Magician is spoken of like an urban legend you hope isn’t true, and despite their limited screen time, they inspire more than enough dread to make me nervous for any upcoming confrontations. The mystery around their identity and backstory combined with their brief yet commanding screen presence makes The Lunatic Magician my favorite antagonist of the year
Other nominees:
Best Supporting Character
WINNER
Marcille Donato
Dungeon Meshi
Marcille was easily my favorite character in Dungeon Meshi – the way she so perfectly played the straight man to the antics of Laois and Senshi as they explored the dungeon and ate all manner of monsters never failed to make me burst out laughing – between her reactions and the amazing voice acting from Sayaka Senbongi, she was perfect. But beyond being a comedic masterpiece, Marcille is also a great party member and a really interesting character in her own right. It’s very clear how much Laois and the party trust her and her skills as a mage, and I loved when she had chances to show off what she can do in crucial moments. Her backstory was also interesting and made me more appreciative of the bonds she’s built in the party with Laois and the gang. Marcille is both an incredibly fun and very engaging character who had me laughing out loud constantly and eager to learn more about her – she’s an integral member of Laois’ party who stole the show, and one of the best supporting characters in years
Other nominees:
Best Cast
WINNER
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Throughout Frieren’s journey to Ende, she meets a huge variety of interesting characters who all leave their mark on Frieren and her party in some way, and I genuinely don’t think there was a single character across the series that I didn’t enjoy getting to know. Everyone has their own backstory to discover, lessons to learn and dynamics to unravel, and every one of those felt meaningful. Whether it be Fern and Stark growing stronger and maturing emotionally in the years they travel with Frieren, Frieren herself reminiscing about her past journey with Himmel’s party, Sein’s brief but impactful tenure with them as he debated his future, or the numerous fellow takers of the Mage Exam like Ubel and Denken, the cast that makes up Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is full of thoughtful, well meaning characters who are all eager to learn and grow. I absolutely adored the cast in Frieren and loved to watch them build relationships with one another, so they decisively took home the award for best cast
Other nominees:
Best Girl
WINNER
Momo Ayase
Dandadan
I had read some of the Dandadan manga way before the anime came out, so I had high hopes for the adaptation and boy did it live up to it – Momo is just as good as, if not even better than, she was in the manga. Every bit of Momo’s endearing dynamic with Okarun, fun personality, obsession with Ken Takakura, and ability to throw down with spirits and aliens alike is brought to life perfectly in the anime – even more so thanks to the amazing voice acting performance from Shion Wakayama, which couldn’t possibly be more fitting for her character. Momo is a funny, incredibly lovable dork who’s immensely fun to watch, and I couldn’t be happier to give her the award for best girl of 2024
Other nominees:
Best Guy
WINNER
Himmel
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Himmel is such a gem of a guy that whenever people worldwide would face a new dilemma, they’d ask themselves WWHD? What Would Himmel Do? Not only did this guy defeat the demon king, but he lived such a genuine life and had such a charismatic aura that even decades after his death – and no matter where Frieren goes on her journey – she always seems to run into people who speak fondly of Himmel as they remember the ways he helped and influenced them – Frieren herself being one of them. Himmel’s empathetic personality, pure love for Frieren, and genuine desire to help anyone he could make him an incredibly endearing guy whose long lasting legacy, well earned respect, and ability to influence people to be their best selves more than speaks for itself – he is without a doubt my favorite guy of the year
Other nominees:
Best Couple/Ship
WINNER
Momo & Okarun
Dandadan
What happens when a spunky spirit dork meets an alien nerd, you might ask? Well, the answer is one of the best ships in years. Both Momo and Okarun are immensely likable on their own and they share a fantastic dynamic together that only gets better as they spend more and more time with one another. The mutual trust and growing interest they have in one another is palpable and both of them clearly bring out the best in each other – they genuinely feel meant to be with how perfectly their personalities and interests complement one another. Momo and Okarun are two dorks that are absolutely perfect for each other and it’s really cute seeing them start to realize their feelings and want to spend more time with each other – they’re easily my favorite ship of the year and I can’t wait to see how it develops from here
Other nominees:
Music Awards
Best OP
WINNER
The Dangers in My Heart S2
Boku wa… – Atarayo
I absolutely adore this opening – from the way it shows the gradual progression in Yamada and Ichikawa’s relationship from strangers to in love, to the pretty and colorful visuals, to the song’s insanely catchy chorus, to the cute references, and most of all, to the fun scene of the main cast dancing together with Yamada and Ichikawa ending it by making a heart. I’ve said it many times before, but I LOVE when openings or endings feature the cast dancing in some way, and Boku wa is one of the best versions of that that I’ve ever seen. Boku wa is an absolutely phenomenal opening that I not only never skipped, but I’d actually rewind to watch it again just because of how fun it is. Between the upbeat song and cute depiction of first love, it absolutely oozes personality and made me smile every time I saw it
Other nominees (click the song names to watch them!):
Best OST (Soundtrack)
WINNER
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Evan Call
I’ve long been a fan of Evan Call’s work, and with Frieren’s win for best soundtrack, he becomes the first composer to win this award more than once. The soundtrack is equal parts uplifting, bittersweet, fantastical and somber, which pairs excellently with both Frieren’s physical journey to Ende and her emotional journey through her past. Whether it’s a upbeat track as Frieren annihilates an enemy, mournful vocals as she reminisces on what she’s lost, an emotional crescendo as she takes another step forward, or a seemingly Lord of the Rings inspired main theme, the soundtrack has a beautiful track for every situation, complementing the emotional highs and lows and amplifying the big moments flawlessly. Evan Call’s soundtrack for Frieren is a fantastic collection of tracks that serves as the perfect accompaniment to the emotional journey the anime takes us on, and is one that I’m sure anyone who’s a fan of soundtracks will appreciate
Other nominees:
Best OST Track
WINNER
Look Back
FINAL ONE
FINAL ONE played during one of my personal favorite scenes in anime in 2024, and the scene that, at least in my opinion, defined Look Back’s message. The way the song begins with a soft piano and then gradually adds in additional instruments and picks up in tempo did a great job paralleling the way in which the scene itself swells on an emotional level, and really emphasized exactly what the characters were thinking and feeling in the moment it played. This is a really difficult track to talk about without explicitly discussing the scene itself, but it’s one that I really believe you’ll understand why I picked it if you’ve seen the movie. It’s a bittersweet track that perfectly accompanied the emotional climax to the film, and one that helps hammer home the theme of Look Bacl
Other nominees (click the song names to listen to them!):
Best Insert Use
WINNER
Girls Band Cry
The insert song scenes in Girls Band Cry are a fantastic marriage of great music and emotional story beats, which is exactly what I want to see from any kind of band anime. There are roughly half a dozen inserts across the 13 episodes, and each one essentially caps off a mini arc with an engaging and emotional performance that had me glued to my screen – even more so because Girls Band Cry has the most realistic feeling concert scenes I’ve ever seen in anime, and that’s coming from someone who’s been to nearly 100 shows myself. The band members are wearing their hearts on their sleeves as they perform songs meaningful to them, the characters movements are fluid and realistic, and the crowd feels alive. The highest praise I can offer is that these insert scenes feel like real concerts, and when you combine the emotions behind each of these scenes with how fun they are to watch and how great the songs are, you end up with nothing short of the best insert use of the year
Other nominees:
Best Insert Song
WINNER
Girls Band Cry
Emptiness and Catharsis
No way! You mean to tell me that Leo Lovelace, known simp of girl band anime, picked the classic insert song where the band unites for their most emotional and impactful performance of the series as his best insert song of the year?! Yuuuup! Emptiness and Catharsis is another amazing example of how band anime can deliver the perfect combination of great music and emotional scenes in a concert scenario, and I’d go so far as to say Emptiness and Catharsis is one of the best ones out there. It comes in response to the band experiencing one of their greatest challenges yet, and has the girls letting loose and delivering a rousing performance, playing for an enthusiastic crowd on their biggest stage yet with a banger of a song. It shows how far the girls have come throughout the series, shows just how much fun they have playing music together, and shows how much the crowd reciprocates that feeling. Emptiness and Catharsis is the kind of peak band anime material that I live for – a phenomenal song, an adrenaline fueled performance, amazing visuals, and thematic references all rolled together into three incredibly memorable minutes
Other nominees (click the song names to listen to them!):
Best ED
WINNER
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
CRAZY FOR YOU – Shion Wakayama
I was immediately struck by the beautiful visuals when I first saw this ED, featuring both a vibrant color palette and really fluid animation, and the catchy song just made me appreciate it even more. But what really sold this ending theme to me, even more-so than the pretty visuals and catchy chorus, was… you guessed it! The final part of the ED, where Lemon joyfully dances with her childhood friend. I love how happy she looks as she dances with him and absolutely adore the quick sequence where he spins Lemon as she smoothly removes her jacket with a huge smile on her face. I can never get enough of seeing the characters have fun in openings and endings, and while all three of Makeine’s endings were good, CRAZY FOR YOU stood out the most to me with it’s standout visuals, catchy song, and of course, Lemon happily dancing
Other nominees (click the song names to watch them!):
Production Awards
Best Art
WINNER
Hibike! Euphonium S3
KyoAni is well known for their beautiful visuals and background art, and Hibike Euphonium not only continues that trend, but may very well be their best offering yet. Whether it’s a quiet city serving as the backdrop for everyday life, a pretty shot of nature, a warm sunset contrasting a cold confrontation, or a beautiful starry sky and lit up cityscape at night, they all add tons of depth and detail to every shot, in turn helping to further bring the world of Hibike Euphonium to life. KyoAni’s background art in Hibike’s third season is absolutely gorgeous, making for a visual feast that more than earned this award
Other nominees:
Best Character Design
WINNER
Dungeon Meshi
This marks the third time a Trigger anime has won this award, so I guess I have a type? The character designs in Dungeon Meshi are phenomenal – they’re wonderfully varied, with characters having a massive range of unique features and including characters spanning many different species, sizes and color palettes. They look great in motion and I loved how expressive they were, especially the faces – some of the reactions to Laios’ monster cravings or the wild things they encounter in the dungeon had me bursting out laughing. I’ve always loved Trigger’s character designs, and Dungeon Meshi’s versatile set of distinctive and memorable designs for the cast and monsters alike made it all the more entertaining to watch
Other nominees:
Best Animation
WINNER
Girls Band Cry
Last year, I gave this award to Trigun Stampede and talked about how the CG animation in that was some of the best I’d ever seen. And now a year later, another CG anime takes the crown after Girls Band Cry blew me away with its amazing offering. The character animation is incredibly well done, with immensely expressive faces and fluid motion combining with interesting camera work that makes full use of the 3D space they have at their disposal. Hair and clothes physics look and behave naturally, moving with characters as they do and swaying in the wind. Concert scenes are outstanding, with the camera flying around the stage and through the crowd to create a sense of nonstop movement and energy, and the crowds at those concerts look and feel alive – they jump and sway along with the music in a way that made me feel like I was right there with them. The animation in Girls Band Cry has an immense amount of personality thanks to the expressive character animation and great camera work and use of 3D space, which all work together to create a phenomenally animated series with a ton of energy
Other nominees:
Best Voice Acting Performance (Male)
WINNER
Kentarou Kumagai
Laios (Dungeon Meshi)
There’s a scene early on in Dungeon Meshi where Laios and the party encounter some sirens, and to prevent themselves from falling prey to their bewitching song, Laios begins belting in an opera like voice to drown them out, and I can’t understate how hard it made me laugh. Kumagai’s performance is absolutely amazing – from the palpable excitement Laios exudes when he finds a new monster to eat to the moments he locks in and gets serious when his party is in trouble, he really sells Laios as a believable character. Laios is a lovable weirdo, and Kumagai emphasizes both how lovable and how weird he is in spades, and I can’t wait to see and hear more of him in the next season
Other nominees:
Best Voice Acting Performance (Female)
WINNER
Aoi Yuuki
Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)
Maomao was by far one of my favorite characters of the year, and a huge part of that was Aoi Yuuki’s fantastic performance as her. She’s as smart as she is silly, and whether she’s putting her detective hat on and uncovering a conspiracy, eagerly picking plants she can use in her concoctions, messing around with Jinshi, or getting a little… too excited about taste testing some poison, Aoi Yuuki manages to make Maomao even more endearing. The lower tone and slower speaking pace she uses when things are serious contrasts really nicely with the bubbly and excitable side she shows when she’s having fun, and Aoi Yuuki’s delivery is always on point for these very different aspects of Maomao’s personality. I’ve always liked Aoi Yuuki, but her performance as Maomao has easily become my favorite role of hers yet
Other nominees:
Overall Awards
Best Story
WINNER
The Apothecary Diaries
Generally speaking, my favorite stories tend to either be strong character dramas or engaging thrillers, and The Apothecary Diaries dominates in both of these. By the end of the first episode, I already loved Maomao as a protagonist and was really interested in the Inner Palace she found herself abruptly thrust into the middle of. With the emperor’s favor on the line and many who crave a chance at more power lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to make a move, Maomao makes an acquaintance in the popular eunuch Jinshi, and through this connection she begins to meet, get involved with and help out numerous important figures in the palace. As she does so, she begins to solve mysteries and uncover various conspiracies, ranging from rumors of a ghost haunting the walls of the palace to a plot on the life of one of the emperor’s concubines. Though the series initially gives off a “mystery of the week” vibe, it becomes clear that many of the people Maomao meet and mysteries she solves are connected in ways that neither she or us as viewers expect, and I absolutely loved seeing how the greater story began to reveal itself as various puzzle pieces came together. The Apothecary Diaries is a fantastic mix of character drama, political intrigue, and engaging mysteries with a phenomenal lead in Maomao, fun deuteragonist in Jinshi, and interesting supporting cast that altogether had me incredibly invested in the various stories that unravel within the Inner Palace
Other nominees:
Most Underrated/Underwatched
WINNER
Girls Band Cry
It’s no secret that I love girl band anime with how often I’ve awarded Bang Dream and D4DJ in the past, and Girls Band Cry is yet another great anime in that genre that was criminally underappreciated. The story of Girls Band Cry is set in motion when Nina, a high school dropout, moves to Tokyo on her own and has a chance encounter with her favorite guitarist, Momoka. After an impromptu street performance, the two of them set out on a musical journey of self growth, recruit more band members, and try to use their songs to take the world by storm. I had a ton of fun watching Girls Band Cry, and the series once again reinforced what I love most about music focused anime – the power of music as a medium to express oneself and make meaningful connections with others. The endearing and relatable cast of characters making up Togenashi Togeari headline this journey, and the amazing music, memorable performances, phenomenal CG animation and excellent VA work all serve to further compliment them and bring them to life, ultimately resulting in a series that should be considered a must watch for fans of music and character drama
Other nominees:
Best Movie
WINNER
Look Back
Look Back feels like a true love letter to creators – though the movie focuses on a pair of artists, the feelings and sentiment depicted throughout are ones I believe are shared among all creators. The story, which follows childhood friends Fujino and Kyomoto throughout their lives as they create art together, is a down to earth, raw, and authentic look at how art and the passion for creating something can change lives. And the film being so grounded and realistic made the story, characters, and especially emotions feel all the more believable and relatable, especially paired with the soft swells and ethereal vocals from Haruka Nakamura’s incredible soundtrack. The satisfaction in creating something of your own, the elation of having you and your creation recognized, the frustration when things don’t go your way, the drive to improve, and the joy of connecting with others through creative endeavors. Look Back inspired me to do just that – to look back on the work I’ve put in and how far I’ve come, and to ask myself why it is I create and what it is I want to accomplish. Much like how Look Back is Fujimoto’s love letter to art, I loved Look Back for the message it presented and the way it made me reflect. It’s a truly heartfelt, human movie depicting all of the emotions that come with being a creator, and the sentiment behind it really landed with me as someone who creates things myself. Look Back is more than just my favorite anime movie of the year – it’s a film that resonated with me on so deeply of a level that it’s become one of my favorite movies of all time
Other nominees:
Editor’s Note: I didn’t have enough movies to fill out a full 6 nominees this year, so there were only 4
Best Episode
WINNER
Dandada
Episode 7 – To a Kinder World
From the moment the episode begins, it’s clear that To a Kinder World has something different in store for you compared to previous episodes. The disorienting first person scene of an unnamed character desperately running through dimly lit streets at night feels right out of a horror movie, and the 20 minutes that follow trade Dandadan’s typical comedy and more light hearted tone for a heavy atmosphere and a raw, emotional look at what stories may be behind the yokai the cast find themselves battling. The flashback scene choosing to eschew dialogue except for a few pivotal lines and instead let the visuals and music tell the story made those few lines hit way harder, and the sequence overall helps to humanize the yokai and show they’re more than just mindless monsters. To a Kinder World is a phenomenally directed and incredibly emotional episode exploring the relationship between humans and yokai, one that undoubtedly elevates Dandadan and shows that it’s a series that can do it all, be it crazy action, wacky comedy, endearing romance, or emotionally evocative story beats
Other nominees:
Best Sequel/Spinoff
WINNER
Hibike! Euphonium S3
It’s no secret that I love KyoAni, as Clannad, K-On, and Violet Evergarden are all in my top 25 anime, and Hibike Euphonium is yet another fantastic entry in their catalog that has KyoAni firing on all cylinders. Hibike’s final season is a moving conclusion to the series that satisfyingly wrapped up the story of Kumiko and the Kitauji concert band, capping off nearly a decade’s worth of growth and development with a heartfelt ending that cements the series as a standout character drama. Throughout Hibike’s run, Kumiko has developed into one of my favorite protagonists in anime, and this final season showing off how she’s grown into such a capable leader and giving her such a strong sendoff was immensely rewarding. And it’s not just Kumiko – Hibike has a wonderfully passionate cast who cares so much – not just about music they play, but also the people they play that music with, and that passion permeates everything in the series. And that doesn’t even begin to touch on the gorgeous art, character designs and animation from KyoAni, the fantastic soundtrack from Akito Matsuda, or the amazing VA work across the board, especially Tomoyo Kurosawa as Kumiko. Hibike Euphonium is an incredibly well written character drama with a phenomenal lead in Kumiko and a great supporting cast full of caring, genuine and passionate characters. Going on this journey with them and seeing how much everyone grew throughout the series was emotional and gratifying, and the finale to it all was really satisfying from both a narrative and emotional standpoint. But most of all, KyoAni’s ability to emphasize the human element and craft a heartwarming anime with an endearing cast reaffirmed how much I enjoy their stories, their characters, and the themes permeating everything. As sad as I was to say goodbye to the cast I’d grown so attached to, more than anything I was happy to have experienced such a warm and heartfelt story – a story about growing up, finding a place you belong, and fighting to make your dreams come true
Other nominees:
Anime of the Year
WINNER
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Believe it or not, Frieren was the very first anime I watched in 2024, and now, nearly a year later, I can finally give it the award it most deserves. From its opening episode, I was moved by the bittersweet tone of the parting that sets the story in motion, and that feeling carried on through the entire series. Frieren is an anime that shows the meaning in goodbyes – how the journey that leads up to them impacts the people who part and how the goodbye may be the end of their time together, but also of how the story continues after that goodbye. About how the quiet moments are just as important and memorable as the bombastic ones, and of how the everyday actions that can seem so menial in the moment can leave a lasting impact
Throughout Frieren’s journey to Ende, she meets a large cast of characters who all leave their mark on her and her party in some way, and it’s clear how Frieren influences the rest of the cast in turn. While the series is slow paced, that slow journey is full of constant development and character moments, once again showing how the seemingly mundane can be incredibly impactful. Frieren herself is a joy of a protagonist, and the supporting cast is also a delight, with an incredibly varied group of interesting and enjoyable characters. There’s a developmental push and pull between Frieren, her party and the side characters, and it was really fun getting to know all of them and seeing how they helped one another grow
While the story and characters were undeniably the most impactful aspect of the anime to me, the phenomenal production values in every respect deserve recognition too. Beautiful background art makes the world feel alive and gorgeous to look at, character animation is incredible, the soundtrack from Evan Call is equally somber and uplifting, and voice acting across the board is superb
As a whole, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is absolutely incredible – an emotionally evocative anime that shows the meaning of saying goodbye and of the journey that follows it. I loved watching Frieren and the rest of the cast find meaning in their journeys, meetings and partings, and felt the series and its themes of treasuring your time with the people around you and of not parting with any regrets were genuinely moving. Mix in the incredible production with the poignant themes and engaging cast, and there’s not a thing about this anime that I didn’t love. The 28 episodes that make up Frieren: Beyond Journey’s end are a spellbinding journey that I truly believe to be one of the most meaningful stories I’ve ever experienced – a heartfelt, thought provoking series that’ll undoubtedly be remembered as a modern masterpiece
Other nominees:
Final Summary of Nominees
You can check out the full list of anime that were nominated for awards below in alphabetical order!
