The new year brings exciting new anime premieres that anime fans won’t want to miss! January 2024 is kicking off with some highly anticipated new shows as well as the return of some fan favorites. From action-packed adventures to heartwarming comedies, these are the top 5 anime releasing in January 2024 that you cannot miss.
This diverse line-up has something for every anime lover, so clear your calendar and get ready to binge-watch the most promising anime of the winter 2024 season. With incredible animation, engaging storylines, and lovable characters, these seven shows are set to delight and thrill. Don’t miss out on the hottest new anime that January has to offer!
1) Solo Leveling
- Release Date: 6th Jan, 2024
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Coming in at number one is the hugely anticipated anime adaptation of the popular manhwa Solo Leveling. Set in a world where magical gates unleash terrifying monsters that can only be battled by superpowered Hunters, Solo Leveling follows the story of the weakest Hunter, Sung Jin-Woo. Ten years ago, Jin-Woo was an E-Rank hunter barely scraping by to support his ill mother. But after a mission gone wrong leaves him the sole survivor, Jin-Woo awakens with a mysterious quest log that promises to transform him into one of the world’s strongest Hunters.
- As Jin-Woo completes quest after quest, gaining experience and abilities, he becomes almost god-like in his powers. But unlike typical isekai narratives, this immense strength does not make the story repetitive or boring. That’s because the focus is always on Jin-Woo’s character growth and his relationships. We get to enjoy his creative strategies for defeating enemies, and there is always suspense since stronger gates and foes continue to emerge.
- Solo Leveling demonstrates that an OP main character can be an asset, not a liability, when done right. Jin-Woo steadily earning his powers through an engaging progression fantasy system keeps the story riveting and fresh. His character remains appealingly humble despite his insane abilities. So, while he may become the undisputed strongest hunter in existence, it is far from a typical isekai or OP MC story.
The phenomenal execution by the creators results in a constantly escalating narrative that never grows stale. Make sure to catch Solo Leveling this January to see the benchmark-setting action and animation for yourself.
2) MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES Season 2
- Release Date: 6th Jan, 2024
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix (in select regions)
Coming in at number two is the hilarious magic-meets-muscles comedy, Mashle: Magic and Muscles, returning for a highly anticipated second season.
Mashle took the anime world by storm with its unique blend of magic school parody and over-the-top action. Protagonist Mash Burnedead lives in a world where magic is everything, yet he has zero magical abilities. Forced to enroll in magic school to save his life, muscle-bound Mash has to overcome all obstacles using his superhuman strength alone.
- While Mashle wears its influences proudly, it excels at being an over-the-top parody full of heart. Underneath all the gags and exaggerated action is a genuinely fun coming-of-age story. The anime packs so much humor and creative visual comedy into each episode. It captures the magic of classic retro anime with fluid animation and an instantly loveable cast of characters.
We can’t wait to see what hi-jinks Mash gets up to in his second year, with even bigger muscles and a full roster of lovable misfit friends at his side. The first season had us laughing nonstop from start to finish. Mashle truly stands out for its uplifting spirit and ability to spoof the magic school genre with such a perfect blend of affection and parody.
Don’t miss out on the continuing adventures of Mash and friends when Season 2 brings the ridiculous comedy magic back in January 2024!
3) Frieren: Beyond the Journey’s End Part 2
https://youtu.be/CLu4HEX32P8?si=Z0x8xbNaDc1RwbLm
- Release Date: 5th Jan,2024
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll (free with ads)
Coming in at number three is the profoundly moving fantasy drama, Frieren: Beyond the Journey’s End, returning for a second part this January. Following the disbanding of a legendary hero’s party, immortal elf mage Frieren begins to reconsider the fleeting connections she made with her comrades over their decade-long quest.
- What makes Frieren so impactful is its thoughtful exploration of life’s ephemeral nature. We follow the eternally young Frieren as she witnesses the withering of the world around her, coming to regret not appreciating the brief time she had with her friends. Through quiet, powerful storytelling, Frieren examines themes of mortality, legacy, and making the most of each moment we’re given.
- Beyond the meditative story, Frieren draws you in with its breathtaking background art and fluid animation. Every pastoral landscape and crumbling ruin is brought to life with a delicate, lifelike attention to detail. Combined with a haunting soundtrack, the series captures the wistful, nostalgic atmosphere of a story centered on the passage of time.
We were incredibly moved by Frieren’s first part and cannot wait to see the ancient elf’s journey continue. With its thoughtful themes and gorgeous art direction, Frieren is an anime masterpiece in the making. Don’t miss out on the return of this profoundly moving drama in January 2024.
4) One Piece Egghead Island Arc
- Release Date: 7th Jan, 2024
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix (in select regions), Disney+ (in select regions)
The legendary anime juggernaut One Piece returns for its highly anticipated Egghead Island Arc. With over 1000 episodes under its belt, One Piece needs no introduction as one of the most iconic and mind-blowingly epic anime of all time. Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat pirates arrive at the top-secret island laboratory of the genius Dr. Vegapunk, facing off against the World Government’s deadly forces.
- As long-time One Piece fans, we can confidently say that Egghead Island looks set to be an instant classic. With incredible matchups like Luffy vs. Admiral Kizaru, and the emotional backstory of Bartholomew Kuma himself, this arc is crammed cover-to-cover with historic moments. We’ll get a treasure trove of lore reveals, from the secrets of Devil Fruits to the mysterious SSG weapon.
Master mangaka Eiichiro Oda has really outdone himself with the lore and reveals he’s packed into Egghead Island. We’ll uncover the secrets behind Devil Fruit powers, the mysterious SSG weapon, and so much more. Over 20 years in, One Piece continues to set the bar higher for action, adventure, and masterful storytelling. You don’t want to miss Luffy’s latest laugh-out-loud, cry-your-eyes-out, punch-the-air epic saga when Egghead Island kicks off this January!
5) MONSTERS: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation
- Release Date: TBA
- Where to Watch: Netflix
For One Piece fans, one of the most exciting anime premiering in January is Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation. This special Netflix film finally brings to life the legendary dragon-slaying swordsman Ryuma, who Oda first created as a protagonist years before One Piece.
- Officially described as: “In a peaceful era, the only ‘terror’ disturbing the gentle flow of time was a dragon dancing in the sky. That ‘terror’ signified the absolute annihilation of that land. The 19-year-old Eiichiro Oda depicted this legendary short story of the swordsman Ryuma’s heroic exploits before starting the ONE PIECE serialization. This is the first-ever anime adaptation of ‘MONSTERS!'”
- One Piece fans have been waiting for years to see the “Monsters” manga adapted. Getting to see the early adventures of Zoro’s ancestor Ryuma animated in Oda’s signature style is a dream come true. With its simple but powerful story about a lone swordsman facing off against a fearsome sky dragon, Monsters promises exhilarating action.
Seeing the connections between Ryuma and later characters like Zoro shows Oda’s talent even as a teenager. Netflix has confirmed Monsters will release sometime in January 2024, but we don’t have an exact date yet. Make sure to bookmark this page, because the minute they announce the official premiere date we’ll update this section, so you don’t miss it!
Conclusion:
With stunning new anime adaptations, highly anticipated sequels, and returns of all-time classics, January 2024 is set to kickstart the winter anime season with a bang.
With so many incredible new series and continuations premiering next month, be sure to clear your calendars. Don’t let these top-ranked anime pass you by without watching them as soon as they release. Between the jaw-dropping animation, engaging stories, and memorable characters, this January is overflowing with anime that you absolutely cannot miss.
