【Top 5 Picks】The 5 Must-Watch Anime of April 2024: A Guide to the Season's Most Unforgettable Series!!

Hi, I'm Xue Di, and it's July. Not only do we have a bunch of new shows starting this season, but it also means that many from the previous season have wrapped up.

This April's lineup has been a rollercoaster. We had buzz-worthy titles at the start like "GIRLS BAND CRY" and "Nighttime Jellyfish Can't Swim," sparked by the trends of girl bands and idols. However, the momentum fizzled out, failing to sustain the excitement that previous hits like Solitary Rock and My GO!!!!! generated.

Moreover, there are solid adaptations of both manga and light novels that added more depth to already high-quality original works, or infused them with the creators' unique ideas, creating a symbiotic blend.

This time, let me share with you the five shows that I think are worth watching after they concluded.

Amnesia Pitcher and Catcher

Adapted by MAPPA, "Amnesia Pitcher and Catcher" tells the story of a junior high pitcher-catcher duo, undefeatable and so dominant they discouraged many opponents from playing baseball, who surprisingly chose a little-known public school without a baseball team over prestigious ones.

The catcher, Kei You, was once a strategic genius in middle school and led his team to numerous victories, but he lost his talent for strategy and passion for the exhausting sport upon entering high school. The pitcher, Haruka Kiyomine, crushed many powerful hitters under Kei's guidance but came to this obscure school just to play with Kei.

Of course, besides the two, other players also had substantial screen time, creating an ensemble drama that cleverly hides each character's evolving mindset beneath a lighthearted narrative.

With MAPPA's adaptation and an OP sung by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, the entire anime is brimming with youthful energy, packed with humor yet doesn't shy away from serious moments. The pacing is just perfect; it's easily my favorite anime of this season.

Watch for free online: Amnesia Pitcher and Catcher

Demon Slayer: Pillar Training Arc

Ever since Ufotable took on Demon Slayer, the quality of their adaptation has been unmatched. The Pillar Training Arc, which everyone assumed would be a simple transitionary phase leading to the big battle, was expanded with meticulous detail, not feeling like filler at all.

The final episode's animation, where Muzan's sneaky home invasion triggers a battle initiated by a self-exploding Yubashiri, is epic. Regardless of whether you've followed Demon Slayer before, the experience of watching it from start to finish is one of the most thrilling in anime history.

Watch for free online: Demon Slayer: Pillar Training Arc

Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No. 8, another hot topic, tells a story of monsters destroying cities, with the protagonist, who dreams of standing beside his childhood friend on the pinnacle of humanity's defense, unexpectedly becomes a kaiju himself.

I've been following this ever since the manga debuted. The early plot was tight and constantly climaxing, primed to become a masterpiece, but later on, excessive dragging made it quite exhaustive to follow.

This issue is seen in many recent JUMP hits, including Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia, where antagonists grow much faster than the protagonists. Characters like Mahito and Tomura Shigaraki, supposed to be rivals growing alongside the main character, constantly outmatch the protagonists. Every time the hero painstakingly masters a new skill, their opponents instantly counter with something superior, which is frustrating to watch.

In Kaiju No. 8, the issue is with antagonist Kaiju No. 9, a villain who grows faster than the hero, constantly stirs trouble, and steals the spotlight.

So, it's best to catch the anime of Kaiju No. 8 now, as it's the peak parts that are airing.

Watch for free online: Kaiju No. 8

Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation - Cour 2

Happy Father's Day to Paul, and congratulations to Rudy on marrying his blue-haired wife.

This season's "Mushoku Tensei" started slow but finished strong, with what I consider the best team battle scene this season. The last time I saw such a fluid team fight against a boss was in the first season of "Sword Art Online."

Meanwhile, I'm a fan of Konomi Kohara's voice acting. Seriously, when Rudy rescued Roxy trapped in the dungeon, she was so smitten, speaking like she was flirting – her voice was melting!

However, possibly due to time constraints, many parts from the original were omitted. Yet, watching the anime still gives a very smooth experience, which I highly recommend.

Watch for free online: Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation - Cour 2

KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3

KonoSuba's third season mainly focuses on introducing Princess Alice and develops the story around the masochistic crusader, Darkness. Of course, the animation occasionally fall apart (in a good way).

Although certain key high-profile events, like Kazuma sneaking into the royal palace, were slightly underwhelming, the voice acting was phenomenal when they exchanged identities. Plus, getting to hear Ai Kayano's quirky screams is pure bliss!

Watch for free online: KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3