By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

We are at the beginning of the Spring 2024 season, and I’m late, but still thought it would be nice to share a few quick recommendations for those watching things this season.

In upcoming/ongoing works to consider watching this season, I recommend:

Natsume Yuujinchou is probably my all-time favorite anime. It’s one of the few series I can rewatch endlessly without getting bored. As a result, I’ve accumulated a lot of Nyanko-sensei merch and own two box sets of the anime—one of which I bought because the first didn’t include all the movies released so far. If I have the option and budget, I’ll inform you all now that I will happily buy another box set of the series to own all seven seasons. I often recommend this series because it feels like a show that helps you and heals your spirit as you watch. Though yokai and danger play a role in the story, there’s nothing terror or horror inducing. Moreover, it always shows a light at the end of the darkness for the characters within. It offers something truly unique, positive, and beautiful. Of all the anime set to air this season, this is the one I’m most excited for.

I’ve already recommended this series before, so I’m not going to add anything here about it. I hope you all will enjoy the anime as much as I enjoyed the manga!

Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga is a must-watch for fans of the Blue Exorcist series. The saga combines intense battles with heartfelt character development, exploring themes of family, identity, and destiny—elements that drew me into the original series. I expect this latest addition will feature some stunning, updated animation, more gripping storylines, and a continuation of the show’s unique blend of humor and drama. It’s definitely one to watch this season, so if you haven’t seen Blue Exorcist before, now is the perfect time to catch up. It’s a great series to dive into, especially during the Halloween season!

Nina the Starry Bride is a captivating fantasy romance that weaves together political intrigue, magic, and heartwarming relationships. The story follows Nina, a commoner with striking blue eyes, who is suddenly chosen to pose as a princess due to her uncanny resemblance to the kingdom’s late royal. As she navigates palace life and dangerous secrets, Nina forms unexpected bonds and uncovers her own inner strength. With its stunning animation, engaging plot twists, and a perfect balance of drama and charm, Nina the Starry Bride is a must-watch for fans of fairy-tale-inspired stories filled with romance and adventure.

Until I saw the preview for this animated movie during Aniplex Online Fest 2024, I wasn’t very interested in watching it. I had come across it while scrolling through MyAnimeList, but the cover art didn’t really catch my attention. It seemed a bit non-descript, showing a few generic-looking guys sitting on a porch with some kind of animal, which I initially thought, on closer inspection, was a wet Pomeranian. It turns out it’s a type of yokai, and the series is actually about friendship—exactly the kind of story that usually appeals to me.

Link Click returns for a second season and it would feel remiss not to mention it. Known for its intriguing premise where two protagonists use time travel through photographs to solve mysteries and untangle the past, Link Click offers a blend of suspense, emotion, and complex character development. Based on the trailer, I think we can all expect some visually stunning animation and a story that will continue to keep us engaged in the mystery they built up in Season 1.

Beastars returns for its highly anticipated final season, and it’s a must-watch for fans of the show. Personally, after watching about half of Season 1, I had set the series aside. However, after seeing a few videos on Beastars from Sarcastic Chorus on YouTube, I picked it back up and have been following these anthropomorphic animals as they struggle with their instincts and societal roles ever since. For me, Beastars masterfully blends a variety of themes into a drama that becomes increasingly political as it progresses—almost like a much darker Zootopia. It tackles complex issues like identity, prejudice, and power dynamics. As the series reaches its climax, tensions between carnivores and herbivores continue to rise, and Legoshi’s journey of self-discovery and balance takes on even greater emotional weight. Let’s see how the final season culminates, hopefully, into a fitting and impactful conclusion!

Other Mentions

The seven titles above are my main picks for the season, but there are a few other series I plan to check out, including: Acro Trip, which seems to be a magical girl comedy; A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School!, a school-based comedy with a teacher lead; Let This Grieving Soul Retire, which appears to be a dungeon break series (not sure though); Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii, which is a romance recommendation from a friend of mine; Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Season 3, a series I picked up years ago that never fails to leave me laughing as a harem isekai; and Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., a magical girl action series that looked pretty interesting.

Edits by: Krow Smith | @coffeewithkrow