2024 has been an unforgettable year for anime enthusiasts. This year saw some of the most iconic anime moments in ages that stayed etched in fans’ memories, ranging from the cinematic spectacle of Blue Lock’s thrilling finale to the emotionally resonant flashbacks of Dandadan.

Each of these scenes not only carried their respective series to new heights but also gave every anime fan something to cherish. In a year filled with jaw-dropping highlights, we’ve selected the top 10 anime moments of 2024 for you. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

10. SSJ3 Vegeta – Dragon Ball DAIMA

Ever since Dragon Ball began airing, Vegeta has rarely been given the spotlight. The focus has always been on Goku, which is why when the series’ deuteragonist achieved Super Saiyan 3 for the first time in DAIMA, fans couldn’t contain their excitement.

During his battle against Tamagami Number Two, Vegeta finally reached the peak of his powers, delivering one of Dragon Ball’s most iconic moments in years. The emotional payoff of seeing Vegeta finally have his glorious moment was undeniably one of the best anime moments of 2024.

9. Jinwoo Conquers Igris – Solo Leveling

The first season of Solo Leveling had its fair share of stunning moments, but the one that stood out the most was the epic clash between Jinwoo and Knight Commander Igris, the Bloodred. As an A-Rank Hunter, this was Jinwoo’s first major challenge on his quest to become a Shadow Monarch.

From the outset, Igris showed no mercy, relentlessly delivering lethal blows to Jinwoo. However, Jinwoo’s unwavering resolve and might allowed him to overcome his opponent as he tapped into his innermost power, forcing the mighty knight into submission.

8. Frieren vs. Clone – Frieren

Frieren is the first series in many years to gain widespread acclaim for its adventure fantasy elements. Its unique sense of stillness and calm is unmatched, but the series’ striking conclusion shattered that tranquility with a thrilling encounter between Frieren and her clone.

In the most intense battle yet of the series, Frieren faces an exact replica of herself, possessing all of her memories and magical abilities. The evenly matched magical standoff showcased the greatest displays of Frieren’s magical prowess so far, depicted with stunning animation.

7. Kyoraku’s Bankai – Bleach TYBW Part 3

One of the deadliest and most broken Bankai abilities in the Bleach universe, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū, was finally brought to life in the third part of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. It’s safe to say that it easily deserves a spot in the top 10 anime moments of all time.

Shunsui Kyōraku might seem like one of the kindest squad captains, but his Bankai is anything but gentle. Revered as forbidden in the Soul Society, its activation, paired with stunning visuals and the creative, theatrical, play-like acts of the Bankai, echoed in the hearts of every viewer.

6. Kafka Reveals His Identity – Kaiju No.8

Kaiju No.8 Season 2 is one of the most anticipated anime in 2025, and much of that excitement stems from its cliffhanger season finale, which delivered 2024’s best anime moment: the Defense Force discovering Kafka Hibino’s true form in broad daylight.

The episode masterfully portrayed Kafka’s inner turmoil as he wrestled with the choice between safeguarding his secret and protecting his comrades. Fully aware that revealing his Kaiju form would immediately label him as a threat, Kafka made the selfless decision to save the people he holds dear, regardless of the consequences.

5. Rafal Decides To Honor His Beliefs – Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

How many anime or stories do you know where the protagonist dies at the very beginning? It sounds insane, but that’s exactly what happened in Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, when Rafal decided to honor his beliefs and took his own life after just three episodes.

Rafal’s struggle to refute the Church’s geocentric theory with his mentor’s heliocentric model took an unexpected turn when he refused to compromise his findings. Instead, he chose to stand by the truth, even with his dying breath. Rafal’s death shocked everyone, as he went out as a true hero.

4. Hashira Unites Against Muzan – Demon Slayer Season 4

In the Hashira Training Arc, the long-anticipated first showdown between the Hashiras and Muzan at the Ubuyashiki mansion became the moment fans had been eagerly awaiting. When it finally unfolded in the season finale, Ufotable once again delivered a breathtakingly fluent and visually stunning episode.  

The slow-motion explosion as the mansion goes sky-high, the incredibly well-detailed shot of a dazed Muzan trying to regenerate, and the sweeping sight of the Infinity Castle as the Demon Slayer Corps is drawn into Muzan’s sinister domain—every frame was executed to perfection, making it one of the best anime moments of 2024.

3. Shanks Obliterates Kids Pirates – One Piece

One Piece Episode 1112, featuring the encounter between Shanks and Kid, taught us a valuable lesson: ‘Never try to fight a tsunami in the ocean with a small boat.’ What unfolded was nothing short of obliteration, as Shanks and his crew effortlessly wiped out the entire Kid Pirates in mere seconds.

Using his powerful Conqueror’s Haki-enhanced Divine Departure, Shanks turned a pirate with a 3 billion beri bounty on his head into a mere joke. The confrontation was simply diabolical, a testament to Red Hair’s unrivaled power and charisma.

2. Isagi’s Clutch Goal Against U20 – Blue Lock Season 2

Blue Lock faced significant criticism for its lackluster visuals during its second season, and rightly so. However, it silenced its critics with a phenomenal final episode, where football finally merged seamlessly with the animators’ cinematic brilliance.  

In the final, nail-biting moments of the game, with the score tied, Isagi intercepted a crucial pass from Rin and clinched victory for Blue Lock XI with a stunning direct shot. The goal, the euphoric celebration, and the roaring crowd combined to create a scene full of goosebumps, cementing it as one of the best anime moments of 2024.

1. Acrobatic Silky’s Backstory – Dandadan

Dandadan is such a wild and unpredictable series that when the extended flashback to Acrobatic Silky’s life as a human unfolded in the seventh episode, it hit fans like a truck. With the yokai’s emotional send-off, the anime shifted away from its usual quirky comedy so abruptly that it shocked fans to the core.

Whether it was the heartbreaking story behind the yokai’s aimless journey in the physical world, her one last ballet dance before jumping off a roof to her death, or her sacrifice for Aira, everything was stitched together to perfection, bringing tears to the audience’s eyes.

Which one of the following anime moments of 2024 is your favorite? We’d love to hear your thoughts – feel free to leave a comment below and share this article with your fellow otaku!

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