The must-watch anime to look out for in summer 2024

We’re officially halfway through 2024, and so far the year has boasted a wealth of exciting new anime throughout its winter and spring seasons. With the summer anime season (which runs from July through September) coming fast, there’s tons of premieres and returning anime to look forward, so let’s take a look at what we have on the horizon!

This summer has a little something for everyone: reboots of classic super robot anime like Grendizer U, historical adventure epics like The Elusive Samurai, action fantasies like Suicide Squad Isekai, and more. We’ve also got new seasons of great anime like Oshi no Ko and Time Patrol Bon, as well as the highly anticipated Terminator: Zero anime from Production I.G!

We’ll continue to update this list as we get a clearer picture of everything this upcoming anime season has to offer, but in the meantime, here are some of the most exciting anime airing this summer that you should look forward to.

Grendizer U

Release date: July TBA
Where to watch: TBA

Fans of Go Nagai (Devilman, Cutie Honey) and giant robots, rejoice: The classic Mazinger series is getting a new anime reboot this season! Based on Nagai’s original 1975 manga, the anime follows the story of the last known survivor of an alien species who flees to Earth after his homeworld is conquered by a villainous empire led by King Vega. When Vega’s forces arrive at Earth, the survivor — now named Daisuke Umon — must join forces with his friends Koji and Hikaru to pilot a giant alien robot named Grendizer to defend the planet.

Mitsuo Fukuda (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed) and art director Shun Kudo (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans) will co-direct this new adaptation of Grendizer. Tatsuo Higuchi (Fuuto PI) will be the series’ lead screenwriter, while mechanical designs will be made up of a team of veteran artists including Ko Inaba (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury) and Junichi Akatsu (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed).

T・P BON (Time Patrol Bon) season 2

Release date: July 17
Where to watch: Netflix

Based on the beloved sci-fi adventure manga by Doraemon creator(s) Fujiko Fujio, Time Patrol Bon follows the story of an ordinary high school student recruited to join a team of time-traveling heroes tasked with saving people’s lives across different eras across the world. Following the anime’s premiere in May, a second season of 12 episodes is set to premiere this June.

Oshi no Ko season 2

Release date: July TBA
Where to watch: HIDIVE

One of last year’s most unique anime returns this summer with an all-new season! Based on Aka Akasaka’s supernatural drama manga, Oshi No Ko follows the story of the son and daughter of a murdered pop idol who vow to find their mother’s killer and exact revenge. The son and daughter also happen to be the reincarnation of the pop idol’s biggest fan and a young girl who knew the other in their previous lives. It only gets wilder and weirder from there!

Suicide Squad Isekai

Release date: July TBA
Where to watch: TBA

The Suicide Squad (aka Task Force X) have gotten into a lot of mishaps over the years, but being transported into a fantasy universe? That’s a new one. Produced by Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Ranking of Kings), Suicide Squad Isekai follows the members of Amanda Waller’s elite covert team who are sent on a “peacekeeping mission” to an alternate dimension of swords and sorcery. After being unexpectedly cut off from Waller’s control, the Suicide Squad will have to devise a plan to return to their own dimension in time before their subdermal bombs are activated. No pressure!

The Elusive Samurai

Release date: July TBA
Where to watch: TBA

Based on Yusei Matsui’s historical manga, The Elusive Samurai follows the story of Hojo Tokiyuki, the heir of a powerful family who flees with a handful of his most loyal retainers after his clan is betrayed and overthrown by a tyrannical traitor. Prophesied to one day become the ruler of Japan, Hojo and his entourage strive to seek revenge and attain his destiny using his single greatest talent: The ability to hide and flee!

Terminator: Zero

Image: Production IG/Netflix

Release date: Aug. 29
Where to watch: Netflix

First announced in 2023, the new anime series set in the universe of the Terminator franchise is quickly shaping up to be one of the most anticipated premieres this summer. Produced by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell) and directed by Masashi Kudo (Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War), Terminator: Zero will follow an unnamed soldier who travels from a war-ravaged 2022 to 1997 Tokyo on a mission to protect the creator of AI system with the power to combat Skynet. Aside from that, much of the story and characters are being kept under wraps, but from the look of the early promotional images, the series is shaping up to be an intriguing reinvention on the visuals and worldbuilding of the Terminator universe.