2024 Anime Hidden Gems

As we approach the end of December, let’s take a look at what anime studios have offered us this year.

Naturally, I’ll be focusing on underrated and overlooked series that deserve more attention.

1. Kimi wa Meido-sama/ You Are Ms. Servant.

Ah… 2024 is once again filled with romance anime.
There’s always that tingling feeling when a seemingly ordinary girl who lacks basic maid skills but secretly possesses assassin abilities wants to stay by your side.

The Sis character is also quite charming, adding more depth and making this slice-of-life anime even more engaging.

2. Akuyaku Reijou Level 99 / Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss.

Meet Yumiella, a girl who prefers the game’s fantasy elements over romance.
In When the Otome Story Folds, her powers are revealed to be Level 99, forcing her to realize that her dream of living a quiet, peaceful life is no longer an option.

I have mixed feelings about this anime. It follows a girl training to become a Demon Lord well… a hidden boss, to be precise.
Despite that, the story takes a fresh and clever route of its own.

Since I already enjoyed Heretical Last Boss Queen, I can’t help but admire otome-style plots and reverse harem narratives like this one as well.

3. Kenka Dokugaku/ Viral Hit.

Manhwa adaptations truly showed their fangs in 2024, delivering a wide range of compelling genres, intriguing plots, and surprisingly strong anime adaptations from Korean comics.

If you need a short break from isekai anime, this is definitely worth checking out.

Viral Hit tells the story of an MC who is constantly bullied and eventually turns to extreme methods to fight back. I won’t spoil too much because that would ruin the fun But one thing is certain: this anime features smooth, top-notch animation.

Its main weakness lies in the pacing, as the plot can feel a bit rushed.

4. 365 Days to the Wedding.

Have you ever wondered if there’s an anime where the main character faces real struggles?
Like how finding a life partner isn’t easy and not every story revolves around an overpowered MC, instant harems, and ecchi everywhere (classic anime tropes).

This anime is the answer.

The MC deals with genuine problems: difficulty finding a waifu, emotional struggles, and heartbreak.

While the story leans more toward adult life especially the challenges of finding a marriage partner it focuses on the journey of an introvert and the weight of making difficult life decisions.
Even so, the conclusion remains surprisingly simple and grounded.

There are still many other anime that flew under the radar, but unfortunately I haven’t finished watching them yet and I’m still unsure whether they deserve a spot on the Hidden Gem list, such as:

How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer (funny as hell)