Paste Magazine has released its list of the best animated series from 2024, highlighting standout shows amid a challenging year for the genre due to streaming service cuts. Arcane tops the ranking for its visually stunning second season, while other entries include superhero tales and coming-of-age stories. The list underscores the quality of animation despite industry pressures.
The animation landscape in 2024 faced significant hurdles, as streaming platforms like Max removed numerous Cartoon Network classics, leaving only Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, and Courage the Cowardly Dog by 2025. Despite these cuts, Paste Magazine identified an impressive array of new and returning series that delivered fresh takes on superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, and personal growth.
Topping the list is Arcane, the second season of the League of Legends adaptation by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. It picks up with Jinx launching a magic missile into Piltover's council room, escalating tensions between the cities of Piltover and Zaun toward war. The series features compelling characters like Jinx (voiced by Ella Purnell) and Vi, with Fortiche Production's animation bringing steampunk fantasy to life through tragic duels and heartfelt reconciliations. Reviewer Elijah Gonzalez praised its narrative impact, noting how it mixes tragedy and catharsis despite some unresolved political threads.
In second place, X-Men ’97 revives the 1990s animated series, continuing the story months after Charles Xavier's death. It honors the original with homages while advancing the saga, capturing Marvel's essence at its best, according to Trent Moore.
Other highlights include Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld, a coming-of-age tale infused with Chinese mythology, following protagonist Jentry as she confronts her powers and personal alienation in Texas. My Adventures With Superman explores Clark Kent's (Jack Quaid) origins and relationships amid threats from Task Force X. The Legend of Vox Machina delivers action and romance in its third season, adapting Critical Role's campaign with emotional depth.
Lower-ranked but notable are Star Trek: Lower Decks, blending parody and utopian ideals in its final season; Invincible, advancing Mark's emotional struggles in its sophomore year; The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, a human-free sci-fi comedy tackling mental health; Batman: Caped Crusader, offering a noir-infused take on the Dark Knight; and Creature Commandos, a pathos-driven Suicide Squad spin-off under James Gunn's influence.
Overall, the list reflects resilience in animated TV, with diverse styles from adult humor to epic fantasies, even as production scales back.
