Japan has spoken, and its choice for Anime of the Year 2024 is not what most fans were expecting. While Solo leveling dominated headlines, streaming charts and international awards, Japan’s Newtype Magazine Anime Awards, run by Kadokawa Group, presented the top honor to Makeine: Too many losing heroines!
The announcement came via Newtype’s official X account, which covers anime released between July 2024 and April 2025. This means Solo leveling Season 2, which aired during this time, was part of the competition.
Still, Makeine prevailed, leaving many anime fans surprised, especially since both series were created by the same studio, A-1 Pictures.
The victory is even more interesting because Makeine it’s a romantic comedy, a genre that rarely steals the spotlight from high-octane fantasy or action titles.
The series, which premiered in July 2024, tells a story that turns the usual rom-com setup on its head by following the characters after a failed love confession. The show’s heartfelt storytelling and emotional honesty obviously struck a chord with Japanese audiences.
In the meantime, Solo levelingthe anime adaptation of the hugely popular Korean manhwa, has continued its winning streak elsewhere, recently being crowned Anime of the Year at Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards. It is expected to remain strong in next year’s awards season as well. But Japan’s results paint a more complex picture of anime’s global appeal.
While Makeine occupies first place, Solo leveling still performed impressively, securing fourth place and outpacing fan favorites like Dandan. This shows that its popularity in Japan is constantly increasing, even if the nation’s tastes differ from those of Western audiences.
Including the rest of Japan’s top three Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX AND The apothecary’s diaries Season 2, reflecting local audiences’ continued love for long-running franchises and character-driven dramas.
In the end, Makeine: Too many losing heroines! the winner of the Anime of the Year award highlights the unique sensibilities of Japanese viewers. Where Western audiences often gravitate towards spectacle and scale, Japanese voters have gravitated towards something more concrete and emotionally resonant.
Yet, with Solo leveling rising higher in the Japanese charts and The apothecary’s diaries gaining international acclaim, it is clear that the gap between public preferences around the world is narrowing.
For now, however, Makeine stands as the biggest Japanese anime of 2024, a romantic underdog that has bested some of the year’s biggest titans.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
