Fans are always looking for some truly exceptionalanimeshows, and 2023 was a pleasant surprise for them, thanks to a slew of hit series, includingJujutsu Kaisen,Vinland Saga, andOshi no Ko. Furthermore, with so many new additions to popular genres such as shounen and isekai, this year has been phenomenal.
If you’ve been holding off watching weekly episodes of popular series or simply wondering about the best anime shows released this year, we’ve put together a list consisting of some of the most impactful and successful anime series of 2023. Although the list rankings may not appeal to every audience, they are purely subjective but on a level with which most people can agree. We’ve ranked these anime series based on the following criteria:
That being said, here arethe best anime seriesreleased in 2023 that will provide you with endless amusement, strong emotions, and epic action scenes.
26Tokyo Revengers Season 3
(Oct. 4 - Dec. 26)
Tokyo Revengersis an anime that quickly became a hot topic following its premiere, instantly achieving enormous success. The third season, titled “Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku-hen,” follows Takemichi, who returns to the present day after time-traveling in the second season, only to find out that a new gang called Tenjiku has caused quite a commotion, throwing a wrench into his plans.
Tokyo Revengers Excels at the Time-Travel Trope
Although some people believe thatTokyo Revengersis a bit overrated, it excels at what it does best: tackling the subject oftime travel. Despite being slow-paced at times, the show grows on you with each episode, making all the built-up anticipation worthwhile by the end. It is one of the few shounen anime that deserves the recognition it receives. That said, the third season falls short compared to the previous seasons, which leads to a lower ranking on our list.
Stream on Crunchyroll
25Mashle: Magic and Muscles
(Apr. 8 - Jul. 1)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a combination of thestrong characters inOne-Punch ManandHarry Potter?Mashle: Magic and Musclesis a fabulous representation of gag humor, which follows Mash Burnedead, an aloof boy with superhuman strength in a world where only magic is considered a strength. When the authorities discover him, he is forced to enroll in the elite Easton Magic Academy and compete for the title of “Divine Visionary” if he is to survive in this world.
Mashle Is the Perfect Satire for the Fantasy Genre
Mashleis a mixed bag of emotions, though the series is primarily a comedy. The anime draws inspiration from famous series and movies likeBlack Clover,Harry Potter, andOne-Punch Manto create something more fun and engaging. It is arguably one of the year’s finest anime, but it does not rank higher than this.
24Rurouni Kenshin Reboot
(Jul. 7 - Dec. 15)
A tale by Nobuhiro Watsuki, who mentored Eiichiro Oda, the creator ofOne Piece, is already a classic in the Japanese anime industry, having been released in 1996. The revival of the classicRurouni Kenshintakes place in the late nineteenth century when Japan significantly changed and entered the age of restoration.
However, following the war, the legendary samurai, Hitorkiri Battousai, disappeared into thin air, disguising himself as Himura Kenshin and vowing never to take another life ever again. But as the ghosts of the past frequently shatter the surrounding peace, he is forced to question his beliefs.
The Reboot Is More True to the Manga Than the Original
Although the originalRurouni Kenshinhad a sense of nostalgia with its artwork, it suffered a few drawbacks, even if it is one of themost important anime of the ’90s, such as extended fillers, childish interactions, and not nearly enough gore. In some ways, the reboot avoided all the pitfalls the original had stepped into and stayed faithful to the manga, providing a thrilling ride for both fans and newcomers alike.
23Trigun Stampede
(Jan. 7 - Mar. 25)
Trigun Stampedeserves as a remake of the classicTrigunanime series that is just as faithful to the source material. Taking place on the planet Norman’s Land, Vash the Stampede is considered a dangerous outlaw who attracts innumerable bounty hunters but also leaves dead bodies in his wake. However, in reality, Vash is a carefree driver who is well-liked by the residents of his community, and his infamous reputation stems from the atrocities committed by his twin brother, Knives Millions.
Trigun Stampede Is a Flawless Reimagining of the 1990s Classic
Trigun Stampedeis a charming reboot that introduces several new elements, whether in the form of 3D animation or an impressive reinterpretation of the manga. While many fans of the original anime criticized this anime for its unconventional 3D animation, avid anime fans spoke highly about it. Overall,Trigun Stampedeis a beautiful adaptation that lives up to the source material.
22Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
(Apr. 9 - Jul. 2)
Gundamis one of the most lucrative andpopular animefranchises, and it wouldn’t be interesting if a new installment didn’t come out every year. When Suletta Mercury duels with her fiancée, Guel Jeturk, in hopes of opposing her marriage, she is accused of using a forbidden Gundam suit despite emerging as the champion. With another duel tentatively set between the couple, Suletta must use all her trump cards if she doesn’t want to be expelled and her Gundam Aerial destroyed.
The Witch from Mercury Takes a Silly Yet Fun Approach to the Mecha Concept
SinceMobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercuryis not a conventionalGundamseries, many people judged it, with some even labeling it a complete failure. However, longtimeGundamfans who have given up hope of witnessing the classic touch of fine storytelling will be able to appreciate it. Having said that,The Witch from Mercuryis a fine addition to the franchise, with visually appealing animation and satisfying battle sequences.
21Shangri-La Frontier
(Oct. 1- Present)
Rakurou Hitozume, a second-year high school student, has an odd obsession with finding and acing lousy video games, establishing himself as a pro gamer for whom no game is too bad. When he discovers a new VR game calledShangri-La Frontier, he does his usual thing of skipping the prologue and conquering the world, but for the first time in his life, he finds it difficult to finish a game. How will he live up to his reputation as a formidable gamer?
Shangri-La Frontier Is a Goofy Take on VR Gaming
We’ve seen plenty of anime series based on VR games, likeSword Art OnlineandBofuri, but whatShangri-La Frontierdoes differently is that it offers boundless humor while keeping the plot’s mystery element intact. With 25 episodes in the first season, this anime presents a pleasant ambiance of carefree exploration and low-stakes progression that will appeal to every anime lover.
20 Funny Anime Series for When You Need a Good Laugh
Whether you want a quick mood boost or a wholehearted belly laugh, the anime on this list have all the feel-good stories to delight you.
20Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
(Jul. 9 - Dec. 25)
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Deadonce again proves that it’s very difficult for a live-action adaptation to outperform an anime adaptation. Akira Tendou is an elite graduate who dreams of securing a perfect career, but when he lands a job in a corporate company that exploits his labor, he is forced to reconsider his life choices. When he has lost all hope, a zombie apocalypse breaks out, and he finds that he has never felt this free in his whole life.
Zom 100 Breathes New Life Into the Zombie Genre
Although there aren’t many zombie series in the anime industry, the concept has been overdone in the mainstream media, making it much more difficult to find a decent zombie film/TV show. Amidst all this,Zom 100takes a novel approach, making the story more about life and happiness amid the ensuing chaos while keeping blood and gore to the bare minimum. This is the perfectanime series if you love zombie movies.
19Buddy Daddies
(Jan. 7 - Apr. 1)
Miri Unasak, a four-year-old girl, arrives in Tokyo in search of her father but is accidentally saved by Kazuki and Rei, professional assassins whose mission goes haywire and leads them to Miri. Hoping to reunite Miri with her parents, Rei and Kazuki assume the roles of her caretakers, which, in turn, shape their lives in ways they could never have imagined.
Buddy Daddies Is a Wholesome Series with a Lovely Ending
Buddy Daddiesis the type of show seen very often in thewholesome slice-of-life genre, similar toSpy x Family,since the main characters' lives are filled with both dread and affection. However, this anime is so wholesome that you fall in love with Miri and her silly antics, and there is no room for anything other than a happy ending, so you can dive in with optimism.
18Golden Kamuy Season 4
(Oct. 2022 - Jun. 2023)
Golden Kamuyis an action-adventureanime based on a popular mangathat premiered in 2018 and has been going strong ever since. In season four, the race to find the missing gold is reaching its conclusion, with Hijikata, Tsurumi, and the most ruthless of all, Sugimoto, making major moves despite the fact that each group has varied advantages. Will Sugimoto be able to advance without Aspira’s assistance, and who will prevail in the end?
Golden Kamuy Season 4 Elevates the Show to New Heights
Golden Kamuyis an excellent adventure anime, similar toOne Piece, but the past three seasons didn’t feel like they hit a peak. The fourth season, on the other hand, is another story, with Tsurumi’s deceptive schemes getting more frequent and Sugimoto treating Aspira as an equal. If you haven’t seenGolden Kamuyyet, we highly recommend you do so since it provides an experience unlike anything else.
Stream on Prime Video
17Hell’s Paradise
(Apr. 1 - Jul. 1)
Gabimaru the Hollow, a ninja of Iwagakure Village, was set up by fellow ninjas and is destined to be executed. Despite his desire to die in peace after all the slaughter he endured, his love for his wife makes it impossible to kill him. When Asaemon, an Executioner, offers him the opportunity to join an expedition in search of an elixir in return for a full pardon, he accepts. But he isn’t the only one trying to find the elixir, and fellow inmates are the least of his concerns.
Hell’s Paradise Is a Dark Fantasy at Its Finest
From the beautifully composed opening song to the out-of-this-world aesthetic,Hell’s Paradiseis a paradise in its own right. Sure, it may be extremely gruesome and horrific, with all kinds of creatures and seamless action sequences, but that’s why it is considered the darkest of the dark manga series, similar toBerserk.
