In 2023, there were so many great new and continuing anime series and several amazing theatrical releases, it was difficult to narrow it down to just a handful of picks.
Thanks to the vast array of online streaming options for anime, on Hulu, Crunchyroll, Hi-Dive, Netflix, plus a bunch of critically-acclaimed theatrical releases, anime is now a bigger part of the entertainment mainstream in N. America than ever. Series based on hit action and fantasy shonen manga series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End still drive a lot of fan excitement, but this year, there was also a dazzling array of romance, comedy and slice-of-life animated series worth watching too. See what The Beat’s reviewers picked as their must-sees of 2023, including best new anime series, best movies/feature films, best continuing anime series and a few underrated gems that are worth checking out.
BEST NEW ANIME SERIES
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End / Sousou no Frieren
Studio: Madhouse
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 15 episodes (continuing)
Source: Manga (Shogakukan / VIZ Media)
Original creator: Kanehito Yamada (Story) and Tsukasa Abe (Art)
Watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on Crunchyroll
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is this year’s revelation anime. What is a year or ten when your lifespan exceeds the thousands? Not much, it seems, for our elf magician Frieren. But is that really the case? The memories that spurt as she reminisces the good ol’ times with the Hero Party invokes a familiar sense of nostalgia. Although distant, these memories are fresh and deeply rooted in Frieren’s heart. They are heartfelt and genuine.
As we follow the same path as Frieren’s last adventure, her memories overflow with emotion. Little by little, these small glimpses of her past show both Frieren and us the value of time and the immortality of treasured memories. It is beautiful seeing Frieren grow a sense of humanity and a new outlook on life, putting the lessons from the past to practice with a new party of young, energetic, and green adventurers. This is an adventure like no other that unravels the nature of humans and what it means to truly be alive. You simply cannot get enough of Frieren. -Matias De la Piedra
Oshi no Ko
Studio: Doga Kobo
Platform: Hi-Dive
Number of episodes: 12 episodes (Season 2 in 2024)
Source: Manga (Shueisha / Yen Press)
Original Creator: Akasaka Aka (Author) Mengo Yokoyari (Artist)
Watch Oshi no Ko on Hi-Dive
This series was absolutely tailor made for ME! I’ve been a huge fan of Akasaka, and was reading Kaguya Sama: Love is War ever since it was available in the Jump+ app in Japan, back when I was still studying Japanese. I’m also a huge fan of director Daisuke Hiramaki’s work on other series, such as originals like Shirobako, or adaptations like New Game! or Squid Girl. Artist Mengo Yokoyari gave us Scum’s Wish, and while Doga Kobo’s mostly known for shows about cute girls doing cute things, like Yuru Yuri, Love Lab, or even the aforementioned New Game!.
It’s clear that there’s a lot of star power in the mix, and it all manages to coalesce perfectly into this humorous, thrilling, dramatic conspiracy about a superstar Japanese pop idol who gets murdered at the peak of her career. If you haven’t watched it already, I highly recommend trying the movie-length first episode. It might seem a bit daunting, but the payoff is immense because it adapts the entire first volume of the manga. You’ll definitely know whether you want to continue it or not afterward! –Marion Peña
Overtake!
Studio: TROYCA x Kadokawa
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 12 episodes (completed)
Source: Original
Watch Overtake! on Crunchyroll
Overtake! is the best original anime series of the year and my favorite show of its type since Run With the Wind in 2018. It’s a sports saga about F4 racing, PTSD and the ethics of photography, and a character drama confident enough to let the audience draw their own conclusions about the cast in their own time.
Ei Aoki and his crew at TROYCA recreate Fuji Speedway and its environs in obsessive detail. Takako Shimura’s original character designs are brought to vivid life by designer Masako Matsumoto. Best of all is the script by Ayumi Sekine, which is flavorful and drum-tight. If you haven’t checked out this show yet, what’s keeping you? -Adam Wescott
Trigun Stampede
Studio: Orange
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 12 episodes (completed)
Source: Manga (Shonen Gahosha / Dark Horse)
Original creator: Yasuhiro Nightow
Watch Trigun Stampede on Crunchyroll
When we got the news that Studio Orange was working on a ‘remake’ of TRIGUN, I had mixed feelings as a big fan of the original 1998 adaptation. On one hand, I knew how competent and creative the studio was, not overcrowding their workload at the expense of their artists. On the other, I view TRIGUN as a personal hallmark given how deeply the themes and the characters resonated with me, with anti-war, anti-violence and body horror elements. I wanted to see the studio capture and convey that essence without repeating the original series, delivering the same old but in 16:9. The result? Spectacular! It was different and fresh, fun and up-tempo, I was glued to the screen week after week. I also got the impression through the director Kenji Mutou’s interactions with fans on X that it was a project they were really passionate about. Whether you’re a fan still reluctant to give this remake a go or haven’t heard of the series before at all, you have to give TRIGUN STAMPEDE a go! – Merve Giray
My Happy Marriage
Studio: Kinema Citrus
Platform: Netflix
Number of episodes: 12 (season two forthcoming)
Source: Light novel (Yen Press) / Manga (Square Enix Manga)
Original Creators: Akumi Agitogi and Tsukiho Tsukioka
Watch My Happy Marriage on Netflix
This Taisho-era anime story centers on Miyo, a young woman who has lived a Cinderella-esque life as a servant to her family. After years of being treated as a second-class citizen in her home, she is promised in marriage to the imposing Lord Kudou. Rumors abound about Kudou, including that his previous prospective wives have all fled his side within days of meeting him. However, once Miyo meets Kudo, she discovers that he is far kinder than she was led to believe, and she remains devoted to him.
This series took me by surprise. I was expecting a romantic, swoonworthy anime, but didn’t expect there to be elements of fantasy, too, which is, to me, chef’s kiss. In this world, people have supernatural abilities, and there is a threat from grotesqueries, evil forces and creatures that threaten the peace of the land. Lord Kudou is a leader in the Anti-Grotesquerie Unit, a division of the military tasked to fight these beings. On top of the main romantic plot, we have threats from all sides—Miyo’s family, which seeks to destroy her happiness, and then the grotesqueries themselves. This makes for a rich viewing experience, although above all, the romance is worth watching. –Kristina Elyse Butke
Undead Unluck
Studio: David Production
Platform: Hulu
Number of episodes: 12 episodes (continuing)
Source: Manga (Shueisha / Shonen Jump / VIZ Media)
Original creator: Yoshifumi Tozuka
Watch Undead Unluck on Hulu
Next up in the Shonen Jump adaptation market follows a zombie named Andy and the supernaturally unlucky Fuuko as they try to die harder. Yup, with a series start with a cold open from animator Taiki Konno, the tropes Undead Unluck uses to build its modern battle shonen manga world allows David Production a full range of music, color palettes, and editing tricks that’s unavailable to in the weekly installments of the manga series. Rather than adapting panel-for-panel like previous big three Shonen Jump adaptations, David Production adapts staging from Yoshifumi Tozuka’s marquee panels, and amps up the quality with particle FX and transformation sequences. The mixture of sound effects, music, and voice acting comfortably convey overall series tone and pacing early on; especially realizing SFX and lettering gags from the manga to animation (ie. Andy’s Five Point Landing!).
As with most stellar series, Undead Unluck’s opening slaps, but the visualization belies an edgy, dark show where the series has shown to be outrageously heartfelt and absurdly funny even in the midst of its world-ending set pieces (in just Season One, mind you!). So, without further ado, here’s your new fave: Undead Unluck! – Beau Q.
Skip and Loafer
Studio: P.A Works
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 12 episodes (completed)
Source: Manga (Kodansha / Seven Seas Entertainment)
Original creator: Misaki Takamatsu
Watch Skip and Loafer on Crunchyroll
Skip and Loafer is a slice-of-life story that closely follows its source, but its anime adaptation brings its rich cast of manga characters to life in a way that feels both new and familiar. The animation is charming and light-hearted, and the voice actors are spot-on choices that add heart and humor to this lovable series.
Mitsumi Iwakura is a girl from a small town who moves to big city Tokyo with big plans for her life: she’s going to be a top student, who’ll then get into student government, get into a top university, and eventually, work in politics to help her small town survive and thrive. But a chance encounter with the class hunk who was once a child actor changes her plans (in a mostly good way!) It leads her to become the center of a group of classmates who normally wouldn’t talk to each other, but all end up discovering that once they look beyond their assumptions, they can create bonds of friendship that are surprisingly meaningful and transformative.
I know chances are slim for another season of this series, but I can’t help but hope that there will be another, so we’ll see more about the relationship between Mitsumi and her “aunt” Nao-chan. I won’t spoil it, but it’s well worth your time to read the rest of their story since it’s not covered in the anime – but I hope it will be, someday. -Deb Aoki
BEST ANIME MOVIE / FEATURE FILM OR OVA
The Boy and The Heron
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Distributor: GKids Films
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Visit GKids’ site for The Boy and The Heron
In what may legitimately be his final film, animation master Hayao Miyazaki holds nothing back. Miyazaki has no problem exploring the fantastic. Films like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and My Neighbor Totoro explored fantasy worlds. The Boy and The Heron though exists in the world of the surreal and symbolic. The hero Mahito must venture into a strange world to find his stepmother, guided by an unreliable heron. In this world, time has no meaning and nothing is as it seems. Mahito must confront his grief while wrestling with his family’s past and present.
Miyazaki and the animators at Studio Ghibli fill every frame with beautiful images. The opening sequence, set in a Tokyo under attack in World War II with flames warping everything around them, ranks as one of the best in the master’s long career. There’s knowing nods to all of his films throughout which seems appropriate for a film where time and memory collide. The film tackles grief and loss but fittingly also tackles legacy and what lies in those legacies. With his advanced age, this could actually be Miyazaki’s final film. If it is, it’s an extraordinary way to go out. -D. Morris
The First Slam Dunk
Studio: Dandelion Animation Studio, Toei Animation
Distributor: GKIDS Films
Source: Manga (Shonen Jump / VIZ Media)
Original creator: Takehiko Inoue
Visit GKids site for The First Slam Dunk
The original Slam Dunk anime had one big problem: it never reached the Sannoh arc, the comic’s grand finale and the point at which Takehiko Inoue transformed from a good artist to one of the best of his generation. But I never expected that Inoue himself would be the one to remix Sannoh into a film, much less that he’d rename it “The First Slam Dunk.” Why not “The Last Slam Dunk?”
Despite my reservations, Inoue’s first-time directorial effort is a triumph. Not only does it nail the precise rhythm of basketball in 3DCG, but it reinvents the straightforward sports action of Slam Dunk as a drama worthy of modern-day Inoue. It deserves consideration alongside The Boy and the Heron as proof that established artists are capable of learning new tricks. -Adam Wescott
Suzume
Directed by Makoto Shinkai
Written by Makoto Shinkai
Distributed by Toho (Japan); international release by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International
Novel and manga available from Yen Press
Visit official website for Suzume
Whilst Suzume got a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” theatrical release outside Japan, it still stands as my film of the year – and the best Makoto Shinkai movie since 2016’s near-perfect Your Name. A high schooler discovers a mysterious door and stumbles into a game of trickster gods and doom-worms. Part road trip, part coming-of-age tale of self discovery, part exploration of loss, part romance…It is a miraculous piece. There are points in the movie that have you on the edge of your seat or near to tears. Now available on Crunchyroll, grab the popcorn and make time to watch this enthralling recent masterpiece. – Dean Simons
Blue Giant
Studio: NUT
Distributor: GKids Films
Source: Manga (Shogakukan / Seven Seas Entertainment)
Original creator: Shinichi Ishizuka
Visit GKids’ site for Blue Giant
It’s not a secret that I’m a HUGE fan of this manga series focused on jazz – I’ve seen the Blue Giant movie THREE times (so far!): Once in a theater in Tokyo with just Japanese, once on a Japan Airlines flight with English subtitles, and yet again on the big screen in theater in Oakland, with English subtitles. I’m glad to say that the third time around somehow made it all worthwhile, as it seemed like some of the clunky CGI animation of the performance scenes from the initial release were fixed/cleaned up – or at least to the point where it wasn’t as distracting/disappointing as it was the first time around. The so-so CGI was maybe noticeable because drawn animated scenes were so fluid and emotional by comparison. In any case, the anime delivered some absolutely exhilarating music that was only hinted at in the black and white pages of the manga. Pianist Hiromi Uehara’s soundtrack knocks it out of the park, and really underscores that great jazz is not just heard, but felt, deep in your soul.
If you’ve read the Blue Giant manga series, you’ll be relieved (as I was) to see that the movie version starts from “the good part” – from when saxophonist Dai MIyamoto moves to Tokyo and meets Yukinori Sawabe, a talented jazz pianist with a pretty big chip on this shoulder. With Dai’s hometown friend/roommate Shunji Tamada on drums, Dai and Yukinori form a band, and set their sights on playing at Tokyo’s top jazz club, So Blue. The seemingly mismatched trio have a lot to do to reach those heights, but the journey they take together is so emotionally rewarding, you’ll find yourself cheering at the end. -Deb Aoki
BEST CONTINUING ANIME SERIES
JUJUTSU KAISEN
Studio: Mappa
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 45 (ongoing)
Source: Manga (Shonen Jump / VIZ Media / Manga Plus)
Original Creator: Gege Akutami
Watch Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll
Jujutsu Kaisen has an incredible second season (still ongoing at the time of publication). It started off with the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc, episodes showing Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto while they were in high school as new jujutsu sorcerers. The arc shows the tight friendship between Gojo and Geto, and also how Geto fell from grace to become a formidable enemy. It’s a tragic story that prepares you for the Shibuya Incident arc, but also enriches what we saw of Geto in the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0, where he was the main villain.
Next up is the Shibuya Incident arc, where Geto exacts his plans to take over Shibuya on Halloween to entrap Gojo and potentially bring the King of Curses, Sukuna, on their side. The Shibuya Incident is absolutely disastrous, leading to an incredible amount of destruction and loss of life. We lose some of our favorite characters in the process, see Sukuna unveil his unbelievable power, and watch poor Yuuji Itadori try to weigh the magnitude of all that has happened. This season has been full of brilliant animation, non-stop action, and total devastation, making for an emotional rollercoaster ride. –Kristina Elyse Butke
Vinland Saga – Season 2
Studio: MAPPA
Platform: Crunchyroll and Netflix
Number of episodes: 24 (completed)
Source: Manga (Kodansha)
Original creator: Makoto Yukimura
Watch Vinland Saga Season 2 on Crunchyroll
In its second season, Vinland Saga did a complete U-turn. Its first season, gave viewers a story grounded by merciless war and violence. Fans, expecting another blood fest, found themselves with an almost unrecognizable story in Season 2, which finds Thorfinn, the former cold-blooded Viking, is now farming as a slave? It is shocking, really. Thorfinn’s fighting days are long gone, and he finds himself fighting a different kind of battle.
Even though he’s subjected to all kinds of injustices and abuse, Thorfinn is determined to keep to his newfound pledge to not resort to violence. The relentless hardships he faces that test his resolve add depth to the story, making it impossible not to cheer for him and his dream of a world without war and slaves. A decisive moment arises when Thorfinn comes to terms with his sins and boldly declares “I have no enemies” to King Canute, his longtime rival who is the very embodiment of war. This inspiring scene is a major inflection point in Thorfinn’s character development that showcases his journey toward redemption and reconciliation. Against all odds, Thorfinn’s decision to renounce violence resonates as a powerful challenge to the inherently violent nature of humanity. By far, Vinland Saga is my favorite anime this year. – Matias De la Piedra
Me & Roboco
Studio: Gallop
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 28 episodes (completed)
Source: Manga (Shueisha / Shonen Jump / VIZ Media)
Original creator: Shuhei Miyazaki
Watch Me & Roboco on Crunchyroll
In between train stops on the route home, you may find yourself hankering for snackable content you can digest right quick. Me & Roboco translates 15 pages of manga into five minutes of nonstop, rapidfire, well-layered manzai gags that use the formula of Showa Era gag manga to speak to today’s audience in search of a self-referential Dr. Slump.
Gone are the Roboco manga’s text jokes, but in exchange, animation studio Gallop has punched up the slapstick with sharp edits and impactful sound effects. Roboco’s voice acting (played by comedian, Shun Matsuo) adds a reliable gap moe they can lean on to get a laugh when chapters, rarely, don’t adapt well. Also, Roboco’s many prop gags and Shonen Jump references still slap as they choose to reflect the animated versions with their inherent musical tropes resulting in viscerally hilarious cutaways. So please, do yourself and Roboco a favor, and binge the entire series in 2 hours and 20 minutes. Right now. Thank you. – Beau Q.
MIX: Meisei Story Season 2
Studio: OLM Inc.
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 48 episodes (completed)
Source: Manga (Shogakukan)
Original creator: Mitsuru Adachi
Watch MIX: Meisei Story on Crunchyroll
The second season of Mitsuru Adachi’s current baseball series MIX: Meisei Story arrived this past year, and it certainly delivered a heaping helping of sports drama, slice-of-life humor, and emotional highs and lows to hit you in the feels, sometimes when you least expect it! Mitsuru Adachi is truly one of the master storytellers of manga, and while there’s still precious few of his works available in English, we can be grateful that MIX is available as an anime.
The pitcher/catcher battery of brothers Touma and Soichiro Tachibana are back to try to make their dreams come true: to reach the hallowed ground of Koshien, the national high school championship games in their second year at Meisei High. But even with some new underclassmen joining their roster, their road to the finals turn out to be rockier than they expected, when life throws a few curveballs their way. – Deb Aoki
ANIME UNDERRATED GEMS
Detarame na Sekai no Melodrama
Studio: TOHO animation STUDIO
Platform: YouTube
Number of episodes: 1 (completed)
Watch Detarame na Sekai no Melodrama on YouTube
This year, TOHO Animation commissioned a series of music videos to commemorate its 10th anniversary. My personal favorite was Detarame na Sekai no Melodrama, directed by China and featuring animation direction by Moaang.
Like their earlier collaboration Sore wo Ai to Yobu dake, Detarame tells the story of two young girls in love separated by fate. This time, though, China and friends pay homage to 90s classic Revolutionary Girl Utena via theatrical lighting, towering architecture and familiar metaphors including curtains, apples and birdcages. The love story hides between beats, demanding multiple viewings to unpack.-Adam W.
BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!
Studio: SANZIGEN
Platform: Crunchyroll
Number of episodes: 13 episodes (completed)
Source: Franchise (Bushiroad)
Watch BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!! on Crunchyroll
“I never thought being in this band was fun, not even once.” So begins BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!!, the newest entry in a multimedia franchise about all-female bands. While early episodes tease a happy-go-lucky music anime in the vein of Love Live, It’s MyGO!!!!! is the opposite: a melodrama about toxic teens working through a messy band break-up. What other music anime would stage a whole episode from the perspective of a young woman on the spectrum who finds meaning by writing lyrics? What other music anime would star a heroine driven not by idealism but by delusions of fame?
BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! won’t be to everybody’s taste, but few other anime this year were as willing to take big swings with established properties. Heaven for “I can make her worse” shippers. -Adam Wescott
Here’s the rest of the Comics Beat Best of 2023 Lists:
Comics and Graphic Novels | Manga | Webtoons | Movies | Television
In case you missed it, here’s Comic Beat’s Best of 2022
Just kind of a terrible list overall tbh
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