Highlights

• Anime in 2023 has had some of the best releases, with shows like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer pushing the boundaries of animation and storytelling.
• My Happy Marriage, Hell’s Paradise, and Spy x Family are standout anime with unique premises, excellent animation, and compelling characters.
• One Piece, Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End are must-watch shows for their stunning animation, captivating narratives, and memorable characters.

We are almost at the end of the year, and it’s been such an exciting one for anime fans, with new seasons of beloved shows and new releases that have shaken up the industry. Anime is at its peak in 2023 with some of the best stories like Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Arc and Netflix’s Live-Action adaptation of One Piece, which have introduced a whole new audience to anime.

If that wasn’t enough, Attack on Titan hit the ground hard, ending almost a decade-long series in a well-thought-out story with anime-exclusive scenes. Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen have also pushed the limits of brilliant animation, culminating in one of the best years for anime fans just because of the sheer number of releases. The anime on this list are the best of the best of 2023, and there’s no doubt that this year’s releases will be remembered for a while.

10 My Happy Marriage

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 7.83

Why Watch My Happy Marriage​​​​​​?

• Beautiful visuals
• Character depth
• Simple and Good

In a world where new titles don’t do as well as the more well-established anime, My Happy Marriage defied all expectations and became the most highly-rated anime in the summer of 2023. It’s a short 12-episode first season that’s available on Netflix with superb animation and frames that depict Japan in an awe-inspiring way.

The story follows Miyo, who’s been a victim of abuse by her family. She decides to confront her issues and is eventually saved by Kiyoka. The arranged marriage teaches her to accept who she is, and she learns to stop hating herself over it. The anime is a breathtaking journey of human psychology mixed with romance and is one of the few anime that doesn’t go beyond the simplicities of a good show.

9 Hell’s Paradise

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.13

Why Watch Hell’s Paradise?

• Dark fantasy
• Heavy action scenes
• Staggering animation during fights

Hell’s Paradise is the perfect show if you’re looking for a bit more edge in your action-adventure anime with Dark Fantasy elements. The premise is already fascinating, with a pseudo-immortal Gabimaru managing to survive every execution attempt on him till someone suggests sending him off to Shinsenkyo, an island home to a mysterious elixir that grants immortality.

It takes a while for Hell’s Paradise to pick up the pace, but when it does, you’ll be on the edge of your seat with every action sequence that comes your way. The world-building and the character development are phenomenal, and as a new release, it really shined through 2023’s wide array of anime releases.

8 Spy x Family Season 2

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.18

Why Watch Spy x Family?

• Found Family
• The chemistry between the characters is amazing
• Season Two is even better than Season One

Spy x Family was one of the best releases of 2022 and garnered a huge fanbase, with 2023 being no different as its second season is airing. With hilarious shenanigans and great chemistry between the main characters, it’s no surprise that Spy x Family has made it so far.

Anya continues to be cute, Yor continues to be socially inept, and Loid is still trying to meet Desmond. Even though they’re a fake family that keeps secrets from one another, they feel very real in how they manage their day-to-day lives in a hilarious fashion. The premise for the narrative is unique, and there’s no doubt that the second season will live up to fan’s expectations for the series moving forward.

7 Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.29

Why Watch Demon Slayer?

• Stunning animation
• New characters, who all get their time in the spotlight
• Beautiful narrative

Demon Slayer was an unexpected hit when it first came out in 2019, with breathtaking visuals that elevated a good story to a masterpiece. After the Entertainment District arc, we were doubtful that Demon Slayer could surpass itself, but of course, Ufotable proved us wrong by giving us some amazingly animated fights with the Upper Moons, Hantengu, and Gyokko.

New characters were introduced, like the instant favorite Love Hashira, Mitsuri, and the Mist Hashira, Muichiro. Even Genya had his time to shine as they battled with the strongest demons in an emotionally heavy setting that felt complete by the end. The fact that it ended on a cliffhanger makes us even more excited about what’s to come, as Demon Slayer made this year for anime.

6 One Piece Wano Country Arc

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.71

Why Watch One Piece?

• Final fights are well-animated
• A classic that will never die

One Piece is like a drug that just never ends. Once you start, you can’t stop, but the most difficult part of it is to start with over 1000 episodes, the most recent of which was released this year. We finally got the adaptation of the Wano Country Arc that we deserved. They leveled up in recent episodes, giving it their A-Game for the final battles of this arc.

No matter what happens, the classics will always shine, and One Piece will always have a dedicated fanbase for their story. This season has been going on for a while, and some of the best episodes have been released this year, so it’s something you can’t miss, especially if you’re a One Piece fan.

5 Oshi No Ko

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.73

Why Watch Oshi No Ko?

• Looks adorable and harmless but is pretty dark
• From the creator of Kaguya Sama: Love Is War
• Talks about real issues

Oshi No Ko has the same writer as Kaguya Sama: Love is War, and as such, we expected this anime to rank this far up because of his unique storytelling when it comes to slice-of-life anime. Stunning animation aside, Oshi No Ko is much more grounded and tackles real issues in the entertainment industry in a thrilling way.

Every episode introduces a twist, and the main plot line follows a pop idol, Ai, and her doctor, who is murdered. Ai gives birth to twin children who are actually reincarnations of the doctor and one of his former patients. Without spoiling too much, what makes Oshi No Ko great is that it’s rooted in reality. Despite having some supernatural elements, it never loses its focus and emphasizes the complexity of show business, making it one of the most unique premises for an anime in 2023.

4 Vinland Saga Season 2

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.81

Why Watch Vinland Saga?

• Studio change to Mappa
• The production team was at its peak
• New characters and amazing character development

The second season of Vinland Saga is headed by Mappa Studios, the same studio famously known for Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen, and their artistic approach to anime is second to none. Vinland Saga itself has received critical acclaim for its storytelling, character depth, and historical accuracy.

The new season started the year off with a bang and introduced side characters who all get their time in the spotlight. There’s also a deep character development for Thorrfin, whose journey evolves into something great as he finally understands his father’s dying words. Everyone in charge of production this season was giving it their all, from the animators to the voice actors; Mappa really went all out with this show.

3 Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.89

Why Watch Jujutsu Kaisen?

• Dazzling visuals
• Shibuya Arc lives up to the hype
• The fights are a work of art

Jujutsu Kaisen’s second season has far and above surpassed its first season in every regard, especially considering how popular the first season was. Now that the story has reached its peak with the Shibuya Arc, the only place that it could possibly be lacking would be the animation, but thank God, Mappa Studios has covered it amazingly.

As the most recent Shōnen hit, Jujutsu Kaisen had a lot to live up to, and it has delivered spectacularly in the second season. The story of the manga is also ongoing, and we are seeing a particular focus on Gojo Satoru this season, who’s considered the most powerful in-universe character of the anime. With peak animation during action sequences, this release will be remembered for years to come beyond 2023 and is no doubt one of the best releases this year.

2 Attack On Titan The Final Chapters

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 8.96

Why Watch Attack on Titan?

• End of an era
• Improved the ending of the manga
• Constant delays gave us high expectations, and it delivered

The greatest and most highly anticipated release was the end of Attack on Titan, which feels like the end of an era, considering how long it took for every part of the show to be released. With constant delays and high expectations, the final few episodes and the special finally finished a decade-long anime satisfyingly.

Though there was a lot of controversy with the ending of the manga, the anime improved upon it immensely, with extra scenes and better backdrops for certain panels that were initially considered controversial by the fanbase. As the poster child for new anime enthusiasts, Attack on Titan will forever be in our hearts as we move into the new year.

1 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

My Anime List (MAL) Score – 9.12

Why Watch Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?

• Great world-building
• Contemplative story
• Potentially award-winning cinematography

Frieren was a latecomer in the 2023 anime race, and the anime is still releasing new episodes every week. It’s considered a complete story in 2023’s expanding list of anime series, with so many areas it excels at, making it easy to recommend to new anime fans. The world-building is amazing, and the multifaceted characters, along with the tone of the anime, make it super comfortable to watch.

Its strong narrative and the contemplative nature of the plot is a masterclass in storytelling. Unexpectedly, even the visuals are nothing short of amazing. Combine that with its fantastic cinematography, and you’ve got the best anime release of 2023.

Next: Best Anime Shows From 2010 To 2022