With 2023 drawing to a close, it’s about time to reflect on all the great anime to release this year. Looking back, this seems to be one of the best years in recent memory! So let's look at the best of 2023.

10. Hell’s Paradise

Hell's Paradise trailer

Savage, ruthless killer assassin Gabimaru seems to accept his death sentence when captured. Every attempt at executing him fails though, until famed executioner Sagiri Asaemon finds his weakness, his wife. Now vulnerable, Gabimaur finds a will to live, he wants to see his wife again, but now he has a new mission. He must set out to a mysterious island Shinsekyo among other powerful criminals and executioners in search of the elixir of life. The island is more dangerous than it seems.

Gabimaru is a cool character. Seemingly emotionless and immortal, he finds his will in his wife, the one person who has truly cared for him. Which opens him up to be accepting of more relationships. Also, he’s a very cool character.

Hell’s Paradise surprised me how good it was. The action was on point, the animation was great, and all the story's mysteries are very intriguing. For the action alone its worth a watch, but there's more beyond that which is enjoyable.

9. Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season

Bungou Stray Dogs 4th season trailer

Following the events of season 3, the armed detective agency is now branded as terrorists and must try to clear their name. Yukichi Fukuzawa works as a bodyguard for hire, yet he finds himself once again entwined with his past when he and Ranpo begin to investigate a murder mystery, deemed “the perfect murder.”

The characters of the armed detective agency continue to be amazing with all their varied personalities. Of course, Atsushi still leads the way but Ranpo is great here. His desire to crack this seemingly unsolvable case is really fun to watch as it all unfolds.

Bunguo Stray Dogs continues to be a staple in the anime community which makes me proud. There have been some ups and downs, but the series has overall only gotten better each season and going off of fan sentiment, this season seems to be one of the best yet.

8. Bleach Thousand Year Blood War - The Separation

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War - The Seperation trailer

The Soul Reaper captains train themselves to fight without their bankai as the looming threat of another Quincy attack lingers over them. Ywatch already has the upper hand, but now with Uryuu by his side, things become more difficult for Ichigo.

This is a training arc for Ichigo. There’s a fierce battle ahead and he must prepare himself in every way if he, and the rest of the soul society, are to succeed.

At the very least, Bleach fans are ecstatic that their beloved series is getting a proper final arc adaptation. As it continues, it proves to live up to the hype with its stellar animation and action. 

7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc

Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village arc trailer

The highly anticipated third season of Demon Slayer. After the events of the Entertainment District Arc, Tanjiro is in need of a new sword. This sets him on the path to the Swordsmith Village where he finds himself once again facing off against upper ranked demons.

Tanjiro’s goal this season starts off as him in need of a new sword, but it quickly becomes the same one we’ve seen time and time again. Protect the people that need protecting, and defeat the upper ranked demons.

This season, like the others, is more of the same but in a meh way. The animation and fights are still absolutely amazing and there are some hard hitting story beats, but overall it's a step down from previous seasons but still enjoyable in its own right. 

6. Dr. Stone: New World

Dr. Stone: New World trailer

The third season of Dr. Stone the cast sets sail in the new world towards the origin of the mysterious green light that turned everyone to stone. Before the journey even begins, Senkuu receives a mysterious message that motivates him more than anything.

Senkuu’s goal this season is to explore and fully put his scientific expertise to use to solve the mystery of the green light.

As fans will tell it, this season is yet again a major hit. While the first two seasons exceeded with their smaller setting, this season really opens up the world and the story doesn’t really suffer in the slightest. 

5. NieR: Automata Ver1.1a

NieR: Automata Ver1.1a trailer

The anime adaptation of Platinum Games’ masterpiece, follows the Yorha androids 2B and 9S as they fight back against earth’s invaders. A story about humanity at its finest.

2b and the 9s fight to take back the earth, but in doing so discover more about themselves and humanity.

This is a stellar adaptation of a stellar game. Visually it’s beautiful. The atmosphere is great. Whether you’re a fan of the game or not, this anime is worth a watch. 

4. Spy x Family Season 2

Spy x Family season 2 trailer

Season 2 of the smash hit Spy x Family follows the next phase in Operation Strix. The family continues to lead their individual lives with the new addition to their family, a fluffy dog.

Anya’s goal is to succeed in school by any means. Either collect enough stars, or befriend a politician’s son.

This season continues the heartfelt fun of the first. If you couldn’t get enough of the Forger’s before, then there’s plenty more here. 

3. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 - Official Trailer 3

Rudeus’ journey continues in the Northern Territory. He finds himself on a quest with new companions as he travels and longing for the ones that left him as Eris decides to leave on her own journey.

Rudeus’ arc this season is about rediscovering himself and his passion for traveling and adventuring. Losing one of his companions puts him in a slump that he must recover from.

While still controversial, this anime continues to be amazing on all levels. If season one turned you off, then maybe this will draw you back in. If season one wowed you, then prepare to be wowed again.

2. Vinland Saga Season 2

Vinland Saga season 2 trailer

Thorfinn finds himself a slave. A sad dejected shell of what he once was after all he’s been through. He finds companionship in a man, Einar, who has recently lost it all as well. Together, they strive to live peacefully.

At this point in his life Thorfinn wants nothing more than peace. He’s seen and been through so much in such a relatively short time, he’s burnt out. This is a man who wants true peace.

If the action is what made you a fan of season one then you may be slightly disappointed with this one. If it was the characters, the story, and the tragedy that left a mark on you, then this season will be loved. 

1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 arc 1 "Hidden Inventory" trailer

The first arc is all about backstory. Learn about Gojo and Geto when they were students of Jujutsu High and how they end up where they are in the current day. Then kick off with the Shibuya incident arc. In the present day “Geto” is ready to launch his plan to seal Gojo and wreak havoc upon the citizens of Japan.

While Yuji is still the main character of this series, this season’s main focus to begin is Gojo and his relationships. Learning more about how and why he is the way he is.

It just keeps getting better. Jujutsu Kaisen seems to be reaching its peak and I don’t know if it’ll even stop there. With a new artstyle this season, the action is more up close than ever before. The first arc of this season is some of the best storytelling I’ve witnessed.

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