Top 10 Must Watch Anime of 2023

WatchMojo

They're the anime that blew us away this year! Join Ashley as we count down the greatest anime to come out across 2023,

Transcript

00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best anime that aired

00:08 over the last year, including new shows as well as sequel seasons.

00:21 While the build-up and battle against a literal caveman like Pickle was the kind of crazy

00:26 that Baki fans live for, what really sold us on this closing chapter was the long-awaited

00:37 duel between father and son.

00:42 Yes, Baki vs. Eugero finally happened, and it was just as wild as one could hope.

00:52 Visual art mastery that defies the laws of physics, Eugero's personal brand of parenting,

00:57 and a conclusion that was as bizarre as it was fitting, as one of the series' longest-standing

01:02 feuds was finally put to an end.

01:16 One of the greatest isekai in modern memory makes a grand return.

01:27 While there's still plenty of magic, monsters to fight, and an absurd amount of fantasy

01:31 hanky-panky, the focus this time around is much more on Rudeus' continuing growth as

01:37 a person and the emotional struggles that still cling to him from his old life.

01:48 Some so potent, they even become physical ailments.

01:51 It's flashy yet surprisingly raw, outlandish yet all too real at times, tackling uncomfortable

01:58 situations, yet handling in such a way that you can't help but become invested as Rudeus

02:04 overcomes his personal struggles, no matter how ugly or painful.

02:16 The battle with the Quincy continues, and while this second outing of Bleach's final

02:21 arc didn't have the nostalgia factor of last year's reintroduction to Ichigo and

02:26 company, it did spoil us with a crazy set of battles that gave us all the shounen goodness

02:31 we could've wanted.

02:37 Squad Zero truly got to shine, as they took on Yhwach's elite forces with some anime

02:43 original bouts.

02:50 Plus, we got to see several of our favourite characters level up, including the likes of

03:03 Kenpachi.

03:05 Not every day you see a man gleefully slice a meteor in half.

03:13 Did it reach the heights of the Mugen Train or Entertainment District arcs?

03:25 Not quite.

03:26 Did it deliver all manner of Ufotable goodness?

03:29 You bet it did.

03:34 Whilst on a mission to repair his blade, Tanjiro and Nezuko are set upon by Muzan's forces,

03:40 forcing both of them and two members of the Hashira to fight back.

03:45 As you'd expect, the battles are blinding, especially with Muchiro and Mitsuri having

03:50 their chance to dazzle.

03:59 All the while, we got to see some of the most touching and heartbreaking interactions between

04:03 the Kamuro siblings, showing that despite her demonic guise, Nezuko would truly do anything

04:09 for her brother, even if it means giving him the occasional kick in the right direction.

04:22 Ever wondered what happens after an adventuring party bests the Demon King?

04:26 Short answer, they get on with their lives.

04:28 Of course, things are a tad trickier for the elven mage, Freiren, as her ability to live

04:34 for hundreds upon hundreds of years ensures that those she cherishes slowly succumb to

04:39 time's march.

04:44 While there's plenty of fantasy beats and even a few magic-laced fights to be found

04:48 here, the true beauty of this gorgeously animated slow burn of a series is how it focuses on

04:59 the moments outside the battles, and how companionship and memories are just as potent as any quest.

05:08 A genuine phenomenon as far as a debut is concerned, this series somehow managed to

05:23 balance satirical humour, biting social commentary, isekai elements and a murder mystery, all

05:30 within the framework of an idol anime.

05:37 And it's all spectacularly handled.

05:40 After being reincarnated as the child of his favourite idol, the cynical and vengeful Aqua

05:45 sets out to find out the truth regarding his new mother's untimely fate, all the while

05:51 discovering how every aspect of the entertainment industry is more cutthroat and devious than

05:56 the last.

06:02 The fact it accomplishes all this, while also adding great humour, character development

06:07 and even a shipping war, is just a marvel.

06:19 If you haven't already, you should absolutely go out of your way to watch this beautiful

06:23 adaptation of one of Urasawa's best works.

06:34 As a gritty reimagining of Astro Boy, the series focuses on various murders involving

06:39 both humans and robots.

06:46 The anime isn't only a wicked smart and engaging thriller, but also raises questions

06:51 in regards to what qualifies as a life and how it coincides and contrasts with the law

06:57 of robotics.

06:58 You cannot go wrong with Tezuka and Urasawa, especially with a story this good and animated

07:05 this well.

07:10 Well, at least we know why the Shibuya incident is so revered.

07:23 Escalating the action, intensity and consequences of its already lauded first season, the second

07:29 outing already won us over by giving the greater context to the history between fan-favourite

07:35 powerhouse Gojo and best friend-turned-nemesis Getto.

07:48 Then Shibuya happens and stuff gets way too real.

07:52 With epic fights interspersed with constant revelations, this season just keeps on delivering

07:58 curse-filled haymakers, to the extent we have no idea how Itadori and the others are going

08:03 to claw back victory when so much has gone so wrong.

08:17 The detractors may claim that this sequel lost what made the original spectacular, and

08:22 to that we say, were you watching the right anime?

08:25 Because the far mark will undoubtedly go down as one of the all-time greats.

08:37 Torfinn's transition from bloodthirsty Viking dead-set on revenge, all the way to a pacifist

08:46 haunted by his sins - and determined to make amends - is handled with both believability

08:52 and painstaking precision.

09:02 Its God-tier characterisation, along with some truly soul-shattering moments, cemented

09:07 Vinland as something special.

09:15 Before we reveal our number one pick, be sure to check out these honourable mentions that

09:19 are still more than worthy of your time.

09:21 ZOM-100, Bucket List of the Dead

09:30 Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5

09:40 Mashall, Magic and Muscles

09:49 Heavenly Delusion

09:55 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

10:23 Attack on Titan Final Season - The Final Chapters

10:27 All good things must come to an end, and that includes the decade-long battle between humanity,

10:33 the Titans, and all things dark and magnificent in between.

10:44 With the rumbling ravaging the planet, it falls to Armin and the remnants of the Survey

10:48 Corps to stop Eren before he exterminates all life out of duty to protect his island

10:54 home.

11:06 The action, as you might have guessed, is monumental, and while the ending will always

11:10 have its critics, the anime adjustments made it a suitably macabre affair that closed the

11:16 book on one of the medium's most harrowing yet beautiful stories that many will go to

11:21 their graves claiming is the greatest of all time.

11:25 And we can't fault them.

11:36 Which anime do you consider the GOAT of this year?

11:40 Let us know in those comments below.

12:01 [music]

Category

Transcript

Recommended