2023 has brought many new Anime. We will reveal which ones are the best and must be seen – whether as an anime fan or not.
The year 2023 is coming to an end, and with it one of the years in which we received more anime series than ever before in the history of the medium. However, with more series every year, there is also more trash among them, under which the true gems are buried. We take a look back at the 5 best anime of the year 2023.
Even though some series are still waiting for their final episode, it can already be seen from the overall picture which series belong to the best.
Which series appear in this list? This list is about new releases of the year 2023 – that is, those that debuted between January and December 2023. Sequels, such as second or third seasons of already existing series, are not considered here. It is only about new releases that were seen for the first time as anime in 2023.
Heavenly Delusion
Alternative names: Tengoku Daimakyou, Heavenly Delusion: The Lost Paradise
Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Number of episodes: 13
Ratings: 8.22 / 10 (myanimelist), 8.0 / 10 (IMDb)
Streaming provider: Disney+
Fifteen years ago, humanity was plagued by a devastating incident that was supposed to change everything forever. Dangerous monsters now lurk everywhere in the world, stalking the last survivors and threatening to bring an end to humanity. A few bastions are completely cut off from the outside world and raise children in a deceptive peace – but the curiosity of the children drives them to want to learn about the outside world.
At the same time, in the outside world, Maru and Kiruko are fighting for their survival and searching for a place called “Heaven” – a promised paradise where humans can live in peace and without fear again. But the way there is long and reveals many secrets and mysteries that only slowly disclose what is actually going on in the world.
Why is Heavenly Delusion so good? Heavenly Delusion ran a bit under the radar for most and still does today because it is offered on Disney+, which has so far been less known for anime. However, the world shown here, in all its brutality and morbidity, with many puzzles and numerous complex characters, can captivate from the first episode.
Exciting, dark turns draw all viewers into a whirlpool, and at the end, the question remains: Why are there not more episodes of this?
Heavenly Delusion was one of the surprise hits of the year, and every fan of the medium should have seen it.
Frieren – Beyond Journey’s End
Alternative names: Sousou no Frieren
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Number of episodes: 28 (not yet completed)
Ratings: 9.12 / 10 (myanimelist), 8.9 / 10 (IMDb)
Streaming provider: Crunchyroll
The demon king was defeated by the hero team, and decades of peace lie ahead for the kingdom. Part of this hero team was the elven mage “Frieren,” who quickly sets off on a journey again. Decades pass, and when she meets her former companions again, many are already old and on the threshold of death.
Too late, she realizes that she did not use the time to get to know her former comrades better. She tries to make up for this mistake and sets off again on the journey she once took with the other heroes. In doing so, she also takes on a student and must simultaneously deal with unresolved problems from the past – for time keeps moving on.
Why is Frieren so good? While modern anime otherwise relies on more and more action in ever faster succession, Frieren takes its time. Characters are multi-faceted, and the series ensures that there is enough room for world-building and that the protagonist can be understood. Especially the discrepancy between Frieren’s age, her perception of time, and the sense of time of humans is portrayed in this series as rarely seen in any other work.
What starts slowly soon develops into a captivating, emotional story that does not even need exaggerated drama – for the theme delivers this all by itself.
Frieren is also one of the few stories where characters truly develop and time moves forward – often unexpectedly spontaneous, with greater consequences.
We had already classified Frieren as one of the most important anime of the year in advance.
The Apothecary Diaries
Alternative names: Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, The Diaries of the Apothecary
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Number of episodes: 24 (not yet completed)
Ratings: 8.72 / 10 (myanimelist), 8.6 / 10 (IMDb)
Streaming provider: Crunchyroll
As the daughter of a pharmacist, Maomao faces a fairly solid life in the old empire – at least until she is kidnapped and abducted. Like many other girls, she is sold to the imperial palace to serve the emperor’s concubines and noblewomen.
However, it becomes obvious that she is more talented than the other slaves when she saves one of the emperor’s children from death through her knowledge of herbs. This quickly earns her a new position as the direct maid and taster of an imperial concubine.
Maomao soon finds herself in a web of intrigues and must protect “her” concubine from attacks or solve mysteries surrounding diseases and alchemy without getting caught in the emperor’s crosshairs.
Our author Jasmin also raves about the Apothecary Diaries.
Why are the Apothecary Diaries so good? The series is primarily carried by the protagonist Maomao, who is both funny, lovable, and yet profound. A clever, confident woman who has found herself in a difficult situation and now has to showcase her skills to survive and get through everyday life as unscathed as possible.
The series switches back and forth between serious topics, such as assassination attempts, poisonings, and prostitution, while maintaining its charming charm and not trivializing the topics. By the way, Maomao’s knowledge of alchemy is often also informative and educational, and the historical approach of the series adds to its seriousness.
A clear recommendation for anyone who simply wants to experience a great story with interesting characters.
More top anime of the year 2023 can be found on the next page.
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