We, living in the 2020s, which can indeed be described as the peak of anime, are truly fortunate. Anime has now expanded beyond the confines of the island nation of Japan, becoming popular content worldwide, with its production also carried out globally.
Since 2020, masterpieces have been born every year. In addition to long-running works inherited from the 2010s, which gave birth to worldwide hit series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Attack on Titan, there are also new, topical works. Anime of the 2020s, represented by series like Chainsaw Man and Spy x Family, are likely to remain at the heart of anime fans’ interest for a long time to come.
Hundreds of new anime are released every year, and while some stand out for their popularity, others, despite their quality, are overlooked in the shadow of hits. I will introduce the best anime of the 2020s that both anime beginners and anime fans should absolutely watch. Focusing on each year of the 2020s, I’ve listed several of the best anime for each year.
I will continue to update this list of best anime of the 2020s every year, and indeed every season, as anime worthy of ranking are born.
Best Anime of 2020
The milestone year of 2020 saw the birth of a smash-hit anime movie that will go down in history. In addition to the best anime of 2020 listed below, there are other works I would like to mention.
Among the anime of 2020, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina, Deca-Dence, and Great Pretender also gained considerable popularity. Wandering Witch is one of the most highly anticipated anime for a sequel. Both Deca-Dence and Great Pretender, despite being single-season series, are highly polished original anime. Anime fans should definitely check them out.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
A standout dark-fantasy action anime from 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen (呪術廻戦) originates from a manga written by Gege Akutami, serialized on Shonen Jump since 2018. The anime adaptation, produced by the well-known Mappa studio, made its debut in October 2020, quickly earning global acclaim and an enthusiastic fanbase. In the end of 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (劇場版 呪術廻戦 0) was released.
The story revolves around a high school student, Yuji Itadori, who inadvertently plunges into the world of jujutsu sorcery after swallowing a finger belonging to the ancient demon Sukuna, thus becoming a host for its formidable power. Now endowed with extraordinary capabilities, he joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical School to master his newfound skills and battle malevolent curses.
Aired: 2020-2021 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 24 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Studio: Mappa
Alongside contemporaries Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen has cemented the popularity of the dark fantasy and action fusion genre.
2. Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Airing from January to March 2020 and comprised of 12 episodes, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (映像研には手を出すな!) was masterfully directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is also famous for Ping Pong The Animation (2014) and The Night is Short, Walk on Girl (2017), and brought to life by the anime studio Science SARU. Based on the manga of the same name by Sumito Owara, the anime has the theme of anime production process. Although it may not be extremely popular worldwide, it has a strong response among anime lovers and is a hidden gem of the 2020 anime season.
In the slice-of-life comedy, three high school girls: imaginative Midori Asakusa, charismatic Tsubame Mizusaki, and pragmatic Sayaka Kanamori. They form an unconventional film club known as Eizouken. Each girl brings her unique talents to the team: Asakusa as the visionary director, Mizusaki as the skilled animator, and Kanamori as the savvy producer. They navigate various hurdles on their quest to create captivating animations, providing viewers a unique insight into the world of anime creation. The series serves as a touching testament to the power of imagination and the relentless determination required to bring these dreams to life.
Aired: 2020
Episodes: 12
Studio: Science SARU
Not only is the process of anime production fascinating in this series, but the charm also lies in the unique and vibrant personalities of the three main characters, as well as the story filled with their youthful high school lives. With only 12 episodes, it’s definitely a must-watch for those who haven’t seen it yet.
3. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Kaguya-sama: Love is War (かぐや様は告らせたい〜天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦〜) is important to mention here because of the series airing into the 2020s while the first season debuted in 2019. The second season was broadcast in 2020. The brilliant romantic comedy anime series is based on a popular manga by Aka Akasaka, who is also known as the writer of Oshi no Ko. The show is produced by A-1 Pictures and is notable for its humor, excellent character development, and unique take on the rom-com genre.
The plot follows two high school student council members, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, who are in love with each other. However, they both believe that the one who confesses their feelings first will be considered inferior in their relationship. So begins their comedic battle of wits and schemes to make the other confess first. As they navigate through their high school lives, the series highlights their interactions with other council members, their personal growth, and the complexities of young love.
Aired: 2019 (Season 1)/2020 (Season 2)/2022 (Season 3)/2023 (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends)
Episodes: 12 (Season 1)/12 (Season 2)/13 (Season 3)/4 (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends)
Studio: A-1 Pictures
The two protagonists are captivating, of course, but characters surrounding them, such as Chika Fujiwara, the student council secretary, are equally charming. Kaguya-sama: Love is War could be considered a defining romantic comedy anime of the 2020s.
4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train (劇場版 鬼滅の刃 -無限列車編-) is an adaptation of the wildly popular manga series and serves as a direct continuation from the anime series’ first season. The movie was released in October 2020, directed by Haruo Sotozaki, and animated by the anime studio Ufotable. It broke numerous box office records in Japan and became the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan within a few months of its release.
The Mugen Train arc continues the story from the first season of the anime series, joining Tanjiro and his allies on their new mission aboard the titular Mugen Train. Accompanying them is the powerful Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, who becomes an invaluable mentor and source of strength. Throughout the movie, they’re confronted by one of the Twelve Kizuki, Enmu, whose devious trap puts all passengers on the train in grave danger. The plot takes an unexpected turn when they also have to face the formidable Upper Rank Three demon, Akaza. The relentless battles test their courage, camaraderie, and determination, providing an emotionally charged, action-packed experience.
Released: 2020
Runtime: 117 min
Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Best Anime of 2021
2021 was indeed a year filled with excellent productions. We saw the launch of the new series of the iconic Shaman King, and the latest addition to a popular series, Love Live! Superstar!! also left a significant mark. The everyday mystery of”Odd Taxi and the spotlight on a lonely high school girl in the countryside in Super Cub created buzz among anime fans. Blue Period, depicting young people’s passion for art, was also animated this year.
Moreover, there are too many sequels to popular series to mention: Zombie Land Saga Revenge, Laid-Back Camp Season 2, My Hero Academia Season 5, Dr. Stone Season 2, The Quintessential Quintuplets 2nd Season, and so on. I talked about Jujutsu Kaisen in the Best Anime of 2020 section, and Jujutsu Kaisen 0, which was released at the end of 2021, was also praised for its high quality.
The following is a list of the new greatest anime that represent the year 2022.
5. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
As one of the best modern Isekai anime series, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (無職転生 〜異世界行ったら本気だす〜) started in the beginning of 2021. It is a light novel series authored by Rifujin na Magonote. Brought to life as an anime television series by Studio Bind, the show quickly amassed a significant following. The story depicts a unique blend of fantasy, adventure, and reincarnation, which offers viewers an immersive exploration of a richly detailed otherworldly setting. The first season containing 23 episodes is followed by the second season in 2023.
As for the synopsis, Mushoku Tensei follows a 34-year-old NEET, who is pushed out of his house by his family and is killed in a road accident. However, he gets a second chance at life, reincarnating as Rudeus Greyrat in a world of fantasy, where he decides to lead a fulfilling life and not repeat his past mistakes. As he grows up, he becomes not only a powerful mage under the tutoring of his mentor Roxy, but also a skilled swordsman, and eventually embarks on an epic journey, making friends and enemies alike in this new world.
Aired: 2021 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 23 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Studio: Studio Bind
6. 86 -Eighty Six-
Diving into the world of military science fiction, 86 -Eighty Six- (86-エイティシックス-) emerges as a critically acclaimed series from the light novel that has been published since 2017, authored by Asato Asato. Adapted into an anime series in 2021 by A-1 Pictures, the narrative is set amidst an ongoing war, offering a profound exploration of themes like discrimination, dehumanization, and the atrocities of warfare.
Behind the façade of a casualty-free war propagated by the Republic of San Magnolia, lies the grim truth. A marginalized group known as the 86, are actually at the helm of the autonomous drones called Juggernauts, silently enduring the horrors of the battlefield. The narrative principally centers around Vladilena “Lena” Mirizé, a military officer from the 85 sectors, and Shinei “Undertaker” Nouzen, the leader of the Spearhead Squadron of 86, as they traverse through the stark realities of their war-ravaged world.
Aired: 2021-2022
Episodes: 23
Studio: A-1 Pictures
7. Tokyo Revengers
Released in 2021, Tokyo Revengers (東京卍リベンジャーズ) is a thrilling time-travel anime series based on Ken Wakui’s best-selling manga that was serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine between 2017 and 2022. Made by Liden Films, it mixes school life, delinquent Yanki gangs, and time-leap mystery into an exciting story. After the first season consisting of 24 episodes, the second season titled Christmas Showdown Arc aired with 13 episodes in 2023.
The plot follows 26-year-old Takemichi Hanagaki, who leads a regretful existence as a lowly part-timer. His life drastically changes when he discovers his middle-school girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, and her brother were murdered by the ruthless Tokyo Manji Gang. Accidentally stumbling upon the ability to time travel, he leaps back 12 years and sees an opportunity to save Hinata. He infiltrates the Tokyo Manji Gang, determined to alter the future, leading him on a dangerous and thrilling journey.
Aired: 2021 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 24 (Season 1)/13 (Season 2)
Studio: Liden Films
Tokyo Revengers is undoubtedly one of the hit franchises in recent years. It uniquely fuses the science fiction genre of[…]
8. Wonder Egg Priority
Wonder Egg Priority (ワンダーエッグ・プライオリティ), a hidden gem among the 2021 anime series, is a unique and visually striking anime original series by CloverWorks, known for its emotionally heavy themes and stunning artwork. Premiering in Winter 2021, the series quickly gained attention for its compelling exploration of serious societal issues through its narrative. Shinji Nojima, a famous J-drama writer, stepped into the anime industry for the first time with this series, bringing an unexpected but highly appreciated fresh perspective. The original anime series released 12 episodes and a television special episode.
The series centers on Ai Ohto, a socially withdrawn 14-year-old girl who encounters a mysterious entity during her nocturnal wanderings. This entity offers her a “Wonder Egg,” leading Ai into a surreal realm where she is tasked to fight for the lives of people who committed suicide. As she delves deeper, Ai meets other girls with similar tasks, and together they navigate a labyrinth of trauma, despair, and hope in this extraordinary coming-of-age story.
Aired: 2021
Episodes: 13
Studio: CloverWorks
9. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
As the fourth and final installment in the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版) finished the entire series of Evangelion in 2021, which began with the television series in 1995-1996. Both a continuation and a reimagining of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion series, this final film brings a closure to the saga in Anno’s unique style. Later, a revised version, Evangelion:3.0+1.01, was released, featuring detailed modifications and replacements at the cut level of the main film
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time centers on Shinji Ikari, who is still reeling from the devastating events of the previous film. In the wake of the near-apocalyptic Third Impact, he finds himself in a drastically transformed world. As the remnants of NERV and the WILLE organization gear up for a decisive battle against the mysterious entities known as the Angels, Shinji must confront his personal demons and make peace with his past. In this introspective journey, the film explores themes of loneliness, depression, and the human will to keep pushing forward, tying up the complex narrative threads of the Evangelion saga.
Released: 2021
Runtime: 155 min
Director: Hideaki Anno
10. Belle
Following The Boy and the Beast in 2015 and Mirai in 2018, the renowned director Mamoru Hosoda released Belle (竜とそばかすの姫) in 2021. It’s a modern interpretation of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, set in the virtual world. Boasting Studio Chizu’s high-quality animation and striking visual creativity, it’s a notable addition to Hosoda’s portfolio.
Belle tells the story of Suzu, a 17-year-old high school student living a mundane life in a rural village with her father. Struggling with the loss of her mother and her own identity, she decides to join the massive online network “U” as her avatar, Belle, quickly rising to stardom with her beautiful singing voice. However, her virtual existence is disrupted when she encounters a mysterious Beast, an entity despised by the U community. Intrigued, Suzu/Belle resolves to learn more about the Beast, embarking on an emotional journey that challenges her perceptions of reality, identity, and the depths of the human heart.
Released: 2021
Runtime: 121 min
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
▽Check out the list of the best anime of 2021!▽
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Best Anime of 2022
2022 was a fantastic year for anime with multiple high-quality releases. At the forefront was the much-anticipated second season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, known as the “Entertainment District Arc,” broadcast from December 2021 to February 2022. With its overwhelming quality, Ufotable indeed delivered.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, the fifth season of the fan-favorite series, started airing. Furthermore, October marked the beginning of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, the conclusion to the popular series. Fans were also thrilled to see the release of the awaited second season of Made in Abyss, titled The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.
On a personal note, the pure simplicity of the girl in Akebi’s Sailor Uniform and the beautiful rural landscapes of Japan were memorable. Summer Time Rendering, an intriguing sci-fi mystery, was also worth mentioning.
As for movies, Teasing Master Takagi-san the Movie and Laid-Back Camp: Movie stood out as wonderful sequels to their respective slice-of-life series. Both films showed impressive quality, adding further depth to 2022’s robust line-up of anime.
Check the finest anime series and movies of 2022 below!
11. Lycoris Recoil
Lycoris Recoil (リコリス・リコイル) stands out as an entirely original anime that debuted in 2022, with no pre-existing source material, a rarity in a market dominated by adaptations from manga or light novels. Created by the highly acclaimed A-1 Pictures, it aired from July to September 2022. It marked the directorial debut of Shingo Adachi, who had gained recognition as a character designer and chief animation director on series such as Sword Art Online. Comprising 13 episodes, its accessibility to casual viewers is one of the reasons for its explosive popularity.
In a world where the secret organization DA (Direct Attack) prevents crimes before they occur, maintaining peaceful days, the spotlight is on a group of young female agents known as Lycoris. The protagonists are elite agent Chisato Nishikigi, reputed to be the strongest Lycoris ever, and Takina Inoue, an exceptional yet complicated Lycoris. Chisato, a carefree optimist and pacifist, and Takina, a cool and efficient pragmatist, work seemingly ordinary jobs at the cafe LycoReco, but behind the scenes, they’re involved in special missions.
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 13
Studio: A-1 Pictures
12. Chainsaw Man
With an impact that resonated throughout 2022, Chainsaw Man (チェンソーマン) anime is set to be a prominent fixture in the 2020s. Adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga, which was serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump from 2018, the first part concluded in 2020 and the second began in 2022. The cinematic-quality animation is the work of Studio Mappa. Its first season aired with 12 episodes. Interestingly, the manga artist cites the 1974 splatter film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as a significant influence.
It tells the story of Denji, a young, impoverished man with a demon dog named Pochita, capable of transforming into chainsaw machinery. To pay off a looming debt, Denji becomes a devil hunter for the Yakuza. After a near-death experience, he merges with Pochita, becoming the infamous Chainsaw Man. Recruited by Makima, the leader of the government’s devil extermination team, Denji grapples with his new life fighting devils.
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 12
Studio: Mappa
13. Bocchi the Rock!
One of the best anime of 2022, Bocchi the Rock! (ぼっち・ざ・ろっく!) stands out in the genre of high school band-themed anime for its humor and character development. It is based on a four-panel manga series by Aki Hamaji, serialized on Manga Time Kirara MAX since 2018. CloverWorks is the studio behind its animation. The heartwarming story filled with laughter leaves fans eagerly awaiting a second season.
Hitori Goto, the protagonist, is an extremely shy and introverted girl. She dreams of shining in a band and begins playing the guitar, but her everyday life is spent alone since she doesn’t have any friends. She posts videos of her improved guitar performances under the name “Guitar Hero” online, but she still hasn’t made any friends by the time she becomes a high school student. One day, she is approached by Nijika Ijichi, who plays the drums in a band called “Kessoku Band”. This encounter starts to slowly change Hitori’s solitary everyday life.
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 12
Studio: CloverWorks
14. Spy x Family
In 2022, a huge hit series, Spy x Family, was born. The original manga was created by Tatsuya Endo and began serialization in 2019 on Shonen Jump+, one of the most popular manga platforms today. The anime adaptation came to life through the collaboration of two rising studios: Wit Studio and CloverWorks. The first season consists of 25 episodes, and the second season is set to air in 2023. In addition, the first feature film, Spy × Family Code: White, will be released at the end of 2023.
Spy x Family is set in a fictional alternate history where two countries, East and West, are in a state of cold war. The story follows a top East spy, Loid Forger, who is ordered to start a fake family as a disguise to complete a critical mission. Loid adopts an orphan girl, Anya, who turns out to be a telepath, and marries a woman, Yor, who is unknowingly an assassin. Unbeknownst to each other, this unconventional family leads a double life.
Aired: 2022 (Season 1)/2023 (Season 2)
Episodes: 25 (Season 1)/TBA
Studio: Wit Studio, CloverWorks
15. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Based on the game Cyberpunk 2077, developed by the Polish game company CD Projekt RED in 2020, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (サイバーパンク エッジランナーズ) is a standout anime of 2022, making a significant impact. This series, categorized in the EroGuro genre, includes explicit violence and sexual content, leading to its age restriction of 16 and above. The ten-episode series was exclusively released worldwide on Netflix. The renowned anime studio Trigger was responsible for the anime production.
The setting is Night City, a dystopian city where advanced cyber technology and human body modification have become commonplace, and where there is a marked gap between rich and poor. One day, the protagonist, a young boy named David, is unable to save his mother from an accident due to financial reasons. He finds a military cyberware as his mother’s belongings and puts it on him. The cyberware gives him powerful combat abilities, but the side effects risk turning the wearer into a cyberpsycho. David accepts such risks, but grows into an Edgerunner who continues to take on difficult missions with the heroine Lucy and the team leader Maine.
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 10
Studio: Trigger
16. My Dress-Up Darling
CloverWorks not only produced standout series like Spy x Family and Bocchi the Rock! but also another laudable romantic comedy anime, My Dress-Up Darling (その着せ替え人形は恋をする), in 2022. Adapted from a manga series by Shinichi Fukuda, which began serialization on Young Gangan in 2018, it stands out for its unique focus on the modern pop culture trend of cosplay. Its popular reception has already led to the announcement of a sequel. In a sea of numerous titles, My Dress-Up Darling definitely deserves recognition for its heartwarming portrayal of the fascinating cosplay world.
My Dress-Up Darling revolves around Wakana Gojo, a high school boy who dreams of becoming a traditional Japanese doll maker, and Marin Kitagawa, a popular girl who’s into cosplay. Wakana, while initially hesitant due to his introverted nature, agrees to help Marin with her costumes. As they work together, they not only learn more about their respective crafts, but also slowly discover commonalities between them, gradually building a touching friendship that challenges their initial preconceptions.
Aired: 2022
Episodes: 12
Studio: CloverWorks
17. Suzume
Marking the first Makoto Shinkai anime movie of the 2020s, Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) continues the legacy of this world-renowned icon known for 2016’s Your Name and 2019’s Weathering with You. The film follows the journey of its young female protagonist through various parts of Japan, in a road-movie style narrative. Similar to Shinkai’s previous works, Suzume drives the trend of anime “pilgrimage”, where fans visit the real-life locations depicted in the film. A poignant theme throughout the film is disaster, with a particular focus on the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The protagonist is Suzume Iwato, a 17-year-old high school girl living with her aunt in a quiet town in Miyazaki Prefecture. After passing by the mysterious young man, Souta Munakata, Suzume becomes curious about him and follows him to an abandoned house in the mountains, where she finds an old door. To close these doors that are exits of disaster scattered around ruins throughout Japan, Suzume leaves home, traveling to places like Kobe, Tokyo, and Tohoku Region.
Released: 2022
Runtime: 122 min
Director: Makoto Shinkai
18. The First Slam Dunk
A smashing hit released in December 2022, The First Slam Dunk is a film that comes 26 and a half years after the conclusion of the original manga Slam Dunk, with its original author Takehiko Inoue serving as both the director and screenwriter. The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1990 to 1996, and was turned into an anime series consisting of 101 episodes from 1993 to 1996. This movie, however, is entirely separate from the earlier anime adaptation. Boasting an overwhelmingly high quality of animation that utilizes the latest illustration techniques, this film is a marvel to behold.
The First Slam Dunk focuses not on the protagonist Hanamichi Sakuragi, but rather on the second-year point guard, Ryota Miyagi. The film reveals Miyagi’s past, which wasn’t depicted in the original manga or the previous anime. The spotlight is on the basketball Inter-High second round match between Shohoku High School and the Akita representative, Sannoh High School. That legendary match is recreated in a way that was previously unimaginable. Distinct from typical sports anime, it can be described as a groundbreaking entertainment that employs innovative animation techniques.
Released: 2022
Runtime: 124 min
Director: Takehiko Inoue
19. One Piece Film: Red
One Piece Film: Red is the 15th film of the immensely popular action-adventure anime One Piece, and is one of the best in the series’ movie history. The director, Goro Taniguchi, made his debut with One Piece: Defeat! Pirate Ganzack in 1998. Like in the past works One Piece Film: Z in 2012 and One Piece Film: Gold in 2016, the original manga artist, Eiichiro Oda, participates in the production as the general producer. In this movie, Ado, one of the hottest J-pop singers at the time of release, was cast as one of the voice actors for the new character Uta (Except for the singing part, another voice actor Kaori Nazuka served).
The story is set on the musical island of Elegia. A concert by a singer named Uta was about to take place on this island, with the Straw Hat Pirates also in attendance. Luffy and Uta are childhood friends who spent their early years together in Foosha Village, and it is revealed that Uta is the daughter of the famous Red-Haired Shanks. The story begins from this point. What exactly is Uta’s grand “plan” to bring happiness to people all over the world? One Piece Film: Red is not a mere spin-off, but an important episode that interlinks with the main anime series.
Released: 2022
Runtime: 115 min
Director: Goro Taniguchi
▽Here are the lists of the best anime series and movies of 2022!▽
Are you keeping up with anime trends? A surprisingly large number of new anime are broadcast worldwide every year. Some […]
2022 is the good year for all anime fans around the globe when there are dozens of promising anime movies scheduled to b[…]
Best Anime of 2023
2023 saw several new anime adaptations of popular manga that possessed quality high enough to surpass the original works. On the other hand, sequels of already popular anime series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War also met expectations. As for anime movies, the release of a new work by Studio Ghibli’s director Hayao Miyazaki also made a solid impact.
Another big news of the year was the conclusion of Attack on Titan, which has been mentioned as one of the best anime of the 2010s. It can be said to have made a spectacular landing that will remain in the list of the greatest of all time.
While excellent slice-of-life and romantic comedy anime like The Dangers in My Heart and Skip and Loafer were also born, I’ll keep the mention here brief. Furthermore, Pluto, which was streamed on Netflix, may not be the kind of work that everyone likes, but it had a story setting satisfying enough for anime fans.
20. Oshi no Ko
A standout candidate for 2023’s best anime is none other than Oshi no Ko (【推しの子】). Born from the creative minds of Mengo Yokoyari and Aka Akasaka – the latter widely acclaimed for Kaguya-sama: Love is War – this series first saw life in Weekly Young Jump in 2020. The premise ingeniously blends defining facets of Japanese pop culture; it ties together the vibrant idol scene, the reincarnation narratives characteristic of the isekai genre, and a hefty dose of suspense. This unique mix came to animated life in the spring of 2023, courtesy of the talented team at Doga Kobo.
Oshi no Ko follows the story of Goro Hoshida, a 34-year-old ob-gyn physician and devoted fan of the teen idol Ai Hoshino. After a sudden accident, Goro finds himself reincarnated as Aquamarine Hoshino, one of Ai’s twin babies. Gorou navigates his new life as a child prodigy while unraveling the dark side of the entertainment industry, all while being raised by his previous life’s idol. To say too much would be a spoiler, so I hope you enjoy watching the anime anyway.
Aired: 2023(Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Episodes: 11 (Season 1)/TBA (Season 2)
Studio: Doga Kobo
How many people, I wonder, are witnessing the dawn of this new legend? Amidst the global hits of recent isekai, dark fan[…]
21. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
First and foremost, it’s undeniable that the top anime of 2023 is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (葬送のフリーレン). There should be no disagreement on this point. It aired consecutively over two cours from the winter season of 2024, making it also eligible to be considered one of the best anime of 2024. This series, which had long been a topic of discussion, is a manga series by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, splendidly animated by Madhouse. It’s worth noting that the director of this anime was Keiichiro Saito, who also directed Bocchi the Rock!, highlighted in the best anime of 2022 section. It’s a rare example of a great manga that still insists it should be watched as an anime. The impact left by the first season, consisting of 28 episodes, is remarkable.
The protagonist of this anime is Frieren, a female elf of a long-lived species said to live over a thousand years, as the title suggests. Unlike the typical adventure journey with the goal of defeating the Demon King, which serves as a prologue, this journey focuses on the process of forming new friendships and reminiscing warm memories with former party members. The journey progresses with Frieren, the main character, accompanied by Fern, a young magician, and Stark, a young inept warrior. It encompasses all the best elements of the popular isekai genre, fantasy adventure, and casual comedy. Moreover, this anime presents unique character designs and their relationships that are not found anywhere else.
Aired: 2023-2024
Episodes: 28
Studio: Madhouse
▽If you want to enjoy the continuation of the anime right now, please refer to this manga guide!▽
Between 2023 and 2024, an amazing anime was born: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, unfolding a laid-back adventure packed […]
22. The Apothecary Diaries
As an anime that showed a significant presence continuously from October 2023 to March 2024, The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと) cannot be left unmentioned. The original work is a light novel by Natsu Hyuga, published since 2011, and although it has been adapted into several manga since 2017, it was not widely recognized as a popular series. However, this anime adaptation by Toho Animation Studio and OLM significantly boosted its popularity.
The genre is a fusion of mystery, drama, and romance, but it’s different from the typical romantic comedy between men and women. Maomao, who is knowledgeable about medicine, is kidnapped one day and sold as a maid in the inner palace. Her curiosity and exceptional knowledge of medicine lead her to solve a certain case, which catches the eye of Jinshi, a high-ranking eunuch in the palace. The story revolves around Maomao, who doesn’t give Jinshi – the eunuch with a sweet face that captivates everyone – the time of day, and Jinshi, who is intrigued by Maomao despite their vastly different social statuses. The themes of power struggles and jealousy in the imperial harem are central, but the anime feels surprisingly light and easy to watch without a sense of heaviness, which is probably its greatest charm.
Aired: 2023-2024
Episodes: 24
Studio: Toho Animation Studio, OLM
▽If you want to enjoy the rest of The Apothecary Diaries anime right now, this manga guide is for you!▽
The popular anime The Apothary Diaries, which perfectly mixes the quintessential genres of mystery, romance, and comedy,[…]
23. My Happy Marriage
In 2023, My Happy Marriage (わたしの幸せな結婚) made a remarkably swift impact. This anime, a pure romance, was broadcast from July to September of that year. The original work, not very well-known before its anime adaptation, has been published as a light novel since 2019. Animated by Kinema Citrus, its first season was broadcast over 12 episodes, with a second season already decided upon immediately after the end of its airing.
The story exists in a world where special powers, referred to as “supernatural abilities,” are present, and it centers around Miyo Saimori, a woman who possesses none of these abilities. The main male character, Kiyoka Kudou, has a powerful special power that allows him to control lightning and fire. However, the heart of this anime is not so much these fantasy elements but rather the romantic relationship between Miyo, who has struggled in a restrictive family environment, and Kiyoka, whose personality is often misunderstood, despite his formidable past. The anime’s charm lies in the swing between the painfully heart-wrenching depiction of human struggles and the healing connection with loved ones.
Aired: 2023
Episodes: 12
Studio: Kinema Citrus
24. The Boy and the Heron
After a decade, a new work by director Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli has finally been completed: The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか). This marks the first long-form work directed and scripted by Miyazaki since The Wind Rises, which was released in 2013. The Boy and the Heron went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony. This victory represents the second time a Japanese film has won the Best Animated Feature award since Spirited Away in 2003 at the 75th Academy Awards, making it a historical win 21 years and the second instance ever for a long-form animation award.
While newly released anime series and movies usually have numerous teaser trailers released in advance for promotional activities, the producer Toshio Suzuki from Ghibli took a unique approach by not releasing any prior information about The Boy and the Heron. The film, as its title suggests, centers around a boy and a heron in an adventurous drama that unabashedly incorporates themes and elements Miyazaki has explored in his past films, such as war, teenage inner turmoil, transitions from the mundane to the fantastical, and a diverse cast of compelling characters.
The original Japanese title, which translates to How Do You Live? in English, is taken from Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel, though the content of this animated movie is predominantly fantasy and entirely different from the realism of the novel. The protagonist is an 11-year-old boy named Mahito, who loses his beloved mother Hisako to the Pacific War. His father, Shoichi, remarries Hisako’s sister Natsuko, and Mahito is forced to evacuate to his maternal grandparents’ home (where Hisako and Natsuko grew up) and live with his new mother. Guided by a mysterious blue heron that can speak, Mahito embarks on an adventure in a world within a tower, clinging to a slim hope that his mother might still be alive, as he never saw her death with his own eyes.
Released: 2023
Runtime: 124 min
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
25. Maboroshi
One of the notable anime movies in 2023 focuses on the coming-of-age fantasy drama Maboroshi (アリスとテレスのまぼろし工場), which centers on the lives of boys and girls living a mundane existence in a small, enclosed town. This is the second anime film directed by Mari Okada following her 2018 work, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, for which she also wrote the screenplay. Mari Okada is known for her screenplay work, starting with Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, part of the Chichibu trilogy, and Toradora!. The animation production was handled by the anime studio Mappa, known for In This Corner of the World and Jujutsu Kaisen.
The story is set in 1991 in the rural town of Mifuse, which is sustained by a symbolic steel mill. One day, a massive explosion at the steel mill causes time to stop, severing the town’s connection with the outside world. In this timeless state, the residents are forbidden to grow, and change is deemed negative. The story begins when 14-year-old Masamune is forcefully taken to the steel mill by his classmate Mutsumi. There, he is introduced to a girl named Itsumi, who closely resembles Mutsumi but can hardly speak. The film vividly portrays the personal troubles of the young characters, the insensitivity of adults, and the stifling atmosphere of a rural town.
Released: 2023
Runtime: 111 min
Director: Mari Okada
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