Get ready for an exciting summer: The best anime of Summer 2023 is here!
As the temperature rises, so does the anticipation for the best anime of Summer (July to September) 2023! This season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with a diverse lineup of hotly anticipated series, returning fan favorites, and groundbreaking new works. It includes Mushoku Tensei Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, and more.
Featuring some following seasons such as Mushoku Tensei Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, and a newly-started Rurouni Kenshin, the Summer 2023 lineup promises to keep you glued to your screens.
Not only will this season bring innovative storytelling and stunning visuals, but it will also feature remarkable voice acting performances from both industry veterans and rising stars. Get ready to immerse yourself in mesmerizing new worlds, forge emotional connections with unforgettable characters, and experience the best that the anime medium has to offer.
Don’t miss out on this incredible season of anime! Stay tuned for our comprehensive guide to the best anime of Summer 2023, where we’ll dive deep into each series, providing you with all the details you need to plan your perfect summer watchlist. The excitement is just beginning – prepare to be blown away!
▽Check out the list of the best anime of 2023 all seasons!▽
Anime used to be only a niche content loved by a handful of geeks in past days, however, it is being not only watched bu[…]
A large number of new anime movies are awaiting you in 2023. Almost all of the anime films first premiers in Japan, and […]
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Overall Review for Anime of Summer 2023
How was the Summer 2023 anime season for you? Let’s take a moment to recap.
Firstly, the anticipated sequels of popular series delivered as expected, with some garnering particularly high acclaim. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, needless to say, kicked off with Satoru Gojo’s past and unfolded a captivating narrative. Although there were concerns due to the change in director from its first season, Mushoku Tensei Season 2 managed to surprise many with its outstanding quality. Other notable series included Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation and Horimiya -piece-, both of which deserve high praise.
On the other hand, among the newly debuted series, My Happy Marriage captivated viewers with its beautiful illustrations and profound human drama. In the romantic comedy genre, The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses definitely stood out.
While Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead didn’t conclude during the summer season due to broadcast delays, it emerged as a notably popular newcomer. The new iteration of the classic series, Rurouni Kenshin, didn’t quite live up to expectations and, so far, can’t be considered the best remake. This one will continue broadcasting over two cours, so we’ll see its continuation in the fall season.
The completely new episodes of Naruto, scheduled for a September release, were unfortunately postponed to enhance the quality. Let’s keep our hopes high for this one as well.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (呪術廻戦 第2期) is one of the most anticipated anime, set to premiere in the summer of 2023. Based on the manga by Gege Akutami, the animated series is produced by the renowned animation studio Mappa. The first season, which aired from October 2020 to March 2021, consisted of 24 episodes and garnered a substantial following. Building on the success of the franchise, the first anime movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, was released in 2021 and became a massive hit. Fans are eagerly awaiting the continuation of the thrilling story in the upcoming second season.
The second season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime series consists of two consecutive parts in summer and autumn. The first half covers the story of Satoru Gojo and Geto Suguru during their high school days, called Kaigyoku/Gyokusetsu Arc (Gojo’s Past Arc). The long-awaited revelation of the past that led to Gojo and Geto’s separation, as hinted in the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0, will finally be unveiled. In the second half, the story timeline from the first season continues with the Shibuya Incident. Members from the high school, including Itadori, Fushiguro, and Kugisaki, as well as other Jujutsu sorcerers, gather in Shibuya, and an unprecedented large-scale battle is about to begin.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★★→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
2. Mushoku Tensei Season 2
Mushoku Tensei (無職転生 〜異世界行ったら本気だす〜), one of the Isekai fantasy masterpieces in the recent past, comes back with its second season to the summer of 2023. The first season, which aired in 2021 in two separate parts including 24 episodes, surprised both light novel and anime fans with the high quality of its animation. The second season of Mushoku Tensei continues to be produced by Studio Bind, the same studio as the first.
After completing their journey as the adventurer party “Dead End,” consisting of Rudeus, Eris, and Ruijerd, Rudeus experiences a farewell with Eris. The story resumes as he continues to grow and travels through the northern part of the Central Continent in search of his still-missing mother, Zenith. Mushoku Tensei Season 2 enters new story arcs such as Mid-Level Adventurer Arc and University Arc.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
3. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation (BLEACH 千年血戦篇ｰ訣別譚ｰ), the final chapter of the popular anime, is scheduled for release in the summer of 2023. Originally based on the Japanese manga by Tite Kubo, which consists of 74 volumes, the anime adaptation is produced by Studio Pierrot. The show initially aired from 2004 to 2012 with a total of 366 episodes. In 2022, the series restarted as the final chapter, and 13 episodes were broadcasted. This time, entering the final phase with the subtitle “The Separation,” fans eagerly await the culmination of this cherished series.
In Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, it is anticipated that a massive volume of the original manga, from volumes 55 to 74, will be covered. In the first part, which aired in the autumn of 2022, the manga from volumes 55 to 61 was adapted into an anime. Everything is heading towards the end. Don’t miss the final battle of Ichigo Kurosaki.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★★→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
4. Horimiya -piece-
Based on the manga Horimiya, created by Hero with illustrations by Daisuke Hagiwara, the Horimiya anime series has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Produced by CloverWorks, the first season aired in 2021, featuring 13 captivating episodes. Now, the beloved series is making a return with its second season, titled Horimiya -piece- (ホリミヤ -piece-). Viewers can look forward to more heartwarming moments and engaging storylines as they continue to follow the lives of the endearing characters.
I think everyone thought Horimiya was finished with the only season that aired in 2021. Hori and Miyamura graduated from high school, but what story will be told in the next one! You can enjoy the unchanged sparkling world and the different daily lives of Hori, Miyamura, and the other characters from the previous series.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
5. My Happy Marriage
Exceeding many viewers’ expectations, My Happy Marriage (わたしの幸せな結婚) was a surprise hit during the summer 2023 season. Who would have predicted that it would be among the top anime of the season? The anime is based on a light novel written by Akumi Agitogi with illustrations by Tsukasa Tsukiho, which has been published since 2019. The fantasy romance anime was handled by Kinema Citrus, known for recent hit series like Made in Abyss and The Rising of the Shield Hero. In terms of media adaptations, a manga version by Rito Kohsaka began in 2018, and a live-action film was released in March 2023.
My Happy Marriage revolves around Miyo Saimori, who is mistreated by her own family and is forced into a political marriage with the mysterious Kiyoka of the House of Kudou. Contrary to her fears, Kiyoka turns out to be kind-hearted and considerate, and the two embark on a journey of understanding, trust, and genuine love. As the plot unfolds, Miyo learns more about Kiyoka’s secrets, and the couple confronts various challenges in their path to find happiness together.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
Wasn't My Happy Marriage possibly the most beautiful anime of 2023? It was also a production with almost no pre-broadcas[…]
6. Masamune-kun’s Revenge R
Romantic comedy is one of the most popular anime genres in a couple of decades. Many best-selling light novels and manga series are adapted into anime series, and some of the successful rom-com anime continue to following seasons. Masamune-kun’s Revenge R (政宗くんのリベンジ R) is the anticipated second season of 2017’s school-themed romantic comedy. The Masamune-kun’s Revenge anime series was first adapted from a manga series written by Hazuki Takeoka and illustrated by Tiv between 2012 and 2018. Masamune-kun’s Revenge R is made by the same anime studio Silver Link as the first season.
The first season of Masamune-kun’s Revenge has a surprise ending after lots of unexpected incidents in the school festival. The second season Masamune-kun’s Revenge R focuses on their school trip to France. Aki Adagaki gives meaningful words to Masamune there. If it consists of 12 episodes as well as the previous season, the whole story of Masamune-kun’s Revenge will be completed.
Aired: From April 2023
Aired: From July (Masamune-kun’s Revenge R was originally scheduled to begin airing in April, but was postponed to July.)
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
While it seemed that Masamune-kun's Revenge happily concluded with its second season, were you aware that a sequel exist[…]
7. The Duke of Death and His Maid Season 2
The Duke of Death and His Maid (死神坊ちゃんと黒メイド) is a casual dark fantasy anime series mixed with romantic comedy, which released the first 12 episodes in 2021. In the summer of 2023, the second season The Duke of Death and His Maid is coming with new episodes. It is made by J.C.Staff, the same anime studio as the previous season. Its original manga series that started in 2017 had a spectacular finale in 2022, written by Inoue.
Everything he touches dies. A nobleman, known as Duke of Death, is cursed by a witch with this devastating power. In the second season, clues to break his curse begin to surface, setting the destiny of both him and Alice into motion. The story of these two, who are unable to touch each other despite longing to do so, once again unfolds.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
8. Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 3
The harem anime, Rent-A-Girlfriend (彼女、お借りします), is making its return this summer with its third season. Based on a manga series that has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2017, the anime series has already enjoyed two seasons, with 12 episodes in the first season airing in 2020 and another 12 episodes in the second season in 2022. Just like the previous two seasons, TMS Entertainment produces the third season. Rent-A-Girlfriend is a contemporary romantic comedy series with a unique theme revolving around the real-life service of renting girlfriends.
As they spend many seasons together and overcome various events, Kazuya’s feelings for Chizuru grow stronger, and he vows to continue supporting her desire to succeed as an actress. In order to make Chizuru’s dream come true, Kazuya decides to create a movie with her as the lead through crowdfunding. In the third season, while still surrounded by the exceptionally beautiful girls, the protagonist encounters a new character Mini Yaemori.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
A service where you can rent a girlfriend? Is that even a thing? Ever since its anime broadcast, the contemporary and un[…]
9. The Devil Is a Part-Timer! 2nd Season Part 2
Continuing the acclaimed anime series, The Devil Is a Part-Timer! 2nd Season Part 2 (はたらく魔王さま!!) picks up where the story left off. The first season, consisting of 13 episodes, aired in 2013, while the second season premiered in 2022 with 12 episodes. Production shifted from White Fox, which handled the first season, to Studio 3Hz for the second season. Based on a light novel written by Satoshi Wagahara and published between 2011 and 2020, the series spans 28 volumes.
Unlike typical Isekai anime, this story follows characters from a fantasy world as they journey to the real world. In the alternate world of Ente Isla, the Demon Lord Satan and the Hero Emilia are adversaries, but in modern-day Tokyo, they work hard together as Maou Sadao and Yusa Emi. The entertaining fantasy comedy is set to restart, bringing laughter and adventure to viewers.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
10. The Quintessential Quintuplets∽
Recently, it was announced that a new installment of the popular rom-com series, The Quintessential Quintuplets∽ (五等分の花嫁∽), is set to air in the summer of 2023. Many fans were pleasantly surprised by this news, as it seemed the story had concluded with the release of The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie in 2022. The original work is a manga series by Negi Haruba, which was serialized on Weekly Shonen Magazine from 2017 to 2020.
The upcoming new part will cover original episodes that could not be fully depicted in the previous anime series. Viewers can look forward to untold stories about the five sisters during their last summer vacation of high school.
Aired: From July (The Quintessential Quintuplets∽ will also show at the theater from July 14, 2023)
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
11. New Naruto Episodes
Naruto (NARUTO -ナルト-), which concluded its manga in 2014 and finished airing its anime at 720 episodes in 2017, has some exciting news for all Naruto fans. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the anime’s first broadcast in 2022, brand-new Naruto anime episodes will air in September 2023. Four episodes of this new content are planned. In addition, the second part of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has been announced, and a one-shot spin-off manga featuring Naruto’s father Minato Namikaze, is scheduled to be released in July 2023. Naruto remains a living legend with no shortage of ongoing conversation.
Aired: From September
Expectation: ★★★★★→ Actual Evaluation: Postponed
NOTE: The new episodes of Naruto have been confirmed to be postponed to improve the quality.
12. Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (るろうに剣心 －明治剣客浪漫譚－) is set to be a standout title among 2023’s anime lineup. The legendary swordsman manga is getting a new animated adaptation, scheduled to premiere this summer. The original manga series, created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, was serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump from 1994 to 1999. Interestingly, the manga has also been revived with a new series titled Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc, which began in 2017. The first anime adaptation took place from 1996 to 1998, spanning a total of 94 episodes. This latest anime project is being produced by Liden Films.
The highly anticipated new adaptation reconstructs the original story from the first episode using the latest animation techniques, aiming to create a Rurouni Kenshin anime that can appeal to today’s anime fans. The manga artist Nobuhiro Watsuki himself is fully supervising the entire series, including character designs and scenarios. Set in Japan during the Meiji period, the legendary swordsman Himura Kenshin, once feared as “Battousai the Manslayer”, wanders the country, encountering various people and searching for answers to his redemption and a way to live in the new era.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★★→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
If you want to continue watching this new version of the Rurouni Kenshin anime, please check the manga guide below.
Rurouni Kenshin is one of the series that introduced Japanese manga and anime along with traditional motifs to the world[…]
13. The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses
The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses (好きな子がめがねを忘れた) is a highly anticipated new anime series coming in Summer 2023. The genre is a blend of the recently trending romantic comedy and slice of life elements. It is based on the manga by Koume Fujichika, which has been serialized on Monthly Gangan Joker since 2018. The anime production is handled by the studio GoHands, which is also known for their work on the Seitokai Yakuindomo series.
Somewhat shy middle school student Kaede Komura has a crush on the girl sitting next to him in class, Ai Mie, who always wears glasses. Although Kaede is drawn to Ai’s mysterious charm, he spends his days unable to muster the courage to speak to her. Ai is a careless girl who constantly forgets her glasses. Now that Kaede is sitting next to her, he tries his best to support her when she’s in trouble. However, as Ai tries to see things without her glasses, their close proximity causes Kaede’s heart to race uncontrollably.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
Another unique romantic comedy anime has emerged. While it's not uncommon to see slice-of-life romantic comedies focused[…]
14. Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout (ライザのアトリエ 〜常闇の女王と秘密の隠れ家〜) is a fantasy adventure anime set to premiere in the summer of 2023. It is originally known as a role-playing video game developed by Gust and released by Koei Tecmo in 2019. The recent success and momentum of Liden Films have made it possible to adapt the game into an anime, bringing its captivating world to a new medium for fans to enjoy.
Set in the village of Rasenboden on Kurken Island, surrounded by a lake, the story centers on an ordinary girl named Ryza, who seeks excitement in her uneventful village life. One day, she encounters a man wielding the mysterious power of alchemy. Thus begins a unique summer adventure, unlike anything Ryza has experienced before.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
15. Hyakusho Kizoku
Hyakusho Kizoku (百姓貴族), one of the most unique anime of this season, breaks away from the typical genres of action, fantasy, and adventure. It is based on an autobiographical manga by Hiromu Arakawa, the renowned manga artist famous for Fullmetal Alchemist. This slice-of-life comedy series offers a glimpse into the everyday life of a Japanese farming family. The manga started its serialization in the shojo manga magazine Un Poco in 2006 and has been serialized in Wings since 2009. The anime adaptation has been undertaken by the relatively new studio, Pie in the sky, established in 2013.
Hyakusho Kizoku is an autobiographical manga-based anime recounting the author’s experiences growing up on a dairy and arable farm in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido. Contrasting sharply with Fullmetal Alchemist, this work is more reminiscent of the author’s other renowned series, Silver Spoon. It provides an intimate look into the day-to-day life of a farming family, shedding light on the realities of dairy farming and cultivation, as well as the family life of the Arakawas. The anime portrays the intricacies of Japanese agriculture, interweaving humor, knowledge, and hypothetical scenarios throughout its narrative.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
16. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (ゾン100〜ゾンビになるまでにしたい100のこと〜) is an eccentric anime that merges comedy and horror, with zombies as its central theme. The original manga is written by Haro Aso and illustrated by Kotaro Takata, and has been serialized in the Monthly Sunday GX magazine since 2018. The anime adaptation is handled by the newly established animation studio, Bug Films, which was founded in 2021. Despite its short history, Bug Films has been involved in the production of other popular anime series, such as Komi Can’t Communicate and Summertime Render, produced by OLM Team Kojima.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” is a dark comedy manga series that follows the life of Akira Tendo, a 24-year-old man who, disillusioned by his oppressive corporate job, finds a new lease on life during a zombie apocalypse. With the world in chaos, Akira decides to make the most of his situation by creating a bucket list of 100 things he wants to do before he becomes a zombie, exploring a unique blend of survival horror and life’s simple joys amidst the undead.
Aired: From July
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
The genre of zombies, now a popular theme in visual content, is showing an interesting fusion in the world of anime. As […]
17. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence
As one of romantic-comedy anime that lots of fans are looking forward to in the summer of 2023, Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence (白聖女と黒牧師) is scheduled to be broadcast from April (it was supposed to be broadcast in the spring). It initially started as a fantasy rom-com manga written by Hazano Kazutake on Shonen Magazine R in 2017. Its anime adaptation is realized by an anime studio Doga Kobo, which also worked for New Game! and Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie.
As its title suggests, Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence features a pastor Lawrence and a saint girl Cecilia, presenting their unconscious and lovey-dovey romantic comedy. It is set in a countryside in a fantasy world. She moves to the town where the conscientious man lives and they live in the same church. She sometimes shows her affection for him while the insusceptible pastor are almost totally unaware of it.
Aired: From July 2023 (Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence was originally scheduled to begin airing in April, but was postponed to July.)
Expectation: ★★★☆☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
18. Baki Hanma Season 2
It has been confirmed that Baki Hanma Season 2 (範馬刃牙 2期) is made, divided into two parts, and distributed exclusively on Netflix worldwide. Tale of Pickle Saga + Pickle Wars Sag (外伝ピクル＋野人戦争編) is scheduled to be exclusively released on Netflix on July 26, 2023, and “The Father VS Son Saga (地上最強の親子喧嘩編) available starting August 24, 2023. Baki Hanma is the third title of the Baki the Grappler series based on Keisuke Itagaki’s manga series serialized since 1991. The first title Baki the Grappler aired with 48 episodes in 2001, followed by the second Baki was broadcast with 38 episodes in 2018 and 2020. This new season of Baki Hanma will follow the first season consisting of 12 episodes in 2021, made by TMS Entertainment.
The protagonist Baki Hanma and his powerful father Yujiro dominate the martial arts anime series. As the champion of the Underground Arena Tournament, Baki decides to challenge his father Yujiro Hanma, the strongest creature on the planet. At the end of the first season, he fights against Biscuit Oliva, who is called Mr. Unchained and known as the freest man on earth. The next season will present more intense battles between Baki and opponents with power and technique on another level.
Expectation: ★★★★☆→ Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
Did you find an anime that caught your eye in the summer of 2023?
▽More anime confirmed to be released in 2023 or later!▽
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