Winter is the starting season of a new year in Japanese anime series. From January to Match, 2023, tens of keenly-anticipated new anime are scheduled to hit the air. Popular manga and light novel series have been adapted into fine anime series and famous classic series have been remade by top-rated modern anime studios lately. Of course, the existing beloved anime series continue with following seasons for their popularity.
Then, which anime should you watch in the winter of 2023? In some examples, the second season of the sci-fi and thriller anime series Tokyo Revengers is following the smash-hit first season. Specifically, foreign anime lovers are looking forward to the season 2 of the epic adventure anime Vinland Saga. Many other brand new anime await you in this season.
Today, I’d like to introduce the list of the best anime series of the winter 2023 and their release dates. This anime line-up is being updated once additional announcements are made for global anime fans. Let’s enjoy the hottest Japanese anime!
▽Check out the list of the best anime of 2023 all seasons!▽
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Overall Review for Anime of Winter 2023
The Winter 2023 anime season may not have been the most bountiful in recent memory, but it still offered a few surprisingly outstanding titles. In this article, we will provide an overall review of the season, highlighting some notable shows that stood out among the rest.
In general, the Winter 2023 season lived up to expectations. Although it wasn’t an exceptionally abundant season, several remarkable anime were discovered.
One of the most anticipated shows, “Attack on Titan Final Season Part 3,” successfully met the high expectations of its fans and smoothly transitioned into the upcoming autumn sequel. The series continued to deliver its unique blend of action, drama, and intense storytelling, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Another standout was the new installment of the popular series, “Trigun Stampede.” This anime exceeded expectations, receiving top-tier reviews and praise from both long-time fans and newcomers alike. The fresh take on the beloved franchise managed to captivate audiences with its captivating storyline and impressive animation.
A lesser-known anime, “Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!” managed to garner a significant following during the season. The show’s intriguing premise and engaging characters attracted a large number of new fans, making it one of the season’s sleeper hits.
1. Tokyo Revengers Christmas Showdown Arc (Season 2)
The recent smash-hit Tokyo Revengers is coming back to the beginning of 2023 as the second season titled Tokyo Revengers Christmas Showdown Arc (東京リベンジャーズ 聖夜決戦編). The science-fiction anime series with the theme of Japanese yanki has been quite popular among fans not only in Japan but worldwide especially in Spain and France where the original manga series first started to be translated into their languages. The manga series has been serialized on a famous Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2017, written by Ken Wakui. It was made into the first anime adaptation comprising 24 episode by Liden Films in 2021.
After some serious conflicts between Tokyo Manji Gang and other yanki groups occur in the first season, the next season keeps focusing on Takemichi’s time travel adventure to save his important person in the future. See what will happen to Tokyo Manji Gang next and who will become an important character. In addition to the current coolest characters like Mikey and Draken, there are new characters featured in Tokyo Revengers Christmas Showdown Arc.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
Tokyo Revengers is undoubtedly one of the hit franchises in recent years. It uniquely fuses the science fiction genre of[…]
2. Vinland Saga Season 2
Vinland Saga (ヴィンランド・サガ) is being anticipated by lots of international fans as one of the best anime series in the winter of 2023. The historical adventure anime has been watch all over the world since its first season was released with 24 episodes in 2019. It is based on the well-known manga series written by Makoto Yukimura and serialized on Monthly Afternoon since 2005. The production of Wit Studio’s high-quality animation is taken over by the other growing Japanese anime studio Mappa in Vinland Saga Season 2.
Vinland Saga is set in the northern region of Europe in the early 11th century, focusing on the way the barbaric seafarers known as Vikings live. The epic anime revolves around a young skilled Icelandic warrior named Thorfinn, who survives the severe world with his two daggers and is driven by an urge for revenge against his group’s leader Askeladd. In the second season, he is enslaved and looks back on his crimes in the past and searches for the meaning of his life again after losing his biggest life purpose.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
Some modern anime are as popular among Japanese as they are among foreign anime freaks, or they are more popular oversea[…]
3. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? – Deep Chapter: Calamity Arc (Season 4 Part 2)
After the previous part of the fourth season in the summer of 2022, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか) continues with its second part Deep Chapter: Calamity Arc from the winter of 2023. Adapted from the light novel series written by Fujino Omori and illustarated by Suzuhito Yasuda, the fantasy adventure anime has been watched by international anime lovers. The fourth season is made by J.C.Staff as well as the past three seasons.
DanMachi Season 4 Part 2 keeps following the protagonist Bell Cranel and other Hestia Familia members, who go deeper into the Dungeon involving a huge sacrifice. Bell and the female elf Ryuu become isolated from their party in the middle of the battle against the vicious and powerful monster Juggernaut. See what will happen to them in a critical condition.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, which is usually abbreviated to DanMachi, is one of the most successf[…]
4. Trigun Stampede
Trigun Stampede is a new animation of the post-apocalyptic and space-western series Trigun, which has been loved by lots of fans across the world since the first anime series aired in 1998. Based on the Trigun manga series written by Yasuhiro Nightow between 1995 and 2007, the 26-episode television anime series was made by Madhouse in 1998 and the following anime movie Trigun: Badlands Rumble in 2010. Set in the planet of the desert in the 32nd century, Trigun centers on Vash the Stampede, a skilled gunman characterized by sticking-up blond hair and a red coat. This Trigun Stampede focuses on what’s inside of the pacifist, which means the setting of the story and characters are different from that of the previous anime series. You can enjoy Trigun Stampede as a new anime of the series instead of its remake.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
5. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible
Some high-quality romantic comedy anime series await you in the winter of 2023, and Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (久保さんは僕を許さない) must be the center of attention in the season. It has been originally serialized as a Weekly Young Jump manga series written by Nene Yukimori since 2019. The anime adaptation of the popular rom-com manga series was just confirmed in 2022. Its anime studio is Pine Jam, which is also known for Gamers! (2017) and Do It Yourself!! (2022).
Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible follows a quiet high school boy Junta Shiraishi, whose presence is rarely noticed by classmates. However, only his neighbor girl Nagisa Kubo easily senses his presence all the time. His school days are changing while communicating with her and other classmates. If you like other modern romantic-comedy anime like Teasing Master Takagi-san, you will like Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆ (This is a provisional evaluation due to the postponement of the broadcast.)
The popular trend in anime right now revolves around cute girls from the same class playfully teasing the protagonist. A[…]
6. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (お隣の天使様にいつの間にか駄目人間にされていた件) is a featured new anime series in the winter of 2023. The successful light novel series which has been written by Saekisan since 2018 is becoming increasingly popular these days. The anticipated rom-com anime series is made into the first anime adaptation by Project No.9, an anime studio that was in charge of other popular romantic comedy anime productions such as The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done! (2018) and Higehiro (2021).
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten concentrates on the presence of the cute heroine Mahiru Shiina, who meets her neighboring protagonist Amane Fujimiya. Check how the brand new rom-com, slice-of-life anime depicts their attractive high school life!
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
Another popular light novel title has been newly adapted into an anime: The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten. Amane, […]
7. Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!
Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! (お兄ちゃんはおしまい!) is a new anime series mixed with slice of life and comedy, staring from January, 2023. It is adapted from Nekotofu’s manga series that has been serialized on Monthly Comic Rex since 2019. Studio Bind is in charge of its production. Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! casts a spotlight on an Otaku man Mahiro Oyama and his younger sister Mihari Oyama. He is is transformed into a young girl who looks like a middle schooler by a drug that Mihari gives him.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
Recently, anime fans have been interested in traditional tastes such as cool action and epic fantasy adventure, as well […]
8. Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4
Bungo Stray Dogs (文豪ストレイドッグス) is one of the most popular anime series scheduled to air in the winter of 2023, which started with the 12-episode first season in 2016. There are three current seasons in the anime series made by the reliable anime studio Bones. Based on the original manga series written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa, the newest and fourth season awaits many fans around the globe.
Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4 presents a suspenseful story of the Armed Detective Agency members including Atsushi Nakajima and Osamu Dazai, who are involved in an enormous conspiracy related to the government.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
There have been various anime categories including a large number of subgenres and niche themes recently. Almost all ani[…]
9. Pokémon: Mezase Pokémon Master
The winter of 2023 will become an unforgettable season for big fans of Pokémon and its original anime series Pocket Monsters. A new Pokémon anime series titled Pokémon: Mezase Pokémon Master (ポケットモンスター めざせポケモンマスター) consists of 11 episodes airing from January, which is made by OLM, Inc. as well as the previous 2019 series Pokémon: Journeys.
Finally, Pokémon: Mezase Pokémon Master depicts the last chapters of Ash (a.k.a. Satoshi in Japan) and Pikachu’s adventure. In addition to the earliest characters Misty (Kasumi) and Brock (Takeshi), it introduces lovely Pokémon that Ash has developed strong ties with again.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
10. In/Spectre Season 2
The second season of a popular mystery anime In/Spectre (虚構推理), which was scheduled to air in October, 2022, is postponed until January, 2023. Adapted from the popular mystery novel series written by Kyo Shirodaira since 2011, the anime adaptation was first released with 12 episodes in 2020. In/Spectre Season 2 is made by Brain’s Base as well as the previous season.
In/Spectre centers on a female university student Kotoko Iwanaga, who lost one eye and one leg in return to become the Goddess of Wisdom for specters, and her immortal boyfriend Kuro Sakuragawa. They solve strange cases caused by the specters with their supernatural abilities. Following the Steel Lady Nanase arc in the first season presenting the encounter between Kotoko and Kuro, just see what kind of new case will happen next and how their relationship will change in the second season.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
Mystery has always been a popular genre in the world of anime, but in recent years, its range has diversified. In/Spectr[…]
11. Aggretsuko Season 5
Aggretsuko (アグレッシブ烈子), which is also known as Aggressive Retsuko in Japan, comes back with the final and fifth season to Netflix in February 2023. There are four past seasons that distributed annually from 2018. Before the net animation exclusively on Netflix, the previous version of Aggretsuko aired on television from 2016 to 2018, which is composed of 100 1-min episodes.
Centering on the popular Sanrio character Retsuko, Aggretsuko introduces new anthropomorphized animal characters in the final season. Don’t miss what happens to the 25-year-old red panda in the end of Aggretsuko Season 5.
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
12. Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro 2nd Attack (Season 2)
For modern Japanese anime fans, Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro 2nd Attack (イジらないで、長瀞さん 2nd Attack), its anime series second season, is what they can’t miss in the winter of 2023. It is adapted from the popular slice-of-life and romantic-comedy manga series written by Nanashi and seriailzed on Magazine Pocket since 2017. The first season’s 12 episodes were made by Telecom Animation Film in 2021, followed by the second season created by a different animation studio OLM.
Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro tells the story of a quiet second-grade high school student Naoto Hachiouji and his energetic first-grade Kohai student Hayase Nagatoro. You can see how the cute sadist girl toys with her Senpai in the next season as well.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
There are many anime where the relationship between seniors and juniors, which is known as Senpai and Kohai in Japanese,[…]
13. Kaina of the Great Snow Sea
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea (大雪海のカイナ) is one of the most expected brand new anime series for 2023. Its manga series just began on Monthly Shonen Sirius a little earlier than the anime series in 2022. The story is written by Tsutomu Nihei, who is also famous for Blame! (1997-2003) and Knights of Sidonia (2009-2015). With his screenplay, the anime series is made by Polygon Pictures.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the ground surface is covered by the Great Snow Sea. It revolves around a young boy named Kaina, who lives on the upper layer supported by the giant trees. The story begins when he meets a girl Liliha coming from the lower world in the the Great Snow Sea.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
14. Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense Season 2
In addition to brand new series, there are many existing anime with next seasons scheduled in 2022. Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense (痛いのは嫌なので防御力に極振りしたいと思います。) is the expected anime coming with its second season. 2020’s first season was adapted from its original light novel written by Yuumikan and illustrated by Koin since 2017 by a Japanese anime studio Silver Link.
The comedy and fantasy anime, which is also categorized as Naro-kei and Metaverse, emphasizes an ordinary high school girl Kaede Honjo. She started to play the VRMMORPG named NewWorld Online inspired by her best friend Risa Shiromine. Under the name Maple in the game world, she chooses a unpopular great shield as her main weapon since she really doesn’t want to experience even a very little pain. Plus, he extremely increases her defense stats, which is why the title is given in this way. Bofuri Season 2 keeps tracking the adventure of Maple and her friends in the exciting virtual world.
Don’t miss the new season if you are a fan of the first season of Bofuri and other game-themed anime series!
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★☆☆ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★☆☆
15. Nier: Automata Ver1.1a
For fans of both anime and games, good news has been just announced: The 2017 hit game Nier: Automata’s anime adaptation is coming to the winter of 2023 titled Nier: Automata Ver1.1a. Nier: Automata, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, was initially released as an action role-playing game for PlayStation 4 and Windows in 2017, which recorded over 6 million sales around the globe. Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is made by the popular anime studio A-1 Pictures, which has been recently famous for Sword Art Online and Lycoris Recoil. It features some voice actors of proven worth including Yui Ishikawa (voicing Violet Evergarden in Violet Evergarden and Mikasa Ackerman in Attack on Titan) and Natsuki Hanae (voicing Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Ken Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul).
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is set in a post-apocalyptic world, taking place thousands of years after an ending of the previous game title Nier Gestalt/Replicant’s multiple storylines. Human beings are driven out of the earth to the moon after an alien invasion. For humankind to regain the lost earth, human-made androids are sent to the earth to fight against bio-machines produced by the aliens. This sci-fi anime focuses on new-type androids called YoRHa including a female protagonist 2B and a male android 9S.
Aired: From January, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★★ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★☆
16. Attack on Titan Final Season Part 3
It has been announced that the final part of Attack on Titan Final Season (進撃の巨人 The Final Season 完結編) will come with two divided sections and the first half starts airing from March, 2023. Then, it will be followed by the second half within 2023. Many fans are looking forward to seeing how the Attack on Titan anime series finishes while the manga series was completed in 2021.
Finally, the story of the mysterious Titans is entering its final chapter. Eren and other Survey Corps members grow apart. And what will be the fate of Eren, who holds the key to the story?
Aired: From March 4, 2023
Expectation: ★★★★★ → Actual Evaluation: ★★★★★
▽More anime confirmed to be released in 2023 or later!▽
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