If it wasn’t clear from our best anime of 2022 list, the past year has been incredible for the medium. It really does feel like we’re in a golden age of anime and 2023 doesn’t show signs of bringing us to the end of that age. That also means there’s even more anime to watch than ever before and that is pretty daunting to think about. To help navigate the very likely double stacked year 2023 will be, we’ve selected the anime that we’re excited to see this year. Let this be a map to the hype train for your anime watchlist!
Go Go! Loser Ranger! (TBA)
Tokusatsu and anime have always been closely related, with recent anime like Fuuto PI and Ultraman allowing the live action stories of tokusatsu to continue in animation. Naturally, it was inevitable a series dedicated to deconstructing it would come along. Directed by long time mecha and Sentai veteran Keiichi Satou (Tiger & Bunny, The Big O), this story of a monster footsoldier infiltrating the ranks of a less than savory Sentai team looks poised to be a stellar adaptation of the still young manga. [Travis Hymas]
Tsurune – The Linking Shot (January 4)
Produced by Kyoto Animation (A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden,) Tsurune, after its premiere in 2018, felt like one of those series that would be forgotten due to its brevity, despite the astonishing visuals. Thankfully Tsurune is returning for a second season with Tsurune – The Linking Shot. Directed by Takuya Yamamura, we follow Minato after his passion for kyudo has been reignited. Sports anime fan or not, Tsurune is a must watch for the heartfelt exploration of passion, grief, and community with some of the most dazzling animation in years. [Ally Johnson]
Buddy Daddies (January 7)
We won’t beat around the bush — yes we Ally will probably give this show a shot. No, it’s not because there’s any great hope that it will be excellent. Instead, the name is funny and attention grabbing, and since it’s an original anime created by P.A. Works, rather than being based on an existing manga, inquisitive minds want – nay, need – to know if this is simply riding the Spy x Family bandwagon or if it will offer up something new, exciting, and hey, maybe even progressive. [Ally Johnson]
Trigun Stampede (January 7)
From studio Orange (Beastars) comes a reboot of the 90s series by Yasuhiro Nightow Trigun with Trigun Stampede. The action series tracks the enigmatic Vash the Stampede, a gunman on the run with 60 billion double dollar bounty on his head. Kenji Muto, who worked on studio Orange’s overlooked and gorgeously animated Land of the Lustrous, directs. Many of the redesigned elements and the CG style will make fans uneasy, but the trailers have all been strong looks and the pedigree of studio Orange makes us confident. [Ally Johnson]
Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (January 10)
Each winter requires some sort of slice-of-life/romance series to keep the dark months at bay — from My Love Story to Komi Can’t Communicate, or something like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, it’s these type of low stake series which provide some of the greatest avenues of escapism. We’re crossing our fingers that Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible strikes a similar chord. Based on the manga written and illustrated by Nene Yukimori, the series follows high school student Junta Shiraishi who goes unnoticed to the point where everyone around him fails to notice him. That changes though with Nagisa Kubo. [Ally Johnson]
The Fire Hunter (January 14)
While it’s not drawing as much anticipation as some of the buzzier titles out in the new year, there’s no denying the prestige on board with The Fire Hunter. Boasting the talent of Mamoru Oshii (Angel’s Egg, Ghost in the Shell) acting as screenwriter, the fantasy series is based on the manga by Rieko Hinata and illustrated by Akihiro Yamada. The trailer suggests a distinct visual touch, befitting a setting of the world following humanity’s last war, landscapes desolate and haunting to ignite the sense of dread. [Ally Johnson]
NieR Automata Ver.1.1a (January 8)
NieR Automata ver.1.1a is an adaptation of the masterwork video game from Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames. Given that the game has a lot of more complicated to adapt concepts, the idea of Automata being adapted into a non-interactive medium is curious. Taro has noted the anime will be a “straightforward” adaptation of the game as well, which almost sounds like bait. What isn’t so mysterious is that it will look stellar. The series is directed by Gainax and Trigger veteran Ryouji Masuyama, which is exactly the kind of credentials you want to see leading an adaptation of a game about kinky maid robots fighting other robots and turning into a mad-dash shooting ball of computer code at the press of a button. [Travis Hymas]
Dr. Stone: New World (April TBA)
Following the Ryusui OVA released in 2022 (a must watch as it links the storylines between the second and third season) Dr. Stone returns for its latest arc, Dr. Stone New World. The series remains a consistent favorite for its scientific insights, crude yet hilarious character designs, which contrast cohesively with the delicate landscape work that puts into perspective how small these characters are amongst the world that grew in their absence. Addictive and paced with precision that makes it a tough week-to-week watch, its immensely binge-worthy season three is expected to further advance Senku’s exploits while introducing new characters likely to become instant favorites. [Ally Johnson]
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku (April TBA)
Set during the Edo period, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku, follows the ninja Gabimaru and the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri as they search for the elixir of immortality. Based on the manga by Yuji Kaku, the biggest pull of this series in particular is due to it being produced by MAPPA, which just ended the 2022 season with the superb Chainsaw Man. The trailer alone promises thrilling action as well as an eclectic group of characters.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (July TBA)
After taking a year off for its own cinema run, Jujutsu Kaisen will return with the next two arcs in the main storyline. Interestingly this means that much like Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the series will actually be flashing back in time. In fact, the season will explore the complex relationship between the “most powerful” sorcerer Satoru Gojo and 0’s antagonist Suguru Geto (let the shipping recommence.) The production team has also confirmed that the arc after that will start in this season as well and if you’re not a reader of Jujutsu Kaisen’s manga you are in for a truly wild ride. [Travis Hymas]
Solo Leveling (TBA)
Based on the popular manhwa series by Chugong, Solo Leveling takes place in a universe where “the Gate ” has appeared which bridges the real world with that of the realm osf magic and monsters. Twenty-year-old Sung Jin-Woo is a Hunter, a person who has received superhuman powers to fight these adversaries. Despite his lower status than others in his rank he continues to hunt to pay for his mother’s medical bills. Shunsuke Nakashige directs with a score by Promare composer Hiroyuki Sawano. [Ally Johnson]
Phoenix: Eden17 (TBA)
Based on the cult manga series, Phoenix, from Osamu Tezuka, Phoenix: Eden17 looks to bring closure to the unfinished series. Tezuka was a renowned artist, know for his work on series such as Astro Boy, Dororo, and more. STUDIO4℃ is in charge of the animation while it will be available to stream on Disney+. Based on 12 volumes from Tezuka which jump around in time and follow different characters, it will be interesting to see how the adaptation honors his work. [Ally Johnson]
Spy x Family Season 2 (TBA)
In Between Drafts’ anime of the year will return next year, and we could not be more excited. Spy x Family’s second season will pick up with the next manga arc, which will put the Forgers on a cruise ship. Such close quarters will certainly create some shenanigans as each Forger continues to hide their secrets from their false family. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, a feature film was also announced for the year, meaning we’re in for a lot of Spy x Family in 2023. Given how good season one was, that’s only a good thing. [Travis Hymas]
Mashle: Magic and Muscles (April TBA)
Mashle is one part Black Clover and one part One Punch Man in the most literal sense. The latest Shonen Jump-to-anime juggernaut sees magic-less Mash punching his way through wizard school to become the Wizard King Divine Visionary and earn his place in a world of magic users. More comedy than action, Mashle is poised by Kaguya-Sama’s A-1 Pictures to compliment its colleagues with that humor and a more school-centric setting. Given how well they’ve adapted Kaguya-Sama so far, Mashle is in good hands. Hopefully it can help some fans stranded from another wizarding franchise find a new comfort place too. [Travis Hymas]
One Piece (Ongoing)
Okay, I understand that the 1000+ episode ongoing series sounds like I’ve gone off the deep end. I can’t even tell you exactly why 2023 is going to be the biggest year in this anime’s history without ruining it for you. What I can say is that the ongoing Wanokuni arc is poised to conclude for the anime as it did for the manga this year and it is going to be truly bonkers. The anime has seen an overall increase in quality during what is referred to by fans as “Roof Piece,” and the culmination will push the series in such a way that rolling back to the before times will be impossible. On top of all of that, despite running for 25 years, One Piece is possibly more entertaining and compelling now than it has ever been before. At this point, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not at least keeping your eyes on Luffy in 2023.
Featured image using assets via Crunchyroll, Shueisha, Kodansha, Square Enix
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