With new anime series and movies releasing one after the other, 2023 has been a good year for otakus. While popular titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, The Eminence in Shadow, and One Piece continue to be popular with another season, this list is exclusively for the best new anime releases of 2023. As such, here are five new anime from this year that have been immensely popular among fans.
Onimusha
Onimusha is the perfect beginning to this list. Since its premiere on November 2, 2023, the Netflix series has continued to be an online sensation recently.
The show follows a samurai-themed narrative and centers around Miyamoto Musashi. It marks the commencement of a riveting story mixed with authentic action, portraying Musashi’s quest through a poverty-stricken land as he uses his blade to cut through the forces of evil.
Pluto
With just eight episodes, Pluto is another Netflix releases that caught the attention of the otakus worldwide. Produced by Studio M2, the anime show has a psychological theme with the right amount of action and mystery. Sci-fi fans who loved Naoki Urasawa’s Monster will definitely love his Pluto.
The show focuses on the global mourning of the Swiss robot Montblanc, who is brutally killed. Montblanc’s post-war popularity grows due to his nature conservation efforts and affectionate demeanor. Gesicht investigates Montblanc’s death as he grapples with memory and morality. While he does so, he strives to defend the coexistence of humans and machines.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is one of the fall anime of 2023 that is produced by Madhouse. The series belongs to the fantasy genre, immersing viewers in a captivating realm of enchanting adventures.
In the story, victorious heroes return after defeating the demon king and are preparing to disband. Frieren, an elf, watches her companions age differently and pass away. Before his death, Heiter assigns Fern to Frieren. Together, they embark on a journey and revisit hero-touched places.
Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin (2023) is a popular name within the anime-verse. The recent remake of the series began serialization in July 2023 and uses a new animation technology. At the same time, the background of the narrative remains the same as the original anime and manga.
The series is set in Japan’s Meiji period, wherein Kenshin Himura, a humble wanderer, encounters Kaoru Kamiya. The latter seeks to apprehend a self-proclaimed ‘Hitokiri Battousai,’ who is responsible for indiscriminate killings. As it happens, Kenshin becomes determined to help Karou and restore her father’s dojo. Hence, he conceals his true identity as a feared warrior. As their journey unfolds, Kenshin’s commitment to a peaceful path is tested by shadows of his past and enemies from present.
Blue Eye Samurai
Blue Eye Samurai makes the cut as one of recent popular animated shows on Netflix. Even though the premise of this anime TV series is based in Japan, the show is an American animated action series. To quote Netflix in its article about the series, it is “decidedly not anime.” Netflix also clarifies “as much as Green and Noizumi are fans of anime, this series is a very different aesthetic.” However, because of its animation and Japanese background, it is mistaken as an anime.
That being said, one cannot deny the impact that the series has had since its release on Netflix. Fans, whether otakus or not, have gushed about the series and its spectacular animation. It follows a historical backdrop of Japan’s Edo period, wherein Mizu embarks on a quest for revenge. She happens to be a skilled swordmaster of mixed race and decides to fight against four white men who have unlawfully stayed in Japan following the closure of the country’s borders.
