The fall is here, and the end of the year is fast approaching, but not without producing a final round of 2023 anime. Having braved the darkest depths of this season’s offerings by watching just about every premiere (aside from sequels I’m not caught up on), I can confidently say that no one else should do that. I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe… ninjas attacking World War II general Douglas McArthur, anime Marie Antoinette trying to escape “guillotine-kun,” a grown man who’s been turned into a pig saying some of the most unspeakable bilge that’s ever reached a television set, and lots and lots of stupid names (Boromir Napolitan, Fate Graphite, Riselia Ray Crystalia, to name a few).
No single person is meant to endure this many mediocre cartoons, but luckily, I lived to tell the tale and have returned with a few treasures from this grim journey. In all seriousness though, this season has commendable breadth, and while a few made me question my life choices, there were also plenty of solid debuts that will appeal to a wide range of palates. Here are the five best anime premieres of fall 2023—and a few honorable mentions, too.
Honorable Mentions
Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective is a whodunit where an unlikely Holmes and Watson-pairing use their differing talents to solve crimes. Its first episode showcased some fun deduction alongside buddy cop antics, as our weirdo detective unfurled mysteries that made clear why he needs a grounded partner. If this initial case is any indication, this one may be an entertaining weekly procedural.
Tearmoon Kingdom has the audacity to open with a grim stretch where the main character, who is a clear analog to a certain cake-loving French queen, wallows in prison until getting guillotined, at which point it’s revealed that this story is actually a reincarnation comedy where our protagonist needs to avert her future beheading. Thanks to its humor and ridiculous history-fueled hook, it somehow pulled off this tonal whiplash-inducing transition.
On the comfier side, My New Boss Is Goofy is a fluffy workplace comedy where Kentaro finds himself under the tutelage of Yuusei, a kindhearted airhead. More than its gags, this premiere’s main strength is how it depicts Kentaro’s recovery from the emotional abuse he suffered at his last job. Stiff animation makes it more difficult to enjoy these charms than it should be, but it’s still very sweet.
Overtake! is a grounded drama about a photojournalist who is unexpectedly drawn into the world of F4 racing. Due to its concise communication of its protagonists’ career hangups, this episode set up interesting stakes that I’d like to see play out.
Although I know little about Precure, the long-running series that Power of Hope ~Precure Full Bloom~ is spun off from, I was still drawn in by its climate change-fueled ennui and relatable depictions of getting older. It follows a group of ex-magical girls as they deal with the trials of adulthood, and thus far, it has made good on this compelling setup.
5. Undead Unluck
Between its over-the-top violence, frenetic animation, and general degree of craft, Undead Unluck’s premiere is propelled by madcap creativity that makes it difficult to look away from its gleeful carnage. We follow Fuuko, a young woman cursed with an ability that causes anyone she touches to be killed in a freak accident shortly thereafter. Because of this, she’s consumed by isolation and guilt until she meets Andy, a man incapable of dying who is sick of his immortal life. The two strike up a partnership due to their contrasting abilities but quickly come in the crosshairs of an organization that wants both of their powers. This episode is stunning from the jump, with a largely wordless introduction that cuts between the horrible moment when Fuuko first learned about her powers and the climax of a romance manga she’s reading, instantly cluing us in to her heavy past and longing for connection. This sequence makes it crystal clear that David Production has a talented crew on this project, and these opening scenes switch between entirely different art styles and eye-catching imagery to succinctly capture Fuuko’s headspace.
From here, we’re treated to playful mayhem as Andy showcases that he can use his regenerating body to perform all manner of cartoonish body horror, shooting blood from severed limbs to launch himself like a rocket or shoving a jagged bone through a building to slow down his descent. While this all sounds outrageously gross, the maximalist vibe of the proceedings makes it come across as gleefully dumb instead of nauseating, which pairs well with the rapid pacing and punchy sense of motion that captures these explosive gestures. However, there is a massive caveat to my recommendation for this one: our introduction to these characters relies on a recurring unfunny “gag” where Andy repeatedly sexually harasses and gropes Fuuko to activate her ability that stems from physical contact. Honestly, this sucks quite badly, and the only reason it didn’t cause me to entirely lose faith in this story is because I’ve read that this dynamic is eventually retired and never remarked upon again. But for now, it severely undermines this debut, and I don’t fault anyone for steering clear because of it.
4. I’m In Love with the Villainess
Considering the sheer number of anime about being reincarnated inside Otome videogames, I respect how quickly I’m In Love with the Villainess gets to its premise. Within a minute, our white-collar protagonist dies due to overwork and is brought back to life in her favorite game as its main character. While kicking the bucket seems like it would be a bummer, Rae couldn’t care less because she gets to be close to her crush, Claire Francois, who normally plays the role of the heroine’s main foe. From here, we get a procession of light-hearted gags as Claire’s attempts to bully Rae blow up in her face due to the latter’s intense love of the former. Although the antics largely revolve around this single joke, what makes it work is Rae’s overwhelming sincerity combined with her hilarious degree of masochism. Additionally, one bit that landed particularly hard is Rae’s intense disinterest in the game’s “intended” romance options with its male characters. Her curt dismissal of these pretty boys is not only incredibly funny thanks to Yuu Serizawa’s sharp line delivery, but also because it works as a rebuttal towards the assumed heteronormative romance options found in most videogames. I am slightly worried that I’m In Love with the Villainess could fail to develop this initially one-sided queer courtship, but many speak highly of the source material, meaning this could very well turn into another great girls-love story. It may be relatively uninspiring aesthetically, but, hopefully, its other strengths will continue to supersede this flaw.
3. The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2, Part 2
After a three-month break, it feels good to be abruptly thrown back into The Ancient Magus Bride’s dangerous world of magic. Just as Chise has started fitting in at this academy for sorcerers, the school has come under siege from an unknown adversary that has stolen a dangerous tome, leaving the premises on lockdown. Although the recent switch to a school setting introduced too many fresh faces too fast, we’ve finally settled into a solid rhythm where the cast’s interpersonal dynamics are gelling, making it so that there’s more to lose from these dangerous circumstances. These new relationships also elegantly communicate the core casts’ growth. By looking after her friend Philomena, Chise returns the kindness she previously received when she was in need, and as the supernatural Elias visits a buddy in the hospital, it becomes clear he’s come much closer to his goal of understanding humanity. It may have felt like the last segment of The Ancient Magus Bride trailed off mid-sentence, but it’s nice to be back in this mysterious, dark fantasy backdrop. And while its initial season primarily focused on the beauty and danger of folklore creatures, the latest run has effectively emphasized how humans can be the more frightening of the two.
2. Spy x Family Season 2
To the surprise of exactly no one who watched the first 25 episodes of last year’s hit comedy Spy x Family, the latest season is shaping up to be just as gut-busting and heartfelt as what came before. We continue to follow the Forgers, a “phony” family that consists of Loid, a spy working for this setting’s Western equivalent in a Cold War-styled stand-off, Yor, an assassin for the Berlint government, Anya, an adorable goblin child who has telekinetic powers, and Bond, a dog that can see the future. The previous season excelled because of its proficiency at combining creative jokes, stylish action sequences, and wholesome family bonding into a consistently charming package, and the debut of its latest run ticks many of these boxes. After Yor receives an injury during a covert mission, she has to keep her discomfort concealed during an extended date with Loid as humorous misunderstandings abound. Although the entire episode relies on this extended bit, Yor’s facial reactions throughout are hilarious, and Loid’s inability to grasp the situation despite being a super-spy is similarly amusing. Even as the second half of the last season couldn’t quite match its initial ascendant highs, I still have quite a bit of confidence in this one thanks to its affirming depiction of found family alongside gags so funny that they’re bouncing around in my mind months later. I’m very excited to experience whatever hijinks are in store next.
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
While the current anime landscape is swamped with rote high-fantasy worlds, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a beautiful counterpoint to this trend that demonstrates the potential of this premise. Through its thoughtful treatment of its heroine’s circumstances and gorgeous craft that rings out deep pangs of melancholy, it’s easily the most promising newcomer of the season. Frieren is a several thousand-year-old elven mage who was a member of the party that defeated the demon king. However, as the decades pass, and her former companions with them, she begins to understand loss and regret in a way she had never experienced.
Even though the show draws on many familiar Lord of the Rings-inspired trademarks, it finds emotional nuances and interesting worldbuilding that make it feel distinct. At one point, we see how the rapid proliferation of magical technology has completely negated a spell that used to be a weapon of mass death, elegantly demonstrating that despite a seemingly archaic setting, standards here can still rapidly change given the need. Another essential detail is that Frieren’s extremely long life isn’t just a fantastical afterthought on a D&D character sheet, but a fundamental element of how she views her surroundings. Although she initially struggles to see things from her companion’s perspectives, thanks to these bonds, she’s granted new viewpoints on loss, grief, and the passage of time. Many from Frieren’s past may be gone, but their actions have changed her and left an indelible mark on the world in the process.
These sentiments are further elevated through studio Madhouse’s loving rendition of this space: vibrant pastoral backdrops and falling stars against a magenta sky help conjure our protagonist’s inner life as she’s lost in bittersweet recollections. Evan Call, who previously composed the gorgeous score for Violet Evergarden, crafts a soundtrack with bucolic undercurrents that further amplifies each heart-rending turn. While the prevalence of stale fantasy milieus in anime has sucked much of the wonder out of this setup, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’s contemplative bearing and tremendous aesthetic execution bring back this magic. Between the acclaim of its source material and the quality of this adaptation, this series has a shot at being something truly special.
Elijah Gonzalez is an assistant TV Editor for Paste Magazine. In addition to watching the latest on the small screen, he also loves videogames, film, and creating large lists of media he’ll probably never actually get to. You can follow him on Twitter @eli_gonzalez11.
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