Another season of anime is in the books, and thankfully, there were at least a few highlights to rescue us from a generally barebones lineup. While I usually haphazardly juggle too many series to create these lists, this time around, there were barely enough to fill out five picks, and even some of these had prominent issues. Still, there were some undeniably great shows, including the single biggest surprise in quite some time. Between supernatural encounters that perfectly segue into October and a dark horse that took center stage, here’s the best anime of Summer 2023:
5. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
While Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead couldn’t maintain the blistering momentum of its opening episode, I was pleasantly surprised that it continued to reiterate the main argument of its premiere: working under modern capitalism sucks so bad that a zombie apocalypse would be a welcome change of pace. As Akira realizes he won’t have to return to his exploitative job ever again, he starts on a bucket list to make up for lost time. Even after our protagonist finally embraces the idea he won’t be going back to the office, the series continues to hammer home its themes about work as other characters reconcile their miserable relationships with their labor. We see how most couldn’t realize their dreams, and even if they did, broken economic systems spoiled what should have been fulfilling. Even if its later stretches couldn’t quite match the freneticism of the premiere, vibrant animation captures the contrast between these characters’ newfound freedom and their tedious pasts. This isn’t to imply that the zombie apocalypse is entirely a vacation, as the group has to deal with plenty of life-or-death situations, but these stretches are usually more campy (i.e., zombie shark) than tense in a way that feels consistent with the generally lighter tone compared to its peers.
However, one unavoidable issue is the show’s massive production problems. Multiple delays have hurt its weekly pacing and mean that we won’t see the last few episodes planned for this season until it can find a new broadcasting spot, which could take months (it’s currently delayed indefinitely). And far worse are the likely implications for its staff, as these kinds of botched releases generally mean that the studio is being overworked to meet unreasonable deadlines—the exact thing this story is harping against. It all makes engaging with the series’ messaging much harder than it should be.
4. My Happy Marriage
Riffs on Cinderella are well-trodden territory, but My Happy Marriage breathes life into this premise through excellent execution, conveying the internal journey of its protagonist through gorgeous animation. Miyo is trapped in an emotionally abusive household until she’s sent away in an arranged marriage to Kiyoka Kudou, a young man who heads a powerful house but commands a sub-par reputation due to his outwardly icy demeanor. But as she gets to know him better, Miyo finds that these appraisals of her betrothed were off-base, and she starts to build a life she thought she could never have. Although you’ve seen this setup and its wicked step-families before, this rendition distinguishes itself with its ability to externalize the inner life of its protagonist, gracefully communicating how her lingering pain starts to dissipate as she’s finally treated like an actual person. Even as the effects of Miyo’s kind but somewhat clumsy husband-to-be are immediately noticeable, her quest for self-acceptance is rocky, capturing the difficulty of overcoming trauma with nuance as detailed character art and beautifully rendered backdrops bring her recovery to life. While much of this nuance doesn’t come across in its supporting cast, who are frequently simplistic or cartoonishly unlikable, their behavior still feels pointed because it ties into implicit critiques of the oppressive family structures that dominate this fantasy-tinged Meiji-era setting. It all culminates in an affecting finale that portrays its protagonist’s quest for belonging with care.
3. Undead Murder Farce
It’s difficult to think of many stories as simultaneously clever and gleefully dumb as Undead Murder Farce, a supernatural mystery tale that liberally borrows from Gothic literature touchstones as it weaves whodunits from its many points of influence. Many of the heroes and villains from prominent European 19th-20th-century genre novels are here, and while I won’t spoil its ridiculous lineup, I’ll just say that the sheer volume of these references is quite silly (in a good way). Its renditions of these characters are fun, but what keeps it from feeling like an overstuffed, Victorian equivalent to the Avengers is that these folks are background players in Aya Rindo and Tsugaru’s tale. These two, who act as an even more eccentric Holmes and Watson pairing, are supernatural beings who solve otherworldly cases. Aya is a disembodied head who can live forever, and she unsurprisingly acts as the primary brains of the operation. Tsuguru is an Oni-human hybrid experimented on by the evil Brit who also happened to steal Aya’s body.
Although elements of its premise make this one sound like pure schlock, there is a marked sharpness to its writing that begins with its two leads, who bury their brutal pasts in an endless barrage of quips and asides. The constant banter between these two not only reveals their rapport but also acts as an amusing detour from its well-constructed intrigue. This season is structured around three cases that deliver deduction-focused problem-solving and fisticuffs—material further elevated by director Mamoru Hatakeyama’s eye for sleek layouts, which makes for page-turner episodes that excel due to their wry humor and sense of style. While it’s a little disappointing that the central trio’s main quest to find Aya’s body and fix Tsuguru’s condition fell by the wayside, each of its mystery farces were compelling enough on their own to largely justify this shift in focus. Undead Murder Farce is some damn good Gothic lit fan-fiction, and I’m hoping we’ll get a second season to tie up all its loose ends.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
As a long-awaited follow-up to a popular show, the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen was easily one of the most anticipated in this summer’s lineup, and thankfully, its first arc more than met expectations. In classic JJK fashion, these episodes set up crushing tragedy as we learned the origin of Gojou, our protagonists’ mentor, and Getou, the apparent big bad. Their story portrayed the brutal callousness of this world of sorcerers and how the organization of the “good guys” is shot through with traditionalism and cruelty, setting up a compelling (although deplorable) rationale for the main villain’s actions. This jump into the past was a good way to transition into the newly-introduced art style, which features cleaner designs that pair well with its more dynamic background art and color grading. And, as a battle shonen, of course there were also plenty of ornately presented fight sequences. While these skirmishes didn’t express the same degree of physicality as former director Seong-Hu Park’s work, the looser aesthetic paired excellently with brawls that used abstraction to convey the tremendous power of these combatants. Between its imaginative battles and well-defined emotional stakes, this flashback was a tense and heartbreaking ride (although it would have made much more sense if it had been released before, or at least closer to the prequel film Jujutsu Kaisen 0). Oh, and the new arc, which builds on these past relationships and story details, is also pretty great and reunites us with our resident good boy, Itadori. MAPPA has brought their A-game so far this season, and I’m excited to see what’s in store next.
1. BanG Dream!! It’s My Go!!!!!
One of my favorite aspects of watching seasonal anime is that no matter how much knowledge you have going into a batch of shows—whether that’s having tabs on the next big adaptations or knowing which originals have an exciting staff—there will always be unexpected hits that come out of nowhere and steal the show. Despite its seemingly silly title (which somehow becomes thematically relevant later on), BanG Dream!! It’s My Go!!!!! is the unambiguous star of this summer in anime. It’s a spinoff of a multimedia music franchise I had never heard of, but considering the involvement of Flip Flappers lead writer Yuniko Ayana, I probably should have been paying attention. Many elements make this one special, but most immediately apparent is its ability to spin affecting drama out of its cast. The members of this act are a hot mess, each defined by complexes that make it difficult for their group to fully congeal, leading to misfires, breakdowns, and general dysfunction. But in the fleeting moments when they’re in sync, we not only see their potential as musicians but also how their performances give them something they’ve all been searching for.
Although the threat of an impending band breakup hangs over the entire season, this dynamic never gets old because these characters’ many hang ups are thoughtfully explored along the way. For instance, we learn that Tomori, the lyricist and heart of this group, has always struggled to fit in, but she’s finally able to communicate her feelings through songwriting. Soyo works as a more ominous parallel as fleeting memories of her old band make her desperate to recreate what they had. Director Koudai Kakimoto uses recurring mannerisms and evocative framing in concert with expressive animation to clue us into what these people are going through, which like many of the best freshman albums, feels tactile and raw. This craft culminates in musical performances that burn the house down as dynamic camera work, thematically resonant songs, and character growth comes together in perfect harmony. Don’t let BanG Dream!! It’s My Go!!!!! slip past your radar; it’s the best show of summer 2023 and a testament to how seasonal anime can have the unlikeliest stars.
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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