If you are a fan of anime and are searching for what to watch now, don’t worry as we have created a list of the best anime series to watch in 2023 in this blog, which contains not only the latest popular series but also unknown new things. This list is the ideal resource for learning about the top anime, regardless of whether you’re already a fan of anime or are just beginning your journey. No one can choose which is the best anime as this selection entirely depends upon your preference, mood, and obviously how long you have been watching them.
Well known for their intricate plots, fine storytelling, and mature themes, these Japanese animations or anime are entirely different from Western cartoon shows, as they frequently highlight complex subjects like violence, sexuality, and political conspiracy which makes them demanding to both adults and teenagers. The world of anime has made a special place inside the hearts of millions of people all over the world. With a vast range of fantastic shows to select from, it’s overwhelming in finding out the best anime series. We assure you that you will definitely find something in this blog to watch and fall in love with.
Famous Anime Series
1. Attack On Titan
- Category: Action, Dark Fantasy, Post-apocalyptic
- Popular Characters: Levi, Mikasa Ackerman, Eren Yeager, Erwin Smith
- Creators: George Wada
- IMDB Rating: 9
- Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Disney+, Crunchyroll, BINGE
- Year of Release: 2013
“Attack on Titan” is the biggest anime hit of the last few years which is based on a manga series (started in 2009 by Hajime Isayama). Its first season was released in 2013 and the final season will be released in March 2023. In the story, you will see a boy named Eren Yeager, who decides to fight with his friends against the dreadful Titan that stalks from outside the walls of civilization as he killed Eren’s mother.
This animated series has also won plenty of awards and collected praise from across the board since its release year. The “Attack on Titan” story, animation, action sequences, characters, voice acting (both original and dubbed), soundtrack, and dark themes have all received positive feedback from critics and viewers. You can watch this series to get to know why it’s a more trending and gossiping subject than other anime as it will stick your eyes to some of their truly shocking twists.
2. Demon Slayer
- Category: Dark Fantasy
- Popular Characters: Tanjirou Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira
- Creators: Koyoharu Gotouge
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Platforms to Watch: Google Play, Apple TV, Prime Video Store
- Year of Release: 2019
“Demon Slayer” is based on a Japanese manga series that is written and demonstrated by Koyoharu Gotouge. The story takes the viewers to a place in Japan during the Taisho era (1912–1926), where there are demons and humans. When the main character, Tanjiro Kamado, finds out that his family has been killed by the attack of demons, only his sister, Nezuko has been transformed into a demon. In order to find out the solution for transforming her back from demon to human, he chooses to become a demon slayer.
This series has every essential element of a great anime, from the main character’s innocence and development to friends who share a sense of brotherhood and regard for all characters. Intense battles between sword-wielding demon slayers and distinct demon characters are displayed in stunning detail. This anime respectfully portrays the past and backgrounds of each character that even includes the demons. Furthermore, Demon Slayer manga had the highest sales in 2019 and 2020. Critical praise has also been given to both the manga and its anime transformation. As one of the best anime of the 2010s, this series has won many prizes too. Its season 3 will be released in April 2023.
3. Pokémon
- Category: Animation, Action, Aventure
- Popular Characters: Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Misty, Brock
- Creators: Satoshi Tajiri
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Platforms to Watch: Apple TV, Netflix
- Year of Release: 1996
The “Pokémon” first series was released in 1996 and it was named ‘Pocket Monsters Red and Green’. There were more than 1,000 episodes of the anime series that have been produced and aired. They were divided into 7 series in Japan and over 22 seasons in foreign countries. This show is one of the longest currently-running anime series. This anime series’ story revolves around Ash Ketchum (also known as Satoshi in Japan), who is a Pokémon Master in training, and his journey with a small group of friends. They all together with their respective Pokémon partners travel all around the world full of Pokémon.
Its anime series of 8 parts which is known as Pokémon: Twilight Wings was released on YouTube in 2020. Even on the occasion of the Pokémon 25th anniversary, an anime series of eight parts which was named Pokémon Evolutions was aired on YouTube in 2021. This series has also won many awards including the Blimp award in 2000, Famitsu Awards in 2005, and the BAFTA awards in 2017 and 2020.
4. Vinland Saga
- Category: Adventure, Epic, Historical
- Popular Characters: Thorfinn, Askeladd, Thorkell, Floki
- Creators: Makoto Yukimura, Kodansha
- IMDB Rating: 8.8
- Platforms to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix
- Year of Release: 2013
“Vinland Saga” is based on a Japanese manga that was created by Makoto Yukimura in 2005 and then converted into animated form by Wit Studio in 2019. This series has even won plenty of awards including the 36th Kodansha Manga Award for Best General Manga and the Grand Prize of the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival. This anime transformation of “Vinland Saga” has also been praised by critics and was known as one of the best anime series of 2019.
The story of the series revolved around a boy named Thorfinn, who gets to know what it really means to be a warrior in the time of 1013 AD. He then learns what it means to be a human and a good person. This series starts violently but later on, the story significantly separates. Thorfinn (a horrifying warrior) was raised by the Vikings who killed his family after sacking his land. He furiously searches for Askeladd (who is the leader of the gang), in order to take revenge. Its 2nd season was released in January 2023.
5. Trigun
- Category: Action Anime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Anime
- Popular Characters: Vash the Stampede, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Meryl Stryfe
- Creators: Yasuhiro Nightow
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
- Platforms to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Year of Release: 1998
“Trigun” is a Japanese manga series that is written and created by Yasuhiro Nightow. It was formed from Nightow’s Western movies’ passion. This series was named “Trigun” as its main character- Vash has 3 guns (a revolver, a gun fixed in his artificial arm, and his angel arm). The anime series has consistently been ranked among the best. Wizard’s Anime Magazine ranked Trigun as the 38th best series in 2001 and Los Angeles Times journalist Charles Solomon ranked the series as the seventh best anime in 2010. At the 48th Japan Science Fiction Convention in 2009, this series took home the Best Comic Seiun Award.
The story of the Trigun was based on the fictional planet known as No Man’s Land, and the main character- Vash the Stampede, is a well-known gunman. He consistently fought bounty hunters who are after the enormous bounty which is on his head. This series also had a film that was released in theatres in Japan in April 2010 and the title was ‘Trigun: Badlands Rumble’.
6. Bleach
- Category: Adventure, Supernatural, Action, Thriller
- Popular Characters: Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Kisuke Urahara, Sōsuke Aizen
- Creators: Noriyuki Abe
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
- Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Hulu
- Year of Release: 2004
“Bleach” series is based on Tite Kubo’s original manga series and is a must-watch for both anime beginners and old fans. This series is an action and adventure anime show that has 1,598 episodes in total over 26 seasons from 2006 to 2023. The series story revolves around a high school boy named Ichigo Kurosaki who was born with the ability to see ghosts and destroy evil spirits who are known as Hollows. Ichigo transforms into a Soul Reaper after his family gets attacked by a Hollow (who is an evil lost soul) and dedicates his life to protecting the helpless and assisting the tortured spirits in finding peace.
In 2006, Bleach was ranked in seventh position as a favourite anime show in Japan, and in 2009, it was ranked in ninth position as the most-watched animated series by Hulu. The final story angle of the manga is covered in the spin-off series “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War”. Its first season -The Thousand-Year Blood War was released in 2022 and has 13 episodes. Its second season -The Separation will premiere in July 2023.
7. Jujutsu Kaisen
- Category: Adventure, Dark, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Popular Characters: Yuji Itadori, Satoru Gojo, Megumi Fushiguro
- Creators: Gege Akutami
- IMDB Rating: 8.6
- Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Disney+, Crunchyroll
- Year of Release: 2018
“Jujutsu Kaisen” is a perfect series for people who love to watch occult shows as it is a thrilling dark fantasy. The story of the series revolves around a high school student named Yuji Itadori, who joins a secret club of Jujutsu Sorcerers to battle against a powerful curse which is known as Ryomen Sukuna, of whom Yuji becomes the host. It is a great introduction to the modern generation of anime because it offers a massive variety of ravishing anime, violent fighting scenes, and compelling characters. Its 2nd season will premiere in July 2023.
This animated series has received plenty of awards that includes – “Anime of the Year” at the 5th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, in 2020 -it was in 2nd position in most-watched anime series on Crunchyroll, and in 2021, this series was in 2nd position in the anime category of the Yahoo! Japan Search Awards. Jujutsu Kaisen series also received the prize for the Best TV Anime award in Newtype Anime Awards in 2021.
8. Naruto
- Category: Adventure, Fantasy comedy, Action
- Popular Characters: Naruto Uzumaki, Itachi Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha
- Creators: Masashi Kishimoto
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Platforms to Watch: Crunchyroll, ABC iview, Apple TV
- Year of Release: 2002
Did you truly believe that “Naruto” will not be listed in this blog? Any best anime list can’t be completed without this series. While this anime show surely doesn’t need an introduction, if you want to wake your inner Hokage, we will still discuss the main points of this series. It is based on a Japanese manga series that was created and written by Masashi Kishimoto. This animated series is very well-loved because of its vibrant characters, mystical ninja world, and most importantly the underdog tale at its core. The series’ story shows the experiences of the main lead named Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who lives in a hidden leaf village known as Konoha. He wants to gain respect and be recognized as the strongest leader (Hokage) of the village, so he desires to become a ninja.
Naruto’s story is divided into 2 parts – his young age years and his teenage years (when he desires to become a Hokage). Its TV series came in 2002 and continued till 2007 with 220 episodes in Japan. From 2005 to 2009, it was shown on Cartoon Network too. This series has been ranked plenty of times as the top most-watched anime show in Japan and was at 38th position in IGN’s Top 100 Animated Series. Its 1st DVD was also nominated for the American Anime Awards for Best Package Design.
Final Words
There are vast ranges of amazing anime series that you can see in 2023 besides these series which we have listed above. Some of them are Dr. Stone, SPYxFAMILY, Tokyo Revengers, Kakegurui, Oshi no Ko, and many more. Animated series include interestingly unique characters and set-up stories that completely immerse their viewers. They are also dubbed in different languages which makes them easily understandable as much as possible to foreign anime fans. Many animated series are so amazing that it not only amazes their fans with great content but also help the audiences to get knowledge of narrative in a delightful and interesting way.
