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Tokyo Revengers, Vinland Saga, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro, and Bungo Stray Dogs are just a few of the season’s returning series. All these shows have relatively large fanbases, and they will almost certainly dominate the discourse during the season. However, Winter 2023 also has plenty of exciting new anime like NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, Tomo-chan Is a Girl!, and Spy Classroom. Which series will prove to be the best Winter 2023 anime?
14 UniteUp! (-5)
Winter 2023 has a couple of idol anime, and they are mostly of high quality. Fall 2022’s IDOLiSH7 Third Beat! Part 2 is still the pick of the bunch, and D4DJ All Mix season 2 is shaping up to be a memorable addition to the genre. Last and certainly the least known is UniteUp!, which is part of a mixed media project that previously released songs via YouTube. The story focuses on three MyTubers who are recruited by a talent agency to form an idol group. Although nothing too original, this is a decent concept rooted in reality, at least to an extent.
UniteUp! has been surprisingly low-key so far. The anime has largely focused on setting up its main characters, all three of which are well-defined. Akira is shaping up to be a particularly fascinating protagonist since he is not passionate about the idol business. He only winds up recruited because his friend had been secretly uploading Akira’s karaoke sessions, and the latter’s reaction to learning this fact is refreshingly realistic. Unsurprisingly, CloverWorks’ animation has been great.
13 Tomo-chan Is A Girl! (NEW)
Tomo-chan Is a Girl! has been consistent since its opening episode; consequently, if someone likes the pilot, they will probably enjoy the rest of the series. The rom-com centers around Tomo and Jun, two people who grew up together. Due to their long history, the latter does not really see the former as a love interest, and he treats her like a brother. As she is interested in potentially taking their relationship to the next level, Tomo would like to change that. Unfortunately, she is very inexperienced in matters of romance.
Tomo-chan Is a Girl! has a strong core roster of characters. Tomo and Jun are both hard-headed to an extent, and they complement each other beautifully. The leads are supported by the sarcastic Misuzu, the blunt Carol, and the good-natured Kousuke, all of whom might be funnier than the anime’s protagonists.
12 In/Spectre Season 2 (NEW)
In/Spectre’s opening season had all the ingredients to achieve greatness, but the cour lingered too long on its final arc. So far, season 2 seems to have learned from its predecessor’s mistakes, and the sequel has focused on concise but fascinating mysteries. Admittedly, it is still early days, but In/Spectre 2 nailed its first proper arc thanks to the introduction of two likable characters in Masayuki and Yuki-Onna.
Now, the anime is still very dialogue-heavy, which can be a turn-off since it provides less incentive to consume the show over the manga. That said, Kotoko is such a charismatic storyteller that she weaves captivating tapestries without having to move a muscle.
11 Bofuri: I Don’t Want To Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense. Season 2 (+/- 0)
While there are plenty of anime about characters trapped in video game worlds, stories that remove the “trapped” part are relatively rare. Bofuri follows Maple as she starts her video game career by diving into a VR MMORPG called New World Online at the behest of her friend, Sally. In order to avoid getting hurt, Maple focuses solely on leveling up her defense stat, a decision that breaks the game and transforms the rookie into a powerhouse.
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Season 2 continues to chronicle Maple, Sally, and their friends’ virtual journeys as they explore new layers, discover exciting loot, and take on bosses. Due to its premise, Bofuri is naturally devoid of any real tension since the worst that can happen is a quick respawn or a wasted session. Consequently, the anime opts for a relaxed tone that highlights its likable characters. This Winter 2023 anime is the ultimate comfort food.
10 Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill (NEW)
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill has been a delight. The Winter 2023 anime season has its share of isekai stories, and while they each have unique features, they can blend together due to their near-identical settings. Although not an exception in that area, Campfire Cooking sets itself apart through the introduction of Feru, a powerful monster who becomes the main character’s familiar.
9 Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (-1)
Winter 2023 has a couple of shows that can be summarized as “popular girl takes a liking to an awkward guy.” Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible takes this a step further by featuring a male lead, Junta Shiraishi, who has so little presence, he might as well not exist to everyone around him. The only exception is Kubo, the girl who sits next to Shiraishi.
Following a teasing-forward opening episode, Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible ramps up its romance angle quite quickly, in the sense that the show does not attempt to deny that its female protagonist has feelings for Shiraishi. This has made for a refreshing change of pace, especially if it means the anime might be willing to push its leads as a proper couple. Even if time proves that to not be the case, Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible should at least provide a few laughs per week.
8 Tsurune - The Linking Shot - (+/- 0)
A sequel to a late 2018 anime, Tsurune - The Linking Shot - builds nicely on its predecessor’s great work. For the uninitiated, this series is about archery and follows the Kazemai High School Kyudo Club. Season one focused primarily on Minato Narumiya’s target panic stemming from a personal tragedy, and the character went through a satisfying arc as he searched for closure. In comparison, season two has set the stage for a more traditional sports arc as Kazemai prepares to take part in the national tournament.
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Boasting high production value by Kyoto Animation, Tsurune - The Linking Shot - combines stellar visuals with strong characterization. Going by the opening episodes, the Winter 2023 season will challenge the Kazemai club as a team rather than as individuals.
7 Buddy Daddies (+/- 0)
Buddy Daddies will likely attract comparisons to Spy x Family since they are both comedies about professional killers who find themselves taking care of a child. However, despite these basic similarities, the shows are relatively different. The Winter 2023 series follows Kazuki and Rei, two guys who live together and take on assassination jobs. During a mission, they meet Miri, a young girl searching for her father; naturally, they wind up fulfilling that role.
Buddy Daddies has an overabundance of energy, and it is not solely due to the hyperactive Miri. Even simple scenes like Kazuki taking Miri to the bathroom are charmingly over-the-top. The anime dishes out jokes at a breakneck speed, and while some miss the mark, the hits are frequent enough.
6 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (+/- 0)
Based on Saeki-san’s highly-regarded light novel series, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten focuses on two schoolmates who happen to be neighbors. Amane Fujimiya never had much of a reason to talk to Mahiru Shiina, his school’s idol, but he decides to lend her a helping hand on a rainy day. This act of kindness sparks a friendship between the two that highlights their differences and similarities.
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten lives and dies by the strength of its main friendship, and Mahiru and Amane are both instantly endearing. While the latter could be dismissed as a self-insert since he is essentially pampered by an attractive girl for most of the anime’s opening episode, Amane’s empathetic nature does shine through.
5 Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown (+/- 0)
Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown continues exactly where its predecessor left off with Takemichi staring down the barrel of a gun held by Kisaki. Tense and shocking, season 2’s first few episodes paint a grim picture of the future Takemichi created when he became Toman’s First Division Captain, a change that led the protagonist down a dark and disappointing path.
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Christmas Showdown is, technically, following the same structure as the previous season, which involves Takemichi heading back to the past in a desperate attempt to trigger a future that does not include an evil Toman and Hinata’s murder. However, the sequel shakes things up by not giving the Crybaby Hero a direct goal, at least initially. The season has also introduced Black Dragon, a biker gang with an intimidating leader.
4 The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady (+/- 0)
Winter 2023 is the season of fantasy, particularly when it comes to non-sequels. While oversaturated, a number of these series have delivered enjoyable introductory episodes. Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World, Giant Beasts of Ars, and Handyman Saitou in Another World are all worth keeping an eye on, but the stand-out new fantasy anime has so far been The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady.
In a fantasy world defined by social class, Princess Anisphia’s lack of magical prowess and tendency to attract attention cause her to stick out from the rest of her family. She is especially hated by her brother, Algard, who is set to become the next king. When Algard breaks up with his fiancee, Euphyllia, in a humiliating act, Anisphia decides to save the latter.
3 Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon? 4 Part 2 (+/- 0)
A direct sequel to its Summer 2022 season, DanMachi jumps right into the action as Bell’s party finds themselves facing off against an overwhelming floor boss without their leader. The anime seems to grow darker with each new cour, and season 4 part 2 is shaping up to be no exception.
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While the likes of Lili, Welf, and Aisha struggle against a two-headed monster that would not look out of place in Elden Ring, a badly injured Bell carries a lifeless Ryu as they are stalked by Juggernaut, an entity designed to protect the dungeon from excessive damage.
2 Vinland Saga Season 2 (+/- 0)
Vinland Saga Season 2 was undoubtedly Winter 2023’s most highly anticipated series. Even though it is still way too early to determine whether the sequel will live up to or surpass its beloved predecessor, the first episode was certainly encouraging. Vinland Saga is not afraid to take risks, and season 2 emphasizes this fact by dedicating its opening episode to a brand-new character.
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This decision “eases” viewers back into this cruel world by telling a self-contained journey that leads directly into the next chapter of Thorfinn’s story. Violent, harrowing, and emotional, Vinland Saga is must-watch TV. Season 2 could be an early contender for the best anime of 2023.
1 Bungo Stray Dogs 4 (+/- 0)
Bungo Stray Dogs 4 has, technically, yet to get to its main story, but the season’s first episode provides a fascinating look into the histories of Yukichi Fukuzawa and Ranpo Edogawa. Although present from the show’s start, these figures have been kept relatively mysterious, although season 4 looks set to peel back their layers. By extension, the same could be said for the Armed Detective Agency in general since Ranpo and Fukuzawa appear to play a central role in the organization’s origin.
Providing great visuals and nuanced writing, Bungo Stray Dogs 4 could be setting the stage for its most memorable season yet, and that statement is not made lightly.
Where To Stream Every Winter 2023 Anime
As has become standard, the Winter 2023 anime lineup is spread across a range of subscription services. Crunchyroll and HIDIVE have the majority of the shows, but some series might become available on other platforms too. While this data could change over the coming days, the following table states each anime’s current streaming information, along with their debut date.
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