It is finally time for the main event – the top 10 anime from Fall 2023. If you missed the first part of this article series, click here to check out our Honorable Mentions for the season.
Without further ado, starting from the 10th place, we have…
10. The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2
Following the attacks on the College, Chise and her classmates find themselves stuck inside as headmistress Liza decides to seal off the entire facility. However, they are not free from danger as the magic-draining criminal is still at large and they soon reveal their startling identity.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride once again delivers a fantastic fantasy filled with mystery, gripping danger, and dark secrets. Plot aside, we really get to see the characters grow in this arc and have some of them be redeemed. This anime also has arguably one of the best opening songs for the season. This show is simply solid and leaves us in anticipation for more seasons.
9. Dead Mount Death Play Part 2
Corpse God/fake Polka continues his adventures in Tokyo and uncovers more mysteries from his past life, his current world, and the unknown parties vying to use him and gain more power. Now, he finally comes face to face with new opponents from other gangs in Tokyo, and also meets a familiar presence he thought was long missing.
Dead Mount Death Play is personally one of our most enjoyable mystery/fantasy anime in 2023. Despite having various characters and plots going on simultaneously, it still manages to weave all of them together in a satisfying manner. While this season provides some answers, but it provides even more intriguing questions. Despite its morbid title, this show is also filled with comedy, mystery, action, and drama and has something for everyone.
8. Spy x Family Season 2
Operation Strix is in full swing as Anya, Loid, and Yor try their best to hid their secret identities whilst striving to be the perfect family. In this season, we shift more of the focus to Yor and get to see how she deals with troubles both in her secret and public life.
Spy x Family remains a fun, enjoyable, and well-polished family friendly anime. While there is nothing particularly noteworthy, it is still a very entertaining watch and appeals to many in terms of its comedic spectacles and antics.
7. Undead Unluck
Fuuko, a girl whose physical contact brings terrible luck to anyone she comes in contact with, meets Andy, an immortal who is trying to die. After being deterred from committing suicide, Fuuko is convinced to join Andy and try to gift him the greatest unluck – death. Together, the two of them decide to join forces and find their place in a world of superpowered beings and mysterious organisations.
Undead Unluck is a much welcome shounen action anime addition to this season. This show is loud, absurd and has an interesting plot, world-building, and power system. It also has a very fast pace and changes tones very quickly. We suggest that you dive into the whimsicalness of Fuuko and Andy’s world to enjoy it to its fullest.
6. Shangri-La Frontier
Rakurou Hizutome is a gamer who specialises in playing trashy, poorly made games. Deciding to play a ‘god-tier’ game for a change of pace, he logs into the hit virtual reality game Shangri-La Frontier. However, a series of unique occurrences soon makes him unlock events that will change the very landscape of Shangri-La Frontier.
Shangri-La Frontier is refreshing in the sense that it is entirely about a gamer exploring a game to its fullest. We get to see a player having fun in a game without any unwanted real-life baggage. This show also has wonderful animation and a cast of likable characters which will quickly immerse you in this show.
5. Dr. Stone: New World Part 2
As the Kingdom of Science continue to struggle against the Petrification Kingdom, Senkuu and his allies find themselves in dire straits as several of their plans fall awry. Now, Senkuu needs to utilise all of his wisdom and knowledge to gain the upper hand against an opponent who is his intellectual equal.
Dr Stone once again delivers a fantastic season. Unlike previous arcs where it was more or a straightforward brains vs. brawns battle, this time our characters are really tested to the mettle in the intellectual department. There is also plenty of emotion in this season as everyone’s bonds are truly tested and forged by their challenges.
4. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2
Cid Kagenou and Shadow Garden continues to battle against the evil Cult of Diabolos. This time, they find themselves pitted against the soon-to-be awakened Blood Queen, the potential financial collapse of the Mitsurugi Company, as well as the cult’s attempts to destroy the Oriana Kingdom.
Watching Eminence in Shadow is always an enjoyable and fun experience. The quality of the animation, world building, and story is still top notch. It is always amusing to see how Cid unknowingly fumbles his way through problems (often by using his exaggerated powers). We also get to see more how other members of Shadow Garden use their wits and powers even when Cid is not around.
3. The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You
After being rejected for the umpteenth time, Rentarou Aijou visits a matchmaking shrine to change his love life. There, he is informed by God that he will soon meet 100 soulmates. Despite being initially dismissive, Rentarou soon finds that it is true the very next day as he meets two of his soulmates. Rentarou’s life is about to get much more chaotic as he starts accumulating his harem of girlfriends.
This show knows that it is a rom-com of truly epic proportions and treats itself as such. It is funny, ridiculous, and never shies away from poking fun at itself. This show is wildly entertaining and is filled with well-timed gags, humour, and over-the-top drama. It is also extremely difficult to choose a ‘best girl’ as all the girlfriends are unique and attractive in their own ways.
2. The Apothecary Diaries
After being abducted and sold into the imperial court, Maomao, an apothecary’s daughter, discretely offers advice to the palace when the emperor’s infant children fall ill. However, she is noticed by the perceptive eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to a lady-in-waiting for the emperor’s favourite concubine. Maomao soon finds herself utilising her deduction and pharmaceutical skills to solve mysteries that are plaguing the imperial court.
This anime is entertaining, immersive, and captivating. The art and animation shows the high level of quality and production that went into this anime. Maomao’s catlike and dismissive interactions with other characters, especially Jinshi, is always entertaining to watch. This show also juggles well between light-hearted and serious moments. The Apothecary Diaries is definitely a must-watch show this season that you should not miss out.
And in first place we have…
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren, an female elf once joined a heroic party to defeat the demon king. After reuniting with her companions at her close friend’s funeral, she now embarks on a trip to the far north of the continent with a new group of companions. Throughout Frieren’s journey, she starts discovering and rediscovering both past and present emotions and bonds.
Gorgeous – this is the perfect word to describe Frieren. There is nothing I can nit-pick about this show as it is well-crafted and filled with heart. This show is packed with emotion and is a masterpiece of slow storytelling. As opposed to more action-centric fantasy anime, this show focuses on deeper philosophical discussions and questions about humanity, life, and feelings. However, this show is also sufficiently peppered with fights and scenes to keep you hooked.
That is all for this review. I hope you can certainly find something you enjoy here. Let us know your thoughts on these picks or if you think there are other shows more deserving of attention.
Happy watching, merry Christmas, and happy new year too!
This article was contributed by Caleb Chai. Follow him on Instagram for more.
