Best Anime Of Summer 2023, Ranked

The Summer 2023 anime season is almost at an end. As usual, the quarter features more than 40 shows that cover a wide range of genres and demographics. Summer has action, romance, slice of life, isekai, adventure, comedy, and even horror; in fact, this season arguably has more variety than the norm, which can only be a positive.

With so many shows airing, picking out a few to watch can be difficult, particularly when it comes to new anime that are not well-known names. To make the process as simple as possible and provide a starting point, let's take a look at the best Summer 2023 anime.

18. Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari Season 2

Debuting in Winter 2023, Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari got off to a rough start. Set in a world where spirits called tsukumogami possess objects, Hyouma Kunato is the heir apparent of a powerful family tasked with monitoring and exorcising these entities. However, a tragedy causes Hyouma to grow a burning hatred for spirits, so much so that he is sent by his grandfather to live with a girl (Botan) and a bunch of her tsukumogami. Obviously, they do not get along at first, largely thanks to the male protagonist's prickly nature; however, Hyouma eventually begins to soften.

Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari had no likable characters for most of its early chapters, but the leads do become more endearing as the story progresses. By the time of the Summer 2023 anime, both Hyouma and Botan have a lot to offer as individuals who are burdened with too much responsibility, and they have an oddly charming relationship. Season 2 also introduces some great villains who not only come across as genuine threats but also provide the story with some much-needed direction, two things its predecessor lacked.

In a season that features Jujutsu Kaisen, Bungo Stray Dogs, and Bleach, Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari's stiff and underwhelming fight scenes leave a lot to be desired. This is the one area the anime has continued to struggle with, and an improvement does not seem to be on the cards. Still, these sequences do not hurt the show to the point of making it unwatchable.

17 TenPuru: No One Can Live On Loneliness

TenPuru is an acquired taste. While not quite reaching Girlfriend, Girlfriend-levels of stupidity, the Summer 2023 anime can get unapologetically dumb, and there are moments when characters seem to be driven by the needs of the plot rather than the other way around. That said, if someone likes slapstick and does not mind fanservice, TenPuru is pretty hilarious and comfortably among this season's funniest comedies.

Hurt by his father's promiscuous reputation and desperate to not follow in his footsteps, Akemitsu decides to become a monk due to experiencing improper thoughts after meeting an attractive girl. However, he winds up joining a temple filled with only attractive girls, including the one who sparked his crisis. While it takes some convincing and a mountain of debt, Akemitsu and the girls agree to live together, although a few of the latter have doubts about their new roommate's intentions.

16 Masamune-kun's Revenge R

Masamune-kun's Revenge can be polarizing, especially the first season. In pursuit of revenge stemming from a childhood memory that still haunts him, Masamune dedicated years to getting in prime physical shape, all in the hope of impressing Aki Adagaki, a former friend who abandoned him when he needed her the most. Masamune plans to turn Aki into his girlfriend and then dumb her, an endeavor that initially seems warranted since the girl does not exactly treat guys well. Basically, the story starts out with two main characters who, while periodically charming, are hard to root for. The supporting players also have their awful moments.

However, as the show has continued to unfold, Masamune and Aki have gradually grown more likable, not only as individuals but also as a potential couple. Season 2 has done a great job of dissecting the characters' motives, flaws, and insecurities, all the while highlighting their positive traits in a way that the original cour frequently struggled to do. At this point, Masamune-kun's Revenge R has dropped most of its comedic flourishes in favor of heightened romance and drama, which might frustrate viewers who enjoy Masamune's periodic silliness; however, this decision has largely worked in the show's favor.

15 The Duke Of Death And His Maid Season 2

Viktor and Alice have a peculiar relationship. The former, a duke, carries a curse that instantly kills anyone he touches, causing him to lead a life of isolation. Alice, Viktor's maid, has opted to stay by his side, and she loves to occasionally tease him since she is fully aware that he has a crush on her. To be fair, she also feels the same way, but they naturally cannot directly pursue a romance since any physical contact would result in Alice's death. Consequently, they lead a life of playful banter with a side helping of sadness.

The Duke of Death and His Maid's opening season was surprisingly wholesome and charming. While its art style takes some getting used to, the characters are lovable and expressive, and the show's world-building is pretty great too. The sequel largely follows in the same footsteps, although it has shown a willingness to properly investigate the mythos behind Viktor's curse and key powerful figures that populate this universe. The duke and his maid are still the focal point, but the anime has expanded beyond them to explore characters like Zain and Daleth.

14 The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today

One of two GoHands anime airing during Summer 2023, The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today is attracting less attention than The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses, however, it is arguably the superior show, and by quite a distance. While the teen comedy is bogged down by repetition and an uninspired male lead, The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today successfully uses its unique premise to craft a charming tale with slice of life elements. While a hard worker, Saku is a slob at home; luckily, she is supported by her cat, Yukichi, who is the size of a bear and a whiz at cooking. Mistakenly crediting Yukichi's efforts to Saku, the latter's colleagues have a rather flattering image of her, and she cannot exactly deny their claims and say her cat is responsible.

Saku and Yukichi are both endearing characters, and their dynamic is a blast. The rest of the cast is not bad either, and the show makes good use of its rather small roster of characters. As this season does not have all that many relaxing shows, The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today is among the best slice of life Summer 2023 anime, and GoHands' polarizing animation has generally complemented the story.

13 Dark Gathering

2023 has not been kind to anime horror fans, but Summer seems to be trying to set things right. Despite overstaying its welcome by a number of years, Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai's latest season is fine enough for what it is. However, anyone yearning for a more substantial horror experience needs to check out Dark Gathering, an anime that gives off heavy Ghost Hunt vibes.

Keitarou can see spirits, an ability he regards as a curse rather than a gift. After a long period of self-imposed hibernation, he starts to get social again by becoming a tutor, which causes him to meet a peculiar young girl named Yayoi Houzuki. Searching for her deceased mother, she is obsessed with the supernatural, a trait that not only terrifies Keitarou but also the spirits she pursues.

Although not nightmare-inducing, Dark Gathering is genuinely creepy. The show knows when to keep things hidden since nothing is scarier than the viewer's imagination, and Yayoi is an absolute delight who can be hilarious or horrifying depending on what a scene requires.

12 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Debuting in the 1990s, Rurouni Kenshin is undoubtedly a classic. The manga proved popular enough to warrant the creation of a 1996 anime, three OVAs, five live-action movies, a slew of remake manga, light novels, and games. Clearly, the franchise is not going anywhere, and most of its content has been largely well-received. While highly regarded, the original anime ended prematurely due to a terrible run of filler content that killed its momentum. The Summer 2023 series is a reboot rather than a continuation, so it serves as a good entry point into this universe for newcomers.

Due to its nature, the new Rurouni Kenshin feels unnecessary since it covers the same story beats that were already handled perfectly by the 1990s iteration, and the latter has aged well. The 2023 show must complete the Tokyo and Kyoto arcs to reach new content since the original anime never adapted the Jinchu storyline, and this process will likely require dozens upon dozens of episodes.

Still, in a vacuum, Rurouni Kenshin is one of Summer 2023's best anime. LIDENFILMS' animation has been consistently great, particularly during the fight sequences. Even after all these years, characters like Kenshin and Kaoru are still an absolute joy, proving they are genuinely timeless.

11 BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!

Starting early and ending pretty early too, BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! has not received too much attention, which is par for the course for this type of anime. A multi-media franchise that has produced manga, light novels, anime, and even a game, BanG Dream! is obviously successful, but It's MyGO!!!!! might be deemed unapproachable by people who have never stepped into this universe. However, the Summer 2023 anime tells a standalone story that does not require familiarity with any of the license's previous material.

In a unique twist, the story starts with a band breaking up and its members, all girls, going their separate ways. A year later, a new student inadvertently brings some of this group's members back together, forming a new band that might just last for a lifetime. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! is front-loaded with drama that can feel contrived in places, but the characters themselves are well-written and largely likable. Tomori, the band's shy vocalist, is the star of the show, although the rest of the main girls all bring something unique to the table. Although not constantly highlighted, the music is generally great.

10 Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Season 2

As with most seasons, Summer 2023 does not have an abundance of shojo properties. In fact, if focusing solely on shows based on shojo manga, there are only two picks. Spring 2023's Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts has continued its run and is a fine enough series. The other option is Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, which is airing its second part after debuting in Winter 2023. Similar to the original cour in its quarter, the sequel is almost single-handedly catering to the shojo demographic for the current season, and it has been superior to its predecessor in most ways. Naturally, anyone looking to watch part 2 needs to first sit through the previous episodes as they do a great job of establishing the two leads, Ann and the fairy Challe, and the rules that govern this universe, along with the concept of a Silver Sugar Master.

Following Challe to the Paige workshop, Ann instantly becomes its head due to her status as a Silver Sugar Master. In an attempt to turn around the workshop's misfortune, Ann and the rest of the workers decide to take part in the Holy Beginnings Festival. In the meantime, Ann and Challe have to deal with Bridget, a woman who is obsessed with fairies. Sugar Apple Fairy Tale has some of the best female characters of Summer 2023. Ann is a great and proactive person who can be passionate, naive, vulnerable, and strong. Despite being initially introduced as something of an antagonist, Bridget has developed into a surprisingly sympathetic character in her own right.

9 Helck

One of HIDIVE's standout Summer 2023 anime, Helck has flown somewhat under the radar, which is surprising as the manga is respected. As their ruler fell at the hands of a human hero, the demon kingdom is staging a tournament to crown a replacement, with the project being supervised by the powerful Vamirio. Out of all the candidates, Helck stands out as the clear favorite. A muscular specimen with a good heart and a winning smile, this warrior would be perfect for the throne, if it were not for one fact: Helck is human. Unsurprisingly, Vamirio sets out to test his loyalties.

Helck is a difficult show to pin down. The opening few episodes lean so heavily into comedy that they venture into parody territory, and they produce quite a few big laughs. Since then, the anime has amplified its action while steadily unveiling its main story and threat, all the while still throwing out the occasional gag. Helck, the character, is hilarious, but he is also hiding a darkness within that seems constantly on the verge of erupting. Vamirio also has way more to offer than just playing the straight woman to Helck's antics.

8 Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Even if it arguably loses some steam as it goes along, 2021's Horimiya is nevertheless a great rom-com and slice of life hybrid. Miyamura and Hori's relationship grows organically and beautifully, and by the end of the show's run, the teenagers do genuinely seem like they are made for each other. Horimiya eventually shines a light on its secondary characters, and while by no means awful, they do not get enough time to fully establish themselves as worthy of taking the spotlight away from the main couple. At about the halfway point, the 2021 season becomes more of an ensemble cast rom-com, a transition that is not 100% smooth.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces covers chapters from the manga that its predecessor did not have time to adapt. On paper, this might make the new show seem inconsequential since, in theory, all these stories were originally deemed not important enough to warrant coverage. However, in execution, The Missing Pieces completes Horimiya, to the point that its episodes should almost be intercut into the previous cour.

The Summer 2023 anime is a pure ensemble comedy, with Miyamura and Hori being very much co-leads alongside their friends. Most episodes highlight one or two characters, and they help flesh out their personalities and relationships. On the surface, The Missing Pieces seems to cover just mundane events, but these moments define the characters.

7 Zom 100: Bucket List Of The Dead

For a while, the oversaturation of zombie stories led to public burnout, although this general opinion has been slowly changing in recent years. In the case of anime, zombies are not really all that common, so their involvement still feels somewhat fresh. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is an absolute blast and, when all is said and done, might go down as the best zombie anime of all time.

Akira hates his job. Working endlessly over the last few years, Akira has been completely stripped of his humanity, leaving him a figurative husk zapped of vigor. Therefore, when a zombie outbreak destabilizes Tokyo and shutdowns businesses, Akira experiences an immediate improvement in his quality of life. Yes, Zom 100 paints a zombie apocalypse as the better alternative, at least in Akira's case.

Boasting creative animation, endearing characters, and reliable humor, Zom 100 is a treat. The show produced the strongest opening episode of Summer 2023, one that could work as a short film. While not quite revisited those highs, the rest of the season has been constantly entertaining. Akira has been joined by a few friends and strangers, and both Kenichirou and Shizuka are memorable characters in their own right. The animation has not missed a beat either.

6 My Happy Marriage

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Summer 2023 might not be as stacked with romance as its predecessor, but it still has a better-than-average lineup. In terms of new romance series, My Happy Marriage looked set to be the pick of the bunch prior to Summer's commencement, and its introductory episode did nothing to discredit that prediction. Based on Akumi Agitogi's novel series, which has already been adapted into a light novel and manga, the story is set during the 19th century and revolves around the arranged marriage between Miyo Saimori and Kiyoka Kudou.

While they both hail from well-off families, Miyo's life has been hell since her father married her stepmother; meanwhile, Kiyoka has a reputation for scaring off suitors through his militaristic tendencies. My Happy Marriage wastes little time in making Miyo a sympathetic figure as the opening episode is almost entirely devoted to showcasing her home life. While manipulative to an extent, these sequences go a long way in explaining Miyo's self-esteem struggles and defeatist personality. Since then, the protagonist has slowly begun to come out of her shell while also breaking through Kiyoka's tough exterior, resulting in a romance that feels authentic. My Happy Marriage also implements a supernatural aspect into its historical setting, and this element is starting to become more pronounced.

Considering the sheer volume of action series airing during Summer 2023, the fact that some of the season's most detestable antagonists are in a romance is surprising. That said, these same characters can come across as cartoonishly evil at times, which lessens their impact. Nevertheless, My Happy Marriage is something special, and it might go down as one of its genre's greats.

5 Undead Murder Farce

Macabre, gruesome, and stylish, Undead Murder Farce leaves an exciting first impression, provided someone can tolerate a lot of exposition. Set in an alternate version of the Meiji era, humans exist alongside monsters, the latter of which are employed by a cruel wandering circus. One of the show's performers is Tsugaru Shinuchi, a half-oni, half-human hybrid who has the ability to kill demons for the entertainment of the degenerate masses. One day, he is approached by Aya Rindo, an immortal woman who has been reduced to a talking head, and the two form a mutually beneficial agreement that involves them tracking down the person responsible for both of their current predicaments.

Along with a smooth action sequence between Tsugaru and Aya's maid, Undead Murder Farce spends most of its opening episode establishing the main characters' situations while also throwing in a touch of world-building. Alongside a main storyline involving a familiar figure, the show is structured around cases of the week, although they typically last a few episodes. A couple of iconic literary figures also make appearances, which just adds to the show's overall charm. Undead Murder Farce is shaping up to be among Summer 2023's most fun anime.

4 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2

Except for two shonen anime, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 is the most highly anticipated anime sequel of Summer 2023. Revered for its intricate world-building and character development, Mushoku Tensei is rightfully regarded as one of the most influential isekai light novels of all time, and the anime has so far done an impeccable job of adapting the source material. Now, it should be said the series' low points are extremely low, to the point they could put a viewer off the entire experience; fortunately, these moments have grown sparse since the story took a dark turn toward the mid-point of season 1.

The sequel launched with a special episode that shined a light on Sylphiette's whereabouts following the Teleport Incident that displaced entire populations. Even if technically not part of season 2, this episode is still a must-watch as it introduces Princess Ariel, a character who looks set to play an important role in Mushoku Tensei's political landscape.

The "proper" season 2 presents a very different Rudeus who has matured considerably, and he seems to be at least somewhat burdened by his past and the task laid out before him. Simply put, Rudeus wants to find his mother, a goal that is easy to relate to. Since then, the protagonist has found himself attending a school where he meets a few old friends and makes a couple of new ones (in a rather contentious way).

3 Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

Prior to Summer's debut, Jujutsu Kaisen's sequel was the quarter's most highly-anticipated release; now that the season is nearing its end, the battle shonen anime is cemented as its most popular show, and it will extend into Fall 2023. Starting out with the Hidden Inventory arc, season 2 jumped back in time to establish Gojo and Suguru's friendship when they worked together as young sorcerers. Despite only lasting a couple of episodes, this saga did a fantastic job of exploring its leads, all the while introducing a fun villain, accomplishing some much-needed world-building, and throwing out a few of the best action sequences of the year. All in all, Hidden Inventory was close to perfect.

Great as it was, this storyline merely served as the appetizer to season 2's main course: The Shibuya Incident. Considering one of Jujutsu Kaisen's highest points in the manga, this arc finds Suguru and Mahito executing a plan that involves dropping a veil over Tokyo's Shibuya in order to drop the people inside and force Gojo to make an appearance. Although still in its early stages, The Shibuya Incident should give nearly every main and supporting character something to do, while also challenging Gojo in a way that none of the previous arcs have allowed.

2 Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Separation

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War was not only a surprise, but it ended up being way better than most people likely expected. Although it reached some dizzying heights, the original Bleach fizzled out toward the end of its run, to the point of being overshadowed by its main battle shonen competitors (One Piece and Naruto). Putting the manga aside, an argument could be made that Thousand-Year Blood War is the best adaptation produced by any of those three anime, at least in terms of production value. Studio Pierrot is well known for producing fantastic animation, and this series ranks among its greatest achievements.

Thousand-Year Blood War has more to offer than just gorgeous visuals, even if the storyline consists of nearly non-stop action. The Soul Society is under siege from the Quincies, a group driven by an insatiable thirst for revenge. The Fall 2022 season did a fantastic job of setting up the central conflict and establishing the Quincies and its leader, Yhwach, as an overwhelming threat. Summer 2023's second part has primarily focused on one vs. one battles, granting a wide range of fan-favorite characters an opportunity to steal the spotlight. This arc still has a long way to go to reach a conclusion, but it has yet to set a foot wrong.

1 Bungo Stray Dogs 5

Although certainly popular, Bungo Stray Dogs 5 is nowhere near as well-known as some of Summer 2023's other sequels. Jujutsu Kaisen, Mushoku Tensei, Horimiya, Bleach, Masamune-kun's Revenge, and Rent-a-Girlfriend are all more mainstream, and The Devil is a Part-Timer! would have likely made the cut if its return season was not so underwhelming. Bungo Stray Dogs can be difficult to get into since its opening season is fairly weak and does not really foreshadow the story's future brilliance. However, the anime improved almost immediately into its second season, and it has been on an upward trajectory ever since. By season 4, Bungo Stray Dogs is simply fantastic.

Season 5 continues the Armed Detective Agency's harrowing battle with the Decay of the Angel, a group that has consistently had the heroes' numbers. Although his presence has diminished slightly in recent episodes, Ranpo has essentially served as the current arc's protagonist, a decision that has produced nothing but positives. The antagonists are intimidating, intelligent, powerful, and mysterious. Although not going down the Akame ga Kill! route of wiping out recognizable faces in every other episode, the seinen anime succeeds in making it seem like the Armed Detective Agency's members could die at any time. In this stacked season, Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 stands out as the best Summer 2023 anime.

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