2023 is already set to be one of the biggest years ever for anime. Not only are we saying goodbye to longtime favorites like Pokémon and its 25-year-old journey with Ash Ketchum, but we're also welcoming in a new era that already has us buzzing for the future of the medium. Some of this includes highly-anticipated remakes and fan-favorite characters, like Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto/Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, getting more of a spotlight thanks to special arcs. But there are also new titles taking us to fantastical original worlds from first-time creators who are finally getting their day in the sun. Ready to fill up your queue with must-watch shows?
Here are the best anime of 2023:
Buddy Daddies
If you're looking for something fun and electric to add to your watch schedule, then this is the pick for you. Perfect for anyone who is looking to fill the void that Spy x Family left in their heart, Buddy Daddies follows two assassins who suddenly find themselves raising a daughter after a wild mission.
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
After 25 years, Pokémon will be saying goodbye to the one and only Ash Ketchum. In a series of special farewell episodes, Ultimate Journeys will feature big moments with old friends and plenty of emotional callbacks that will make you sad to say goodbye but excited for the future of the franchise as it closes this momentous chapter.
Attack On Titan: The Final Season Part 3
While we can certainly joke around with the title (especially as this part has been split into two halves), you can't deny the impact that the official finale will have as Attack on Titan comes to an end. Knowing what's coming certainly doesn't make it any easier, but one thing is for sure: This will go down as one of the most impactful anime of this generation.
FLCL: Grunge and FLCL: Shoegaze
That's right, it's time to get ready for some more FLCL (pronounced "Fooly Cooly"). After two new seasons of it aired back in 2014, Adult Swim is bringing back the fan-favorite series yet again for two more. The first, FLCL: Grunge, is still under lock and key, but at least we know to expect some more fun very soon.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba–Swordsmith Village Arc
After a very successful second season that included one of the biggest anime movies of all time, the series is finally returning to cover the highly anticipated Swordsmith Village Arc, which also marks the halfway point of the anime adaptation. At least we don't have to say goodbye yet!
Bluelock
The high-stakes sports anime continues its critically acclaimed season with a few more episodes in the new year before it wraps up. But fans are already hoping for renewal news as it continues to delight new and old viewers with its twist on the sports genre.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
In a nice twist, Boruto is adapting Naruto: Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha and the Heavenly Stardust novel, giving us a glimpse of Sasuke and Sakura's love story and a special undercover investigation. Not only has the novel gotten a lot of love from fans and is now coming to life in a new way in the anime, but it's also getting its own manga adaptation, making it one of the few light novels to get all three.
Trigun Stampede
The Trigun anime is getting the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood treatment with this new remake. Anime traditionalists might raise their noses over the CG animation, but it's actually a fresh and wonderful retelling that also brings back English dub VA Johnny Yong Bosch in one of his most iconic roles yet.
High Card
In a world where special playing cards grant users powers, a thief is hired to help retrieve all the cards before they land in the wrong hands. If you like fast cars, fun magic, and well-dressed characters that give you total Kingsman vibes, you're going to want to add this to your queue.
Spy x Family
While we're still waiting on big news about some of our other favorite anime (we're looking at you, Chainsaw Man), SPY x FAMILY fans can breathe a little bit easier as it's been confirmed to return in 2023 for a second season (with even a movie in the works later on). So basically, the Forger family isn't going anywhere, and we couldn't be happier.
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This article originally appeared in Cosmopolitan. Minor edits have been made by Cosmo.ph editors.