Best Summer 2023 Anime

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.

Honorable mentions

With over 40 anime airing as part of the Summer 2023 season, not every show can be highlighted. However, most series have their positives, and they might provide exactly what somebody is looking for in a series.

Here are a couple of Summer 2023 anime that deserve a shout-out:

• The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2 – If someone liked the Summer 2022 season, they should enjoy its sequel. That said, the show has fallen quite far.
• Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero – While its comedy is more miss than hit, Maou and Max have an oddly fun friendship.
• The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior – A decent addition to the isekai villainess subgenre.
• Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon – This isekai anime delivers exactly what its title advertises.
• Reign of the Seven Spellblades – A revenge story that takes hints from Harry Potter, this anime does not get going until about episodes 6 and 7. When that turn happens, things substantially pick up.
• Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror – The closest thing Summer 2023 has to a magical girl anime. Works as a slice of life as well.

18 Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari Season 2 (+/-0)

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.

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Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari had no likable characters for most of its early chapters, but the leads became more endearing as the story progressed. By the time of the Summer 2023 entry, both Hyouma and Botan have a lot to offer as individuals who are burdened with too much responsibility, and they have a quietly cute relationship. Season 2 also introduces some decent villains who not only come across as genuine threats but also provide the story with some much-needed direction, two things the first cour lacked.

In a season that features Jujutsu Kaisen, Bungo Stray Dogs, and Bleach, Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari's stiff fight scenes leave a lot to be desired. This is the area the anime struggles the most, and season 2 did not really improve matters. Still, these sequences do not hurt the show to the point of making it unwatchable.

17 TenPuru: No One Can Live On Loneliness (+/-0)

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.

TenPuru could, admittedly, be better. While funny, the humor is repetitive since the two most emphasized girls, Yuzuki and Tsukuyo, have rather similar reactions, even though they are likable enough as individuals. Except for Akemitsu, Kagura and Kurage are the funniest characters, and they both do not get enough screen time.

16 Masamune-kun's Revenge R (+/-0)

Masamune-kun's Revenge can be polarizing, especially its 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.

Masamune-kun's Revenge R takes its harem romance in an unexpected direction, at least by the genre's standards. This decision might not please everyone, but it made for an intriguing watch as the show entered its final episodes.

15 The Duke Of Death And His Maid Season 2 (+/-0)

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 the focal point, but the anime expands beyond them to explore characters like Zain and Daleth.

14 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (-2)

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.

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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 action 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. Overall, Rurouni Kenshin is a somewhat pointless but generally well-done reboot.

13 The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today (+1)

One of two GoHands Summer 2023 anime, The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today attracted less attention than The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses, however, it is comfortably 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 strong characters, and their dynamic is adorable. The rest of the cast is not bad either, and the show makes good use of its rather small roster of characters. 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.

12 Dark Gathering (+1)

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. If there is one criticism of the anime, it is that Yayoi is too overpowered at times, which lessens the show's scares since its terrifying ghosts are regularly bested by a very young girl who wears shark shoes.

11 BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! (+/-0)

Starting early and ending the same way, BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! Did not receive 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 (+/-0)

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, the sequel is almost single-handedly catering to the shojo demographic for the current season, and it is 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.

While slow at times, the story significantly ramps up in tension during its final stretch of episodes. These chapters not only test Ann and Challe's relationship like never before but also subtly implement smart worldbuilding.

9 Helck (+/- 0)

One of HIDIVE's standout Summer 2023 anime, Helck has flown somewhat under the radar, which is surprising as the manga is quite 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.