The two main categories of anime are television programs with numerous episodes and one-shot films. Every year, hundreds of new anime series and anime films are released in Japan, which is home to a veritable treasure trove of contemporary pop culture.
Here is a list of the ten finest anime movies of 2023 for both newcomers and ardent aficionados of the genre, covering both recently released films and those that are expected to be released in the future year. This preliminary list will be updated until every anime film from 2023 is included.
It has been revealed that there are a ton of anticipated anime films, both brand-new films, and sequels to well-known anime series, that will be released in 2023.
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Table of Contents
1. Attack on Titan is the best action anime.
Although terrifying, Attack on Titan isn’t truly a horror anime. You can find an action anime that is also heavily focused on plot, character development, and mood if you can get past the horrific, inside-out appearance of the titular titans and the violent finality with which they consume their victims.
Despite the fact that there are more excellent action anime shows than any other type of television, Attack on Titan is the finest because no one is ever fully secure and the stakes are always extremely high.
2. Best anime for combat: Dragon Ball (Z, GT, Super)
Son Goku and his companions’ exploits are chronicled in the various Dragon Ball series, which have inspired numerous parodies, jokes, and anime memes. Fighting anime definitely wouldn’t exist as we know it now without Dragon Ball.
Initially, Dragon Ball was a generally jovial retelling of the legendary Journey to the West. By the time Dragon Ball Z was released, the franchise had completely evolved into the genre paradigm that greatly inspired what came after.
It’s acceptable to make jokes about how Goku and his opponents spend entire episodes practicing their final moves. There is an official shortened version called Dragon Ball Kai on Funimation because maybe that isn’t for everyone.
3. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is the best adventure anime.
There are several excellent adventure animes, but the majority belong to another genre. While full of adventure shows like Fullmetal Alchemist, Dragon Ball, and One Piece are often lumped into predefined categories.
Even if Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure defies classification, it has no business being on a list like this. One of the most popular and long-running manga series ever has finally had an anime adaptation that does the original work justice.
Jojo’s seasons perpetually recreate themselves as they trace the history of the Joestar family. Each of the family’s scions has a name that is easily shortened to the Jojo nickname. If you persevere through the first season’s slow beginning, you’ll find yourself on one of the wildest, strangest adventures that anime has to offer.
4. My Hero Academia is the best superhero anime.
My Hero Academia’s high isn’t all that unique. In essence, it’s Harry Potter adapted for the superhero crowd. At a prestigious school for the differently gifted, you’ll find an unlikely hero studying among a hugely colorful array of people.
The show takes place in a universe where superheroes are not just real, but also prevalent. Every hero has a special ability or trait that may be well-known, like great strength, or entirely absurd, like elbows that can dispense tape.
Everything in My Hero Academia is enjoyable, which is what makes it such a fantastic show. The powers are strange and creative, the character designs are visually appealing, and the plot and characterization keep you coming back for more.
5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the best fantasy anime.
The fact that Fullmetal Alchemist creates a fully realized, distinctive universe with internally consistent rules and tangible consequences makes it the best fantasy anime of all time. On top of that, it provides a tale of two brothers that is as realistic as the location is breathtaking.
There is little doubt that the Elric brothers’ tale deserves to be included on any list of the greatest anime ever made. The decision between Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the more contentious one.
Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is both based on the same manga, for those who are unaware. The latter, however, was created concurrently with the creation of the manga, hence the show’s conclusion is unrelated to the manga. Brotherhood, which debuted later, faithfully adapted the whole manga. Both feature superb animation, interesting plots, and outstanding dubs.
If you like movies with quicker pacing, more action, and more humor, Brotherhood is a wonderful option. The original has a more even pacing and dramatic tone.
6. The Rising of the Shield Hero is the best isekai anime.
Isekai, which in Japanese means “another world,” is a hugely popular genre in which an unassuming character is usually plucked out of their everyday life and placed in a fantasy or science-fiction scenario. The two most well-known examples are Spirited Away and Sword Art Online.
Rising of the Shield Hero, which follows the title shield hero as he is lured into a strange realm, treated horribly, and made to learn hard lessons, is our top pick for the best Isekai anime. The audience experiences genuine emotions as a result, particularly wrath.
7. Samurai Champloo is the best samurai anime.
Samurai Champloo is the best and most distinctive title in the genre since it isn’t your standard samurai anime. Samurai Champloo will hook you with its sense of style, sleek visuals, superb dub, and hip-hop aesthetic even if you don’t like samurai.
A thorough understanding of the history is not necessary to enjoy it, although fans of the genre are more likely to understand the anachronistic jokes and appreciate the alternate history version of the Edo era depicted in the program.
8. Shin Sekai Yori is the best supernatural anime.
Many fantasy and supernatural anime include fantastical elements in settings that are based on reality, such as the shinigami that descended upon Karakura Town in Bleach. The New World, also known as Shin Sekai Yori, elevates it to a new level.
The show gets off to a lackluster start. This is primarily due to the fact that the first few episodes concentrate on introducing the characters and the intriguing supernatural world they inhabit. It is the best supernatural anime available and a genuinely outstanding piece of speculative fiction because of this attention to detail and the intricate topics tackled throughout the series.
9. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is the best magical girl anime.
The magical girl subgenre has a lengthy history and numerous recognized clichés. The main plot is around a young girl, or a group of girls, who learn how to change and utilize magic to battle an enemy. Sailor Moon is one well-known example in the west.
The best series in this genre has a wide audience and cover a variety of issues, despite the fact that many of them are primarily targeted at females and children. The finest magical girl anime is Puella Magi Madoka Magica because it’s kid- or at least young teen-friendly while also being adult enough to appeal to a larger audience.
It has a strong foundation in the magical girl genre, but it takes a darker tack and subverts several genre conventions. It raises it to a new level by delivering an emotional payload.
10. When They Cry is the best horror anime (Higurashi)
Just because of the monsters, anime horror series like High School of the Dead is typically referred to as horror. The terror that western audiences associate with these shows is typically lacking in them. Even so, When They Cry blurs the boundaries. It has a really eerie vibe, which should please Japanese horror aficionados. Additionally, it contains a significant amount of mystery, psychological terror, and the kind of gore that most Western horror fans are accustomed to.
11. Steins; Gate is the best science fiction anime.
Anime is the best sci-fi technobabble media there is, but it also has a ton of true jewels that explore fascinating ideas and subjects. Examples include Noein, a fascinating exploration into quantum physics, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, a horrific crime thriller that is influenced by Blade Runner, and Psycho-Pass.
Time travel is central to Steins;Gate, but it is not used as a story mechanism. It establishes internally consistent principles for how time travel functions, explores the idea in an intriguing fashion, and has a well-executed time loop plot that stands out from the competition.
12 Gurren Lagann is the best anime for mecha/giant robots.
Gurren Lagann ups the ante in a genre notorious for excess with a wink, a nod, and a yelled prod to have faith in yourself.
A mecha-wearing sunglasses can turn off viewers who aren’t into the giant robot anime genre. Still, what seems like an embarrassing disaster works much better than it has any right to. Gurren Lagann is entertaining and also delivers a heart-stopping emotional wallop.
