I'm excited about these upcoming anime shows and movies! What will you be watching?
Here's a first look at the new seasonal anime TV shows and films I'll be watching in 2023. None of my picks are in any particular order. While I may not get to these shows and movies during the season it airs (I'm not an anime blog after all), I'm excited about these nonetheless. Are you excited about any of these shows or movies as well? What will you be watching?
Winter 2023
In/Spectre Season 2
Mystery, Supernatural, Romance
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, VRV
The Story: The anime is based on the novel by Chasiba Katase (story) and
Hiro Kiyohara (illustrator). The novel has been adapted into a manga drawn by Kyo Shirodaira. The manga has been licensed by Kodansha, and there are 16 volumes available right now. The story is still ongoing, and Kodansha describes the story:
When she was still just a girl, Kotoko was kidnapped by yokai. These spirits made her into a powerful intermediary between the spirit and human worlds, but this power came at a price: an eye and a leg. Now, years later, she watches out for dangerous yokai while developing feelings for a young man named Kuro, who is also special: an incident with a yokai has given him healing powers. He's surprised when Kotoko asks him to team up to handle renegade yokai, preserving the thin line between reality and the supernatural.
Why I'm watching: I am a fan of the manga, and while the first season wasn't the best it could be (too much emphasis on Steel Lady Nanase 😑), I wasn't bored. I'm glad that this anime got a season 2. Hopefully, we'll get more seasons until the manga concludes or they decide to wrap up the anime, whichever comes first. Finally, I'm looking forward to Mamarou Miyano dominating my Spotify Unwrapped again with his ending theme song. 🙈
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague
Fantasy Romcom
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, VRV
The Story: The anime is based on the manga of the same name by Miyuki Tonogaya. The manga is still going, and it's published in Gangan Pixiv magazine by Square Enix. The manga has been licensed for digital only as of this post. You can read it via Comikey or Square Enix's MangaUp! app. Square Enix describes the story:
Himuro-kun is a living descendant of the Snow Woman from Japanese folklore. But anytime he's around his eccentric yet kind colleague, Fuyutsuki-san, he totally freezes up! Despite the snowstorm of love that rages on in his heart, and her complete cluelessness, will he take a step forward or stay frozen in place?
Why I'm watching: I like office romcoms in general, and this looks cute.
Buddy Daddies
Action, Comedy
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, VRV
The Story: Buddy Daddies is an original anime by P.A. Works. Crunchyroll describes the anime:
The story of Buddy Daddies follows Kazuki Kurusu, a criminal contractor / coordinator who lives with his best friend, Rei Suwa, a professional assassin who has been raised from childhood to be a contract killer. Kazuki is outgoing and loves gambling and women, while Rei is a man of few words who spends his off time playing video games. One day, the two buddies end up caring for Miri Unasaka, a four year old girl whose father is a mafia boss, after Miri accidentally wanders into a firefight in a hotel while looking for her father.
Why I'm watching: *Gestures wildly at all of it.* Are you serious? I'm all for Spy x Family "rip-offs" and buddy cop/odd couple pairings.
Vinland Saga Season 2
Action, Adventure, Historical, Drama
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, VRV, Netflix
The Story: The anime is based on the manga of the same name by Makoto Yukimura. Vinland Saga presently runs in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine, and Kodansha publishes the manga in English as hardcover omnibus books. Kodansha describes the story:
As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band's leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Thorfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery ... the land Leif called Vinland.
Why I'm watching: I'm not reading the manga. I'm only watching the anime, and I enjoyed the first season so I'm ready for the second season.
Spring 2023
Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts
Fantasy, Romance
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Story: The anime is based on the manga of the same name by Yū Tomofuji. The 15-volume manga was serialized in Hana to Yume magazine from 2015 to 2020. Besides the anime, the manga has inspired a spin-off series Shiro Usagi to Kemono no Ouji (The White Rabbit and the Beast Prince) that now runs in Hana to Yume. Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts has been licensed and published in English by Yen Press, and Yen Press describes the story:
A young girl has resigned herself to being he next sacrificial meal for the Beast King...but the king is no mere monster! Love is more than skin-deep in this gorgeous fantasy manga.
Why I'm watching: I've read some of the manga, and I enjoyed it. As I wait for this anime to air, I can finally work on finishing the manga. 🙈 I wasn't joking when I said I suck at finishing manga, which is why I am determined to work on that in the new year!
My Home Hero
Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Story: The anime is based on the manga of the same name by Naoki Yamakawa (story) and Masashi Asaki (art). Naoki Yamakawa also wrote the manga turned-anime I'm Standing on a Million Lives. Serialized in Weekly Young magazine since 2017, My Home Hero is a "controversial thriller" that tells the story of a regular schmoe turned to a life of organized crime. As of this post, Kodansha has published I'm Standing on a Million Lives in English but has yet to publish My Home Hero. Anime News Network describes the story:
The manga centers on a salaryman who has a reliable wife and a daughter in university who can sometimes act a bit rebellious, but has a happy life in his own way. Until one day he finds out his daughter has been beaten, and thus begins his journey into a dangerous world to protect his family.
Why I'm watching: I'm watching this for two reasons. One, I love organized crime and mystery anime, and two, it gives off Breaking Bad vibes. I wouldn't be surprised if Kodansha USA announces My Home Hero for a digital release sometime this year. Why digital? Because many of its mystery and thriller manga start out as digital first. 💀 Recently released mystery and thriller manga include Burn the House Down, The Shadows of Who We Once Were, My Tentative Name, The Fable, and The Decagon House Murders. Also, given the much-touted "controversial thriller" moniker, the odds are definitely not in its favor for a print release. (I'd like to be wrong...)
The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion
Fantasy, Isekai, Romance, Mystery
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Story: The anime is based on the webtoon of the same name. The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At the Duke's Mansion is a 7-volume manwha published in print by Yen Press. Yen Press describes the story:
Eunha Park thought she was getting another chance at life when she awoke in the world of a novel. The only problem? Raeliana McMillan, the character she was reborn as, is fated to be killed by her fiancé! For the sake of her survival, she comes up with an idea—get into a fake marriage with a man more powerful than her groom-to-be. But when that protection comes in the form of Noah Wynknight, the duke with a warm smile and cold heart, Raeliana realizes she might be a bit in over her head…She’s going to regret this plan, isn’t she?
Why I'm watching: Another mystery-themed anime to look forward to! Plus, it's another shoujo anime to add to the list. (For a complete list of shoujo anime, check out @Shoujocrave's list via Twitter. If you're looking for more manwha to anime/animated adaptations, check out this list by @roseking_eia via Twitter. 2023 will be stacked!)
The Marginal Service
Action, Comedy, Sci-fi
Where to Watch: TBA
The Story: The Marginal Service is an original anime produced by Cygames (Zombieland Saga and Made in Abyss) and animated by Studio 3Hz (Devil is a Part-Timer season 2). No word on what the story is about yet.
Why I'm watching: I was intrigued by this anime from the first teaser. As of this post, there has been no official news on what the anime is about. However, we know the people behind the anime, the voice actors, and who's singing the theme song. (Yet another Mamoru Miyano track to be added to my Spotify playlist. 🙈) We'll find out more as April approaches.
Summer 2023
Collar x Malice
Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Where to Watch: TBA
The Story: The 2-part anime films are based on the otome visual novel game of the same name. Developed and published by Idea Factory under the Otomate brand, Collar x Malice follows a young police officer named Ichika Hoshino as she solves the biggest crime in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Aksys localized the game in English for the Playstation Vita in 2017. Now, the game and its sequel Collar x Malice - Unlimited are available to play on the Nintendo Switch. Aksys describes the story:
A terrorist organization's brutal attack has left you fitted with a deadly souvenir — a poisonous collar that could end your life at any moment. With the situation spiraling out of control and time running out, five mysterious strangers appear to aid you in your quest for the truth. Who can you trust? Will you be able to save yourself and the soul of Shinjuku from the clutches of oblivion? In a city bound by malice, you are the only hope for salvation!
Why I'm watching: Collar x Malice was my first otome game, and of the otome games I have played since then, it's still my favorite. This particular game leans heavily into the story more so than the romance. The story is very involved, and the characters are solid. You play as Ichika, a 21-year-old rookie who just stumbled upon the biggest crime of the century. She gets collared with a bomb by a terrorist organization and then falls under the protection of 5 handsome men. You have a deadline to solve the case or risk getting yourself and the rest of Shinjuku blown to bits.
Like other visual novel games, each route leads to a different part of the story being revealed as well as a different ending. You partner up (and fall in love) with one of the guys based on your choices in the main route. The true ending is with Yanagi, and it's only unlockable once you've completed the other routes. My favorite love interest is Kei followed by Yanagi. Video games turned anime have a reputation for not being "good" so I'll keep my expectations low. I hope the anime films give Kei some screen time!
No better time to play the game than now! Check it out via Aksys' site here.
Announced for 2023, No Release Date
Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective
Mystery, Supernatural, Drama
Where to Watch: TBA
The Story: The anime is based on the manga of the same name by Akira Amano. Akira Amano also created ēlDLIVE and Reborn! (aka Katekyō Hitman Reborn!), which have been published in English by VIZ. She also created the original character design for the Psycho-Pass anime. As of this post, Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective is only available digitally via Shueisha's MangaPlus service. Serialized on Shonen Jump+ since 2020, the series currently has 8 print volumes and 84 digital chapters published in Japan. MangaPlus describes the story:
This unusual duo brings the hidden truth into the light! Ron Kamonohashi, a private investigator with serious issues, and Totomaru Ishiki, a pure-hearted but dim police detective, team up to solve the most baffling mysteries! A thrilling detective story for a new generation from Akira Amano, creator of "Reborn!" and "ēlDLIVE"!
Why I'm watching: I'm not familiar with Amano's work, but I do love a good buddy cop/odd couple story, and Ron Kamonohashi is the second anime of that nature to grace my list, the first being Buddy Daddies. Besides that, I'm always down for more mystery anime and manga! I only read a few chapters a while back so I have a lot of reading to catch up on. I'm gonna have to read the manga while it's free before VIZ (or someone) licenses it for print.
Spy x Family movie & season 2
Action, Thriller, Comedy
Where to Watch: TBA
The Story: The anime and film are based on the manga of the same name by Tatsuya Endo. Serialized on Shonen Jump+ since 2019, Spy x Family follows Westalis' greatest spy Twilight as he sets out to complete the biggest mission of his career. Season 1 aired in 2022, and Season 2 is expected to come out sometime in 2023 according to Siliconera. Season 2 will continue the story from where season 1 left off, but the movie will be an original story. VIZ publishes the books in English, and it describes the story:
Not one to depend on others, Twilight has his work cut out for him procuring both a wife and a child for his mission to infiltrate an elite private school. What he doesn’t know is that the wife he’s chosen is an assassin and the child he’s adopted is a telepath!
Why I'm watching: Honestly, Spy x Family is one of my favorite recent series to come from the Shonen Jump brand. I haven't been this excited for a Shonen Jump property in a long, long time. I love the series, and I have been reading the series online via MangaPlus and collecting the books as they come out. Spy x Family is a lot of things. It's laugh-out-loud funny; I love the setting—a vague Germany-esque country during the 60s Cold War. (It's a bit anachronistic.) I like all three characters—Twilight, Anya, and Yor. I love the budding family dynamic and the fact that Anya knows what her "parents" do for a living. She's really the key to all of it. Finally, I love the cover art.
I'll definitely be looking for chapter updates and updates on the anime and film in the coming year.
Ten Count
Romance, Drama
Where to Watch: TBA
The Story: The anime film is based on the manga of the same name by Rihito Takarai. Serialized in Dear+ magazine from 2013 to 2017, Ten Count is a boy's love story between a therapist and his patient. VIZ published all 6 volumes in English under its SuBLime imprint, and it describes the story:
Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows.
Why I'm watching: Ten Count is my favorite BL, and it's my favorite work by Rihito Takarai, whose other works include Grainliers (on hiatus), and Seven Days: Monday to Sunday (story by Venio Tachibana). Ten Count is problematic, and I find that reviews and attitudes towards this manga are split between "yays" and "nays." It really comes down to how you feel about the doctor x patient dynamic and trope and how it's employed in the story.
This anime was announced a few years back, and I really thought we weren't going to get it so imagine my surprise when the official Twitter account counted down the days to the launch of the website and the movie announcement. I don't know when the film will become available in the USA and other English-speaking countries, but hopefully, it will come. When it drops, I will be watching!
That's All!
And there you have it. Those are my most anticipated new anime of 2023. What are yours? Let me know via Twitter @ThatMangaHunter.