Doctorkev’s 2023 Anime Postmortem — A Year Deconstructed
Happy new year, everyone! The Winter 2024 anime season hasn’t really begun yet in any meaningful sense, so let’s pause to have a look back at the year as a whole. It’s been a very busy time for me writing wise — this is my 250th article on Medium, not including the various collab contributions I’ve made over the years. Thanks very much for sticking with me!
Halfway through every anime season I write about the shows I’m watching, then I revisit them all at the end of the season with a “Postmortem”. In this annual version I look back at the year as a whole and rank my top 30 anime. I couldn’t tell you how many shows I watched in total, I’m a little scared to count. Before we get to that, though, there’s a few other things to discuss…
Notable events:
Sony (via subsiduary Crunchyroll) finally subsumed Rightstuf international, North America’s biggest independent anime retailer, owners of the distributor Nozomi, into the online Crunchyroll store. Sony’s geoblocking policies have since essentially blocked physical anime distribution from Crunchyroll in North America to anywhere elsewhere in the world. Domino effects of this include the closure of venerable UK anime/manga store United Publications which closed in December 2023, perhaps at least partly due to the impossibility of importing stock to resell. Surviving import anime store otaku.co.uk seems to be hanging in there but can no longer source region 1/A stock from Crunchyroll.
Adding insult to injury for UK anime fans, the barely-existing Crunchyroll UK (formerly Funimation, formerly Manga Entertainment) continued to be disappointing, with sparse, overpriced physical releases and high-profile cancellations. (Re:Zero season 2, anyone?) It seems that Sony is desperate for anime physical media to fail in the UK, as they won’t let us import the US releases, they won’t sell it here themselves, and they generally won’t license it to other companies. When was the last time anything from Sony’s Aniplex was released in the UK? It seems they don’t respond to emails from their UK licensing partner MVM any more. Hence no recent Region B Fate blu-ray releases, and no Rascal Doesn’t Dream… movies.
On the subject of MVM, their physical release schedule seems to have slowed down a bit, they mostly just licenced old shows this year. I’m not complaining, as I bought a fair few of them, but it’s concerning for the future. Their main licensing parter Sentai appear to have brokered a new deal with rival UK distributor Anime Limited instead — though this means we finally got a UK Shirobako blu-ray, so I can’t be too upset.
Speaking of Anime Limited, many of their highly-anticipated collector’s edition releases were hopelessly delayed this year, though that may not be down to circumstances under their control. More concerningly they were bought by the widely-derided Embracer Group, which is unsettling. This year Embracer closed a bunch of game studios and other businesses they procured — no wonder some folks on the internet think they’re a money-laundering organisation! Hopefully they do right by Anime Limited though…
Then, in Japan, studio MAPPA tried to kill its employees via overwork. The most recent season of Jujutsu Kaisen streamed essentially unfinished, with employees breaking NDAs to complain online about their terrible working conditions. Apparently MAPPA’s head guys were pleased they managed to squeeze the entire production schedule of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 into four months. Normally a movie of that calibre would take two years to produce… It remains to be seen if anyone at MAPPA cares enough about their workers to make changes to their employment practices in 2024…
Delayed anime:
Despite the worst of the COVID pandemic passing by, multiple anime productions continued to be delayed, perhaps due to new variant breakouts in China where many studios outsource their work, or perhaps due to terrible MAPPA-like workflow organisation. Affected anime included Ayakashi Triangle which gave up halfway through its month-delayed run to restart from the beginning two seasons later. Nier Automata Ver 1.1a had to hold back its final few episodes until months after initial broadcast, and the same happened to Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, whose new studio dropped the ball quite spectacularly. Uncle From Another World finally released its final episode in March, a full six months late. If these examples don’t show an industry struggling under extreme pressure and endemic mismanagement, I don’t know what does.
Bizarrely, Disney chose to delay the international streaming of Shonen Jump property Undead Unluck outside of the US, meaning in the UK, Disney+ is streaming episodes weekly on a 10-week delay compared to Hulu in the US. Why? No-one knows.
Movies:
2023 was a great year for anime movies at the cinema, and I went to see as many as I could. Attended Scotland Loves Anime in Edinburgh certainly helped bump up the numbers, though. Overall the movie I enjoyed the most wasn’t animated, though — Godzilla Minus One was spectacular. Below are links to every movie review from this year.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War — The First Kiss That Never Ends
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: To the Swordsmith Village
Suzume
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
The First Slam Dunk
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
The Concierge
Blue Giant
Komada: A Whisky Family
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie 4K Remaster
Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower
Godzilla Minus One
Psycho-Pass: Providence
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea: Star Sage
The Boy and the Heron
ANN articles:
In 2023 I continued to submit occasional feature articles to Anime News Network. Going forwards into 2024, I should hopefully be writing reviews for them a bit more often.
Biggest Anime disappointments:
Before we get onto the orgy of overwhelming positivity, here’s a handful of my biggest disappointments of the year, with quotes from the appropriate articles in which they’re covered.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2
Wow, my thoughts on this season soured so quickly. We went from this:
“…nothing else on TV looks as amazing as Jujutsu Kaisen season two. It’s worth watching for the visuals alone, but the story and characters are also fascinating. JJK S2 sits at the pinnacle of the season.”
To this…
“Shibuya Incident is too long, too unfocused, jumping from location to location, from one group of characters I can’t remember the names of to another group of characters I don’t care about. None of the main characters are interacting with one another, or are out of commission, and the show hasn’t given me compelling reasons or context for why I should care about anyone else. I don’t know who most of them even are. I don’t understand what’s happening any more or why.”
The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2
“It seems like of this entire 24-episode season, three quarters has been purely setup, and that’s got to frustrate its viewers. If you asked me for a synopsis of the season so far, I don’t think I could give you one other than “Chise goes to magic school. There are dark portents and some people get sick. Nothing is explained.” There’s only so much slow-burning atmosphere and pretty aesthetics that I can handle before I want to scream “get the hell on with the supernatural carnage!” at the TV screen.”
Helck
“Helck truly is an exercise in trying the patience of its audience, it’s now at a complete standstill and I can understand why many viewers have switched off or at least complain about it vociferously. Is it too much to hope for a third season when the plot progression has been this lethargic? Will there be anyone left to watch it?”
The Devil is a Part-timer Season 2 part 2
“…a major disappointment compared to 2013’s excellent first season. This can be squarely placed at the feet of new director Daisuke Tsukushi and studio 3Hz… What a huge downgrade in presentation, animation quality and general competence. They took a fun show about a fish (demon) out of water, and turned it into a lumpen, slow, boring, and flat generic fantasy.”
Mushoku Tensei Season 2
“Rarely has something I loved so much irritated and disappointed me so completely. Nothing prepared me for how unspeakably awful it would be. I almost dropped it in sheer disgust. I stopped caring about whatever the hell happened to Rudeus... He disgusts me. The writer’s choices disgust me. I don’t think I can ever love this show again. The author has lost my trust, and my respect.”
Top 30 TV anime:
Now that negativity is over and done with, let’s get onto the shows that I felt were well worth watching, no disappointments here. Even when making this top 30 I had to make some painful cuts.
30–21:
30) Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
“With a gorgeous pastel colour palette and a surfeit of sparkling silver sugar confection creations, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale never looks anything less than beautiful. It’s not a show for action fiends with short attention spans, or slavering fan service devotees, but those more cultured among us with an appreciation for pensive, romantic character drama will find a lot to love here.”
29) Undead Murder Farce
“A stylish, bonkers action/fantasy/detective show set in late 19th century Europe, I enjoyed Undead Girl Murder Farce (it’s oddly un-localised full title) a great deal. Always very clever and knowing, it rewards viewers who pay close attention with both logical and surprising payoffs. That’s the sign of a good murder mystery — it makes sense in retrospect, while still containing surprises.”
28) Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
“The first episode is an 80 minutes long prologue, Oshi no Ko-style, and is worth watching on its own as a movie. A challenging, upsetting, yet tender and fiercely intelligent show, this comes with my highest recommendation. I sincerely hope that further seasons follow.”
27) Pluto
“Every frame oozes with care and attention, there’s a mix of excellent 2D animation and smooth 3D imagery. Urasawa’s realistic character designs are faithfully captured, themselves rationalised versions of Tezuka’s more outlandish, cartoony designs.”
26) Urusei Yatsura Season 2
“It’s like she (Rumiko Takahashi) throws a comedy grenade into a group of unsuspecting characters, insanity ensues, it intensifies… the end. If that kind of off-the-wall humour isn’t for you, then Urusei Yatsura will probably leave you cold. As for me, I love the demented comedy and bizarre situations poor long-suffering protagonist Ataru gets dragged into on a weekly basis.”
25) Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte
“…this prime example of bizarrely postmodern anime storytelling comes to a predictable but satisfying and tooth-rottingly sweet end. This is a fun story, told well, leaving the viewer with a beaming smile. Sometimes that pure, happy escapism (and cute blushing tsundere girls) is all you want from an anime.”
24) NieR Automata Ver 1.1a
“If you’ve not watched it, go do so — it exceeds all of my expectations of what a game adaptation can be. What I really appreciated about this anime was its willingness to deviate from the game. None of these changes would matter if the strong emotional core hadn’t been maintained, but I’m glad to report it has been.”
23) Handyman Saitou in Another World
“Although the early episodes take the form of quick-fire humorous skits, this is in service of a later, more serious, serialised story filled to the brim with fascinating and unique side characters, introduced during the skits then integrated into the story later. This was a lot of fun, and it didn’t take itself too seriously either.”
22) Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro Season 2
“Nagatoro-san continues to fire on all cylinders! I’ve written before about how much I love this anime, partly because it reminds me of my own childhood/teenage years. By the end of season two it’s one of the most wholesome anime romantic comedies I’ve ever seen.”
21) Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Season 4 Part 2
“Wow, what an intense second cour this was. (These) eleven episodes are a gauntlet of pain and suffering that at times is difficult to watch. I love the character interactions between Bell and Ryu — he’s desperate to keep her alive, while she’s desperate to sacrifice herself. Only together do they survive, and become much closer than Bell has let himself get to any other female character.”
20–11:
20) Attack on Titan the Final Season the Final Chapters Parts 1 and 2
“MAPPA knocked this one out of the park, with an excellent adaptation. I can’t fault Isayama’s flair for tense, dramatic storytelling and brutal twists. Attack on Titan remains excellent to the end, and stands high above most other anime of the past decade as a towering narrative and aesthetic achievement.”
19) Tomo-chan is a girl!
“I ended up really enjoying this fun romantic comedy, mainly because of the weirdos that made up the supporting cast. The scene where Carol sings Handel’s Tochter Zion, freuer dich (Daughter Zion, rejoice) while ceremoniously lifting a girlish hairband from Tomo’s head and placing it back on her own was a moment of inexplicable, bemusement-inducing hilarity. Why? Why did she do that? Why was it so funny? I have no idea.”
18) Trigun Stampede
“I still fail to understand those who refuse to give this updated version of the classic anime Trigun a go merely because it’s CG and looks “different”. Studio Orange are doing God’s work here, because this is (mostly) fantastic, with incredible visuals, intriguing mysteries and a truly spectacular conclusion.”
17) The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
“Probably one of the best isekai shows in years, this heartfelt and compelling character drama ignores most of the usual power fantasy garbage that usually infests the genre. Studio Diomedéa pull out all the stops to present some excellent fantasy action in a beautifully realised, colourful world. I defy anyone to survive the conclusion without shedding at least one tear.”
16) Spy x Family S2
“No other show mixes such goofy comedy with such brutal, bloody violence as Spy x Family, and I love it so much. This is pure character-based comedy, spiced up with the occasional dash of loopy spy drama. Long may it continue!”
15) The Apothecary Diaries
“The Apothecary Diaries is appointment television, it’s a show that rewards close attention. The period setting is fascinating, especially in regards to the role of women in society. The animation and character designs are excellent, as is the general production design in terms of evoking an exotic sense of place and mystery.”
14) My Happy Marriage
“Probably my number one show of the season, Netflix’s gorgeous Shojo novel adaptation surprisingly won my heart. Although it’s difficult to watch poor mistreated protagonist Miyu be repeatedly victimised by her shitty family, it’s a pleasure to watch her bloom under the love and attention of her new fiancee, his housekeeper, and sister.”
13) Vinland Saga Season 2
“Those looking for a dopamine-fix of beheadings and lopped-off-limbs won’t find it here. Vinland Saga both interrogates and admonishes the mindset that looks to wanton violence for entertainment or material gain. Vinland Saga never glorifies nor justifies the actions of its characters. They are products of their twisted society, yet their crimes are their own. Vinland Saga is a difficult watch at times, but it’s always compelling, often heartbreaking.”
12) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2
“I had a lot of fun with Witch from Mercury, and it has reignited my interest in building Gunpla. I suspect that’s the job done, as far as the producers are concerned.”
11) Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story Part 2
“…each (episode is an) insane 24-minute orgy of sapphic golf melodrama. This is golf with the anime influence dialed so far up past eleven that our main characters make exploding rainbows appear with their super-powered golf swings, the golf mafia returns with their hilarious literal underground mechanical roguelike golf course, and golf-induced fatal illness becomes a real thing.”
Top 10:
While my top 6 were pretty much locked-in, 7–10 were really hard to pick. On a different day, almost anything between 11–20 could have snuck in here.
10) Dark Gathering
“One of the most horrifying anime I’ve ever watched. Much like with Higurashi, part of the visceral disgust conjured by Dark Gathering comes from the uncomfortable juxtaposition of its cutesy character designs with the twisted body horror. Every episode seems to get successively more and more twisted, I’m almost scared to watch what happens next.”
9) Skip & Loafer
“With deep, relatable characterisation across the whole cast and an absolutely delightful female lead, Skip and Loafer was one of the highlights of my week. I desperately want to see more — I want naive, adorable country girl Mitsumi to succeed in her dreams, while remaining true to her ideals. I swear Mitsumi is now my spirit animal.”
8) I’m in Love With the Villainess
“I’m in love with I’m in Love with the Villainess! The dub continues to be fantastic, especially the voice actress playing main character Rae as an unhinged disaster lesbian. For once this is a yuri romance that isn’t just teasing and pandering — the central characters very clearly care for one another, and their relationship develops organically.”
7) The Dangers in My Heart
“…one of the most wholesome and compelling school romances I’ve ever seen. Main female character Anna Yamada is like a force of sugar-addicted nature, and her mix of innocence, confidence and inclusiveness is the perfect foil to introverted protagonist Kyotaro Ichikawa’s pathological self-deprecation and negativity. This show is like catnip to me.”
6) Oshi no Ko
“…this no-holds-barred adaptation of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari’s sensational manga did not disappoint. Akasaka excels at witty character interaction and clever plots, while Yokoyari’s character designs are at once both alluring and unsettling. Akasaka has constructed a meticulous story that relies on slightly bonkers plot logic, run through with both deep cynicism and real emotional depth.”
5) Scott Pilgrim Takes Off!
4) Migi & Dali
“With a beautifully satisfying ending that cements Migi & Dali as a magnificently-constructed narrative masterpiece, what I’m trying to say here is please give this amazing show a chance. Yes, it will deliberately make you cringe and feel uncomfortable, but the payoff is more than worth it. It’s the most perfect combination of horror and comedy I’ve ever seen, enhanced by an incredibly atmospheric soundtrack.”
3) 16Bit Sensation — Another Layer
“Protagonist Konoha is a delight — she’s perky, upbeat, energetic, and completely focused on doing what she loves — producing narrative video games featuring detailed art of beautiful ladies. That’s a dream I can get behind.”
“With a dramatic final story arc directly referencing Steins;Gate and featuring plot elements similar to Back to the Future Part II, I think I was genetically predisposed to completely adore this anime. Konoha certainly won my heart, and the whole story is marvellously compelling from start to finish. I’m so glad something so odd as this got made.”
2) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
“Frieren is an example of when everything comes together to make a production practically perfect. Studio Madhouse have outdone themselves with their incredible effort at bringing an already excellent manga to life. Every episode looks pristine, with stunningly smooth, detailed animation and wonderfully expressive character designs.”
“Every episode works on multiple levels, testament to clever and heartfelt writing. Although it’s a funny show, it’s shot through with a deep melancholy — though Frieren herself is essentially deathless, the story centres death and loss, as Frieren only very slowly comes to recognise the impact her friends’ relatively short lives have had on hers. A quiet yet spectacular triumph of an anime.”
1) Heavenly Delusion/Tengoku Daimakyo
“Dark and mysterious with deeply unsettling vibes leavened by goofy humour and relatable characters, Heavenly Delusion is a dead cert for a place in my top 5 anime of the year.”
“….if you’re willing to tolerate storytelling that plumbs the depths of human depravity in order to juxtapose it against positive values like self-sacrifice, love and loyalty, Heavenly Delusion is a very rewarding watch. Production IG have really pulled out all of the stops to make a masterful adaptation with stunningly high production values.”
Bonus mention:
This is a special mention for my 2022 #1 anime Summer Time Rendering which Disney/Hulu shadow-dropped onto international streaming with no publicity in January 2023. Please go watch it…
That brings us to the end of this exhaustive look back at 2023’s anime. Thanks very much for reading, and I hope you’ll join me again in 2024!
