The 8 New Anime of Fall 2023 You Should Be Watching
After a long and, frankly, unique year for anime, we’re finally here: the Fall 2023 season! The weather cools, the clothes get cozier, and we finally have a season this year with no delays! From a near-immortal elf to the eternal story of young love, the seminal Astro Boy and the familiarity of this season’s best isekai, Fall 2023 is a season of timelessness. Fitting, then, for a season where things seem to slow down, curl up, and come to conclusions. What follows are the eight shows that we think should be a part of that slowing down, the shows we think are worth watching, that stood out to us amongst the rest.
Here are some things to remember before you start reading:
1)We have omitted continuing shows and sequels. This list is only for new anime this season. Check out our Fall 2023 sequel guide for that information:
2) Only shows available for legal streaming are considered. Streaming services have complicated what this means, but limited-availability shows like Netflix originals are fair game for our list.
3) Each entry contains a “where to watch” section, but keep in mind that we base our listings on United States availability.
Now, grab your coziest blanket and settle in for our picks of the season!
16bit Sensation: Another Layer
Written by: Reikaze
Genre(s): Slice of Life, Comedy, Supernatural, Galge/Bishoujo Game
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-free Synopsis: Konoha Akisato absolutely adores bishoujo games. As a fan of the genre, she loves a ton of the games throughout its history; as an illustrator, she has a ton of passion for making the cutest girls possible; as a creator, she aspires to create a work that is truly incredible. Unfortunately, she’s stuck working as a sub illustrator making cheap porn games. After stumbling across a small mom-and-pop game shop and getting a bag of magical bishoujo games, she opens the classic game “Dokyusei” and finds herself transported back to 90’s Tokyo.
Why You Should Be Watching: 16bit Sensation: Another Layer is a celebration of the bishoujo game genre and 90’s Japanese computing. Even if you have no knowledge or interest in bishoujo games, 16bit Sensation is incredible. It acts as a period piece, going and exploring through different points in the history of the genre. It captures the vibes and essence of what it was like to be a fan at the time, as well as what it was like for someone in the industry. It’s made with so much love and care that it’s hard not to crack a smile when it’s explaining some interesting thing about how the games were made or seeing characters wax poetic about the things they love. If you have an interest in the genre, the show goes to another level, clearly made by people with intimate knowledge of bishoujo games. It’s filled with deep-cut references and jokes, and seeing people on social media explain all of them has become a highlight of my week.
For me, though, as much as I enjoy the interesting premise, the surprisingly compelling narrative, and likable supporting cast, the stars of the show are Konoha and Mamoru. Konoha’s infectiously bright personality and passion for the genre is hard not to enjoy: her random injections are so much fun, she’s extremely relatable, and she’s just plain fun to watch. Mamoru is a great foil to Konoha’s bubbliness — a serious and deadpan person who goes a little too far with his passion for low level computing. They are fantastic characters who shine all by themselves, and their banter with each other is a delight to watch.
While 16bit Sensation: Another Layer is a show with a narrow target audience, it consistently delights and in ways that outside of its niche can enjoy. This show brings a huge smile to my face when watching and is a sleeper contender as one of the best shows of the season.
Recommended by: Doctorkev, Reikaze, Tenshigami
The Apothecary Diaries
Written by: Doctorkev
Genres: Drama, Historical, Medical, Detective
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: In a fictional country similar to Ming Dynasty China, 17-year-old Maomao works as an assistant to her apothecary father; in particular, she provides medical services to the local brothels. When she’s kidnapped by bandits, she’s sold into servitude in the Imperial Palace where she becomes a serving girl for the Emperor’s concubines. Much to Maomao’s disgust, Jinshi, the Rear Palace’s dashing head eunuch, discovers her expertise in medicine and engages her to treat illnesses, taste food for poisons, and solve mysteries.
Why You Should Be Watching: For many Japanese light novel fans, The Apothecary Diaries is one of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season. Based on an ongoing series of novels that began in 2011, it’s probably best described as “What if House, M.D. were a cute (but still acerbic) apprentice apothecary who solves medical mysteries in medieval China?”
Main character Maomao is a delight. She’s smart and cautious, and in the cut-throat world of the Rear Palace she prefers to maintain a low profile. However, she can’t help herself from getting involved when it comes to problems she can solve with her expert knowledge of poisons and herbology. Acquiring a high-status position within the imperial household against her wishes, Maomao’s exasperated resignation makes her a fun protagonist to follow.
The mysteries Maomao uncovers are based on real historical and medical fact, especially regarding poisons, their metabolism, and treatments. As a medic myself, I enjoy guessing what the problem-of-the-week will be caused by. Much like with House M.D., it’s mainly episodic, but there are some elements of slowly building palace intrigue in the background. Jinshi, Maomao’s main foil, keeps many secrets, but his somewhat combative relationship with her is hilarious — he just can’t fathom why his usually irresistible charm fails to impress her. In fact whenever he’s near her, she recoils like a horrified cat (sometimes even with cat ears for added effect.)
Toho Animation and OLM share production duties, and aesthetically it’s a gorgeous show — especially the stunning opening sequence. The character designs are excellent, and the clothing and buildings period-accurate. Clearly, The Apothecary Diaries is a labour of love. So far, considering the high quality of the fascinating storytelling, that love deserves to be requited by discerning anime fans perhaps tired of the endless Content Hosepipe of bland identikit isekai sludge.
Recommended by: Doctorkev, Gugsy, Marquan, Nomadic Dec, Protonstorm, Reikaze, Requiem, Tenshigami
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Written by: Requiem
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Adventure, The Inexorable March of Time
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: Once upon a time, a hero and his party slew the Demon Lord and brought peace. Among these companions was the elven mage named Frieren. After finishing their decade-long journey, they all go their separate ways. Many years later (to everyone who isn’t an elf), they reunite, and Frieren begins reckoning with the consequences of her lifespan greatly exceeding theirs, leading to a new journey, new companions, and new understanding.
Why You Should Be Watching: Every season, we here at AniTAY endeavor to put together this project and bring to you the best suggestions possible. The fact is, sometimes, there are shows that barely make it. Then there are shows whose quality shines so bright the recommendation is unequivocal.
Frieren is one such show.
It came in with significant anticipation, as the manga is well beloved in AniTAY circles, and Madhouse has done the source material proud. Frieren is an outstandingly plotted, brilliantly written exemplar of how powerful anime can be as a storytelling medium. At times poignant, at others funny, and still others thrilling and action-packed, what Frieren always is is engaging.
Packed with themes about reckoning with the passage of time, the inevitability of mortality, and the nature and limitations of living memory, the series doesn’t forget to sometimes stop, take a breath, and enjoy the small silly moments that make up a lot of life. Frieren’s expansive lifespan means she sees time differently than most other characters, and reckoning with what that means for her relationships is the story’s central thesis. Watching as her friends in the hero’s party become old, then pass, then become legends that may or may not match the people they actually were is a fascinating process to watch.
Of course, all these themes and moments wouldn’t hit if they weren’t centered on good characters, and the characters on hand are top tier. Frieren herself is a bit of an enigma, her motivations sometimes difficult to parse, but her reckoning with how much her short time with her friends in the hero’s party has impacted her in ways far outlasting the extremely brief time — from her perspective, anyway — she actually traveled with them. Her apprentice/caretaker/foster niece, Fern, is another standout: her deadpan delivery and snappy one-liners drive most of the show’s best comedic moments, and her complicated relationship with Frieren forms the beating heart of the show’s dynamic. There’s also Stark, the competent-yet-dense warrior struggling with self doubt who’s repartee with Fern is year another of the show’s many highlights. We would be remiss not to mention Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen, Frieren’s old party who, despite by necessity appearing mostly in flashback, are just as interesting and rounded characters as those in the present.
Simply put, Frieren is, by any measure, as good as it gets. You would do yourself a great disservice if you were to miss it. So watch Frieren. Like, now. Why are you still here?
Recommended by: Alistair Hyde, DJNiipah, Doctorkev, Marquan, Nomadic Dec, Protonstorm, Reikaze, Requiem, Tenshigami, TheMamaLuigi
Migi&Dali
Written by: Doctorkev
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Comedy, Horror(?)
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: Orphaned 13-year-old identical twins Migi and Dali manipulate their way into the home of childless middle-aged married couple the Sonoyamas to investigate the presumed murder of their biological mother seven years previously. Posing as a single child — Hitori — the twins use many strange, peculiar tactics to hide their true identities and uncover the disturbing secrets of Origon Village’s seemingly perfect residents.
Why You Should Be Watching: Migi&Dali may be the closest anime ever gets to a David Lynch production. Much like with Twin Peaks or Blue Velvet, the close-knit Origon village houses a multitude of weirdos, all with secrets to hide. Written by the sadly recently-deceased author of Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, Migi&Dali is one of the strangest anime I’ve ever watched, and it’s incredible. Paced and scored like a horror movie, Migi&Dali’s absurd situations draw out tension like an over-tuned bowstring about to snap — yet, the events on screen are more likely to trigger uncomfortable laughs than terrified screams.
The titular twins hatch dastardly plans like nascent supervillains — yet they’re dumb kids without an ounce of emotional intelligence — they continually misread social cues and find themselves in ridiculous situations that only sheer luck or last-minute galaxy-brain thinking can extricate them from. Every episode they’re but one turn of the screw away from discovery, even as they gradually chip away at the mystery surrounding their dead mother and the village residents who may have murdered her.
It’s definitely not a show for everyone. My poor son sat to watch half an episode with me recently and ran squealing away to the calm sanctum of his bedroom rather than endure the disconcerting strangeness and cringe-inducing antics of the twisted characters. Maybe it is a horror in that regard, but I find the insane, offbeat humour hilarious.
Though they’re identical twins, their personalities are slightly different — Migi’s more of a dreamer, while Dali’s more of a schemer. Dali’s attempts to keep his brother’s wandering mind in check become just as disturbing as the creepy stunts they pull to keep their adoptive parents from discovering their dual identities. Episodes six and seven are particularly wild in this regard. If you think you might enjoy an anime that will make you exclaim “WTF am I even watching?” at least half a dozen times per episode while simultaneously giggling and experiencing palpitations, Migi&Dali is for you.
Recommended by: Alistair Hyde, Doctorkev, Marquan
Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me
Written by: Marquan
Genres: Romance, Comedy
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: An otaku asks out a trendy, popular girl — to his surprise, she says yes! What follows is a journey of self-discovery, maturity, and self-reflection. The end destination is Candyland, as this relationship will give you diabetes with its sweetness.
Why You Should Be Watching: Ah, there’s something special about witnessing the birth and growth of young love. I promise that’s not as creepy as it sounds. The setup of this show is one we’ve definitely seen before: a nerdy, introverted kid ends up befriending/dating the popular girl. What Our Dating Story does to set itself apart is how it actually focuses on developing its characters.
Our Dating Story deftly tackles self-worth, self-esteem, and peer pressure, topics that are mostly glossed over in other shows. The show does a great job showing how Runa, our heroine, learns her value as a person, not just a plaything for those around her. And while Ryuto is the one who does his best to show her this by being himself and working to make her feel special, her entire worth isn’t summed up by what she does or doesn’t do for Ryuto. Runa gets to see that romance isn’t dead, and that she is more: more than an avenue for young men’s pleasure , more than a way to pass the time until you’re bored, more than mere entertainment.
It’s so easy for shows to fall into the trap of just letting misunderstandings happen and drag on for multiple episodes. What keeps you engaged is how Our Dating Story chooses to focus on the characters as more than just one-note caricatures. Sure we get the typical “gyaru” girls who are flashy, loud, and sometimes abrasive, and the nerds are sometimes (a lot of the times) irritatingly cringe. But even with those caveats, you get great characters who actively change for the better, with all the all-or-nothing energy you usually get with high school romances. Plus, there are some off the wall things that can only happen in anime, and let’s be honest, that’s what we’re really here for.
Recommended by: Doctorkev, Gugsy, Marquan, Nomadic Dec, Reikaze, TheMamaLuigi
Pluto
Written by: TGRIP
Genre(s): Philosophical, Future Sci-fi Murder Mystery
Where to Watch: Netflix
Spoiler-free Synopsis: In the future, robots of every kind co-exist with humans. Some are so technologically advanced that just a small squad of them can end wars all on their own, while others are practically indistinguishable from normal people. One key difference: it should be impossible for robots to kill humans, which makes a string of recent murders so unsettling.Not only are key human robot-rights activists being killed, but so are some of the most powerful and prominent robots. One thing links all of these murders: the remains all have what look like a pair of horns erected on display. The robot detective Gesicht discovers that this calling card is possibly a reference to the god of death, “Pluto”. Dubbing the murder suspect this, Gesicht crosses the globe to uncover how and why these crimes are happening, and along the way meets up with the powerful robots who are now fearing for their lives, including the universally famous and beloved Atom, aka Astro Boy.
Why You Should be Watching: Because this is an excellent adaptation of a critically acclaimed manga, which itself is an incredible interpretation of the world and characters of Osamu Tezuka’s legendary Astro Boy series. Now, grounded and deep reinventions of classic characters aren’t unheard of, and while some of the themes aren’t new to Astro Boy , few do it quite as well as Pluto did back in the 2000s, nor did so while covering controversial real-world events. This series got a lot of attention back then for being a manga that was unambiguously critical of the Iraq War, and it must be said that this anime adaptation is still,admittedly depressingly, relevant considering another recent conflict in the Middle East. Few anime have source material that not only ages this well, but also feels so timely nearly two decades later.
Speaking of something out of the 2000s, Pluto’s format also feels like something of a throwback: this is basically an OVA series of eight episodes at roughly an hour long each. This does mean the pacing can be slow due to its focus on dialogue and a healthy amount of exposition over action. Pluto isn’t something that’s for everyone, especially people who nod off in class. But if you pay attention, you’re rewarded with a show that’s often interestingly philosophical, sublimely animated with a damn fine musical score and sound design, and has what’s probably the best English dub of the year with a cast full of veteran voice actors (and yes, Doctor Tenma is voiced by who you think it is). For a show that soars in pretty much every technical area possible while having relevant, important subject material and an inherent trust in its audience, it shouldn’t be surprising to say that Pluto is in the conversation for anime of the year.
Recommended by: Alistair Hyde, Doctorkev, Nomadic Dec, TGRIP,
Shangri-La Frontier
Written by: Alistair Hyde
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: Rakuro Hizutome passes his free time hunting for trash video games to beat, although they are full of glitches that increase their difficulty. After finishing the latest hidden gem he was playing, he buys “Shangri-La Frontier” at the suggestion of the owner of his favourite game store: a full-dive VR game with 30 million registered players that might be considered an instant classic favored by RPG enthusiasts, unlike his usual selections.
Why You Should Be Watching: Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Sword Art Online kept the quality from the first season? Look no further: Shangri-La Frontier is the closest incarnation of that in recent times because it is funny and not a constant live-or-die situation. As a gamer and an RPG enthusiast currently playing Super Mario RPG, I found the blend of humor lovely considering how often obnoxious characters and glitches make things difficult and bizarre.
I instantly felt empathy with Rakuro Hizutome because I have also experienced how hard it is to distinguish between trashy and high-quality games. In addition, because he has embraced the nature of trash games like someone who gives their all when presented with a challenge, I’m reminded of how AniTAY embraces mediocre anime to assess its merits.
The absence of plot armor makes things more interesting; the point becomes the joy of the experience of virtual reality. For any kind of gamer or curious anime fan, the idea of exploring uncharted territory where someone can move freely and forge their own path of adventure is an ideal scenario. These two aspects combined force the main cast to develop their traits to get what they want because, individually, they are not the driving force of the story. Besides, by developing the story through the experience of virtual reality rather than the main character, the content of the plot depends on the quality of the setting alongside how the cast interacts within that setting.
The CGI visual effects feel appropriate due to the studio’s proficiency and restraint: the character models look amazing and the production deserves applause for the effort and quality control. The opening is a great catchy tune, and the rest of the OST is pleasant. This is the type of anime where you need to let yourself go and enjoy the ride.
Recommended by: Alistair Hyde, Marquan, Requiem, Tenshigami
SHY
Written by: DJNiipah
Genre(s): Action, Drama, Super Powers
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Spoiler-Free Synopsis: Global war has been quelled due to countries having superheroes represent and protect them. Japan’s representative, teenager Teru “Shy” Momijiyama, struggles to understand both herself and how her abilities manifest. After an accident on the job, Shy feels rattled and unsure as to why her abilities are not working. When threats emerge, however, Shy must learn what it means to be a hero through conflicts and lessons from new allies alike.
Why You Should Be Watching: The elephant in the room should probably be addressed first and foremost: yes, this is another superhero/superpower show. There is not likely anything new here that will win anyone over; that being said, however, SHY still handles itself far better than its predecessors. The show does not meander on the tired cliche of “wanting to be a hero” and, rather, focuses on the questions of “why are you a hero” and “what being a hero means to you”. When we are introduced to Shy, she is already established as a hero. It certainly is far from a new concept, but it is a welcome introspection into characters in a time when it feels like shows are more fixated on characters becoming “worthy.”
It would not be a superpower show without action, and SHY has had some fun sequences so far. To this point, there have been fights in space, in the Arctic, and even a burning building. The first episode has an exciting, albeit stressful, sequence involving a roller coaster accident. Another key positive worth mentioning is the endearing heroes and rather grounded scenarios guiding them. Nothing feels overly dramatic — just harrowing enough to justify what motivates the characters. If you’re looking for a refreshing take on a genre that could use one, give SHY a go!
Recommended by: Alistair Hyde, DJNiipah, Marquan, Requiem
Our seasonal recommendations articles are the results of weeks of collaboration and discussion by many members of the AniTAY community. Some wrote part of the article, and many took part in the voting and discussion to bring this list to life.
- Alistair Hyde
- Dark Aether
- Doctorkev
- [Jamie] Villainess World Online
- Marquan
- Protonstorm
- Rasoja
- Reikaze
- Requiem
- Snugsy
- TGRIP
First time experiencing our seasonal recommendation list? Check out last season’s here!
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