They're the anime that blew us away this year! Join Ashley as we count down the greatest anime to come out across 2023,
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best anime that aired
00:08 over the last year, including new shows as well as sequel seasons.
00:21 While the build-up and battle against a literal caveman like Pickle was the kind of crazy
00:26 that Baki fans live for, what really sold us on this closing chapter was the long-awaited
00:37 duel between father and son.
00:42 Yes, Baki vs. Eugero finally happened, and it was just as wild as one could hope.
00:52 Visual art mastery that defies the laws of physics, Eugero's personal brand of parenting,
00:57 and a conclusion that was as bizarre as it was fitting, as one of the series' longest-standing
01:02 feuds was finally put to an end.
01:16 One of the greatest isekai in modern memory makes a grand return.
01:27 While there's still plenty of magic, monsters to fight, and an absurd amount of fantasy
01:31 hanky-panky, the focus this time around is much more on Rudeus' continuing growth as
01:37 a person and the emotional struggles that still cling to him from his old life.
01:48 Some so potent, they even become physical ailments.
01:51 It's flashy yet surprisingly raw, outlandish yet all too real at times, tackling uncomfortable
01:58 situations, yet handling in such a way that you can't help but become invested as Rudeus
02:04 overcomes his personal struggles, no matter how ugly or painful.
02:16 The battle with the Quincy continues, and while this second outing of Bleach's final
02:21 arc didn't have the nostalgia factor of last year's reintroduction to Ichigo and
02:26 company, it did spoil us with a crazy set of battles that gave us all the shounen goodness
02:31 we could've wanted.
02:37 Squad Zero truly got to shine, as they took on Yhwach's elite forces with some anime
02:43 original bouts.
02:50 Plus, we got to see several of our favourite characters level up, including the likes of
03:03 Kenpachi.
03:05 Not every day you see a man gleefully slice a meteor in half.
03:13 Did it reach the heights of the Mugen Train or Entertainment District arcs?
03:25 Not quite.
03:26 Did it deliver all manner of Ufotable goodness?
03:29 You bet it did.
03:34 Whilst on a mission to repair his blade, Tanjiro and Nezuko are set upon by Muzan's forces,
03:40 forcing both of them and two members of the Hashira to fight back.
03:45 As you'd expect, the battles are blinding, especially with Muchiro and Mitsuri having
03:50 their chance to dazzle.
03:59 All the while, we got to see some of the most touching and heartbreaking interactions between
04:03 the Kamuro siblings, showing that despite her demonic guise, Nezuko would truly do anything
04:09 for her brother, even if it means giving him the occasional kick in the right direction.
04:22 Ever wondered what happens after an adventuring party bests the Demon King?
04:26 Short answer, they get on with their lives.
04:28 Of course, things are a tad trickier for the elven mage, Freiren, as her ability to live
04:34 for hundreds upon hundreds of years ensures that those she cherishes slowly succumb to
04:39 time's march.
04:44 While there's plenty of fantasy beats and even a few magic-laced fights to be found
04:48 here, the true beauty of this gorgeously animated slow burn of a series is how it focuses on
04:59 the moments outside the battles, and how companionship and memories are just as potent as any quest.
05:08 A genuine phenomenon as far as a debut is concerned, this series somehow managed to
05:23 balance satirical humour, biting social commentary, isekai elements and a murder mystery, all
05:30 within the framework of an idol anime.
05:37 And it's all spectacularly handled.
05:40 After being reincarnated as the child of his favourite idol, the cynical and vengeful Aqua
05:45 sets out to find out the truth regarding his new mother's untimely fate, all the while
05:51 discovering how every aspect of the entertainment industry is more cutthroat and devious than
05:56 the last.
06:02 The fact it accomplishes all this, while also adding great humour, character development
06:07 and even a shipping war, is just a marvel.
06:19 If you haven't already, you should absolutely go out of your way to watch this beautiful
06:23 adaptation of one of Urasawa's best works.
06:34 As a gritty reimagining of Astro Boy, the series focuses on various murders involving
06:39 both humans and robots.
06:46 The anime isn't only a wicked smart and engaging thriller, but also raises questions
06:51 in regards to what qualifies as a life and how it coincides and contrasts with the law
06:57 of robotics.
06:58 You cannot go wrong with Tezuka and Urasawa, especially with a story this good and animated
07:05 this well.
07:10 Well, at least we know why the Shibuya incident is so revered.
07:23 Escalating the action, intensity and consequences of its already lauded first season, the second
07:29 outing already won us over by giving the greater context to the history between fan-favourite
07:35 powerhouse Gojo and best friend-turned-nemesis Getto.
07:48 Then Shibuya happens and stuff gets way too real.
07:52 With epic fights interspersed with constant revelations, this season just keeps on delivering
07:58 curse-filled haymakers, to the extent we have no idea how Itadori and the others are going
08:03 to claw back victory when so much has gone so wrong.
08:17 The detractors may claim that this sequel lost what made the original spectacular, and
08:22 to that we say, were you watching the right anime?
08:25 Because the far mark will undoubtedly go down as one of the all-time greats.
08:37 Torfinn's transition from bloodthirsty Viking dead-set on revenge, all the way to a pacifist
08:46 haunted by his sins - and determined to make amends - is handled with both believability
08:52 and painstaking precision.
09:02 Its God-tier characterisation, along with some truly soul-shattering moments, cemented
09:07 Vinland as something special.
09:15 Before we reveal our number one pick, be sure to check out these honourable mentions that
09:19 are still more than worthy of your time.
09:21 ZOM-100, Bucket List of the Dead
09:30 Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5
09:40 Mashall, Magic and Muscles
09:49 Heavenly Delusion
09:55 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You
10:23 Attack on Titan Final Season - The Final Chapters
10:27 All good things must come to an end, and that includes the decade-long battle between humanity,
10:33 the Titans, and all things dark and magnificent in between.
10:44 With the rumbling ravaging the planet, it falls to Armin and the remnants of the Survey
10:48 Corps to stop Eren before he exterminates all life out of duty to protect his island
10:54 home.
11:06 The action, as you might have guessed, is monumental, and while the ending will always
11:10 have its critics, the anime adjustments made it a suitably macabre affair that closed the
11:16 book on one of the medium's most harrowing yet beautiful stories that many will go to
11:21 their graves claiming is the greatest of all time.
11:25 And we can't fault them.
11:36 Which anime do you consider the GOAT of this year?
11:40 Let us know in those comments below.
12:01 [music]