Springtime is here, and along with it a new season of anime! There are a bunch of great returning shows like Demon Slayer, Dr. STONE, and Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, but I wanted to point out some of the spring 2023 anime I’ve watched and enjoyed so far. For some reason this season is very Isekai heavy and I didn’t even list them all. If you aren’t a fan of Isekai you may find yourself overwhelmed this season but there’s still some great standouts that aren’t.
Tengoku Daimakyou (Heavenly Delusion)
https://youtu.be/BBCmz6zzHJA
The year is 2024, and monsters have left the world a post apocalyptic landscape. Survivors’ lives are difficult and filled with numerous hardships, all except one group that is safe in a hidden paradise that has somehow remained safe despite the world’s condition. The two main protagonists of the story are Kiruko and Maru, who are making an arduous journey across Japan in an attempt to find a place called Heaven.
For me, this is THE big anime this season, and I absolutely love the 4 episodes I’ve seen. It’s intriguing, heartwarming, and tense. I think it’ll be one of those shows that is so well done that it’ll even appeal to those not into anime, likely why Hulu and Disney picked it up for streaming.
Hell’s Paradise
Gabimaru is an elite shinobi assassin that has been captured and sentenced to death. Unfortunately, they just can’t seem to kill him. Despite trying numerous methods, Gabimaru just wont die. When faced with a talented executioner from an elite clan that can kill him, Gabimaru is offered a deal; go to a mysterious island that’s been found and may hide the Elixir for the Shogun and be rewarded with a pardon. Many have tried to go to the island and all have died in grotesquely unnatural ways.
Gabimaru wasn’t the only criminal offered this deal; a number of other dangerous criminals were also offered it. So not only must Gabimaru contend with a dangerous island filled with deadly inhabitants, he must also battle with criminals to get the Elixir.
Hell’s Paradise is made by Mappa, a studio I consider one of anime’s elites and is responsible for the astounding anime Vinland Saga. Hell’s Paradise is a bit like Demon Slayer but significantly darker, no humor and less emotional. It also feels like an homage to themes of 90’s anime a bit. It’s an excellent show that I think will be very popular. I highly recommend watching it if you don’t mind bloody violence.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mash Burnedead lives in a world where everyone has magic – except him. He and his grandfather live far away from society to hide his lack of magic. In this world those without magic are killed off. Fortunately, Mash has trained for years to become comically overpowered, and after he makes a mistake all for his love of creampuffs, his secret is revealed and an elite agent is sent after him. Mash wipes the floor with him, and the agent makes a deal with him to protect his grandfather by going to a magical academy and become it’s best student despite having no magic powers.
This show is basically One Punch Man goes to Hogwarts and makes fools of everyone. If that sounds enjoyable to you, then you’ll love it. So far, it’s one of my favorite anime this season.
Kamikatsu: Working For God In A Godless World.
Yukito is a teenager who’s father leads a strange religion and decides to do a ritual where he throws his son off a waterfall while tied inside a barrel. Unsurprisingly, Yukito dies, but he’s sent to another world without the concept of religion or magic whatsoever. He finds out that his dying wish to be away from all religion was fulfilled by the goddess his father worshipped. Unfortunately Yukito is not special in any way except basic knowledge from his previous world. He’s taken in by a weird village that treats him well but finds out they’re in danger. Without spoilers, Yukito must start religion in this new world to protect his village and give the powers of followers to an incompetent god.
Kamikatsu stands out a bit from the other Isekai this season with a very frustrated, sarcastic and angsty protagonist and the lack of being overpowered. It’s a good comedic Isekai that you’ll likely want to save for when you’re waiting for episodes of the more stand out anime this season.
I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World And Became Unrivaled In The Real World Too
Yuuya has spent his life bullied or neglected by everyone except his loving grandfather. Upon his grandfather’s death, he bequeaths everything to Yuuya, much to the dismay of his already miserable and abusive family. Despite all this Yuuya is kind and good-hearted and risks his safety rescuing a girl from a gang of ruffians.
Later on within his grandfather’s house Yuuya finds a door to another world and another house. Using weapons found in the house, Yuuya defends himself from monsters and gains powers that make him stronger, faster and even turn him from overweight to gorgeous, ripped, and overpowered. Best of all, Yuuya is able to travel back and forth between worlds and his life is completely changed. Rather than being an outcast he’s now fawned over by everyone and as a reward is invited to an elite school by the girl he rescued, whose father happens to be in charge of it.
This show has had a really unique and strong start that pulled on my heartstrings, but 3 episodes in is getting a slightly generic in the overpowered hero category but still shows promise. If you dealt with bullies as a kid, this show might be a bit of satisfying fantasy fulfillment.
Magical Destroyers
Otaku Hero and three magical girls must save Japan from an organization that has taken over Japan and banned Otaku culture everywhere except for Akihabara. The 4 heroes and their army of otakus defend Akihabara from incursions and strive to save Japan’s culture.
Magical Destroyers feels a bit inspired by anime like Kill La Kill and Panty & Stocking but toned down a decent amount. There’s still crude sexual humor, ridiculous characters with ridiculous motives but it’s an amusing title that’ll make you laugh and entertain you with over the top fights and unique characters.
The Aristocrats Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far
Shiina Kazuya is killed outside a convenience store trying to protect two girls from a knife wielding criminal and reincarnated as Cain Von Silford, a member of an aristocratic family. Due to Shiina’s bravery he’s reincarnated by gods that bless him with overwhelming powers.
Basically your typical reincarnated in another world overpowered Isekai. It’s fun escapism that will hit the spot for anyone that wants a turn off your brain and cheer for a ridiculously powerful hero. It has decent humor and pacing despite being pretty predictable.
X&Y
A Chinese horror-thriller about a guy named Yan and his coworker that visit a mysterious escape room with a sketchy reputation. The escape room is run by a beguiling woman named Xu that’s known for being beautiful and haunting. After Yan leaves the escape room it has somehow infected his real life, and Yan faces a frightening future full of mystery.
X&Y is a deeply atmospheric and dark show that will have you on the edge of your seat. Without giving too much away, it reminded me a little bit of The Ring mixed with Saw.
The Legendary Hero Is Dead!
After Touka accidentally kills the legendary hero Sion in a ridiculous way, a necromancer transfers his soul into the dead hero’s body and he’s tasked with saving the world stuck in a decomposing body. Unfortunately, the world is filled with Monsters, magic, and demons, and Touka is just a sleazy farmer that wants to live a quiet life with his strange proclivities.
The Legendary Hero Is Dead! is a really silly show that I find funny in single episodes but not something I’d binge. It’s the perfect kind of show to wind down after watching a dark thriller like X&Y to lighten your mood and get the tension out of your system.
Dead Mount Death Play
Dead Mount Death Play is a really hard show to describe without spoiling it, so I’m going to be really limited in my description.
Polka is a magic user that’s reverse Isekai’d from a world filled with magic and knights to our world. He finds a way to use magic in our world and befriends an eclectic group of people including a hacker/ information broker, an assassin, and the leader of a criminal organization. Polka’s greatest desire is a world full of peace where everyone can be happy.
Another standout show from this season, it consistently subverts expectations, entertains with action, intrigue, and humor. It’s a bit like The Devil Is A Part Timer, but darker. There was also elements that felt like light homages to shows like Berserk, but twists that make it feel fresh and unique.
Last Thoughts
It’s definitely an Isekai-heavy season but there are some really cool new shows for the spring 2023 anime season. Standout shows like Mashle, Tengoku Daimakyou, and Hell’s Paradise will easily satisfy those not into Isekai. For those that like Isekai, this season will be heaven, as all the Isekai I’ve watched are at minimum solid and enjoyable, even the predictable ones. There’s so much cool content to look forward too each week this season.
All of these shows are available on Crunchyroll except for Tengoku Daimakyou (Heavenly Delusion), which has a complicated release and is on several different platforms depending on where you live. In Canada and other countries it’s available on Disney+. In the states, it’s available on Hulu.
