Fall 2023 is officially over and as we prepare for the new year, it seems fitting to take a look at the best anime of the season behind us. This time around the anime season was dominated by action titles, but that doesn’t mean that slice-of-life and rom-coms were neglected – on the contrary, one of them stood out more than anything else. The Anime Corner News team got together once again to pick our favorite titles of the season.

Keep in mind that this list was chosen by some of the Anime Corner News writers and other members of the community and that it in no way represents hard facts – it is simply our own opinions written down for fun. There is no ranking (of the anime or the writers) and the titles below are not in a particular order. So without any further ado, let’s see what the ACN team enjoyed the most this season!

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Ken

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End stands as one the most enchanting tales of the fantasy genre, skillfully weaving a narrative enriched with deep sentiments, intricate subtleties, and meaningful parallels between the past and future. The series is consistent in blending elements of drama and humor and embracing the nuanced aspects of the journey. The animation, music, and voice acting all converge to craft an immersive world, making you feel that you’re part of the party. Above all, Frieren delivers a powerful message about the nature of time. This overarching theme, coupled with the show’s remarkable qualities and the staff’s passion for this title as they go beyond for this adaptation, solidifies my pick for the best anime of the Fall 2023 season.

Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2 – Tamara

The most-anticipated finale of (probably) my life did not disappoint – Attack on Titan is finally over. We finally got to see the conclusion of Eren’s story, which collectively left us in shambles for weeks after. To those who say that the ending wasn’t fitting: you are wrong. One thing I need to highlight is how amazing the music for this anime was. Bringing Linked Horizon back was a glorious move and I have to wonder how far in advance people who worked on these knew the true ending. All in all, a true masterpiece of our generation on so many levels. It will be a while until something else manages to surpass it.

My New Boss Is Goofy – Bea

As someone who loves watching Jujutsu Kaisen, I had to stop myself from choosing the same title once again. But as someone who also loves watching slice-of-life anime, I can say that I enjoyed watching My New Boss Is Goofy A LOT. I had to admit – when I was choosing what anime I would focus on this season, the first time I saw the title and the key visual (with its cozy feel and light colors) of My New Boss Is Goofy, I knew I wanted to write articles about it. It seemed like the type to make my day instantly brighter just by watching it, and so I did, and I grew to love it. It talks about moving forward and healing from your past traumas in a very goofy way and it also includes an adorable cute cat named Hakuto! Of course, not to forget, but I also really love all the characters especially our goofy boss Shirosaki. My New Boss Is Goofy is an anime that doesn’t fail to make me laugh (and even to give me all the feels? haha) Now, I recommend it to my sisters who also love watching anime, and when I saw that people were enjoying it too, I can’t help but also be happy for the anime’s success. Hope we get more seasons of goofiness!

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You – Dali

In a season stacked with bangers, picking a single anime to call the anime of the season is an arduous task. Some would argue that the impeccable storytelling and crisp animations of Frieren push it above the competition, while others would suggest that the lovable characters of The Apothecary Diaries and its beautiful designs make it deserving of the top spot. But these would miss the pure chaos, unapologetic goofiness, and unadulterated comedy of the 100 Girlfriends anime.

When Rentarou meets his soulmate, he decides to do whatever he can to make her happy. And then he does that again, and again and again, for these feelings do not care about your logic and facts. In fact, before trying to watch this show, you should simply disconnect your brain since any common sense is only an obstacle to enjoying this masterpiece. However, it is important to note that 100 Girlfriends is not simply a series of cheap jokes in a weird setting. Each of the girl’s characters has color and depth, with new characters getting introduced not simply replacing older characters, and each of them still being relevant as the show goes on. In addition to that, the show still retains the ability to shift tones and will occasionally hit an emotional high. In the harem food chain, Rentarou and his 100 girlfriends stand at the top, and I would recommend you do not miss this show. And this is why it is my Fall 2023 pick for the best anime.

Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2 – Wednesday

It’s crazy how we have been on the final season of Attack on Titan since 2020, but it only finally concluded this year. While I didn’t have any issues with the “controversial” ending in the first place, I certainly appreciated the minor yet somewhat significant change in Armin and Eren’s conversation. Anyway, to the boy who sought freedom, goodbye.

The Apothecary Diaries – Chike

Although it was a close match between Ragna Crimson and The Apothecary Diaries, the latter edges it for Anime of the Season due to its consistency. Years into my anime-watching career, there are always shows that make me want to expand my view, and it seems The Apothecary Diaries will be the show that finally makes me try. Maomao’s fun and wit are a joy to watch, especially when it can turn into something cold at a moment’s notice. Her dynamic with Jinshi is as much a joy to the viewer as it is to him. Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s unskippable opening song “Hana ni Natte” takes the viewer into a vibrant and dynamic world where everything feels alive, and the court politics that play out on the day-to-day are well balanced by the intrigue of an overarching plot. The Apothecary Diaries promises to be good for a long time. For me, that’s the most important thing I look for in an anime. “Hana ni natteeeeeeee!”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Marcel

This season brought some awesome anime, yet my choice is kind of obvious. Frieren: Beyond Journey‘s End definitely lives up to its hype. The post-demon lord adventure following Frieren, Fern, and their companions takes us to a medieval European-influenced world full of magic, mysteries, and monsters. An entertaining and melancholic masterpiece.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 – Eric

No other anime this season received more 10/10s from me than Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. The only one I’d say that came close would be Pluto. Even then, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 was a giant leap forward from the first season in many aspects. While the controversy around working conditions sometimes overshadowed the actual work itself, the effort put forth in this season is undeniably incredible. Everyone who worked on the anime deserves all the praise in the world for giving us creative storyboards, mesmerizing color scripts and color design, jaw-dropping sound design, and, of course, captivating animation.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Brett

People have been telling me to read Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End for years, but the series sounded too ‘high concept’ for my simple shonen/ecchi brain to actively seek out. Lo and behold, the anime adaptation has come and sunk its hooks into me, and I’ve cheered, cried, and cried some more alongside the characters. The animation from studio Madhouse is nearly flawless, and every background is a painting in its own right; Evan Call’s music is at turns haunting, celebratory, or else an accompaniment without which the anime would feel utterly incomplete. I wanted The Apothecary Diaries to come closer in this battle for the season, but every week, it’s the second journey of Frieren that has me reaching for the remote first—a triumph of an anime that stands among giants.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 – Carla

As much as I wanted Spy x Family to be my anime of the Fall 2023 season (especially with all the heartwarming, cute, and funny shenanigans that Season 2 had), I think I have to give my top spot to Jujutsu Kaisen because, to me, the Shibuya Incident arc was just hands down, phenomenal. Week after week, it constantly delivered crazy moments that made the plot so interesting and suspenseful. It was brutal and depressing, but I also genuinely love how well the anime artistically adapted the scenes and emotions of the characters. Everything about the composition was so well done. Everyone was also super cool, including the villains (although Mahito was just plain annoying). This season was filled with insane battle scenes that were so overwhelmingly powerful and satisfying, not to mention visually pleasing. I especially liked the sketchy drawings and smooth movements too. The opening theme was also such a vibe, getting more and more bleak as we got deeper into the season. I can’t find the exact words to describe how this masterfully crafted series shook me up, but I think Eric’s weekly reviews were great at breaking down the events of this season so I have him to thank for processing all of those. All in all, JJK’s Shibuya arc has been an exhilarating roller coaster ride from start to finish, and despite all the feels I’ve gotten from it, it’s still my favorite watch of Fall 2023.

The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons – Andrea

I spent the Fall 2023 season watching 14 anime series, and The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons was my favorite among them. I initially expected this anime to be a wholesome portrayal of four brothers sharing a strong bond, but in reality, it made me cry almost every episode. The show delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, highlighting the challenges of living together with different personalities and struggling with individual issues. Despite being blood-related, communication becomes difficult. The portrayal of the brothers’ relationships resonates strongly with viewers, illustrating the challenges of understanding one another even when bound by brotherhood. The anime provides various perspectives on each sibling, showcasing their thoughts and how they perceive their family members. It’s a poignant exploration of family dynamics and the hardships that come with it. The animation quality is impressive, especially in scenes featuring a physical fight. Unlike many other anime series with fist-fighting scenes, the animation in this show stands out for a show that isn’t center-fighting. I won’t spoil anything, but the execution of the physical fights is well done, adding to the overall appeal of the series.

Frieren: Beyond the Journey’s End – Karla

Frieren: Beyond the Journey’s End’s first episode was enough to make me think of this series as the best of the Fall 2023 season. The anime emanated a relaxing and chill vibe, drawing me deeper into Frieren’s journey to understand humans. Her interactions with Fern, Stark, and, albeit brief, Sein, allowed her to revisit memories of Himmel and view them from a different perspective. I enjoyed the relationship between Frieren’s party members especially when Frieren demonstrated her adventuring expertise, Fern’s caregiving role, Stark’s small sacrifices for safety checks, and Sein’s silly older brother antics. Tears welled up each time she reminisced about Himmel — especially when it comes to that particular ring!

Moreover, what captivates me about this anime is the vivid portrayal of daily life, which I can compare to the Traveler in Genshin Impact, as Frieren’s party undertakes various commissions to sustain their livelihood.

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And that’s it from the ACN team for the Fall 2023 anime season! We hope you’ll appreciate our picks! What was your favorite?