The Spring 2023 anime season is almost at an end. Unlike the fantasy-laden Winter 2023 or the battle shonen-heavy Fall 2022, Spring 2023 casts a wider net when it comes to genres and demographics. There should be a show for just about everyone, and that includes sequels, spin-offs, and new properties.

RELATED: Spring 2023 Anime Lineup: Where To Watch Every Series

As is tradition, more than 40 anime have been featured during the season. Tempting as it can be to try and keep up with everything the season has to offer, the sheer volume of content makes that an exhausting task. Consequently, if someone is not sure where to begin, they can just start with some of the best Spring 2023 anime and then go from there.

The ranking is updated on a weekly basis, with the current cutoff date for episodes being June 30, 2023. Only anime that started airing in Spring 2023 will be considered, which eliminates shows like One Piece and Vinland Saga 2.

20 Yuri Is My Job! (-1)

Every season has a few shows that take a while to find their footing, and Spring 2023 arguably has more slow-starters than usual.

Yuri is My Job! is the season's poster child of "It gets good, eventually!" The anime follows Hime, a habitual liar who pretends to be perfect and innocent. One day, she is essentially blackmailed into working at a themed café where the female employees pretend to be students at an academy. Obviously, they play up their yuri dynamic. Almost immediately, Hime gets on the wrong side of Yano, her senpai, which is only one of the show's many complicated relationships.

A full-blown drama, Yuri is My Job!'s characters are deeply flawed in a way that is not designed to be cute or to justify their behavior. Consequently, they can be rather detestable, particularly during the first few episodes before the anime dives into their backstories. The show does an admirable job of realistically showcasing adolescent insecurity and emotional turmoil.

19 KamiKatsu: Working For God In A Godless World (-1)

Out of all the Spring 2023 anime, none have been as surprisingly good as KamiKatsu. Born into a cult, Yukito is drowned by his father who states their deity, Mitama, will rescue his son. The goddess opts against making the save, and in his dying breath, Yukito wishes to be reborn in a world with no concept of religion. Naturally, this is exactly what happens, although he quickly realizes that such a society comes with its own issues. Long story short, Yukito prays to Mitama, who shows up and turns this world on its head.

KamiKatsu unapologetically embraces chaos and stupidity with every fiber of its being. The characters, including Yukito, are more than willing to manipulate others in pursuit of their own goals, and even the all-powerful Mitama is regularly reduced to a punchline. Although not fully apparent in its opening episode, this anime is a dark comedy packed to the brim with irreverent humor. Not every joke lands, but the ones that do are laugh-out-loud funny. Studio Palette also makes clever use of KamiKatsu's presumably limited budget to create visual gags, and they regularly hit the mark.

18 The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: U149 (-1)

Spring 2023 has a number of shows revolving around the performing arts or the entertainment industry, and they are all wildly different from each other. The latest entry in a long-running multimedia franchise, The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: U149 is conventional by most metrics, and it revolves around a group of children as they take their first steps toward becoming idols. Popular as the genre is with its audience, most idol anime tend to be ignored by the uninitiated, and that is likely to extend to Cinderella Girls.

RELATED: The Greatest Idol Anime Of All Time

All that being said, this idol anime is one of the genre's more accessible releases in a while, and someone does not need to be familiar with the previous Cinderella Girls projects to enjoy U149. Tonally, the show is lighthearted and wholesome, almost to the point that it slips into slice of life territory at times. However, U149 is relatively grounded and has done a good job of exploring its characters.

17 My Love Story With Yamada-kun At Lv999 (+3)

In a season overflowing with non-sequel romance anime, My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 became one of the most popular, and the show's success is easy to understand. Akane and Yamada are both likable and well-written leads who complement each other, and they are supported by a few endearing characters like Eita and Takezou. Despite leaving a terrible first impression and being the instigator behind the anime's worst episode, even Runa develops a nice rapport with Akane once they become friends.

Madhouse's animation is unsurprisingly pleasant; in fact, that adjective can be used to describe most of My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. The anime is simply pleasant. The characters are harmlessly funny, while the main potential romance culminates in a satisfying finale that hits most of the right notes. Ultimately, My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 gets very little wrong, but the story's predictable nature means it might not have the staying power of some other Spring 2023 romance anime.

16 Stella Of The Theater: World Dai Star (+/- 0)

World Dai Star has flown by largely unnoticed so far, which is to be expected since the anime is not based on a popular source and tackles a niche topic (theater acting). Kokona Ootori dreams of joining Sirius, a famous troupe known for producing World Dai Stars. Although her audition goes well in the grand scheme of things, she seems to lack something known as "Sense," which is essentially a manifestation of a unique talent. She also does not get along with her roommate/co-star/rival, an ambitious performer named Kathrina.

Although the story has a magical component that might become more pronounced as the season continues, World Dai Star takes its subject extremely seriously, and that goes beyond just its passionate (and sometimes unlikable) characters. Whenever focusing on an "acting" sequence, the show knocks it out of the park, delivering some of the most expressive facial animation of the Spring 2023 anime season.

15 Mashle: Magic And Muscles (+/- 0)

Spring loves a good laugh as the season is packed with comedy shows. Although still too early to definitely say, Mashle has the potential to blossom into one of 2023's funniest series, especially if the anime manages to maintain the quality of its third episode. In a world ruled by magic, the powerless are sentenced to death. Under the guidance of his guardian, the wandless Mash leads a quiet life in the wilderness, where he spends his days eating pastries and lifting weights. However, when this peace is threatened, Mash enrolls in a magic school in order to acquire its most coveted accolade, which would make him untouchable.

RELATED: Best Comedy Shonen Anime Like Mashle

Mashle parodies Harry Potter and shonen anime by following a protagonist made up of 70% brawn, 20% cream puffs, and 10% brain. Mash's antics are hilariously over-the-top, and they are heightened by the fact they are performed by a stoic and fairly honest person. The anime's supporting characters are nothing that special so far, but they work well as foils for Mash.

14 The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion (+/- 0)

Spring 2023 improves upon Winter's lineup in nearly every area, but isekai seems to be an exception. That said, the season is not completely lacking in world-swapping goodness. Dead Mount Death Play is shaping up to be an enjoyable reverse isekai, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! is serviceable fluff, and KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World is stupid but entertaining trash.

So far, Spring 2023's best isekai anime has been The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion, which is based on a manhwa. The story follows a woman who is murdered and awakens as a character in a novel. The interesting twist is that Raeliana is not the heroine nor the villainess, but rather a plot-device character destined to be killed off as the story's inciting incident. As she is familiar with the book, Raeliana sets out to change her fate by striking a deal with Noah Wynknight, a charming but cunning Duke who is not to be trifled with.

13 KonoSuba: An Explosion On This Wonderful World! (+/- 0)

A spin-off based on a popular property is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can tap into a pre-existing fanbase that is already acquainted and enamored with the overall universe and some of the characters; conversely, this familiarity breeds expectations that a fresh story would not need to contend with. An Explosion On This Wonderful World! is a KonoSuba prequel revolving around Megumin, arguably the most popular girl of the isekai series. KonoSuba is generally rated as one of the funniest isekai anime on the market, a reputation the spin-off has struggled to live up to.

RELATED: KonoSuba: Strongest Wizards, Ranked

That's not to say An Explosion On This Wonderful World! is bad or lacking in funny moments, just that it generally settles for amusement rather than outright hilarity. As likable as ever, Megumin works reasonably well as a protagonist, with her drive to master Explosion magic producing most of the season's peak scenes. Megumin shares the spotlight with Yunyun, who plays the straight-man role to pretty much all the other characters in the anime. Although not terrible, she is the show's weakest link since she just is not all that interesting as a comedic foil.

12 Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You Season 2 (-1)

For better or worse, Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You Season 2 is the definition of "more of the same." Despite focusing exclusively on a couple, the anime's pacing, tone, and structure are closer to that of a slice of life than a typical romance story. Each episode simply follows Nasa and Tsukasa as they lead their everyday lives as a newly married couple who were basically strangers before they tied the knot.

In the grand scheme of things, they have undergone very little significant progress and seem to mainly repeat the same beats ad nauseam. However, they are still experiencing minor things like going to a bathhouse together for the first time. It might not sound like much, but these seemingly minor events are precious in their own way. Although repetitive to an extent, Tonikawa works simply due to Nasa and Tsukasa, who are both endearing as individuals and as a unit.

11 Birdie Wing -Golf Girls’ Story- Season 2 (+1)

In Spring 2022, Birdie Wing took a while to pick up momentum since the show is the anime embodiment of "don't judge a book by its cover (or title)". On the surface, a golfing story sounds not only niche but also a touch boring, at least for those who are not interested in the sport. While Birdie Wing can be described as many things, "boring" is certainly not among them; however, it could be defined as hilarious, epic, over-the-top, emotional, silly, and exciting.

An anime original, Birdie Wing follows the friendly rivalry between Evangeline and Aoi, two young super golfers who are closer to battle shonen protagonists than anything resembling reality. Basically a parody of sports stories, the anime features the mafia, life-or-death situations, illnesses that crop up exactly when the plot needs a shot of tension, and a scheme involving eugenics. Yes, Birdie Wing is still ultimately about golf.

Season 1 was a delightful surprise, and its successor largely continues down the same path. Even though it lacks the novelty of the 2022 cour, the Spring 2023 season is overall much stronger, particularly in its depiction of Aoi. Although always endearing, she plays second fiddle to Eva throughout most of the first season, to the point that Aoi can come across like a plot device at times. That is no longer the case, and she has grown into a fantastic co-lead.

10 The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2 (+/- 0)

The Ancient Magus' Bride's follow-up season takes quite a few risks, and their success rate will not be evident until the second cour airs in Fall 2023. Unlike the previous season, the sequel keeps Chise and Elias apart for lengthy stretches, although they still interact fairly regularly. Right out of the gate, the two protagonists find themselves attending a sorcery college, with Chise becoming a student and Elias serving as a teacher. Consequently, the story's core relationship is put on the back burner, and Elias plays a supporting role in most episodes.

RELATED: The Ancient Magus Bride: Strongest Characters In The Anime, Ranked

Even though this change can be frustrating at times, Chise has largely benefited from her newfound independence, permitting her to grow in confidence and personality. Surrounded by people her age, Chise finds herself making friends for the first time in a long while, and these new characters generally have interesting backstories that shine a light on previously unseen parts of this universe.

9 The Dangers In My Heart (+/- 0)

Another slow-burner, The Dangers in My Heart has steadily built a case for being among the most wholesome romance anime of Spring 2023, a genre this season has excelled in. That is impressive considering this story's protagonist likes to fantasize about killing his classmates, a trait the anime downplays compared to the manga's early chapters. Despite his dark thoughts, Ichikawa undoubtedly cares for Yamada, a popular girl in his class who quickly takes a liking to the awkward guy. After a chance encounter in the school library, the two students forge an endearing friendship that has the foundation to develop into something more.

While not 100% necessary, romance anime do usually require likable or relatable protagonists to remain interesting. The Dangers in My Heart takes a significant risk by highlighting its male protagonist's disgusting thoughts while matching him up with a really sweet female lead, a mismatch that could have backfired spectacularly. Thankfully, Yamada has enough charisma to carry the show until Ichikawa undergoes some much-needed growth. Once the latter happens, The Dangers in My Heart transforms from a decent quirky comedy to a genuinely great budding romance, one built upon a surprisingly endearing friendship between two people who seem very different but actually share a lot in common.

8 Dr. Stone: New World (+/- 0)

Dr. Stone has been a reliable source of entertainment for a couple of years. Despite sharing a fair few traits with other popular shonen properties, the anime's science-driven solutions and intelligent protagonist set it apart from many of its peers. New World offers more of what fans have come to expect from the show: a lot of humorous facial expressions, outlandish inventions inspired by legitimate methods, and a story that constantly looks to expand its horizons.

After reviving Ryuusui, Senku sets his mind on constructing a ship that will allow the Kingdom of Science to travel across the sea, specifically toward an island that was once home to the protagonist's father. Without question, this is the group's most ambitious endeavor, and the anime does a solid job of streamlining such a complex process. Dr. Stone has also started to set up its endgame through the introduction of a mysterious figure who might just be responsible for humanity's frozen predicament.

New World will air its second cour in October 2023, and this part undoubtedly feels incomplete. Even though the Spring 2023 finale was not explosive or especially exciting, the episode still produced a few moments that held personal significance for Senku.

7 Heavenly Delusion (-1)

Mystery anime do not come around all that often, and the ones that do exist can be hard to recommend while they are still airing. After all, an intriguing mystery can be rendered moot by a terrible reveal or a refusal to provide any proper answers. This issue is amplified in the case of anime since there is no guarantee a show will fully adapt its source material, which seems likely to be the case with Heavenly Delusion. As the manga is still ongoing, the anime will almost certainly not tell a complete story; however, the ride has been captivating enough to justify its existence.

Set more than a decade following humanity's collapse, people are left to roam society's shattered remains while trying to stay away from monsters. Kiruko, an 18-year-old with a complicated backstory, agrees to serve as Maru's bodyguard until they find a place called "Heaven." Maru has no idea what this place is or where they might find it, only that he needs to. In the meantime, a research facility monitors a group of children away from the rest of the world's gaze, and the organization might be keeping some rather dark secrets.

RELATED: Every New Sci-Fi & Mecha Anime Announced For 2023 (So Far)

Heavenly Delusion drops viewers into a harsh universe without revealing much about its mechanics. While this could be disorienting at first, the audience essentially knows as much as Maru, Kiruko, and the children, who are constantly trying to gain a clearer picture of their world. Although good from the start, the anime has really hit its stride in recent weeks, including producing one of Spring 2023's best episodes along with the season's most distressing ending.​

6 Insomniacs After School (+1)

In terms of pure romance, Insomniacs After School represents Spring 2023 at its best, which is not all that surprising considering it is based on Makoto Ojiro's fantastic seinen manga. The story follows two high school students, Ganta Nakami and Isaki Magari, who suffer from insomnia, a challenge they had to face alone until they met each other in their academy's observatory. Sharing instant chemistry, the two restart the school's astronomy club as an excuse to keep using the observatory as a place to sleep; before long, they mainly want to spend more time together.

Insomniacs After School's Nakami and Magari are not only adorable as a couple but also interesting as individuals. Never coming across as contrived or forced, their friendship develops at a natural pace, so once they do start contemplating whether they should take the next step, the ensuing moments feel completely earned.

5 Hell's Paradise (+/- 0)

When it comes to new shows, Hell's Paradise was Spring 2023's most hotly anticipated release. Based on Yuki Kaku's Shonen Jump+ manga, the adaptation has largely lived up to expectations, delivering a high-octane thrill ride packed to the brim with violent action and vulnerable characters. In pursuit of a pardon and a fresh start, some of Japan's most vicious criminals agree to head to a mysterious island in search of the Elixir of Life. They are individually assigned to members of the Yamada clan, executioners who will cut down anyone who tries to make a run for it. Along with being in a battle royale against each other, the convicts and their guardians quickly learn this island is home to many unspeakable horrors.

Hell's Paradise predominantly centers around Gabimaru, a deadly ninja, and Sagiri, a reluctant executioner, both of whom have undergone a fair amount of development already. The show also dives into the backstories of the other convicts, and while these sequences can come across as formulaic at times, they are well done for the most part. Still, Gabimaru and Sagiri work well off each other since they both have strong but very different personalities.

As entertaining as the convicts are, Hell's Paradise's selling point is its setting. Shinsenkyo, or Kotaku, is drenched in mystery, and that goes for the island's inhabitants as well. Pulling from various mythologies, the haunting location is the perfect stage for a surreal, gory, and unsettling trip defined by desperation and fear.

4 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc (+/- 0)

Continuing from the Entertainment District arc, Demon Slayer's Spring 2023 entry finds Tanjiro heading to the Swordsmith Village in the hope of convincing Hotaru Haganezuke to make him a new sword. Once there, Tanjiro discovers Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, and also spots Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira.

RELATED: Demon Slayer: Nezuko's Blood Demon Art And Abilities, Explained

With multiple successful seasons and a huge movie under its belt, Demon Slayer needs absolutely no introduction by this point. If someone did not care for the show's previous sagas, the Swordsmith Village arc will not change their minds; conversely, people who have loved ufotable's adaptation so far should find the current season to be of equally high standards. As usual, Demon Slayer's main focus is action, and this cour wastes very little time to erupt into full-blown chaos. While the first few episodes are somewhat quiet, the arc has gone up a few gears ever since the main villains made their presence known.

Although highly entertaining in isolation, the Swordsmith Village arc is arguably a step back from the Entertainment District storyline because it repeats many of the same ideas. Even though Hantengu and Gyokko are fun and detestable villains with reasonably creative abilities, their characters are not as interesting as Gyutaro and Daki. Even if it struggled to maintain the same highs as previous arcs, Swordsmith Village managed to nail its final episode.

3 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2 (+/- 0)

Season 1 of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury was fantastic, comfortably ranking among the best anime of Fall 2022. While somewhat slow, the cour did a beautiful job of laying the groundwork for its sequel, culminating in a thrilling final episode that foreshadowed the darkness to come.

The anime centers around Suletta Mercury, a girl with a Gundam who attends a unique academy governed by the Benerit Group. There, she wins a mecha battle to earn the right to marry Miorine, the daughter of the powerful organization's chairman. While this premise might paint a picture of a school-based anime, The Witch From Mercury expands far beyond the academy's doors, and it dives into commercialism, politics, human experimentation, and, obviously, war.

With her father incapacitated, Miorine is left with no choice but to try and take charge of the Benerit Group; however, she is not the only one pursuing the role. Furthermore, tensions between Earthians and Spacians have never been higher, and Suletta and Miorine are dragged into the middle of this conflict. The Witch From Mercury season 2 has set itself up perfectly for an explosive and unpredictable final stretch of episodes, and things are set to get much worse before they start to improve.

2 Skip And Loafer (+/- 0)

Mitsumi Iwakura has her life all planned out, and the first step involves leaving her rural village to attend high school in Tokyo. All the confidence in the world means nothing within the metropolis' subway line, and the teenager winds up lost en route to school; luckily, a schoolmate, Sousuke Shima, decides to lend her a helping hand. This chance encounter shapes both Mitsumi and Sousuke's school lives, along with a few other students.

RELATED: Greatest Slice Of Life Anime Of All Time

Combining comedy, drama, and romance, Skip and Loafer dives deep into adolescent life as it explores the characters' dreams, insecurities, flaws, and aspirations for growth. Radiating positive energy, Mitsumi is a force of nature who impacts everyone around her; at the same time, she is a relatable three-dimensional figure who regularly feels overwhelmed. Beneath his easygoing demeanor, Sousuke hides deep-rooted regrets that he is desperately trying to move past. The protagonists are brilliant, and they are hardly Skip and Loafer's only great characters.

1 Oshi No Ko (+/- 0)

Based on Aka Akasaka's seinen manga, Oshi no Ko made an instant splash by debuting with a lengthy opening episode that effectively acted as a prequel movie for the rest of the series. If that chapter established the show as a front-runner to be the best Spring 2023 anime, then episode 6 gave it a near-insurmountable lead. Just to be clear, this statement is entirely a reflection of Oshi no Ko's quality rather than a criticism of its contemporaries.

After meeting an idol who is pregnant with twins, a doctor names Gorou Amemiya is mysteriously killed, causing him to reincarnate as one of the former's children. Retaining memories of his past existence, Gorou enjoys his new life with his mother and sister, at least until tragedy strikes. Oshi no Ko largely takes place a few years in the future as Gorou infiltrates the entertainment industry in pursuit of revenge. The story explores various subcultures in media, be it idols, reality shows, or low-budget series, and it does not always shine a positive light on these enterprises.

Oshi no Ko can get uncomfortably realistic, all the while still retaining an element of humor and even wish fulfillment. Even though it tackles mature themes like cyberbullying and fan obsession without sugarcoating them, the anime also highlights the allure of superstardom and a few positives surrounding the entertainment industry. By offering a balanced perspective, the show's heavy moments hit much harder.

MORE: Best Anime Of 2022, Ranked