The BEST Anime of Spring 2023 - Ones To Watch

[@mothersbasement]

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[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Thanks for the recommendation! You rock man!

[@brandon9869]

Not my childhood 😭

[@CoduhyMinecraft]

Battle cats is s tier sponsor

[@jasonhunter2819]

The incredible thing to me about Battle Cats is how long it's been around to have some huge resurgence lately. I played it when it originally came out IN 2014! It deserves time in the mobile gaming spotlight, it was goofy and fun as hell

[@yungtux8770]

Ayo can you re favorite my comment I edited a spelling mistake 😃

[@pomodoko]

HUGE vouch for Skip to Loafer. I've been reading slice-of-life and seinen manga for a huge part of my life, and there's quite nothing like it. It's bittersweet and nostalgic, but don't let the fluffy art style distract you from very *grounded* character elements. The author has such a strong writing style, and it's definitely a hit for me!

[@keiko3781]

oshi no ko i cry love zzz wow

[@pendaco]

The karaoke scene had me laughing so hard 😂 that deadpan delivery

[@Flint_the_uhhh]

It's easily my favourite new show this season.

[@TacComControl]

On closer inspection.. these are loafers

[@lotusthemermaid]

Thank you!! I love slice of life! I'm checking this one out

[@atorrres]

02:29 - #10 Hell's Paradise 04:35 - #09 Heavenly Delusion 06:55 - #08 Dead Mount Death Play 08:47 - #07 Konosuba: An Explosion on this Wonderful World 10:45 - #06 Skip and Loafer 12:17 - #05 My Love Story with Yamada at Level 999 13:51 - #04 The Dangers in my Heart 16:09 - #03 Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers 17:47 - #02 Insomniacs after School 19:21 - #01 Oshi no Ko Go watch Oshi no Ko!

[@N0MADIC_RAMPAGE]

25:12

[@clunkwestweed4541]

Thanks! I don't see why he has to convert the titles to joke names. Especially on a list of recommendations.

[@344shadowking]

Thank you!

[@344shadowking]

​@Clunk Westweed they do it so that you have to watch the whole video and not just take a picture of the list and be gone.. its a sly way of increasing video plays

[@clunkwestweed4541]

@@344shadowking I mean, maybe? Probably just being cheeky. In reality, I don't want to have to rewind to an unknown time to try to find a japanese title I couldn't possibly remember.

[@modjesch]

Skip to Loafer has some of the strongest characterisation work you'll see in anime, it's already shown huge glimpses into that in only TWO episodes. Incredible show that you need to at least try out.

[@intereststacks]

fr fr

[@jcruz2255]

I gave this show a try and it's so damn charming.

[@bobbenson6825]

It's so good.

[@AaronicAaron]

Cosigning this

[@Piromysl359]

It also has a very well compelling and likable trans character. West could have learn a thing or two.

[@zed-up]

Going on blind for Oshi no Ko was the best decision. It was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and shocking moments. And it's just 1st episode. I really have high hopes for this.

[@fewerpuppet6423]

I watched the first episode and I was so hooked I instantly went to read the manga. And let me tell you. Its worth having high hopes. Its my new obsession at the moment

[@muckelchen7327]

@@fewerpuppet6423 Same for me. I loved the first episode and instantly bought the entire manga. I binge read it in two days and trust me, the anime will be amazing.

[@TheTruxFortuita]

I was never into the...I guess I will call it slice of life. and now I know why, You ever see a 37 year old man Ugly cry? cos Oshi no Ko is how you see a 37 year old man ugly cry.

[@ostensiblyaverage5576]

Oh yeah, it's definitely best to go in blind, it's also probably the best show of the season, and probably one of the best of the year after just one episode. That said, fuck everything about this, I'm sad now.

[@Skidracer21]

meanwhile, I start Oshi no Ko episode 1, pause halfway through, marathon all the manga chapters in 3 days, resume the episode, and get my heart torn to shreds again a second time. Damn it, Aqua, Ruby, and co better get through all of this with their souls and smiles intact.

[@strikingviper7792]

I very much was NOT aware of the fact that Dead Mount Death Play was from the same creator as Baccano and Durarara, but that explains why the first episode was so unexpectedly good. I watched it on a complete whim, and I am very glad I did. Highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t checked it out.

[@susano-wo1570]

Same! Though I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep going for reasons that I won't say for spoilers, but hearing it's by the Durarara!! Person I'm definitely going to be along for the ride!

[@d4s0n282]

@@susano-wo1570 I litterally read the manga and I had no idea it was the same of those, I still need to watch durarara lol

[@sunjoexys7251]

Fun fact: the original title for "Heavenly Delusion" is actually "Heaven's demonic realm" or literally just "Heaven's Hell" (also confirmed by a line at the end of EP1). So we have both "Hell's Paradise" and "Heaven's Hell" in the same season.

[@jdunn9950]

I can’t find it on my Disney plus am I doing something wrong

[@oogenesis]

especially since 'hell's paradise' would more literally be 'hellven'. it's a portmanteau of jigoku, or hell, and gokuraku, the 'pure land' of mahayana buddhist religion.

[@oogenesis]

@@jdunn9950 disney+ lists it under a variation of its japanese title, 'tengoku-daimakyo'. why they chose not to use its english title is anyone's guess. the romanization isn't even correct...

[@bibrosko]

lmfaooo

[@ZodiacWars]

All I can say about Hell's Paradise as a manga reader... it REALLY doesn't disappoint. The way the story and characterizations develop are top class and it became one of my absolute favorites. Probably the only show this season I was more excited for than it was Oshi No Ko (and it was a personal close call).

[@Piromysl359]

It kinda weirds me out, that author made very detailed desjgns and characterisation for most of the characters who are going to die almost immediately. We have learned that bland and boring characters are usually the ones who are the fodder, so I guess they are bamboozling us.

[@deathshop2172]

@@Piromysl359 definitely how you should do things. makes the fodder death into something that's decidedly not fodder death

[@viveleshistoires4874]

I second that. Came for the cool monster island, stayed for the deconstruction of masculinity.

[@fernandotrevinocastro1018]

And it's over! So no filler, and no werid ass ending the author didnt intended

[@ironmonkeyl2552]

Exactly my thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised when I binged the manga on a whim when I heard it was getting an anime.

[@Myndrios]

for those who want an actual list of the animes instead of obscure titles Anime list: 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Battle Cats Ad 02:29 - #10 Hell's Paradise 04:35 - #9 Heavenly Delusion 06:55 - #8 Dead Mount Death Play 08:47 - #7 KonoSuba: an Explosion on this Wonderful World 10:45 - #6 Skip and Loafer 12:17 - #5 My Love Story with Yamada at Level 999 13:51 - #4 The Dangers in my Heart 16:09 - #3 Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers 17:47 - #2 Insomniacs After School 19:21 - #1 Oshi no Ko 20:49 - Honorable Mentions

[@workstudy8118]

Thank you so much

[@TheFourthWinchester]

So many romance anime and isekai. Looks like a dull season.

[@riquashea]

I'm sad that Raeliana is in the bargin bin but also ecstatic that it's on a list at all. The Shojou isekai and villainess isekai stories are slowly gaining their speed in anime, can't wait to see if there's one that'll actually top a recc list someday

[@axolotllan]

Pfft if he keeps it up and the story reaches its conclusion it'll leave the bargain bin since the trick of Raeliana is believing its just a story of her isekai... what distinguishes it to me is how whole the final result of the story is.

[@susano-wo1570]

W For the most part I really enjoyed the first ep and will definitely keep checking it out

[@_marimopeace]

same it's my proud and joy next to who made me a princess (whose adaptation i am manifesting v hard) but i'm happy Raeliana is a part of this season in the first place! huge step for Korean media

[@peiithos]

when death is the obly fate for the villainess gets animated the world is gonna explode in the good way

[@dirtybirdperson4020]

That Oshi no Ko episode hit me harder than any premise had a right to. All I could think about the next day. Refused to leave the back of my thoughts

[@vishnusreejit8577]

I relate so hard to this 😓

[@EverythingisGoodieBud]

It’s so gas I’ve been mad every time an episode ended at 22 minutes instead of 1 and a 1/2 hours lmfao

[@brideburned]

I saw the first episode of Oshi no Ko, then binged the entire manga in the same day. I'm so excited for it all to be animated.

[@phalanx3803]

your excited? im not ive already taken enough emotional damage in my life. just thinking about this anime hurts.

[@Marina.F3918]

Same here, I just finished till chapter 115 and dying for more

[@jt6247]

I binged the 100 chapters of it right after. And read the remainder after waking up. Its sad that the story kinda lowers in quality in some arcs. But the new movie arc has me hoping for drama.

[@pearchris]

The more I hear about it, the more it just doesn't seem at all interesting to me

[@FastFSharp]

I saw the first episdoe and immediately regretted it. Does it get better? I felt betrayed at the end. It felt like a bait and switch to me but perhaps I am missing something. The premise made me think, "Oh, this could be fun." After finishing that first episode I was like, "Oh, this is not going to be fun, is it?" Am I off base? Sincere question.

[@DiogenesKC]

Glad to see The Dangers in My Heart get some love here; with the sketchy-sounding premise and a bunch of other big names competing for attention I feel like it's been getting overlooked, but it's genuinely a super sweet story. I really hope more people give it a chance to prove itself; it'll really hit its stride in another episode or two, and you'll see some great character development and incredibly cute moments if you stick with it.

[@MineNAdventurer]

One thing I really love about My Love Story With Yamada is the face's emotions because they are just so funny. Like Yamada's blankish stare after being told something as he tries to respond with a simple 1 or two word sentence like "okay" or "thank you" just makes me chuckle every time.

[@silasnebulous4533]

Thing about that is, that it's personal opinion. I thought it was funny the first 2 times, and then I was on the like 5th time the same joke happened in 2 episodes. Yeah I can't be asked to watch this one, I'll skip through it until something happens, and knowing romance anime, it's the season finale.

[@PurpleMoon799]

ill recommend you mikakunin de shinkoukei it has that kind of character too and its so cute and well animated!

[@hordern_6607]

@@silasnebulous4533 as someone who read the manga pretty recently, shit happens quick, it's mostly samey wholesome romance but it's fun. If you can be bothered to read the manga, it only takes about 2 hours, although it's nothing crazy innovative.

[@ag7898]

I seriously, internally, insert a Konosuba "stare" sound effect any time Yamada looks Akane sideways for something weird she says. Lol

[@tygove906]

Surprised Raelina hasn't seen more hype. When I read it a couple years ago it cemented itself in my mind as one of the best otome isekai, and I knew it was just a matter of time before it got animated. Otome isekai have been on the rise since Hamefura, and I think Raeliana deserves the next spot as a classic in the genre.

[@nerdyfanspodcast]

I really liked Raeliana too! Maybe just overshadowed by other romance anime that came out this season

[@BioshadowX]

Insomniacs has big Bridge to Terabithia vibes and Im terrified because of just how wholesome it is

[@mothersbasement]

Yeah if it goes all “your lie in April” on us…

[@route283east]

You beat me to this comment

[@holl0918]

​@@NytroDesigns Plastic Memories 😜

[@erufailon4723]

Huh? I didn't get any vibes like that. Then again, it's been years since I saw that movie. But surely this wholesome SoL romance anime would not go that way.

[@rolyat4035]

@@twistedgale the manga isn’t even done lol

[@radonstone]

The Dangers in my heart is hands down one the most adorable, sweet, character building and chemistry filled romances I've ever read. This is not an exaggeration. There is something special about how the story is told.

[@mantis638]

I would like to add the anime: My clueless first friend. It follows this dark girl who other students bully and being made fun of by being referred to as the grim reaper. However, this new boy just moved into town and started going to their school. When he started hearing these bullies, it made him more excited to see her because the grim reaper is such a cool nickname and he hopes to become as powerful of a being as her. So, think of it like Love, Chunnibyo, and other delusions meets Komi.

[@Boxer2380]

Yeah, in addition to being really wholesome, it's also legitimately pretty funny

[@Zerolink30]

I'm impressed it didn't make his honorable mentions. The show isn't exactly as grandiose as the other Geoff mentioned but there is something so wholesome that just attracts you to watch

[@ladylyllith523]

I totes expected it after he used the whole college, high, and middle school segwey thing

[@hitachicordoba]

I kinda wish that Tomoko from WataMote had such a supportive friend earlier in life...

[@dvillines26]

yeah, it's really a sweet sort of wish-fulfillment show for anyone who's been through a tough time socially, and wish they'd had a friend like this. the boy's ability to completely disarm the bullies and bring sunshine to the life of this poor girl is some goddamn iyashikei, I tell you what. and her turning bright red every time he unleashes the Accidental Rizz is a sight to see. The sort of deliberately crude, silly art style adapts the manga pretty well in motion.

[@toddfroggs]

I was literally just talking to my friend about how we need a new anime and they were like “check Mother’s Basement.” Boom this video was waiting! Thanks for the work you do!

[@claytonrios1]

We've got an explosive spin-off, Kaguya-samas author doing idols and another hit in Shonen Jumps ever increasing catalog of success stories. So you know, a typical season of good anime to watch.

[@matthewmuir8884]

One thing I particularly enjoy about the Megumin spinoff is this: it is hard to get a prequel right, it is hard to get a spinoff-about-only-one-person-from-an-ensemble-cast right; the Megumin spinoff is doing both at once, and yet it still has been really good so far.

[@SillySkull]

And it also retains that “here’s an absolutely chaotic show with one of the most calming, soothing and relaxing outros you could sleep to (in a good way)”. Amazing show and the fact that it’s retaining the old charm it had is much appreciated

[@fischboy8704]

I wasn't sure what to expect with Oshi no Ko, as the premise seemed a little bit out there, so I decided to read it. I started it, read the first 10 chapters, then blinked and realized three hours had passed and I had read an additional 50. It is a genuinely special, instantly electric soon-to-be classic, the likes of which we're lucky to get at all in any given calendar year. Oshi no Ko really does it all, and I am genuinely excited to see the animators do it justice.

[@axolotllan]

Exactly, Oshi no ko is very much one where I read it a long time ago and have been like getting an anime of it is an all or nothing. Like it needs the sound to just hit and art to push and man it looks like they got there.

[@PlaySA]

After watching quite a bit of all of these shows, Heavenly Delusion is by FAR the best anime this season. Amazingly animated, great plot, complex characters, exciting and semi-realistic action, a fascinating mystery. It really has it all.

[@daddydimo8527]

Insomniacs After School is the best running romance manga out there. It’s an immediate read. The level of chemistry, intimacy and love the two leads share is immaculate. Highly recommend reading for them, the top tier Slice of Life presentation and the god tier art. It set a new standard for romance for me.

[@moozooh]

Seconding every word!

[@josel3599]

Facts

[@waszner]

I watched the first episode thanks to your comment. We'll see how the whole thing turns out, but I enjoyed the first episode more than I expected. Thanks for the additional recommendation!

[@josel3599]

@@waszner manga is peak

[@captainnerd6452]

Wholeheartedly agree!

[@drewisaac9884]

I just rewatched the the first episode of Oshi No Ko with my friend yesterday. Usually we would bullshit so much we wouldn't get much watch time in but this was different. We were so captivated by the animation and story telling and caught up in our feelings that we stayed quiet for most of it. The ending of the first episode was harsh. It was like let me give you some sugar after stabbing you but instead of giving it to you to eat they poured it on your wound.

[@qxujevozaeni1240]

The premise of the deaths were unimpressive

[@danielstrang4999]

The Dangers in my Heart is one of my favorite manga, it’s very wholesome and there’s actual character development so I hope the anime is great

[@Ei-Ai]

I recently picked up the first 5 volumes last month and was so happy I did, It was one of the first romance manga I picked up besides Kaguya-sama Love Is War

[@arunvenkatesh5817]

ya me too i have been reading the manga since may 2021 and I am a big fan the anime did really did do got job on the first 3 episodes

[@LordSusaga]

And the dude is such an introvert that the only way he can develop is something you never see in a protagonist: Introspection. It's amazing to see.

[@Ei-Ai]

@@LordSusaga It's great to see how he develops once he slowly starts to realize the changes in him once he starts to spend more time with Yamada and Co.

[@CleanUpNick]

it's weird to think that as a made in abyss fan i can finally have a good answer for somebody for somebody when they ask "i want something similar to made in abyss", because now i can say Heavenly Delusions, it's got that mystery, that world building, that suspense/action, that trauma and even the weird quirky borderline fetish stuff.

[@PlaySA]

I think they do a better job with limiting the bizarre fetish stuff, really there is some sexual stuff but it's very grounded and real. Which is good because the fetish stuff really turned me off from Made in Abyss. Heavenly Delusion definitely the best anime this season, it has it all from the animation, action, characters, mystery, world building, etc.

[@CleanUpNick]

@@PlaySA i mean the same goes for made in abyss though, everything (except maybe a specific toilet in S2) is all realistic stuff, and most of it isn't sexualized, i mean yeah there's a lot of piss sometimes but then again the scene's they happen in it's kinda only natural for that to happen ,especially since Riko is literally a 12 year old, and with Reg you gotta remember he's been portrayed at that mental age where boys start thinking about that stuff, Heavenly Delusions has some sexual stuff that they do stuff with properly while made in abyss does a lot of things we'd naturally do in that situation but we find disgusting which is a bit interesting tbh, i mean if i was being carried off by a Giant Monster while having horrible effects of the curse i too would be pissing and shitting myself, i mean who wouldn't?

[@BubblingBrooke]

Oshi no Ko is absolutely incredible. The story may be straightforward, but it's very dense with a lot to say already about the idol industry.

[@emilsoderman3691]

I'm just happy to get another show about idols that isn't so.... gushy. Like you get a ton of shows that kinda toes up to "You know this kind of shit is really unhealthy and exploitative of everyone involved, right?" but then sort of walk it back. And it's nice to have a show that both acknowledges that it is, while still acknowleding the attractions of it.

[@zerofox641]

@@emilsoderman3691 same. In an era dominated by Love Live and BanG, I like the more realistic take on idol culture and the entertainment industry in general

[@isabellamorris7902]

​@@zerofox641 I suspect the reason Love Live and to a lesser extent Bandori chose the tack they did was because of exactly this -- both are strictly about hobby idols/musicians who do all their choreography, songwriting, costuming etc themselves. Thinking about it, even Zombieland Saga is mainly about a tiny independent idol group

[@lucinae8512]

That is the main focus due to the main characters backgrounds, but it also has plenty to say about manga adaptations, Vtubers, actors, tabloids and social media. The part that got me hooked on the series was the cancel culture of 'reality' show, which was based on a real life tragedy.

[@BubblingBrooke]

@@lucinae8512 I've heard it touches on a lot of stuff! I haven't read the manga.

[@slimskink88]

I didn't expect much from Insomniacs After School but it surprised me. The two MCs have a great dynamic with one another, the animation is lovely, and the background music would make for the perfect sleep-inducing lullaby, but easier said than done for these two. Too Cute Crisis was also an unexpected treat - it could end up being fluff in the metaphorical sense but it's also about literal fluff and I'm fine with that. And the praise I've heard about Skip & Loafer and Oshi no Ko is highly justified.

[@genderenigma8276]

Ancient Magus Bride is incredible. I know some people were turned off at the thought of this old bone-man marrying an underage teenager, but It's so much more than that. it's the story of a girl learning to love others, then love herself.

[@FuzzyGecko]

Had to force my husband through the first 3 episodes before he realized even the show understands its bad and addresses the issue. Watching skelly learn how to human is half the fun of the show. He reminds me of an autistic person to be honest.

[@BRaan]

The whole underage thing didn't really bother me, but I still couldn't get into the show. It just didn't seem to be going anywhere. One episode, they're talking with some dragons, the next with some magical cats and there's no thread connecting either story. I would've appreciated some sort of overarching story instead of a bunch of weird vignettes.

[@sondalo511]

@@BRaan There is an overarching story its just not immediately apparent

[@genderenigma8276]

@@BRaan The first season may come off like that, and it does, but if you want some big tasty plot, season 2 is for you!

[@iblobliboo8501]

@@genderenigma8276 Will we learn what Elias really is?

[@mammothVT]

Kamikatsu intentionally trolling people with the animation is one of the funniest things I've ever seen a studio do with an anime. That tractor scene makes me laugh every time I see it.

[@graceisNERD]

My Home Hero is another great anime that didn’t make the list. It’s a crime drama about a middle-aged mystery writer. A lot of suspense. Very good!

[@cyechan50]

i'm glad someone other that me is watching that one!

[@moozooh]

The adaptation ruined it. Everything's so stilted and wacky it looks funny more than tense. Direction and pacing is horrible, an incredibly lazy job all around. The manga is so, so much better executed.

[@TrineDaely]

@@moozooh Hopefully that will improve soon. They have felt they needed to hook in viewers with the plot right away because there's so much competition. I'm going to watch it anyway just because I love the manga. I do hope when Solo Leveling drops it's done better.

[@SupaDanteX]

If someone else had not commented this show, I would have

[@moozooh]

@@TrineDaely I don't think there's any precedent for a single-cours anime to significantly improve its production values over the course of its run. The first episode of a TV show is usually the one that receives the most directorial attention because if you don't hook a random viewer with your premiere, you've essentially lost them forever. If it doesn't look good immediately, it's a lost cause. Solo Leveling is done by a different studio, but that studio is known for chronically mismanaging and overworking its staff, so expect a lot of corners cut there as well.

[@isaac_marcus]

I ALMOST skipped Oshi no Ko because of the description. Luckily a friend who had read the manga recommended I don't skip it. Some people got to watch that first episode in theaters at Anime Boston and I can't imagine how that must have felt. Also, really surprised that My Home Hero and My Clueless First Friend weren't on the list anywhere. MHH seems like it's gonna be a thrill ride, and MCFF seems really cute.

[@ThePonderer]

I’m so glad I took Geoff’s advice and watched Oshi No Ko with no clue what it was even about in advance. That’s the most compelled I’ve been by a first episode of *anything,* maybe ever.

[@saampavikk5227]

As an Oshi no ko manga reader, I'm excited. The first episode's animation made this genuinely scary and I'm excited to see how this will continue in later episodes!

[@siriussothis7851]

heavenly delusion is criminally underrated I feel. oshi no ko looks good, not surprising it's the most talked about, but heavenly delusion really stands out in a swarm of anime that look the same. the animation looks great, so it picked my interest, but the world-building and mystery is what sold me on it.

[@introvertion6460]

Ikr, i am so sad no one talks about it a lot

[@ConvincingPeople]

It really has some of the most singularly gorgeous art and animation I've seen in quite some time. Plus, the source material was written by the guy behind And Yet the Town Moves, and it shows in the best ways possible for the most part-distinctive character designs, endearing character writing, a powerful sense of place, subtly bizarre worldbuilding, a slightly twisted yet warm sense of humour, all that good stuff.

[@GracefullyAutistic]

Where do you find it though? I know Geoff said Disney+ but I didn't see it on there. Is it not available in the US?

[@Redthewolf2012]

@@GracefullyAutistic I couldn't find it through the english name, but it did show up under "Tengoku Daimakyou." I am in Aus though, so YMMV

[@yungtux8770]

That opening blew me away.

[@takoyakiwcheese]

Dead Mount Death Play is not your typical isekai/action anime at all. Tons of interesting characters, plot twists, unique dialogue. It's not just unique in the isekai genre, but even in the fantasy and action genre it's really something else. The closest that could offer the same experience as DMDP is Baccano and Durarara, which are by the same author

[@Bridgeofaudio]

I had the pleasure of reading the Manwha for Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s mansion, and if they keep to the original plot we definitely have one hell of a political thriller coming.

[@nerdyfanspodcast]

Woooah looking forward!! Havent read the manhwa but love love love the anime

[@gwtw99]

As a manga reader, I can't recommend yamada-kun enough. I'm so glad the anime is doing it justice and that many ppl are enjoying it! This is 100% a feel-good read/watch with a very realistic yet lovely romance, + the characters are super endearing (and we need more shoujo adaptations)

[@chrisbeynon8700]

I literally got Hidive for Insomniacs after school and it did not disappoint, genuinely one of the best anime I've seen, and I'm super excited for the rest

[@CyborgX7]

I trusted your tweets and went into Oshi no Ko completely blind, going so far as to not even looking at the length when I realized I hadn't looked at it when starting the episode and it kept going a lot longer than I expected. And I have to say, that was a very special experience I can only recommend. You gained a lot of points from that recommendation, Geoff. Don't go and abuse this power.

[@wozmichi]

SKIP AND LOAFER WOOOO 🎉 as a manga reader this is such a lovely piece of work!! im excited to see everyone enjoying it.

[@calebderochea8304]

I was not expecting Insomniacs After School to be on this list, but I am glad that you included it! It definitely deserves more recognition than it seems to have been getting. If Oshi No Ko wasn't airing this season then Insomniacs would most certainly be my number one show this season (but that's only because I am an astronomer).

[@HarleyTBS]

This thumbnail is so cool! I wonder if there was a live stream I could’ve watched to see how it was made? 🤔

[@mothersbasement]

Thanks for coming out to keep me company while I worked on it!

[@HarleyTBS]

@@mothersbasement Of course! It was a great time! I appreciate the kind words, I was feeling a little low so it meant a lot to hear some good ol’ positivity!

[@ADayinWhite]

A couple years back, I was browsing the manga section of my small-town comic shop, I randomly saw the first volume of "Edomae Elf" (and at the time it was the only one translated to English). For no particular reason, I bought it and ended up really enjoying it! I am SOOOO happy that I finally get to enjoy the feeling of having a manga I loved before any mention of an anime get adapted!

[@captainnerd6452]

Agreed! I picked up the first three in B&N a couple months ago and was blown away! I've been to Tsukishima a few times, and a couple of trips to Japan I stayed for a month in Monzennakacho, just over the Sumidagawa from Tsukishima. Ate monjayaki on Monja Street a couple of times too. I really like how the elf brings up things about Edo that relate to her otaku-ness!

[@granvell619]

On a whim, I decided to read The Dangers in My Heart manga after watching the first two episodes of the anime, and man, I stayed up until 4 in the morning catching up. I don't want to spoil anything, but I can say this. Please put up with Ichikawa for now, he doesn't know what he's doing lmao.

[@ConvincingPeople]

I suspected as much, honestly. You don't set up your protagonist as such a blatant edgelord chuuni dweeb and not do something with that if you're any sort of decent writer.

[@Mepharias]

I started and caught up with it shortly before learning that it was getting an anime and uh yeah, it's really sweet. First manga I bought physically.

[@Skidoodle18]

I read and caught up with the manga awhile before the anime had come out, and I was so excited. But MAN, I forgot how cringey it was at the start! Anyone who reads this, please do bare with it for now, it’s one of the best slice of life/romcoms I’ve read

[@bpmaace8681]

a really underrated show this season is going to be why raelina ended up at the dukes mansion. Its honetsly really good and definetely worth watching

[@wittymr8734]

I adore Skip and Loafer so far, it's just so nice and fluffy and the art style is just so sweet! Plus it's got wonderful, though pretty subtle, trans representation!

[@miccuzzzo]

L

[@Alex_Barbosa]

Absolutely loved it! I was smiling the whole time! And I could never bring myself to skip the intro. I loved the little dance they do at the end!

[@sarahkoenigo7]

I just wanted to say how grateful I am that you put this out like clockwork. I can literally depend on your reviews to be useful and insightful in helping me decide which anime I want to watch each season, and by extension, which subscription services I need to pay for in a given season. You are quite literally helping me save money.

[@Crane043]

I feel bad ahead of time for those who decide to drop The Dangers in My Heart early and don't get to witness the most wholesome charming and cutest character development you will EVER see in fiction. I hope everyone sticks around and enjoy the ride for this show.

[@Spyro101]

I agree 💯, first few chapters are kind of weird, but it's just si wholesome after some time

[@dougphisig]

I could tell it was going to be an odd start, but have a good heart to it, liking it so far for just the anime!

[@skyoimiya]

As a manga reader, I have to agree. I feel like the manga might be coming to an end though...

[@amara560]

I did drop it after one episode cause the attempts at humour just fell flat for me. Now I'm partially re-thinking though...

[@skyoimiya]

@@amara560 bro give it a few more episodes

[@AlbinoBlackHole]

Thank you for giving "Dangers In My Heart" some love and mention!!

[@justaguy2985]

I can absolutely confirm Oshi no Ko is gonna blow you away. Aka Akasaka always wins, in the end.

[@linodiogolol]

I feel like Heavenly Delusion deserves its own video. Would love some in depth analysis.

[@MtnNerd]

I'm disappointed Raeliana ended up in the bargain bin. The original work has a really great plot and does some unique things with the isekai premise. It's also one of the first Korean otome webtoons to get a proper anime treatment, although they changed the character's real world name to a Japanese one.

[@ricardoludwig4787]

Insomniacs after school was the first romance manga I read after Kazuya Sama that managed to make me feel something, if the show continues to have this good of a production everyone is in for a treat

[@andrewdiedrich3097]

Didn't think there would be a Battle Cats sponsorship now, just started playing again after around 6 years.

[@neixom]

An honorable mention i want to give is to “The Legendary Hero is Dead!” sheerly for its comedic timing and the MC. Its been a while since i’ve laughed so hard watching an anime so definitely give it a go if you can

[@Avboden]

seriously I don't know how it's not #1 in the bargin bin for him, it's so good!

[@bloodysparkles5372]

as a manga reader for hell's paradise and skip and loafer i can definitely say that i believe the animes will stay good and get better. my quick and spoiler free pitches since im not well: hell's paradise is kind of set up like your generic battle royale show (which i don't tend to like) but the worldbuilding is fantastic and unsettling which is the real draw for me. and also i love that gabimaru's such a wifeguy. one of the most guys of all time skip and loafer possibly portrays the high school life as accurately as i've ever seen a slice of life do. every character has so much depth to them, and i love that the main romance is well written but isn't the end-all/be-all of the show like a lot of hs slice of life can be. the real high school was the friends we made along the way.......

[@NikkiTheViolist]

Raeliana is one that I've actually read and really liked, so I was pretty excited it got an anime adaption

[@leroyjenkins2030]

As a day 1 manga reader I'm over the moon over the stellar adaptation Oshi no Ko has gotten. I look forward to your always quality video on it soon.

[@evilbob05]

the list at the end was a very nice touch! Thanks again for the reccos Mr Basement

[@R3DM4G3]

Calling it now. Skip and Loafer is anime of the season. It is just pure wonderful.

[@Alex_Barbosa]

It's my anime of the year!

[@R3DM4G3]

​@@Alex_BarbosaI'd have agreed... but then Frieren and Apothecary Diaries dropped... so I'm not sure xD

[@renatocorvaro6924]

These videos are legit how I decide what anime to watch each season. Unfortunately most of the people in my life who like anime aren't critical enough for me to trust their recommendations.

[@jasonhunter2819]

Ooooh man, given your description of Heavenly Delusion I can't wait for you to get deeper into the mysteries! I'm also really surprised at how good it looks, I kind of expected it to get a much cheaper adaptation

[@Gekyouryuu]

I KNEW number 1 would be number 1, and can't wait to see people fall in love with this series. I've been reading since chapter 1 first dropped, and it's still going strong over 100 chapters later.

[@noahfrydman9394]

I'm about to cry. I haven't heard that music in so long. 20:53 he uses the song "A stroll around town" from Custom Robo Battle Revolution. This was a game near and dear to my childhood and one of the many IPs Nintendo has left in limbo, no longer giving it the attention, it deserves. Dude the fact that you used this in your video made my day. And cheers to trying to get through the many amazing shows this season.

[@CooperSummersVA]

BTW for Hell's Paradise, they actually do provide a good in world reasoning for why they're sending both executioner and criminal sent

[@andreffrosa]

What is it?

[@coproliteeater5005]

@@andreffrosayou have to learn for yourself

[@andreffrosa]

@@coproliteeater5005 is it explained later on? I watched the episode but don't recall they explaining it

[@brookejon3695]

​@@andreffrosa I'm assuming they're talking about the manga, which will be further along than the anime

[@IThinkIStoleYourSandwich]

@@brookejon3695 in fact it's been complete for a few years

[@laglord]

Thanks for these vids. I still enjoy anime, but I'm at an age where I don't have the wherewithal to sift through the deluge of new shows to find the gems each season. Your service does not go unappreciated!

[@Snookers_]

First episode of Oshi no Ko is already at the top of my list for favorite piece of media I've ever watched.

[@bcteasdale1535]

Thank you for the addition of what site hosts the show and the snippet showing it again at the end!

[@ene_ai]

I do wish the bargain bins would also be included in the list at the end. I often find myself coming back to these videos throughout the season and sometimes I miss gems that are hidden in the relatively quickshot runner ups

[@tortuga719]

One of the only channels that tell me where to watch these thank u for the content

[@user-lf3vk6hs7r]

Insomniacs After School is AMAZING. I hope more people pick it up and maybe even read the manga after this video (there's cute cats in it). No spoiler but it's gonna be better from here on out! ❤

[@TheVivvav]

This is probably the Ones To Watch video that's gotten me interested in the most anime you've ever done. Usually I only bother to check out like one of 'em but I'm bookmarking 3 or 4 this time.

[@tsurbwobniar20]

You know I can't believe that the first episode of Oshi no Ko (Anime) is 1 hour 22 minutes like one episode is like a movie length. Now I wonder when the next episode of Oshi no Ko will air?

[@isaac_marcus]

Apparently it premiered in a theater setup at Anime Boston. I can't IMAGINE how electric it must have been watching that with a crowd of reactions around you.

[@moozooh]

In a week after the first one.

[@hitachicordoba]

@@isaac_marcus I was lucky enough to see the US premier of Your Name and Takagi-San movies at Anime Expo LA and it is so great to experience and cheer with a big crowd. Shinkai was there and got a standing ovation.

[@that1pianist]

​@@isaac_marcus omg I went to anime Boston but the day after the premiere. If I had known I would've gotten Friday tickets

[@Chocolatenigma]

It was incredible! The energy in that room was palpable and the reactions when that twist happened was just indescribable !

[@ChristopherCricketWallace]

OMG. this Spring is stacked! Thank you for putting WHERE to find the shows! So helpful.

[@robertfaulkkner5508]

Dang, was hoping A Galaxy Next Door would get an honorable mention. Also it sounded like Skip & Loafer’s section was recorded in a larger room.

[@moozooh]

Galaxy was done dirty by the adaptation. It's mostly still frames and the pacing is glacial.

[@rileyv685]

Considering he put "The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten" in the trash vid last season I imagine it's for the same reason for Galaxy

[@winshifter]

Curiously, A Galaxy Next Door seems like a new version of Oh My Goddess! It kind of even starts the same. I was watching this weeks episode and every 2 minutes I was "That also happened in Oh My Goddess!" "In Oh My Goddess! there is a similar system". At one point I said "There will be some guy who wants to steal the girl and the girl is going to believe the guy is just some nice guy" and boom! that happened...though it wasn't a guy, it was like 3 guys. Right now I'm betting there is going to be a woman who wants to get the main guy just to screw the girl, a guy who wants to screw the guy by getting the girl for a night and then spit her out, family members from her town comming to check on her and possibly staying. I might be wrong, but so far, it is basically literally the first 5 episodes of Oh My Goddess!.

[@amara560]

I enjoyed the first episode of A Galaxy Next Door, but the second episode was kind of a letdown. It doesn't feel like worldbuilding, but more like convenient plot devices to push the story in certain directions. With so many other great romance stories this season it just doesn't feel near the top of the bunch at all sadly.

[@CleanUpNick]

@@amara560 the second sep wasn't a let down for me personally but it def did turn me off a bit, i like weird stuff, - no i LOVE it but something about the setup being a girl infected with a feminist venom symbiotic parasite that turns the other person into a love slave that will basically die if they do something wrong just feels... wrong... this is something that would've been infinitely better as a regular romcom especially with the mangaka set up

[@Snowy123]

Honestly I usually skip the ads but your cats had me hooked and I watched the entire add without realizing it

[@straynami2786]

KamiKatsu has been my personal favorite of the season so far. I like the fact that the CGI is bad on purpose but it's self aware about it that it makes it funny.

[@sherochafernando6346]

Haven't even watched an actual episode of it, but that OP for Magical Destroyers is something else!

[@ave.runcus]

The MMORPG in Yamada-kun to Lv999 is based on the Korean MMORPG Tree of Savior (which billed itself as the successor to Ragnarok Online, with its staff being a new studio from Gravity OTOH). Similarities: -- Prophet Stones (the thing Yamada was grinding for) having a really low drop rate and being a ludicrous power up is the same as Arch Stones from Tree of Savior -- the artstyle is chibi + cutesy, which I'd say Tree of Savior leans into as an aesthetic -- the game's called Forest of Savior, c'mon, that's just one different word! Also the font/icon when logging in.

[@moonmannd7501]

Insomniac manga reader here, definitely check it out because it's special. My only real worry from ep 1 is that a lot of the naturalistically chill vibes i got from the interactions and Magari's character while reading are being made a little more overt goofy but that's just adaptation. It's a captivating and easygoing young love story that masterfully captures the minutiae of school friendship, small town living (if it's not small it feels like it), and burgeoning romance, with grounded and mature emotional conflict down the line that's likely to stay with you. If the adaptation does the manga close to justice by season's end, it should definitely be on your radar.

[@ratshapeddog]

Dear basement man, you've really been killing it these last few videos!

[@Mathue360]

More cat in your videos! Also that list at the end on where to watch them super helpful. This type of video is unbelievably helpful for an anime fan with very little time to enjoy anime, thank you

[@idha39]

Was looking for this 20 minutes ago! Anyways, very good videos, i watch them every season

[@MythrilShotgun]

Thank you so, so much for having that list at the very end to help us out. Sometimes the titles are hard to discern (and spell) when googling.

[@Photura7]

Surprised there was no mention of A galaxy next door, the manga is super wholesome

[@SneakehZ]

You are a benevolent GOD for putting the list and where to find them at the end. My backlog grows ever longer

[@ikiry0830]

Otaku Elf is something I've been watching and I genuinely really like it. In part because I feel like the name 'Otaku Elf' kinda undersells it/kinda misaims what seems to be a lot of the cause of her being not that outgoing. A lot of her mannerisms and quirks really speak to me as someone who has Autism. It's really nice to see someone clearly written as Autistic *without* it being 'Behold, Rain Man/Magic Math Powers'.

[@ConvincingPeople]

Honestly the lowkey neurodiv rep in anime of late has been pretty great, although it feels like a more common thing in anime than in a lot of other media in general? I suspect it's a mix of cultural stuff with the fact that a lot of autistic and attention-deficit folks wind up in animation for special interest reasons.

[@hitachicordoba]

I will always support anime that reps the sadly dying Shotengai shopping streets like Otaku Elf, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Sakura Quest, Tamako Market and Mitsuboshi Colors

[@amara560]

It's been a surprisingly relaxing watch. Nothing much happens and that feels okay.

[@romorini]

Thank you for that summary with streaming locations at the end. Super helpful reference!

[@benjamimcarvalho0]

Insomniacs After School is by far one of the best romance manga out. Even if you don't like romance, I urge you to give it a read because of just how good it is. The art is gorgeous, and the plot is beautiful. Ojiro Makoto, the mangaka, is an absolute godess when it comes to writing and illustrating manga, and Insomniacs is her best work yet.

[@daddydimo8527]

Even when not talking about her magnum opus, Fujiyama and Chion are so amazing. This woman KNOWS how to write compelling low drama vanilla romance, it’s unreal how good she is at it. The spreads are just breathtaking and characters are so lovable.

[@SCOMish42]

Thank you for pointing out Oshi No Ko. I watched the first episode after this video and I was blown away.

[@pomodoko]

Also hard vouch for Insomniacs after School. The manga is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

[@reaperthejellyfish9742]

As a diehard fan of FLCL I'm really excited to see where Magical Girl Destroyers goes, as it definitely feels like it's setting up something insane and I'm all here for it.

[@amvlover5405]

Mahou shoujo magical destroyers was soooo good ! This is the 4th season in row that we've had a fantastic original anime! Summer 2022 : Lycoris Recoil Fall 2022 : Akiba Maid War Winter 2023 : Buddy Daddies And now Spring 2023 : Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers

[@ElysianLys]

A Galaxy Next Door is my personal pick for an admittedly stacked season; it's got so much charm to its characters already and a sweet, refreshing take on the "magical wife" trope that this is the perfect cozy choice for slice-of-life romance enjoyers with a sprinkle of sci-fi for flavor!

[@seriouslysatan216]

There are so many good shows this season it's insane. Heavenly Delusion is already my favorite show this year, but also Hell's Paradise and Oshi no Ko have both exceeded my expectations (my only regret is that I couldn't help but read ahead on these awhile back). Might have to check out Dead Mount though, seems like just the right amount of edge for me.

[@yungtux8770]

There’s more to Magical Girl Destroyers than meets the eye, I just know it. The opening and ending songs and visuals are proof enough to me.

[@notationmusical]

Ao no Orchestra is an anime that I'm watching that didn't make the list. Some may have been turned off by the cgi in the trailer, but from what I've seen, it's decently animated so far and has some nice character writing.

[@retributionaura]

So far couldn't find where to watch it (in Canada) but wanted to watch it for sure.

[@alexsama69]

Where are you watching it?

[@notationmusical]

@@retributionaura yeah, that's a bummer, but I hope sites like Aniplus-Asia and NHK Educational TV are available for you.

[@notationmusical]

​@@alexsama69 uh...I'm on the open seas. Sorry.

[@logikx1325]

@@alexsama69 I pay for every anime streaming service available in the US......that said if none pick up the rights to a show I care about, google and keywords "free streaming *title*" will go a long way in helping you out on this one in particular this season. Speaking Japanese helps though because sometimes fansubs leave a bit to be desired in terms of translation....your mileage may vary.

[@DylanCisGood4Me]

One of these seasons that really reminds us why we all love anime. Great recs all-around, Geoff