Spring 2023 Anime Season Round-Up Part 1

There were just too many good shows!

As the Spring 2023 season winds down, I want to talk about all the shows I finished from the season. Which was a surprising amount, this season was just too good. I’m very excited to discuss some of the amazing productions but be warned there may be some spoilers ahead. I’m going to break this up into several posts, this one is just Cruncyroll shows from Sunday through Thursday. It was getting a little unwieldy to try and include all of the 29 shows I finished this season in one post. So please enjoy some of my final thoughts on this season.

CrunchyRoll

Sunday

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

This continues to be incredible. It is definitely one of the two best shows of the season. The writing and animation are still absolutely stunning. This season has definitely been more traumatic than the previous one was. We have definitely left the happy school days behind and are now into the nitty gritty war crime area of a typical Gundam series. I look forward to the upcoming finale, I can’t wait for the finale this Sunday, July 2.

One Sentence Summary: Family infighting and evil capitalism team up to bully space lesbians.

Demon Slayer Season 3

As always, Demon Slayer delivered on great animation, action, emotional delivery and a fantastic story line. I was blown away with the intensity of the final few episodes. Though, I may have made some threats about what would happen if Nezuko had died. I’m very attached to her. I do wish we had seen more of our other boys, but I feel we more than made up for their loss with Genya and the two hashiras. This season furthered the plot more than any other and has me waiting in anticipation for the next, the stakes are officially raised. 

One Sentence Summary: Holy cow, that boy can take a lot of damage and still win a fight.

My Clueless First Friend

This was just downright adorable from episode one. Nishimura and Takada navigate the tricky elementary school relationships so well. Takada just turning every moment from a bully into a compliment is so cute. The forthright things he says about Nishimura without blushing are amazing. I loved every episode and will probably rewatch if I’m ever feeling down about something.

One Sentence Summary: Confidence of an elementary school boy can overcome severe bullying.

My Home Hero

This thriller was well written and captivating for the story. The animation was definitely not the best. The voice acting reminded me of old detective shows, which I quite liked. I felt it was very on theme. I watched this all the way through because I was curious to see if Tetsuo would be able to get out of his jam with organized crime. If he could continue to protect his wife and daughter. Each episode brought new challenges and ideas and I was all in. I like that it left off with the option for a second season.

One Sentence Summary: Wow, that salesman is very creative at body disposal.

Monday

Dead Mount Death Play

This is still the reigning champ for worst named anime of the season. The show however was fantastic, a play on the reverse isekai. I wasn’t expecting much when I read the description, but the first episode reeled me in. The story stayed compelling and the characters fun throughout the season. There is a lot going on and I genuinely hope that we get a second season because I have so many questions about Corpse God and his previous empire.

One Sentence Summary: Necromany runs amok but like, in a good way.

Cheat Skill in Another World

This was a standard isekai, I enjoyed it more than some of the other similar isekais of the season. It isn’t special and I probably can’t accurately articulate why I liked this one more than the others. It is probably because I enjoyed the lighting choices and the character didn’t come off as obnoxious, he stayed very humble. The final episode was very disappointing though, it didn’t really like a good climax to the story. 

One Sentence Summary: Grandpa’s secret turns sad fat boy into badass hot boy.

Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion

This was entertaining, it started out very slow but it definitely grew on me. The slow world building of the book that is the setting of this isekai left me with questions, so I watched every episode. I really enjoy how Raeliana changed the book, she no longer knows what could happen next and this perplexes her. I hope we get another season, because I too want to know what Noah’s intentions are for our Raeliana.

One Sentence Summary: Why did changing the plot of the book change the plot of the book?

Tuesday

Skip & Loafer

This was another of the really good romances of the season. The fish out of water of a country girl who is now going to a large school in Tokyo and the cute lazy city boy. I was enamored with the characters, they were all so gosh darn cute and easy to identify with. The plot felt more like it is always okay to be yourself and not judge others more than a straight romance. Even the side characters had good development and learned how to make new friends. It was well worth watching.

One Sentence Summary: Ambitious country girl takes city school by storm and makes a child actor believe in himself again.

Wednesday

KamiKatsu

This continues to be beyond explanation, hysterical and full of glorious nonsense. The animation choices due to budget that clearly enhance the nonsensical and offsetting nature of the plot are just one of the great things about the show. The writing is top tier and the finale is sure to be a blast. I think everyone should watch this, but I warn you that the fan service is a little over the top. It has been one of my favorites of the season.

One Sentence Summary: God fuckery abounds and you never know where it is going.

Konosuba - An Explosion on This Wonderful World

This was an obvious one to watch all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed every humorous moment of Megumin’s life leading up to when she joined Kazuma and Agua’s party. It was everything I wanted out of a Konosuba prequel. 

One Sentence Summary: Foremost arch wizard of the Crimson Demons travels with small black cat, denies feelings for best friend, falls down a lot.

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts 

This show is still ongoing and proves to be much more than I expected. The emotional weight of it hangs heavy as you watch young Sariphi really grow into her new life as Queen. I look forward to each new episode on Wednesdays.

One Sentence Summary: Sacrifical child seduces beast king with kindness, dog man disapproves greatly.

Thursday

The Legendary Hero is Dead

This is absolutely my favorite show of the season. I listen to the opening song every day. The level of humor and fan service just tickles my fancy. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed every delightful moment of this anime. I’m very sad it is over and I’m hoping we get a second season.

One Sentence Summary: Never underestimate the power of luscious thighs and a perverted mind.

Yuri Is My Job

This was definitely better as the season went on. I am probably going to pick up more copies of the manga now. The tension between the characters throughout the show really felt realistic. There was a good amount of jealousy, resentment, and hidden feelings that kept it exciting. All of the characters showed great depth especially within the setting of the cafe.

One Sentence Summary: German themed cafe almost ruined by lesbian romance triangle.

I hope you enjoyed reading this! I’ll have the next part of the summary up soon.

Summer 2023 is almost upon us, so look forward to my thoughts on that soon too!