We’re kicking off the posting of our 2023 anime spring season guide worth watching. In the first part, we talk about ten projects.
Godzilla: S.P
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
- Premiere: April 1, 2023
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Bones, Orange
- Director: Atsushi Takahashi
- Source: Original
About what: New original story about giant Godzillas and other entertaining kaiju. The story is told at once from the perspective of two characters – scientist Mei Kamino and engineer Yuna Arikawa, who will lead a team capable of repelling terrible monsters.
What we think: The first few episodes were marked by good art, cute characters and a fast paced storytelling. The matter remains only with the kaiju themselves.
Waiting rating: 4/5
Boku no Hero Academy 5th Season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8bmv-14OVI
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy
- Premiere: March 27, 2023
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: Bones
- Director: Masahiro Mukai, Kenji Nagasaki
- Source: Manga
About what: The next set of “Academy” episodes tells about the new confrontation between Grades 1-A and 1-B, as well as the great secret of One For All, which Izuku has yet to unravel.
What we think: Tournament arcs don’t always turn out to be fun, but if the film adaptation doesn’t get stuck, Season 5 promises to be fun.
Waiting rating: 4/5
Don’t call it love! / Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui
- Genre: Romance, Everyday life
- Premiere: April 5, 2023
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Nomad
- Director: Naomi Nakayama
- Source: Manga
About what: A romantic story about the uneasy relationship between schoolgirl Itchika Arima and young entrepreneur Ryo Amakusa, whose chance encounter sets off a chain reaction of strange love affairs.
What we think: Romance. Mainly for girls. Of the distinctive features, several atypical roles of the central actors can be distinguished.
Waiting rating: 2/5
Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood
- Genre: Action
- Premiere: April 7, 2023
- Episodes: unknown
- Studio: BAKKEN RECORD
- Director: Susumu Kudo
- Source: Original
About what: Anime events take place in an alternate reality, where Japan is still ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate, and the country has stepped forward technologically. In the center of the plot is the girl Sawa Yukimura, who has special abilities and ruthlessly exterminates the enemies of the state.
What we think: Nice drawing, but very strange pace of the story. If the setting seems interesting, it’s worth a try.
Waiting rating: 2/5
Shaman King 2023 / Shaman King
- Genre: Action
- Premiere: April 1, 2023
- Episodes: 2/52
- Studio: Bridge
- Director: Joji Furuta
- Source: Manga
About what: New adaptation of the cult manga by Hiroyuki Takei, which tells about the tournament of the world’s strongest shamans. The plot focuses on the young man Yo Asakura, who will have to not only establish a connection with the spirit world, but also meet many formidable rivals and loyal friends.
What we think: Over the years, the original series has gained an almost cult status, so a fresh adaptation of the manga will find its viewer anyway.
Waiting rating: 4/5
Dinazenon / SSSS.Dynazenon
- Genre: Action
- Premiere: April 1, 2023
- Episodes: 2/52
- Studio: Bridge
- Director: Joji Furuta
- Source: Manga
About what: The story of an ordinary Japanese schoolboy Yomogi Asanaka, who makes acquaintance with a not-so-ordinary young man Gauma. The event is interrupted by a big problem – a huge kaiju is raging in the city, and only the fantastic mech Dinazenon can give him a fight.
What we think: Mecha action from the Trigger team. What else do you need to be happy?
Waiting rating: 4/5
Let’s make a mug too / Yakunara Mug Cup mo
- Genre: Everyday, Comedy
- Premiere: April 3, 2023
- Episodes: 2/12
- Studio: Nippon Animation
- Director: Jun Kamiya
- Source: Manga
About what: Warm slice about girls doing ceramics. Instead of dramatic plot twists – comfort and tranquility.
What we think: For pottery lovers. And those who miss the atmosphere of the school clubs.
Standby rating: 1/5
Blazing Kabaddi / Shakunetsu Kabaddi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW1m1yiQhHs
- Genre: Sports
- Premiere: April 3, 2023
- Episodes: 2/12
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Director: Kazuya Ichikawa
- Source: Manga
About what: Sports drama about a little-known sport – kabaddi. The protagonist, a young man Tatsuya Yogoshi, receives an invitation to the Kabaddi sports club. Having become interested in the proposal, he gradually plunges headlong into a discipline unknown to him.
What we think: There are a lot of sports anime, but there are no anime about kabaddi. It is curious to see, at least with cognitive interest. And the dynamics between the characters is quite cheerful.
Waiting rating: 3/5
Pure Sound / Mashiro no Oto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJXYp-xX6LM
- Genre: Everyday, Music
- Premiere: April 3, 2023
- Episodes: 2/12
- Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
- Director: Hiroaki Akagi
- Source: Manga
About what: A title about a young man, Setsu Sawamura, who, due to a personal family tragedy, loses interest in music that used to fill his life with meaning. Moving to a new school, the hero must re-know himself, including with the help of new friends.
What we think: Interesting setting, great musical accompaniment and expressive characters. Plus a good insight into the history of traditional Japanese musical instruments.
Waiting rating: 3/5
Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
- Premiere: April 3, 2023
- Episodes: 3/13
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Director: Shimpei Ezaki
- Source: Manga
About what: The existential suffering of the Hatsune Miku counterpart in the future setting. An artificially created intelligent analogue of vocaloid under the name Vivi learns about her great destiny, but the heroine does not manage to be convinced of its authenticity right away.
What we think: Beautiful, intriguing and starring a pop idol. We hope that the series will be able to maintain the dynamics set by the first episodes.
Waiting rating: 4/5
To be continued…
See also: Anime “JoJo” returns: The official announcement of the film adaptation of “Stone Ocean” has taken place…
