The Summer 2023 anime season is here, and there are tons of new shows to start watching. Things are just kicking off, with services like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE offering simulcasts or even dubs a few weeks after launch. To help broaden our horizons, we decided it’s a good time to share the shows we’re watching and get a better idea of ones we shouldn’t miss.
It’s got to be Dungeon Meshi. I’ve been putting off reading the manga despite all the people raving about it, so the anime coming out might just be the chance I need to finally get around to it.. I love Studio Trigger and its emphasis on flash and style, but I find their best work is when they do something a little different. Plus, writing tends to be a weakness for the studio, so maybe adapting an exiting work will work in Trigger’s favor. — Elliot
It’s not anime but Link Click season 2 is my pick. Not only is it because I’ve been waiting ever since season 1 ended with a cliffhanger, but I genuinely love how unique it looks with its aspect ratio, as well as how much smoother the animation is compared to the first season. I’m a little sad that season 2 looks like it will completely drop the episodic nature of season 1 though. Even if you don’t plan on watching it, I highly recommend giving the opening a listen. It’s really nice to listen to, plus it’s impressive how it works when played in reverse too. — Stephanie
I can’t understate my excitement for My Happy Marriage! Its brilliant trailer immediately gripped me and the first episode is nearly a masterpiece. It has gorgeously detailed animation and a bleak but somehow hopeful story about a girl who wishes to find happiness. It feels like a mix of two of the best romance anime ever, with the style and character of Violet Evergarden, mixed with a plot reminiscent of Fruits Basket. — Cody
I mean, I’m watching Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon. It’s pretty great! I was worried, considering the hero is a vending machine. But the way interactions work with actual humans or humanoid beings work really well. Plus it’s fun to see the RPG elements and how being a vending machine works. — Jenni
