My Anime Awards 2023
Sorry, Witch from Mercury fans
2023 sure brought a lot of fun and exciting anime. This is a listing of my favourite anime this year, and thus depends on what I watched. If your favourite show isn't here, chances are it's simply because I didn't watch it (I do have to study after all).
Here goes, Midori's Anime Awards 2023
Best Comedy
I was torn between Onimai and 100 Girlfriends. I was a manga reader of Onimai and seeing the quality from Studio Bind really made me happy. However, this one does go to 100 Girlfriends. This anime dared to imagine the impossible and breathed new life into the overused harem genre. It managed to be silly and wholesome, which I didn't expect was possible within the genre. Great job, Rentarou!
Best Romance
I watched a lot of "romance" this year, from comfy Skip and Loafer, to the hilarious I'm in Love with the Villainess, and the soap-opera-esque Yuri is My Job!. While I didn't watch pure romantic shows, these have served to scratch the romance itch. For this award though, I'd like to pick Tomo-chan Is a Girl!. Jun and Tomo's romance works surprisingly well given the tropey nature of the work. The side characters Misuzu the ice-queen and Carol the ditz are what make this show that much more special.
Best Yuri (and sorry for not watching Witch from Mercury)
This has to go to I'm in Love with the Villainess (WataOshi). In a year stacked with yuri anime, Rae and Claire made for the best pair. Shoutout to the honest discussion of sexuality, something rarely seen in anime. I wish they delved deeper into Manaria and why she is who she is. WataOshi came out swinging wih animation and voice acting - clingy Rae was spectacular to watch and listen.
Hikokomari deserves a mention too - a power fantasy with a thirsty maid and a seductive klutz, where everyone is horny for everyone! Must watch if you can handle the shenanigans.
Best Boy
This award goes to fluffy boi Shima Sousuke from Skip and Loafer. A kind hearted former child-actor making sure silly perfectionist Mitsumi isn't uncomfortable, while handling his own drama on the side - what's not to like!
Best Girl
Terakomari Gandesblood from Hikikomari sure seems a wild choice but hear me out - she's literally me. A recluse for three years thrown into a dog-eat-dog world, Komari manages to forge meaningful relationships, process her trauma and be desired by at least five different women, she's living her best life, and hence is best girl.
Best Drama/Suspense/Anime
Finally I get to talk about my two most favourite anime, Heavenly Delusion and Oshi no Ko.
Oshi no Ko was a guaranteed masterpiece. It seems Aka Akasaka cannot miss these days. The hour-long season opener was a banger and exceeded my expectations as a manga reader. The season continued to build on it and delivered some strong characters to continue the story. We get Kana, a child actor rebuilding her career, Akane the theatre girl, and aspiring idol Mem-Cho battling an ageist industry. Both the OP Idol by YOASOBI and ED Mephisto by Queen Bee are certified bangers. Idol scroched the Oricon charts and topped the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, unprecedented for an anime opening. Doga Kobo isn't really known for hard hitting anime but they sure quelled any doubts about their calibre.
Heavenly Delusion came out of the left field to surprise everyone. Parallel post-apocalyptic worlds, one devastated and the other an oasis. But appearances fool you and Heavenly Delusion makes you expect the unexpected. The animation is stunning and the atmosphere haunting - you do get a sense of impending doom. Don't let me ruin it for you, watch it!
My pick for best anime of 2023 is Heavenly Delusion. The story and animation are amazing and a breath of fresh air. Disney+ jail seems to be only reason why it isn't more popular (RIP Summertime Rendering). Here's hoping for a Season 2!
Summary
- Best Comedy - 100 Girlfriends
- Best Romance - Tomo-chan is a Girl!
- Best Yuri - I Love the Villainess
- Best Boy - Shima Sousuke, Skip and Loafer
- Best Girl - Terakomari Gandesblood, Hikikomari
- Best Drama, Suspense, Anime - Heavenly Delusion