Fall 2023 Anime Recommendations Top Must-Watch Shows and Anticipated Series

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From long-awaited sequels to bold new originals, this fall’s anime season promises a mix of high-stakes action, heartfelt stories, and breathtaking animation across Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu-shows that could define what fans will be talking about for months to come.

The long-awaited premieres of anime adaptations of Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto and Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim will finally debut on Netflix, the final final part of Attack on Titan‘s final season finally comes to Crunchyroll, and a slew of other exciting releases are due, like the second season of Spy x Family, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Under Ninja, and more.

We’ll continue to update this list as we get a clearer picture of everything this upcoming anime season has to offer, but in the meantime, here are some of the most exciting anime airing this fall you should look forward to.

Our latest update added FLCL: Shoegaze, Tokyo Revengers season 3, Undead Unluck, and The Apothecary Diaries.


Pluto

Pluto reimagines Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy with a gripping murder mystery among advanced robots. Urasawa’s script follows detective Gesicht as he unmasks a killer targeting the world’s strongest AIs. Airing on Netflix this fall, its sharp animation and moral dilemmas make it a standout premiere on Crunchyroll and Hulu too. Fans praise the blend of sci-fi action and human-like robot struggles.

Release date: Oct. 26
Where to watch: Netflix

The long-awaited anime based on Naoki Urasawa’s fantastic Pluto manga is almost here.

The passion project of legendary anime producer Masao Maruyama, this limited series follows the story of Gesicht, a robot detective on the hunt for the serial killer responsible for the murder of the world’s strongest robots. Based on Osamu Tezuka’s iconic manga Astro Boy, Urasawa’s neo-noir sci-fi thriller is considered one of the best manga of its time, so expectations are high for this new anime to knock it out of the park.

Directed by Toshio Kawaguchi (animation director on Ghost in the Shell: Arise) and co-produced by Studio M2 and Tezuka Productions, each of the eight episodes of the series will run approximately 60 minutes. From the looks of the teaser trailer released to announce the premiere date, this massive production over six years in the making is shaping up to be more than worth the wait.

Spy x Family (season 2)

The second season of Spy x Family brings the Forger family back with a mix of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. As Loid continues his undercover mission and Yor balances her assassin life with domestic duties, their adopted daughter Anya once again steals the spotlight with her unpredictable telepathic antics. New characters, clever es

Release date:Oct. 7
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

The Forger family returns this fall for another season following the breakout success of Spy x Family‘s premiere last year. The second season of the anime is confirmed to adapt the Cruise Adventure Arc of Tatsuya Endo’s original manga, following assassin Yor accepting an assignment to protect a client aboard the Princess Lorelai cruise ship. Both Loid and Anya win tickets to ride the same ship, so Yor must find a way to complete her job without revealing her true identity to them. Feels like a lot trouble could be circumvented by just having a straightforward conversation, but what do I know? I’m not a secret agent, a killer for hire, or a clairvoyant little girl with a mean right hook.

Attack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters Special 2

The final chapter of Attack on Titan delivers an intense and emotional conclusion to one of anime’s most talked-about sagas. With breathtaking animation and a focus on the last stand between humanity and Titans, this special brings every major storyline to a powerful close. It explores sacrifice, vengeance, and the heavy weight of freedom through Eren and his former comrades, leaving fans with an unforgettable finale that cements its place as a modern classic.

Release date: Nov. 4
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Finally, the final final chapter of Attack on Titan‘s final season is nearly upon us. With Eren’s choice to trigger the Rumbling and embark on an omnicidal campaign across Earth, his former allies Mikasa and Armin must make a difficult decision: Kill Eren and stop the Colossal Titans from decimating the planet, or allow Eren to create a new empire for the Subjects of Ymir as the cycle of violence continues unabated. We already know how the manga ends, but it’s not yet entirely certain what the anime will choose to alter as we march toward the series’ apocalyptic conclusion.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

Scott Pilgrim leaps into anime form with this Netflix adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels. The series follows slacker Scott as he battles his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in stylish, retro-infused action sequences packed with humor and heart. Airing this fall, it mixes fresh animation from Science SARU with the original voice cast, delivering punchy fights and sharp wit for fans of the films and comics alike.

Release date: Nov. 17
Where to watch: Netflix

Over 13 years since Edgar Wright first brought Bryan Lee O’Malley’s romantic action comedy series to the silver screen, Scott Pilgrim returns this fall with an anime adaptation courtesy of Science Saru (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby).

Although based on O’Malley’s 2004 graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off will not be a beat-for-beat adaptation of the 20-something bass player’s journey to defeat the seven evil exes of his new girlfriend, Ramona Flowers. “If you think you know what you’re going to see, you don’t,” executive producer and co-writer BenDavid Grabinski said in a recent Los Angeles Times interview.

Whether this new take on the character will be the “Rebuild of Evangelion” for the Scott Pilgrim franchise is unclear, but what is clear is the amount of talent attached to this latest adaptation. Not only is Abel Góngora of Star Wars: Visions fame directing Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, but the entire cast of the 2010 Edgar Wright film is returning to reprise their characters, including Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, and Jason Schwartzman. No matter how you look at it, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is sure to be one of this season’s biggest anime premieres.

FLCL: Grunge

FLCL: Grunge brings back the chaotic energy of the cult classic with a new CGI style and a fresh set of characters caught in the absurd mix of adolescence and alien mayhem. Produced by Production I.G and Toho, the series keeps the wild humor and surreal tone that made the original stand out, while exploring themes of change and rebellion from a modern angle. Its bold visuals and fast-paced storytelling make it a unique addition to the fall 2023 lineup on platforms like Crunchyroll.

Release date: Sept. 9
Where to watch: Adult Swim, Max

Five years since the premieres of FLCL: Progressive and FLCL: Alternative, the third sequel to Kazuya Tsurumaki’s surreal sci-fi coming-of-age anime arrives this fall in the form of FLCL: Grunge. Like the original series, FLCL: Grunge follows the story of a teenage boy who crosses paths with Haruko Haruhara, an anarchic extraterrestrial with a proclivity for mischief and clocking people upside their heads with her left-handed electric bass guitar.

Where this new series breaks with previous entries is in its 3DCG animation style. Initial impressions and reviews of the series’ premiere episode have been mixed so far, but only time will tell how FLCL: Grunge will live up to the lofty heights of Tsurumaki’s original series.

FLCL: Shoegaze

The newest entry in the FLCL anthology, FLCL: Shoegaze, returns with its signature mix of surreal humor and emotional chaos. Drawing on the style and tone of the original series, it follows new teens caught in bizarre sci-fi incidents that blur reality and adolescence. With its dreamy visuals and alternative rock influences, this season keeps the spirit of rebellion alive while offering a fresh perspective for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Release date: Sept. 30
Where to watch: Adult Swim, Max

The second FLCL sequel of the year features the return of director Yutaka Uemura, who previously worked on 2018’s FLCL: Alternative, with animation courtesy of studio Nut (Saga of Tanya the Evil, Deca-Dence). Set many years after the events of Alternative, FLCL: Shoegaze follows two teenagers who, frustrated by the humdrum monotony of their everyday lives, plot to destroy a tower in their hometown they believe is responsible for their way of life.

Most of the details of this sequel are being kept under wraps, but what we do know is that Kana Koumoto – the protagonist of FLCL: Alternative – will make an appearance as a supporting character and that this will be the first FLCL story not to feature Haruko Haruhara, the iconic guitar-wielding chaos agent introduced in the first series. But if that’s true, who’s this new girl who looks and sounds just like her? We’ll have to wait for the series premiere to find out.

Phoenix: Eden17

Phoenix: Eden17 arrives with striking cyberpunk visuals and a gripping tale of AI rebellion on a dystopian colony world. As human survivors clash with sentient machines in zero-gravity battles, the series blends intense action sequences with philosophical questions about consciousness. Stream it on Crunchyroll for a fresh take on sci-fi anime premiering this fall.

Release date: Sept. 13
Where to watch: Hulu

Based on Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka’s unfinished, generation-spanning fantasy manga, Phoenix: Eden17 follows the story of Romi, a young woman who flees from planet Earth aboard a spaceship bound for the alien planet of Eden17 with her lover, George, to establish a new home. Discovering the planet to be barren of life, Romi embarks on a journey across space and time in an effort to reunite with her loved ones and see Earth just one more time. Produced by Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet) and directed by Shōjirō Nishimi (MFKZ), Phoenix: Eden17 is shaping up to be a faithful and beautiful tribute to one of the most celebrated stories by one of the most pioneering anime creators of all time.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

A serene yet emotional fantasy series, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End follows an elf mage reflecting on her past adventures after her companions have passed away. Set years after a great victory against evil, the story explores themes of memory, time, and the quiet search for meaning in immortality. With its slow pacing, heartfelt dialogue, and stunning visuals, it offers a contemplative take on what happens after the hero’s tale concludes.

Release date: Sept. 29
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

What happens to the heroes after “happily ever after”? Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, the new anime based on Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe’s ongoing fantasy adventure manga, will attempt to tell that story when it premieres later this month.

Produced by studio Madhouse and directed by Keiichirō Saitō (Bocchi the Rock!, ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. Regards), the series follows Frieren, an elf mage who traveled alongside a group of heroes to defeat a demon king that threatened to enslave the world. After completing their journey, the heroes part ways, with Frieren setting out on her own to find a new purpose in life. As the years pass, Frieren finds herself questioning her past choices as she reflects on the value of her past experiences and friendships.

Tokyo Revengers Tenjiku Arc (season 3)

Tokyo Revengers returns with the Tenjiku Arc, bringing one of the darkest and most intense chapters of the series to life. Takemichi faces new foes as Yokohama’s Tenjiku gang, led by the ruthless Izana Kurokawa, threatens everything he’s fought to protect. With loyalties tested and battles growing more personal, this season raises the stakes higher than ever, delivering gritty emotion, sharp animation, and shocking twists that keep fans on edge.

Release date: Oct. 3
Where to watch: Hulu

Tokyo Revengers returns for another season of time-traveling street gang warfare, as protagonist Takemichi returns to the past in a desperate bid to save the Tokyo Manji Gang from the machinations of Kisaki and the corruption of the gang’s leader, Mikey. There’s even more trouble this season, as Kisaki has joined forces with Tenjiku, a powerful up-and-coming gang led by the volatile and charismatic Izana Kurokawa, who embarks on a warpath to destroy every gang in Japan. Will Takemichi be able to avert catastrophe, or is the fate of Tokyo Manji irrevocably sealed?

KamiErabi GOD.app

KamiErabi GOD.app: The must-watch anime to look out for in fall 2023 arrives with bold storytelling, stylish direction, and compelling character arcs that promise to captivate fans across Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu as new season premieres roll out.

Release date: Oct. 5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

What do you get when you get Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters director Hiroyuki Seshita, Soul Eater and Fire Force creator Atsushi Ohkubo, and game designer Yoko Taro of Nier: Automata fame together in a room to produce an anime? You get KamiErabi GOD.app, a new original series about a group of young combatants known as “Influencers” who are battling it out for the prize of achieving Godhood. Sounds similar to Death Note creator Tsugumi Ohba’s manga Platinum End, doesn’t it? From the looks of the trailer and the particular talent attached to this production, audiences can probably expect one or two dozen surprises from the get-go when the series premieres later this season.

Under Ninja

Set in a near-future Japan where modern technology reshapes espionage, Under Ninja follows a reclusive young man recruited into a secret ninja organization. Balancing dark humor with sharp action, the series explores the absurdity of covert missions in suburban life. Its gritty urban style, unpredictable tone, and mix of satire and suspense make it one of the fall season’s most intriguing standouts.

Release date: Oct. 5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

This action comedy follows a high school loner named Kurō Kumogakure who is approached with quite the part-time job offer: Become a modern-day ninja and complete international assassinations on behalf of a shadowy organization. He’s not alone, either; Kurō will cross paths with a number of fellow young assassins as he completes assignments, relying on them and often even fighting against them as he works to earn a living. Produced by Tezuka Productions and directed by Satoshi Kuwabara (Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions, Black Jack), Under Ninja is based on the ongoing manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Kengo Hanazawa.

Undead Unluck

A wild mix of dark humor and high-stakes action, Undead Unluck follows Fuuko, a girl whose bizarre power brings misfortune to anyone she touches, and Andy, an immortal seeking the perfect way to die. Together they’re pulled into a secret organization hunting people with strange abilities, leading to chaotic battles, emotional twists, and plenty of outrageous moments. Its blend of absurd comedy, heartfelt character work, and unpredictable storytelling makes it one of the standout series this season.

Release date: Oct. 6
Where to watch: Hulu

What happens when a preternaturally unlucky girl crosses paths with a guy who just can’t die? Adapted from Yoshifumi Tozuka’s manga, Undead Unluck follows Fuuko Izumo, a young woman who has lived in self-imposed isolation ever since her supernatural abilities inadvertently caused the death of over 200 people. Think Rogue from X-Men, but instead of sucking the life force out of people, she causes Final Destination levels of havoc and destruction through skin-to-skin contact. Moments from taking her own life, Fuuko meets “Andy,” an immortal man cursed with regenerative abilities. Pursued by a mysterious organization known as “The Union,” Fuuko and Andy are thrust into a world of bizarre adversaries and high stakes.

Produced by David Production (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), Undead Unluck features character designs by Hideyuki Morioka and music by Kenichiro Suehiro, and it is directed by Yuki Yase, all of whom previously worked together on the first season of Fire Force. The premise sounds cool, and the animation of Andy regenerating his body parts is reminiscent of Goto “Muscular” Imasuji’s Quirk ability in My Hero Academia, so I’m very interested to see how well this series follows through on its concept.

The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries.

Release date: Oct. 21
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Fans of The Ancient Magus’ Bride have the second cour of the anime’s second season to look forward to on Oct. 5, but if you’re curious what director Norihiro Naganuma has been up to, look no further than The Apothecary Diaries. Based on the light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino, the series follows Maomao, an inquisitive pharmacist who is kidnapped and sold to the imperial palace as a servant. After secretly discovering the origin of the mysterious illness plaguing the emperor’s children and curing them, Maomao is enlisted by an influential advisors to solve more mysteries surrounding the imperial court. Produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, the trailer looks gorgeous, and the premise of a young woman solving mysteries while keeping her identity a secret makes for an intriguing setup.

Akuma-kun

Based on Shigeru Mizuki’s classic manga, Akuma-kun revives the eerie charm of vintage supernatural storytelling with a modern twist. The series follows a young prodigy who uses his knowledge of demons to create a peaceful world where humans and spirits coexist. Blending mystery, folklore, and emotional depth, it offers both nostalgia for longtime fans and a compelling story for newcomers to the franchise.

Release date: Nov. 9
Where to watch: Netflix

This supernatural comedy series follows Shingo “Akuma-kun” Umoregii, a fifth grader with a prodigious amount of occult wisdom who, unbeknownst to his friends and family, is the reincarnation of a child prodigy reborn every 10,000 years. Seeking to create a world without strife for humans, Akuma-kun summons host of spirits and demons to do his bidding, which often backfires in a number of hilarious ways. If you count yourself a fan of the Addams Family comics or the humorously macabre works of Jhonen Vasquez, Akuma-kun should be right up your alley.

Where to stream Frieren Beyond Journey’s End today

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is widely available on major streaming platforms as of now. Availability can vary by region, but it’s confirmed on several services globally.​

Primary Streaming Options

Crunchyroll offers the full series with subs and dubs, including its Amazon Channel integration-ideal for simulcast fans.
Netflix streams all episodes, with Season 1 fully accessible in many countries.
Hulu provides it through its anime hub, often bundled with ad-supported or premium plans.

Additional Platforms

Disney+ carries the series in select regions like parts of Europe and Asia.
Purchase options include Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home for episodes or seasons.​
No free ad-supported streaming is currently listed; check JustWatch for your location’s exact status.​

Is Frieren Beyond Journey’s End on Crunchyroll with English dub

Yes, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is available on Crunchyroll with a full English dub. The dub premiered in October 2023 and covers Season 1, featuring voice actors like Mallorie Rodak as Frieren and ADR direction by Jad Saxton.

Dub Details

Crunchyroll produced its own English dub, distinct from some regional versions on Netflix (e.g., Southeast Asia uses a different cast, while US/Europe Netflix aligns with Crunchyroll’s).​
Fans praise the Crunchyroll version for emotional depth, especially in key scenes like Eisen’s talks or Frieren’s spells.
As of February 2026, the dub remains accessible on Crunchyroll’s platform with subs and dubs for all aired episodes.​​

Season 2 Note

Season 2 streams on Crunchyroll starting January 2026, with English dub expected soon after sub release based on patterns.​

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Shoaib Rashid

A dedicated gaming journalist for more than three years, his passion for the industry is evident in his commitment to the competitive scenes of Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege, and Battlefield.

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