Another season, another lineup of exciting new and returning anime series! With the return of Demon Slayer for its third season, this arc will definitely gain a lot of attention, but there’s still plenty of room to try out a new series.

Need recommendations from a trusted source? Start here with some of your favorite OtakuUSA contributor’s top anime picks for spring 2023. 

Matt Schley

Heavenly Delusion

I’m a sucker for dystopian stories, and the trailer is giving off some serious Akira/Evangelion/Girls’ Last Tour vibes. I haven’t read the manga, but the fact it’s licensed by Denpa is a very good sign. I’ll tune in when this drops April 1—no foolin’.

Joseph Luster

Ranking of Kings: Treasure Chest of Courage

The second cour may not have been as strong as the first, but I will forever have love in my heart for Bojji and the immaculate fantasy of Ranking of Kings. I can’t wait for more! 

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2

I won’t spoil anything here, but if you saw the final moments of the first season then you’re no doubt also dying to see where The Witch from Mercury takes us next. Things are about to get real. 

Birdie Wing! -Golf Girls’ Story- Season 2

If I can only recommend one buckwild anime about high-stakes gangster golf, I gotta go with Birdie Wing. This was a big surprise from last year for me, and I couldn’t put it down until the credits rolled at the end of the season. Thankfully, it didn’t have to stay off our screens for too long, so bring on the new season. 

Hell’s Paradise

My April hype is all about returning shows, so I had to at least include one new series! I’ve only read some of Yuji Kaku’s manga, but I’m excited to see what the ever-busy MAPPA does with the source material. 

Honorary mentions: MASHLE, Oshi no Ko, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -Swordsmith Village Arc-, Heavenly Delusion.

Brianna Fox-Priest

TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You Season 2

After almost three years, we are finally gifted with the second season of TONIKAWA. I can’t wait to fill my heart with sweet, wholesome goodness from Nasa and Tsukasa’s blossoming marriage. You’ll find me sat in front of the TV on April 7th.

Insomniacs After School

This one totally slipped under my radar until recently. I’m just happy I found it because I have a feeling it may just be one of my favorites this season. To my knowledge, I haven’t seen a series based on the experiences of living with insomnia. Insomniacs After School’s unique take and mystique look promising. Plus, a live-action movie is coming this summer which looks just as beautiful.

A Galaxy Next Door

The space theme for my picks was completely coincidental—but I’m digging it! It is nice to see a promising lineup of iyashikei and romance series this spring. The latest anime adaptation by Amakagure Gido, the creator of Sweetness & Lightning, is not a new concept (think TONIKAWA mixed with Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun), but a welcome one. 

Honorable mentions: Kizuna no Allele (uhh an anime about Kizuna AI’s legacy? Yes, please!), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc, My Home Hero

Which anime series have you saved on your watchlist this spring?