Spring 2023 Fantasy Anime Review: The Best, Worst, and Must-Watch Shows
- Dec 7, 2025
- 6 min read
During the spring of 2023, I dove headfirst into a wave of fantasy anime—some that absolutely blew me away and others that left me wondering how they made it past the planning stage. With the season wrapped up, it feels like the perfect time to break down what worked, what disappointed me, and what might be worth adding to your watchlist. Below is a comprehensive review of each show I followed, complete with 5-star ratings and personal impressions. Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or someone looking for a solid starting point, I hope this guide helps you find your next favorite series.
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World, Too
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Summary:
A bullied boy struggling with his appearance discovers a mysterious door leading to a fantasy world created by an enigmatic sage. In this new realm, he inherits powerful weapons, skyrockets in strength, and undergoes a literal glow-up that transforms his body. His upgraded abilities start influencing both worlds—giving him power, confidence, and the attention of many admirers. Yet despite his transformation, he continues to battle insecurities and fears tied to his past.
My Thoughts:
This anime offers a refreshing spin on the Isekai formula by allowing the protagonist to travel between worlds instead of dying to enter a new one. The first 10 episodes shine with excellent pacing, charming worldbuilding, and beautiful visuals. However, the protagonist’s lingering self-doubt begins to feel repetitive as the story progresses, especially since no meaningful internal conflict seems to develop.
Still, the fight sequences are stunning, the characters are incredibly detailed, and the dual-world narrative is engaging. The flaws lie mainly in predictability and the lack of real stakes for the protagonist. Overall, it’s enjoyable, visually rich, and unique enough to earn a solid four stars.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Summary:
In a world ruled by magic, a boy born with no magical ability is marked for death. Hidden away and raised in secret, he trains his body to supernatural levels of strength. His ultimate dream is to become a “Divine Visionary,” an elite title reserved for top mages. To achieve that, he must enter a magic school and conceal the fact that he can’t cast a single spell.
My Thoughts:
This show is pure fun. Imagine One Punch Man dropped into a whimsical fantasy world with D&D-flavored magic and absurd humor—Mashle delivers exactly that. Mash isn’t unstoppable; the headmaster makes clear he’s not the strongest character alive, which keeps the stakes grounded.
The fight scenes are wildly entertaining, and the pacing avoids the common trap of handing the protagonist new power-ups every episode. There’s room for mystery, character growth, and world lore. The blend of comedy, action, and fantasy is pitch-perfect, making Mashle one of the standout hits of Spring 2023.
Tensei Kizoku no Isekai Boukenroku: Jichou wo Shiranai Kamigami no Shito
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Summary:
After being murdered in his original world, a child is reborn in a land overseen by multiple gods. Each deity grants him a blessing on a scale of 1 to 10—except the protagonist receives a perfect 10 from every god. Naturally, he grows up absurdly powerful and quickly gathers a harem of admirers as he embarks on quests and beast-slaying adventures.
My Thoughts:
This anime is the definition of wasted potential. The protagonist is so overpowered that there’s no meaningful conflict, no struggle, and no character growth. For a child barely 10 years old, he seems to accomplish everything effortlessly. The visuals are underwhelming, and the plot feels more like a standard power fantasy written to appeal to a very specific audience.
The saving grace—and the reason this didn’t get a 1-star rating—is the interesting concept of multiple gods interacting directly with the protagonist. Unfortunately, it’s not explored nearly as deeply as it could have been.
Dead Mount Death Play
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Summary:
A powerful god of death faces destruction at the hands of a heroic warrior. Rather than accept defeat, he casts a reincarnation spell that transfers him to a modern, technology-driven world—landing in the corpse of a recently murdered child. Although weakened, he retains a portion of his magical abilities. Now he must unravel the mystery of the body’s death while navigating a gritty society filled with criminals and assassins.
My Thoughts:
Absolutely phenomenal. This anime flips the reincarnation trope on its head by sending a fantasy being into the real world rather than the other way around. The protagonist’s limited powers and strategic use of magic keep the story suspenseful. The plot is layered with mysteries that unfold at the perfect pace, and the animation is top-tier with expressive cinematics and strong fight choreography.
If this gets additional seasons—and it should—I’ll be watching immediately.
Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni. Season 2
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Summary:
A boy dies and reincarnates in a magical world with his smartphone intact. Gifted with tremendous powers, he quickly becomes influential, forms a large harem, and eventually becomes the ruler of his own kingdom.
My Thoughts:
The first two seasons had charm, especially with fun harem-building moments and the protagonist facing at least some level of challenge. But this season? Every episode feels like a checkbox where the hero effortlessly gets everything he wants without suspense or conflict. The graphics are rough, the battles are dull, and the storytelling is predictable enough to lull you to sleep.
Unless you're specifically seeking a very low-stakes show, I recommend skipping this one.
Isekai Shoukan wa Nidome desu
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Summary:
A once-summoned hero brings peace to a fantasy world, only to be abruptly returned to his original reality. Years later, he is summoned again—this time alongside his classmates—as the world faces renewed danger. As he reconnects with old allies and adversaries, the protagonist must once again try to stop the collapse of the realm he once saved.
My Thoughts:
The premise is brilliant. A hero cast out after saving the world only to be dragged back? That’s fantastic setup. But the execution falls flat. Instead of exploring meaningful dynamics—like competing with classmates who grew stronger or reclaiming lost power—the story simply resets him to full strength and moves on. The visuals are average, the pacing is predictable, and the narrative misses every opportunity to build emotional weight.
Great idea, disappointing delivery.
Kaminaki Sekai no Kamisama Katsudou
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Summary:
A man nearly sacrificed by a cult awakens in what he believes to be a fantasy world—only to learn he’s actually been sent into the far future by his deity, Mitama. In this future, religion has vanished completely. Determined to restore Mitama’s divinity, he sets out to build a new faith while facing off against other beings vying for godhood.
My Thoughts:
This anime approaches isekai from a fresh angle by giving the protagonist no supernatural powers at all—only his knowledge of religion-building and the guiding influence of Mitama. However, it’s important to note that the show is mature and heavily sexualized, especially in the early episodes. If that’s not your thing, consider this a warning.
The concept is fascinating and the animation is decent, though monster designs leave something to be desired. It’s enjoyable and has unique worldbuilding, but not quite compelling enough to spark hype for the next episode.
Isekai One Turn Kill Nee-san
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Summary:
After falling into a coma, a young boy awakens in a fantasy world and believes he is the destined hero. When facing a deadly dragon, he’s saved by his sister—an immensely powerful warrior who is overwhelmingly obsessed with him. Together, they travel the world as he pretends to be the legendary hero while she does all the actual heavy lifting, much to the admiration of his growing harem.
My Thoughts:
This series adds a comedic twist to the typical overpowered-hero formula by shifting the power to the protagonist’s sibling. It embraces humor and absurdity, but also leans heavily into the trope of sisterly obsession, which won’t appeal to everyone. The show is light, silly entertainment—not groundbreaking, but not boring either.
If you enjoy comedy-forward Isekai with a slightly taboo flavor, this one may hit the right notes for you.
Final Thoughts
Spring 2023 delivered a fascinating mix of creativity, comedy, drama, and disappointments. Mashle and Dead Mount Death Play easily stole the spotlight with strong storytelling and unique premises. Meanwhile, shows like Isekai wa Smartphone 2 and Tensei Kizoku struggled with overpowered characters and lackluster writing.
Whether you're looking for polished action, unpredictable mysteries, or pure comedic chaos, this season had something to offer. Here's to hoping summer anime brings just as much variety—minus the wasted potential.
Comments