The 2023 Leo Lovelace Anime Awards
Check out the summary of the 2023 show down below!
The 2023 anime awards featured 36 unique nominees and 15 different winners across its 30 categories – the full list of nominees and winners is broken down by section and category below!
Genre Awards
Best Action
WINNER
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury S2
The Witch From Mercury’s second season boasts higher stakes and a grander scale than the first one, weaving a tale of political and character drama interspersed with fights that feel more impactful than before. Be it duels and battle royales, guerrilla warfare being fought between Earthians and Spacians, or larger conflicts in the depths of space, the action in Gundam had me on the edge of my seat as I watched it unfold. Sunrise’s strong animation lends itself well to the fights, with well animated brawls in both open space and smaller locales, and I appreciated how they didn’t hold back in depicting the intensity of these conflicts and how it affected both the combatants and those caught in the crossfire. While there were numerous series with great action this year, and Gundam itself had some well animated and engaging fights, it was ultimately the way in which the action scenes impacted the characters and story that pushed Gundam over the edge to earn the award for my best action series of the year
Other nominees:
Best Adventure/Fantasy
WINNER
Dr. Stone: New World (S3)
This is the fourth time I’ve nominated Dr Stone for this award, and thanks to how strong New World was, I can finally give the series the attention it deserves. While Dr Stone has always been a fun adventure anime, New World kicks it up a notch, as it takes the cast on a journey to a new island and introduces many new characters, both of which brought a welcome breath of fresh air to the series. The change in locale brings not just new friends, foes, challenges and inventions, but also surprising turns to the story that I appreciated and helped further contribute to the world building. This is the first time Senku and co have been challenged to this extent, and I couldn’t wait to see how the continuously growing cast would band together to overcome the odds and push onward in their goal to save humanity. As a whole, Dr Stone is just an absolute blast to watch, and seeing the cast continue to travel to exciting new locations while expanding their ranks makes it one of my favorite anime adventures out there
Other nominees:
Best Comedy/Slice of Life
WINNER
Buddy Daddies
Buddy Daddies was a pleasant surprise that I initially overlooked, and I’m glad I decided to go back and give it a watch. The premise is unique, following a pair of criminals who adopt a kid after a hit gone wrong, but the series runs with it and executes it really well. Seeing Kazuki and Rei adapt to their new life with Miri and the daily interactions they had led to dozens of scenes that had me laughing, and the humor was further accentuated by both how over the top some scenes were as well as how strong the voice acting was, which is one of the hallmarks of a good comedy anime. That being said, Buddy Daddies also surprised me in how well it balanced the comedy with some emotional elements as their new life together is challenged and the characters grapple with their past and the consequences of their actions. I really enjoyed Buddy Daddies and found myself laughing a lot at the antics Kazuki, Rei and Miri got up to, but I was also moved by the theme of “found family” and how everyone came together to protect that family. The way the series seamlessly blended those elements while telling a complete and satisfying story is what made it the best comedy and slice of life of the year to me
Other nominees:
Best Drama
WINNER
BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!
I’ve long felt that Bang Dream is an underappreciated series full of great characters and drama, but MyGO may be its best yet. The decision to focus on a new band, new cast and new storyline rather than the pre-existing ones was a risky but ultimately fruitful decision, as it now serves as an excellent, and self contained entry point to the franchise. MyGO tells the story of the band of the same name – how it came to be, what struggles they faced, and where they ultimately end up. The members of MyGO are a collection of flawed but relatable characters, and the dynamics they develop and story they weave as they meet, grow and fight with one another made for a strong character drama as a whole. Of course, I’m also a sucker for anime that use music as a vehicle for characters to grow and express themselves, and MyGO features numerous standout examples of music being used to progress the story – sometimes by helping characters bridge the divide they face, and other times by creating new ones. As a whole, BanG Dream It’s MyGO is a really strong character drama that uses music to tell the story of 5 girls who feel lost, but who come together to create a place they belong, and is an anime I’d absolutely recommend to anyone who appreciates music or good drama
Other nominees:
Best Romance
WINNER
Insomniacs After School
Insomniacs was one of my most anticipated anime of 2023, and it absolutely delivered on what I wanted. The series is an extremely cute, wholesome and heartwarming romance with two fantastic leads in Nakami and Magari. The two of them bond over their shared struggle with insomnia, and the way they gradually grow closer and their relationship develops felt natural and realistic thanks to the strong character writing and consistent pace. Add in an incredibly satisfying ending, some pretty visuals and a relaxing soundtrack from Yuki Hayashi, and you have the cherry on top. I really enjoyed Insomniacs primarily thanks to the enjoyable and well written relationship between Nakami and Magari, but adding in the good natured supporting cast, relaxing soundtrack and overall heart of the series made it one of my favorite romances in years
Other nominees:
Best Suspense
WINNER
Heavenly Delusion
There were a few great mystery anime this year, but none had me as hooked as Heavenly Delusion did. The series balances two concurrent storylines, one following the two leads exploring a post apocalyptic world inhabited by man-eating creatures, and the other following a group of kids in a strange facility where things feel “off”. It very much employs a “show don’t tell” method of storytelling, as it gradually drip feeds information and challenges you to theorize about how the storylines are connected and the overall mystery, but putting the pieces together is a reward in itself. On top of the engaging mystery and interesting world, I also felt that it did an excellent job in establishing and maintaining tension throughout thanks to the strong directing, lighting and sound design. The use of light and dark to keep threats just out of sight, or the absence of sound to increase the unease I felt, frequently had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath, anxious yet excited to see what would happen next. Heavenly Delusion is a dark and engaging mystery that kept me thoroughly interested in the world, characters and story, and the audio visual experience that accompanied it made the tension feel palpable, culminating in a thriller well worth watching
Other nominees:
Character Awards
Best Protagonist
WINNER
Thorfinn (Vinland Saga S2)
The continuation of Vinland Saga sees Thorfinn, a character who often frustrated me in the first season, go on a compelling journey of self discovery and personal growth, coming out the other side as one of my favorite protagonists in anime. Watching him grapple with his past and develop from an anger and vengeance driven kid to a mature and compassionate adult is an emotional experience that impacts everyone around him. Yuuto Uemura’s performance as his voice actor is also amazing – the screams as he wakes from a PTSD induced nightmare, the tears as he grapples with his past, and the quiet confidence as he finds his footing and becomes a better person are all phenomenally delivered, and I really felt that he brought Thorfinn to life. Vinland Saga season 2 is largely a story of Thorfinn coming to terms with how the world shaped him into the man he is, and of how he now wants to change and impact the people and world around him. Thorfinn’s emotional journey is no doubt some of the best character growth I’ve ever seen, and that makes him my best protagonist of the year
Other nominees:
Best Antagonist
WINNER
Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen S2)
Mahito is an insane, unhinged antagonist whose unpredictability makes him an incredibly fun antagonist for our cast to be facing off against. Any time he appears it feels like it’s purely to cause chaos, and his strength and tenacity make the anxiety and fear he induces in all of his opponents feel genuine. From his ability to create new curses to the way he seemingly enjoys taunting his opponents before he physically or emotionally crushes them, Mahito is a genuine menace. Not to mention the amazing performance from Nobunaga Shimazaki as his voice actor which highlights Mahito’s insanity, further showing just how scary of an opponent he is. Mahito is an unpredictable and brutal villain who I loved to see on screen because I felt like I never knew what he’d do next, and the amount of fun I had rooting against him made him my favorite antagonist of the year
Other nominees:
Best Supporting Character
WINNER
Tomori Takamatsu (BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!)
While there were many great characters this year, Tomori was one I quickly found myself engaged in the story of and at times able to relate to. Though she’s someone who has felt isolated for much of her life, she discovers just how strong of a vehicle music can be in channeling one’s feelings into something more tangible. Her anxiety made her personal struggle to make connections and express herself all the more endearing, and I loved watching her slowly find that courage to turn her honest feelings into lyrics and speak her mind. Tomori very much becomes the glue that holds MyGO together when cracks start to form in their relationships, and her personal growth throughout the series as well as her raw performances were both a joy to watch play out. I could see pieces of myself in Tomori and that made me personally invested in her journey to be in a band and express herself, so seeing her take that step, gradually come out of her shell and try her absolute best to become the person she wants to be made her my favorite supporting character of the year
Other nominees:
Best Cast
WINNER
Dr. Stone: New World (S3)
I’ve always been a fan of Dr. Stone’s cast, and New World just makes it even bigger and better thanks to a variety of new friends and foes alike. New World spends much of the season focusing on a smaller group, but nearly everyone has chances to shine. Ryusui is particularly standout as a new addition to the crew and one of the new leaders of the kingdom of science, though I also liked Amaryllis as an ally and Ibara and Moz as antagonists. The classics are all here too, with Senku being one of my favorite protagonists in recent years along with Kohaku, Chrome and Gen as supporting members. Not to mention bringing back some characters who haven’t been around for a while to truly round out this ensemble cast. Dr Stone is a series whose fun vibes and wildly entertaining cast elevate it from good to great, and that variety and likability makes it one of my favorite casts in anime
Other nominees:
Best Girl
WINNER
Fuyutsuki (The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl)
Competition was fierce for best girl this year, but Fuyutsuki takes the crown as she checks nearly all my boxes (aside from having red eyes). I really enjoyed seeing the various ways her kindness and thoughtfulness came through in her interactions with Himuro and her other coworkers, as she often picks up on little things they do or say and then acts on them. It’s clear how caring and genuine she is, and watching her had me internally turning into Yugi at the bridge in every episode. Fuyutsuki is a cute, caring and thoughtful character who I can see quickly climbing my best girl list when I next update it
Other nominees:
Best Guy
WINNER
Kazuki Kurusu (Buddy Daddies)
Kazuki is an absolute MVP for the way he steps up to become a dad for Miri overnight. Despite being a criminal, Miri entering his life changes him for the better and allows him to show off just how good natured and likable he truly is as he goes out of his way to give Miri the best life he can. And not only does he act as an admirable dad for Miri, but he also helps Rei get on a track to a better life too. It’s evident how much he cares for, and wants to protect, the found family he forms with Miri and Rei, and that care along with how fun it is to watch him and his antics made him an easy pick for my best guy of the year
Other nominees:
Best Couple/Ship
WINNER
Magari & Nakami (Insomniacs After School)
Magari and Nakami are two people who at first glance seem as though they live in different worlds, but it doesn’t take long before you realize they share an unspoken connection – the two both struggle with insomnia and anxiety daily. Their chance encounter leads to a blossoming relationship that allows two struggling people to find someone to confide in and lean on, and watching the two steadily grow closer was a joy. They have a great dynamic and cute relationship full of heartwarming moments, and the way it progresses throughout the 13 episodes was immensely satisfying. I’ve been shilling Insomniacs since I finished it and I’ll continue to do so until everyone I know watches it – I truly think the relationship between Magari and Nakami is one of the best in anime, and it’s a series I hope anyone who likes romance anime will check out
Other nominees:
Music Awards
Best OP
WINNER
Zom 100
Song of the Dead – KANA-BOON
I was obsessed with this OP from first watch and still am now months later. I adore the way it starts off with Akira just vibing in front of a group of zombies and how it sets the tone for the opening as a whole – high energy and with the characters just having fun and enjoying life despite living through a zombie apocalypse. The opening gradually builds up with Akira and Kencho both singing along before it explodes with the chorus in what has become one of my favorite sequences in an anime OP ever – a massive choreographed dance number with the main cast and zombies as backup dancers. I absolutely love how well this opening captures each of the character’s personalities and how energetic and fun it is. Akira, Kencho and Beatrix all dance and sing along, at times getting right up in the camera to solo while the others vibe in the background and confetti falls from the sky. Shizuka sits it out until the other three gang up on her and force her to join in, which she begrudgingly does. Song of the Dead is everything I could want from an anime OP – between the catchy song, vibrant colors, fun and expressive animation, and my personal favorite, the characters dancing and singing along to the song, I utterly adored this opening and think it may very well be one of my favorite openings of all time
Other nominees (click the song names to watch them!):
Best OST (Soundtrack)
WINNER
Vinland Saga S2
Yutaka Yamada
With the second season of Vinland Saga, Yutaka Yamada has one upped himself and created a truly amazing set of tracks that perfectly encapsulate the journey those 24 episodes cover. The heavy use of strings and drums along with the occasional (and thus more impactful) use of vocals all add extra depth and emotion to countless scenes. Listening to the soundtrack end to end feels like a journey in and of itself, ranging from the feeling of soaring to an emotional high to the anxiety of plummeting to rock bottom. The collection of tracks Yamada crafted for Vinland Saga’s second season is the perfect accompaniment to the emotional story of self discovery and growth that Thorfinn embarks on, and I couldn’t have asked for more. If you appreciate music and the way it can enhance a story, you owe it to yourself to listen to this soundtrack
Other nominees:
Best OST Track
WINNER
Vinland Saga S2
Somewhere Not Here
Somewhere Not Here is the track that played during one of my favorite scenes of the year. But to truly talk about Somewhere Not Here is to talk about Vinland Saga as a whole. Somewhere Not Here feels like the song of Vinland Saga, and it plays during the moment everything comes full circle – not just for the season, but for the entire series. From the moment Thorfinn stowed away on the boat with his father in season one, everything he’s done and experienced has been leading to this specific point. The visuals and song both make callbacks to earlier episodes, and putting all the pieces together makes it hit home just how impactful the song and scene paired together are. It’s a track that shares the same name as the first episode of the first season, further emphasizing how this is the moment everything has been building towards. Somewhere Not Here is a beautiful track that beyond sounding triumphant and euphoric, accompanies an incredibly emotional scene that embodies everything Vinland Saga stands for
Other nominees (click the song names to listen to them!):
Best Insert Use
WINNER
Blue Giant
Blue Giant is a film about a trio of jazz musicians, each with their own goal, who band together and rapidly garner acclaim throughout clubs in Tokyo. Their performances start off basic as they build up experience, but as they gain both confidence and notoriety, the performances develop to become more abstract and colorful. Quick cuts and jumps join the creative imagery and vivid colors to create performances that I found myself being pulled into, not realizing how engaged I was until the scene ended. These performances do a great job of showing the raw and dynamic energy of jazz music, the push and pull between the different members of the band, and the way music can elicit emotion from both the performers and audience. At times the trio is vibing on stage and cruising along, and at other times they’re overcome by their passion for the music, like when Yukinori nearly falls out of his seat during a piano solo and then slams himself back down to continue. The audience is similar – some people nod their head in time with the beat while others are overcome with emotion. Not only were the performances visually interesting, but musically I really enjoyed the variety of songs, especially the final one, which both musically and emotionally is one of the best of the year. Blue Giant is a solid music focused drama in its own right, but the creative and engaging insert scenes truly elevated the film, earning it the best insert use award
Other nominees:
Best Insert Song
WINNER
BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!
Utakotoba
Utakotoba is the turning point for the MyGO anime, the moment that all of the passion, struggle, feelings and conflict comes to a boiling point and solidifies the future of the band and cast. Tomori is someone who has always felt disconnected from those around her and had trouble expressing herself, but Utakotoba sees her steel herself and take a step forward for the sake of saving what’s important to her. In an impromptu performance, caught up in Tomori’s passion, the 5 members of MyGO take the stage despite the rift between them and start playing a new song on the fly with no idea of what’s to come. Tomori’s lyrics are raw, honest and unrelenting as she pours her heart out on stage to the members of MyGO, bordering on tears as she fervently prays her words make it through to the rest of the girls. Though they’re on stage in front of an audience, the 5 of them form a circle and only look to one another throughout the performance, communicating with each other through the music and becoming overwhelmed by emotion as they’re finally honest with one another. Utakotoba feels like the culmination of everything that came before it, resulting in an intense and emotional release of all the feelings that had been building up inside Tomori and the rest of the cast in what has now become one of my all time favorite insert songs
Other nominees (click the song names to listen to them!):
Best ED
WINNER
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Anytime Anywhere – milet
I fell in love with Frieren’s ED the moment I saw it, and the more I watched it and picked up on references to her journey, the more I appreciated it. The art style is unique and the visuals are heavy on flowers, but these flowers refer to the various companions Frieren makes on her long journey. It feels as though each one disappears as quickly as they appear, though I think that’s symbolic of how fast the lives of Frieren’s companions pass by compared to her. But what really stood out to me with this ending was the beautiful song by milet, which sounds nostalgic and bittersweet to me. The lyrics of the chorus also hit hard, seemingly referring to Frieren’s thoughts on Himmel and the rest of her party as she comes to terms with her regret at not making the most of the time they did share together. Anytime Anywhere combines pretty and symbolic visuals, a bittersweet sounding song and heartfelt, nostalgic lyrics to create an emotionally evocative ending that I never skipped
Other nominees (click the song names to watch them!):
Production Awards
Best Art
WINNER
Heavenly Delusion
As Kiruko and Maru find themselves trekking across post apocalyptic Japan in search of heaven, they pass through an array of diverse locales, and the background art does an absolutely phenomenal job of setting the tone and building the world. From showcasing dilapidated and eerie cities to gorgeous shots of nature, the art of Heavenly Delusion adds an incredible amount of depth and detail to every scene, never failing to impress me and draw my attention. No matter what stage of the journey they’re on or where they end up, Kiruko and Maru’s cross country journey is enhanced by the beautiful and detailed background art, joining the excellent use of lighting in creating the unsettling tone of the series and giving it a firm grasp on the award for best art
Other nominees:
Best Character Design
WINNER
Oshi no Ko
The designs in Oshi no Ko are nothing short of incredible, featuring a vibrant set of colors and outfits that make each character feel distinct. Of particular note are the eyes, which drew me in immediately thanks to the use of stars and galaxies to add a unique flair to the design. I also liked the way the stars themselves would brighten in moments of happiness or dim when despairing or angry as an additional way to add some impact to the character’s emotions. The characters themselves are expressive and look incredible in motion, which help the designs pop even more. The character designs in Oshi no Ko were some of the most attractive of the year, and they easily obtained the award thanks to how striking and memorable they were
Other nominees:
Best Animation
WINNER
Trigun Stampede
Studio Orange’s skill with 3DCG is well known at this point thanks to series like Beastars and Land of the Lustrous, but Trigun Stampede is by far their most impressive offering yet, as they flaunt their experience with a visual feast. The animation and choreography in action scenes made it impossible to look away, showing off a great understanding of space, depth, movement and camera work to make full use of what CG can bring to the table. On top of that, the character animation is expressive and at times exaggerated, which adds a ton of personality to the cast both in and out of action scenes. Combining the amazing action sequences and expressive character animation results in the series setting a new standard not just for Orange, but for anime in general when it comes to CG utilization. Trigun Stampede is an incredible visual experience with a ton of personality from a talented studio that more than earned the award for best animation
Other nominees:
Best Voice Acting Performance (Male)
WINNER
Nobunaga Shimazaki
Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen S2)
Like I said back in his win for best antagonist, Mahito is an insane and unhinged character, and Shimazaki’s performance plays a huge role in making him such an engaging antagonist. Mahito’s voice feels like it drips malice, and Shimazaki nailed the cruel edge to his voice as he taunts and laughs at his opponents in the midst of battle. It’s a performance that enables the viewer to understand just how scary it would be to face an enemy like Mahito – a sadistic cursed spirit who derives enjoyment from toying with his opponents before he ultimately ends their lives. Shimazaki showed off his range and delivered an exceptional performance with his role as Mahito, fully embodying Mahito’s unpredictable and sadistic nature and making himself stand out amidst a great cast
Other nominees:
Best Voice Acting Performance (Female)
WINNER
Rie Takahashi
Ai Hoshino (Oshi no Ko)
Takahashi has voiced many popular characters in her career, but her performance as Ai quickly became my favorite thing she’s done as she perfectly breathed life into Ai’s multi faceted personality. To the general public, Ai appears to be a bright and cheerful type, the charismatic leader of B-Komachi who draws in anyone and everyone who watches their performances. But behind this mask, Ai is a master of telling lies and lives a secret life. Takahashi’s performance conveys both of these aspects of Ai seamlessly as she flips between the two so naturally you’d think she was Ai. Add in how great she sounds singing B-Komachi’s songs and the riveting performance from one “if you know, you know” scene in particular, and the choice was clear. Rie Takahashi’s performance as Ai is amazing and more than deserving of this award
Other nominees:
Overall Awards
Best Story
WINNER
Vinland Saga S2
Compared to the adventure and bloodshed of the first season, Vinland Saga’s second season takes a step back with a slower and more refined approach, focusing instead on a smaller cast of characters in a singular location and their personal journeys of growth. While the political drama is still present (and still very good), this season’s story is largely about Thorfinn’s struggle to accept his past, face himself in the present, and decide what he wants to do with his life in the future. Though it isn’t just Thorfinn – Einar, Arnheid, Snake, Olmar and others all undergo this same journey of self discovery thanks to their interactions with Thorfinn and the events that occur on the farm they all live on in what I think is some of the best character writing I’ve ever come across in media. Vinland Saga tackles heavy topics in a mature and thoughtful way, and sees the cast attempt to answer the question many people spend their whole lives thinking about: what do I want to do with my life? What am I living for? The various plotlines weave together and eventually culminate in a beautiful ending that left me satisfied and perfectly brought the journey full circle. The story of Vinland Saga is a heartfelt and emotional tale of self growth, human connection, and the desire to help others, and it’s one that personally impacted me, earning it the award for best story
Other nominees:
Most Underrated/Underwatched
WINNER
BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!!
There’s no getting around the fact that the Bang Dream anime series has always flown under the radar – but even knowing that, I was shocked when I checked Anilist only to see that MyGO wasn’t even in the top 200 most popular anime of 2023. For a series this good, that’s criminal. It’s MyGO tells the story of five girls who feel lost creating a place for them to belong and features some of my favorite character drama of the year. The main cast is made up of flawed characters struggling to express themselves, but seeing them steadily grow and come to understand one another was really gratifying. The music is some of the best of the year, with the more than half a dozen insert songs being more than just great songs – they accompany engaging and emotional performances that serve as reminders of how far the cast has come. Bang Dream It’s MyGO ushers in a new era for Bang Dream that serves as a great entry point for people new to the franchise, offering a strong standalone story, engaging character drama, and satisfying payoffs, all headlined by some amazing music with insert songs that hit hard emotionally. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just finding out about the franchise, I highly recommend checking out It’s MyGO if you even remotely like character dramas and good music. If this is a sign of what’s to come for the Bang Dream franchise, then the future is looking bright
Other nominees:
Best Movie
WINNER
Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters
After 10 incredible years and nearly 100 episodes, one of the greatest stories in anime finally comes to an end. It’s a little bittersweet to think about given that Attack on Titan is the anime that got me into anime nearly a decade ago, but I’m glad it got the send off it did. The first two hours of the final chapter were as good as I could’ve hoped, featuring stakes higher than ever, some standout character moments and incredible action sequences that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next. And while I don’t think it completely landed the ending, I still loved the rest of the journey and you could consider this win for best movie a lifetime achievement award for the series. Overall, The Final Chapters served as a mostly excellent end to one of my all time favorite anime, and the anime I’ll forever be grateful to for getting me into the medium in the first place. From the phenomenal story full of shocking twists, the excellent character writing with one of the most interesting casts in anime, the standout voice acting performances, the incredible soundtrack, inserts, OPs and EDs, and the jaw dropping action scenes, I will never forget the amazing time I had watching Attack on Titan over the last decade. I can confidently say that Attack on Titan is, and likely always will be, one of my favorite anime of all time
Other nominees:
Best Episode
WINNER
Oshi no Ko
Episode 1 – Mother and Children
Clocking in at nearly 90 minutes long, Mother and Children is a movie length debut episode that does an amazing job of introducing you to the world of Oshi no Ko while setting the tone for what’s to come. It tells the story of the charismatic idol Ai Hoshino, and the impact she has on her fans, her family, and the idol industry. It delves into her backstory, how it shaped who she is today, and how her life changes those around her. And understanding who Ai is is paramount to the series, as Oshi no Ko’s story is set in motion because of Ai – her past, her connections, her influence and her legacy. That being said, Oshi no Ko is a series best experienced when going in as blind as possible, so I can’t really elaborate any more. But what I can say is that Oshi no Ko tells an engaging story full of interesting characters and surprising twists, and Mother and Children is the perfect debut episode to introduce you to that world. It’s full of intrigue, has one of the most memorable scenes of the entire year, and is one of the best debut episodes in all of anime
Other nominees:
Best Sequel/Spinoff
WINNER
Vinland Saga S2
The second season of Vinland Saga is an adventure in a different way than the first season – rather than a trek across the country with frequent battles against strong opponents, Thorfinn instead embarks on a personal journey through his past and faces off against himself. He wrestles with the guilt of what he’s done and tries to decide where he’ll go from here. The character development Thorfinn undergoes in season two is some of the best I’ve ever seen in anime, and the series feels like it comes full circle in more ways than one. Thorfinn finally understands how the people in his life have shaped him, and now he’s the one impacting the ones around him. The supporting cast is mostly made up of new characters, and they all see their lives and perspectives change because of Thorfinn and his influence. As a sequel, Vinland Saga season 2 is phenomenal. The continuation to Thorfinn’s journey trades violence for compassion in a moving story of self growth and connection, and it serves as a hallmark for what a sequel should be. I’ve no doubt that this is a story that will stick with me for a long time to come
Other nominees:
Anime of the Year
WINNER
Vinland Saga S2
I’ve praised Vinland Saga quite a bit over its five previous wins, but now it’s time to hammer it home – Vinland Saga season two was the best anime of 2023. The journey Thorfinn has undergone throughout the series has been long and arduous, but rather than continuing along the bloodstained path he was on, the second season of Vinland Saga instead sees Thorfinn building bridges. Through his introspection, as he faces himself and the things he’s done throughout the past, he gradually comes to terms with the lessons he’s learned and the things he values in life. It’s a compelling and deeply personal journey of growth that sets Thorfinn’s life on a new course, and is without a doubt one of the most moving stories I’ve ever experienced. It all culminates in a beyond satisfying ending that truly brings the story of Vinland Saga full circle. The supporting cast is full of similarly interesting characters – Einar, a newfound brother to Thorfinn who undergoes change of his own. Arnheid, a slave from Ketil’s farm with a profound impact on the story. Canute, a king trying to determine how to move forward. Snake, a mercenary who obtains a new perspective. Olmar, a wannabe warrior whose eyes are opened to the reality of the world. All of these characters and more become involved in a developmental push and pull with each other, and I was blown away by just how well written each and every one of them was. The cast of Vinland Saga is full of mature and multifaceted characters who feel real, and it made their story all the more engaging. Not to mention how incredible the voice acting performances are all around, with Yuuto Uemura as Thorfinn and Mayumi Saco as Arnheid being particularly standout. Add in a beautiful soundtrack crafted by Yutaka Yamada, gorgeous art depicting the beauty of the land, and strong animation from the team at MAPPA, and you’ve got a series firing on all fronts. But as amazing as those were, it was ultimately the story and characters that truly elevated Vinland Saga’s second season. In a world where strength and violence beget power and control, Thorfinn instead chooses a path of compassion, demonstrating a different kind of strength. Watching the narrative play out and seeing exactly how Thorfinn faces his guilt and sets himself on this new path was an emotional experience that genuinely moved me. It’s a story about connection, change, honesty, redemption and empathy, and it’s a story I think will stick with me forever
Other nominees:
Final Summary of Nominees
You can check out the full list of anime that were nominated for awards below in alphabetical order!
