Action anime offers some of the most intense and exaggerated animated fights and conflicts. The drama, choreography, and high stakes keep viewers hooked and excited. Some of the most popular action anime showcase unique powers, interesting martial arts, supernatural elements, and complex plots alongside the adrenaline-fueled animation. Here are Top 5 Action Anime of 2023
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer takes place in Taisho era Japan and follows the kindhearted Tanjiro Kamado’s quest to find a cure for his sister Nezuko after she becomes a demon. Nezuko and Tanjiro join the Demon Slayer Corps to battle powerful demons and ultimately defeat the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji who is responsible for the destruction of their family and creation of demons.
The anime is lauded for its beautiful Ufotable animation, emotional storytelling, and amazing fight sequences. Tanjiro utilizes the unique Breath Styles of swordsmanship learned from his mentors at the Demon Slayer Corps during action-packed confrontations. The varied demon battles highlight clever tactics as Tanjiro constantly faces challenges against stronger supernatural foes. Viewers are kept on the edge of their seats as the demon slayers tap into their courage and willpower to overcome the threats.
With its first season in 2019 and its second completed in 2021, Demon Slayer swiftly became one of the most popular recent anime. The anime perfectly balances tense drama and sorrow with the excitement of its choreographed fights against grotesque and powerful demons. For those seeking athrilling action anime, Demon Slayer is a must-watch.
Attack on Titan
The apocalyptic setting of Attack on Titan instantly grabs viewers with intense action. Humanity lives contained behind walls to protect themselves from man-eating Titans. After witnessing the destruction by the enormous Colossal Titan, Eren Yeager joins the military with his friends Mikasa and Armin to battle the Titan threat and reclaim the world outside the walls.
Attack on Titan enthralls with its epic fight sequences as the heroes utilize blade-laced grappling hooks to swiftly maneuver and strike the Titans. The animation highlights the terror and intensity as Titans easily destroy and consume human prey. With the mystery behind the Titan’s origin and humanities’ state slowly being uncovered over its complex plotline, Attack on Titan keeps ramping up the stakes and twists.
The final season aired in 2022, completing the popular series that ran from 2013 to 2022. Attack on Titan balances mysteries, conspiracies, character drama, and politics with its signature heart-pounding action sequences. Viewers can expect an exhilarating mixture of genres with each episode.
My Hero Academia
Taking the superhero genre to exciting anime heights is My Hero Academia. Set in a world where most people possess powers called “Quirks”, young Izuku Midoriya dreams of becoming a hero despite being one of the rare few born Quirkless. After impressing his idol All Might and inheriting his spectacular Quirk “One for All”, Izuku joins U.A. High’s hero course to hone his skills and graduate to a pro hero.
My Hero Academia captures all the school drama, humor, and warmth of its coming-of-age protagonists alongside exhilarating superhero action. As Izuku and his rival Katsuki Bakugo advance through U.A. High, viewers are treated to creative battles applying their unique superpowers. With each member of Class 1-A having phenomenal Quirks, every confrontation and training match is a visual spectacle.
Currently airing its sixth season in 2022 with more to come, My Hero Academia satisfies with endearing characters and battle shonen excitement. For superpower action, My Hero Academia delivers memorable fights utilizing spectacular paranormal abilities.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Dark, thrilling supernatural action drives the popular series Jujutsu Kaisen. Protagonist Yuji Itadori is a high school student with immense physical strength. After accidentally consuming the rotting finger of the cursed spirit Ryomen Sukuna, Yuji joins Jujutsu Tech to help destroy the sinister demon’s fingers to prevent his resurrection.
Training as a Jujutsu sorcerer, Yuji and his mentors must contend with deadly Cursed Spirits that plague the world. The cunning and creepy spirit designs combined with the inventive animation for the psychic and spell-like abilities used in combat make every paranormal battle a highlight. Jujutsu Kaisen also balances its slick action with humorously heartfelt moments between its ensemble of characters.
Airing its first season in 2020 with a second on the way, Jujutsu Kaisen resonates with an intriguing story about sacrifice and morality combined with thrilling clashes against nightmarish foes. For a darker action anime to get lost in, Jujutsu Kaisen is a must-see.
Naruto
Masashi Kishimoto’s iconic series Naruto and its sequel Naruto: Shippuden epitomize the action and adventure of battle shonen anime. Over 720 episodes, viewers follow the ninja Naruto Uzumaki across his mythic journey questing to become the Hokage leader of his village. With Naruto’s talk-no-jutsu speeches and unwavering perseverance through any challenge, he grows from a troublemaking kid to one of the greatest ninja heroes.
Naruto dazzles with its “ninja” style action sequence as characters run across surfaces, manipulate elements, summon giant creatures, and utilize specialized skills and weapons during battles. Chakra abilities and hand signs allow for creative attacks and techniques during the many memorable fights. With a massive cast of unique ninjas and mythic threats, Naruto never disappoints when it comes to delivering epic ninja vs ninja combat.
From its start in 2002 to its completion in 2017, Naruto remains a quintessential action anime. It expands viewers’ imaginations with a fleshed-out ninja world of mystery, legend, and constant excitement. For longtime fans and newer generations, Naruto’s adventure still hits with its exhilarating and emotional action.
