2023 has once again been an immense year for television. Some of the best active series have returned to premiere their new seasons. In fact, many of them have said goodbye. It is the case of Succession, Ted Lasso, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Barry either The Crown. All of them have marked an era and it will be very difficult to surpass them for their millions of fans. But fortunately others have also started that have filled that void in an industry that is increasingly oversaturated with content.
Among the new releases of 2023, hits such as One Piece, Ahsoka either The Last of Us. Along with them, seasons of series that will continue in the coming years such as Only murders in the building, The Mandalorian, The Bear, Doctor Who and even the legendary Futurama. In general terms the course has been quite good, but here we compile the 10 best series released throughout the year. It should be noted that only the first three form our ranking of Hypertextualsince the rest appear without following a specific order.
1. Succession T.4
It may be the best series of the last five years. At least, the infinite awards it has achieved in each season prove it. The truth is Succession has kept millions of viewers on the brink of heart attack in 2023 with a tremendous final season. The sublimation of the work of Jesse Armstrong had to reveal, finally, who would inherit the Waystar Royco company. Kendall, Shiv, Roman or Connor, the four children of business giant Logan Roy, were facing their final battle.
The fourth installment has included twists upon twists, moments of extreme joy and also razor-sharp tension. Through insults and shouts, his brilliant scripts have hidden looks that kill and that say more than any words. Also lapidary and prophetic sentences that take on a new meaning once everything is over. Each episode plays perfectly with the expectations and desires of its characters—and the viewer—until reaching an outcome that is now television history. Without a doubt, the series of the year.
2. The Bear T.2
The production became the big surprise in the world of series with a brilliant first season. In her, The Bear He used the frenetic activity of the kitchen of a family restaurant to analyze topics such as grief, suicide and redemption. At the same time, she achieved the visual feat, turning the culinary environment into a game of scales, colors and textures that expressed the inner world of the characters. The result was an immersive and emotional experience that dazzled the audience.
Its second season is, in many ways, a revisit to the high points of its premise. Which includes delving into Sydney’s fear (Ayo Edebiri) from becoming a failure, now that he has his first real professional opportunity. On the other hand, in 2023 the series grows in ambition by becoming a reflection on its sensitive subtext about creation as a form of redemption. Become an icon of the serialized format, the door is open for a third season already confirmed that analyzes the new power relations in the Original Beef of Chicagoland.
3. Blue-eyed samurai
That Netflix increasingly strong commitment to animation is no longer a secret. The streaming platform remains committed to offering true masterpieces that challenge the best projects of each year. This 2023, its crown jewel has been blue eyed samurai. For lovers of feudal Japan, it is an essential series. For fans of adult animation, one of the best products of recent times.
Action, blood, sex, revenge, values, epic, mythology… Everything comes together in a perfect balance in the story of Mizu, a mixed-race woman with a unique skill with the sword. Throughout the episodes we take her on a journey in search of sadistic vendetta to understand what has turned her into the implacable creature she is today. But, above all, we go on a journey of self-discovery and introspection that puts honor, will and destiny at its center.
The Last of Us
The video game adaptation of The Last of Us I arrived with many doubts HBO. In his favor he had the creators of the original project, with the mind behind a hit like Chernobyl and with two luxury protagonists like Peter Pascal and Bella Ramsey. But in any video game adaptation there is a risk of being unable to make the jump from one format to another. In the end, the coin came out heads and the series has been one of the best of all of 2023. Week after week, it kept us viewers on the edge of our seats and in tears with the terrible but tender and hopeful story of Joel and Ellie.
One Piece
After multiple attempts, in 2023 finally Netflix hit the nail on the head when adapting a major work. The honor fell to One Piecethe anime based on the manga Eiichiro Oda. The work, known for its length and complexity, was the least likely to be a success in a more restricted and limited format. But not only is it, but it is also a story that succeeds as an independent production. The story of how the very young aspiring pirate Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) gathers his strange crew to go in search of a legendary treasure, it is endearing. But it’s also fun, full of nuance and enthusiastic homages to the source material. For the platform it is a long-awaited triumph. However, for fans it is something more: a tribute to one of the most beloved animated films of recent decades.
Anger (Beef)
Director Lee Sung Jin turned the familiar premise of an instant enmity between two strangers into a dark plot about chance and violence. Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) is a contractor full of financial failures who ends up pouring all his rage into a chance event. When he is involved in a minor traffic accident involving Amy Lou (Ali Wong), a businesswoman with an unhappy marriage, will seek revenge. Which will cause a pernicious bond to emerge between the two. Halfway between hatred and a feeling closer to a failed love, Row tells an ambiguous story about evil. Also, a story about the subtext that criticizes, in a tone of satire, greed and desire.
The Messiah
The Javis In 2023 they have produced their most complete work adapting – no matter how much they want to deny it – the murky story of the Flos Mariae. The Messiah It is a series divided into three parts. But, although they coincide with different temporal stages, in reality the changes are produced by the different states of its protagonist, the ungovernable Montserrat. She is an uncontrollable beast who subjects her children to the unbridled madness of a life of seclusion and extreme religious fanaticism. It is the best Spanish series of the year and has among its episodes some of the most memorable moments in the history of television in our borders. And to top it all off, what shines the most is an extraordinary cast.
Ted Lasso T.3
One of the most beloved series on television has, unfortunately, come to an end in 2023. Ted Lasso has said goodbye with a third installment that is somewhat more irregular than the previous ones, but again with stellar moments. The excitement grows in crescendo as the inevitable end draws near. This tender soccer coach who doesn’t even know what an offside is or how long a match lasts has won the hearts of all viewers. Who knows if we will see him again in the future, perhaps with a spin-off. A good part of the team has already shown itself in favor of returning after the well-deserved rest they have earned.
Little Faith
Bertha (Esperanza Pedreño) and José Ramón (Raul Cimas) are a marriage that goes through several different stages and all at the same time. From the midlife crisis to the simple age of spending your life with the same person on the other side of the bed. For both of us, a year is a good amount of time to ask existential questions. Something that the script Pepón Montero and Juan Maidagan takes the opportunity to narrate the vicissitudes of adult life with a satirical sense of humor that guarantees laughter. But little faith It’s more than just a comedy. It is also a gentle perspective on adult life, its pains and hopes. Which makes the twelve very short episodes a hilarious and emotional experience.
Ahsoka
Galactic fans have had reasons to celebrate this 2023. Dave Filonithe “heir of George Lucas”, has given the followers of Star Wars a new work to enjoy and get excited about. Ahsokawhich could well be titled Rebels season 5 or Sabine Wren: The Series, is a tribute to the legacy of the franchise. From visual and formal references to previous films to stellar appearances by many beloved characters, some of whom seemed forgotten. Filoni understands better than anyone what is and should be Star Wars. Therefore, furthermore, Ahsoka It is a hopeful window into the future of the saga. A project that does not lack anything, as it has action, drama, epic battles and a lot of expansion in galactic mythology.