With Japanese animated film box-office revenues set to hit a record high in 2022, attention is turning to feature-length animated films. 2022 saw hits such as ONE PIECE FILM RED, Suzume no Tojimari and THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

But, what kind of hit anime will be born in 2023?

We have compiled a list of feature-length animated films that will be released in Japan in 2023, as of January 4. Due to recent fluctuations in the definition of film and event, the list includes not only theatrical releases, but also new works that will be shown for the first time in theaters, known as ODS, as well as domestic feature-length animated films that will be distributed through platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus, even though they will not be shown in theaters.

In total, there are already nearly 50 Japanese animated films scheduled for release in 2023. In addition, some of the more than 20 unannounced films are expected to be released in 2023.

The list also reveals several changes in the current animation market. One is the entry of distribution companies, such as Amazon Prime Video’s Lupin III vs. Cat’s Eye and Netflix’s The Seven Deadly Sins: Resurrection of Edinburgh, Part 2.

It is unclear at this time whether theatrical screenings will be held in conjunction with distribution, but it is safe to say that the first window is for feature-length animated films that are leaning toward distribution.

Also, screenings of partial or compilation works from TV series, such as Oni no Kizu no Kabe, Demon Slayer: Swordsmiths Village arc etc.

Companies such as Aniplex, Avex Pictures, Pony Canyon, and Namco Bandai Pictures, which have specialized in the DVD and Blu-ray sales business, continue to present small-scale theatrical screenings. As the video market shrinks, theatrical exhibition is becoming an increasingly active means of revenue collection.

So without further delay let’s jump into the list:

Animated feature films scheduled to be released in 2023  (As of
January 4, 2023) The names in Brackets () are the names of the distributors.

■January 6
・TV series special edition Detective Conan Haibara Ai Monogatari ~Black Iron Mystery Train~ (Toho)
· Dream Collaboration Festival Dorikora Fes. Aikatsu! Series & Pretty Series” (AEON Entertainment)

■January 13
・Yokai Watch ♪ Jibanyan vs Koma-san Monge Great Decisive Battle Nyan (AEON Entertainment)

■January 20
・Fafner in the Azure BEHIND THE LINE” ( Movic)
・Aikatsu! 10th STORY ~ Starway to the Future ~ (Bandai Namco Pictures)

January 27
・ Kin no Kuni Mizu no Kuni (Warner Bros. Movie)
・ Lupin III VS Cat’s Eye (Amazon Prime Video)

February 3
・ Kimetsu no Yaiba: Swordsmiths Village (Toho/Aniplex)

February 17
・ BLUE GIANT (Toho Imaging Division)
・Sasaki To Miyano -Graduation- (Kadokawa ANIMATION)

March 3
Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia (Toho)

March 10-
SSSS .DYNAZENON (Toho Imaging Division)

March 17
・Oshi no Ko TV anime episode 1 (90 minutes expanded version) (Kadokawa ANIMATION)

March 24
・Gridman Universe (Toho Imaging Division)
・Argonavis Movie: AXIA (Bushiroad Move)

March 31
・Black Clover Sword Of The Wizard King (Shochiku ODS Division)
・Rakudai Majo: Fuuka to Yami no Majo (Pony Canyon)

April 7
・ Princess Principal: Crown Handler Chapter 3” (Showgate)

April 14
・ Detective Conan Black Iron Submarine ( Toho)

April 28
・The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Toho Towa)

May 26
・The Feast Of Amrita (Zelico Film)

Early Summer
・Theatrical version of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos Part 1 (Toei)
・Sailor Moon Cosmos theatrical version Part 2 (Toei)
・Collar x Malice theatrical version -deep cover- Part 1 (Avex Pictures)
・Collar x Malice theatrical version -deep cover- Part 2 (Avex Pictures)

■July 14
・How do you live? (Toho)

■August
・The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2″ (Netflix)

■Summer
・Shin Jingen! Crayon Shin-chan THE MOVIE Chounouryoku Daikessen ~Tobetobe Temaki Sushi~ (Toho)
・Special Edition Sound! Love Live ~Ensemble Contest~ Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Club New OVA

December
・RABBITS KINGDOM THE MOVIE

Winter
・The Birth of Kitarō: Mystery of GeGeGe (Toei)

■ 2023
・ Theatrical version SPY x FAMILY (Toho)
・ Theatrical version City Hunter 2023 (Aniplex)
・ Movie Sumikko Gurashi 3rd (Asmik Ace)
・ Ten Accounts (Pony Canyon)
・Girls und Panzer Final Chapter Episode 4 (Showgate)
・Rascal Does Not Dream of A Sister On An Outing (Aniplex)
・Theatrical version Estab Life Revengers Road
・Theatrical version Mononoke
・My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
・Spaceman X ~ Amazing Space Adventure ~

■ 2023-24? (Undecided)
・Haikyu!! FINAL Theatrical Version Part 1 (Toho)
・Haikyu!! FINAL Theatrical Version Part 2 (Toho)
・Project BULLET/BULLET (Tentative)” (GAGA/Disney Plus)

■2024
・Make a Girl
・”i☆Ris the Movie – Full Energy!!” –

■? ? (Undecided)
・Theatrical version Katsugeki Touken Ranbu (Aniplex)
・Alice and Teres’s illusion factory
・Eisen Fluegel (Aniplex)
・Sword Art Online completely new original theatrical version
・Theatrical version PSYCHO- PASS Psychopath PROVIDENCE

・Orbital Era
・ Yuri!!! on ICE Theatrical Version: ICE ADOLESCENCE
・Theatrical Version Zombieland Saga
・Chapter 2 The Storm Breaks
・ Directed by Sunao Katabuchi Feature film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
・ Theatrical version The Rose of Versailles
・ The Wizard’s Night
・Theatrical version Overlord Holy Kingdom Edition
・Theatrical version Puella Magi Madoka Magica <Walpurgis Kaiten>
・Digimon Adventure 02 THE BEGINNING
・Yamato Forever REBEL3199 

・I fall in love with you through a robot

P.S: Some names might be mispronounced or misspelled due to error’s in translation.

Source: Animation Business Info