Anime of the Year 2013
Well it is not quite the end of the year but since all anime I am following have finished (not counting those that are ongoing) I figure I might as well do this year now.
Well first of all I feel that this year was much weaker than previous years but there were still some series that shined.
first I will list my honorable mentions which were all enjoyable series that I would definitely watch sequels for and most likely purchase:
Attack on Titan
Free!
Gingitsune
Kyousogiga
Silver Spoon
The Top 2
Shin Sekai Yori~From the New World
The first half ran in 2012 and while it was somewhat competing with Psychopass the latter's second half disappointed me while this blew me away. This was an absolute compelling sci-fi story with a great moral dilemma (nothing was black & white), and terrific world building. At times it was truly terrifying other times heart breaking but it definitely always left me feeling.
I would also say the ending pair (which I won't spoil) was my OTP of the year and Squealer was definitely this year's best villain (an incredible performance by Daisuke Namikawa)
Uchouten Kazoku~Eccentric Family
In many ways this was the opposite of Shin Sekai Yori since for me it was the feel good anime of the year. Along with Kyousougiga it brilliantly dealt with the themes of family. And as another bonus PA works did a beautiful job recreating the city of Kyoto making it both familiar and magic (a place where humans interact with tanuki and tengu without their knowledge). The series was quirky and pure magic and I loved every second of it. Episode 8 when you first saw how much the Tanuki family all loved each other was also probably my favorite episode of anime series this year.
Best Sequel
Chihayafuru
This one shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. Chihayafuru along with Natsume Yuujinchou has become my favorite ongoing franchise.
While I will say the 2nd season was not as strong as the first and had some episodes that dragged in the middle it's highs were still amazing and Taichi finally reaching Group A and Mizusawa winning the high school tournament are probably my favorite moments of anime this year.
I've also been reading the manga and it is fantastic, I need a 3rd season and I need for someone to license the anime & manga.
Series I miss the Most
Shirokuma Cafe
I wasn't really sure where to include this because it actually ran for most of its 50 episodes in 2012 however its last cour was in 2013 so I want to give a special shout out to this series that I also loved and it filled me with so much joy. I celebrated the seasons and holidays with these characters and they became like old friends. At first I thought I would get bored after one cour (which I usually do with most anime comedies) but in the end I could have watched this for 50 more episodes.
Best Licensing Announcement
While nothing quite as amazing as Rose of Versailles happened this year I am of course thrilled that NISA picked up Eccentric Family.
Best Continuing Series
I don't have a definite favorite but these are the the multi-cour series that I am enjoying the most right now.
Ace of Diamond
Magi: the Kingdom of Magic
Nagi no Asukara
Yowamushi Pedal
Best Opening/Ending
There were a lot of really great opening and endings this year but with all the meme's going around Attack on Titan's first opening was truly the most memorable of the year.
Best Seiyuu
Daisuke Namikawa: While I was familiar with him before it was only in the last 2 years that I really took notice at what an incredible range this man has, he can sound sinister, tough, cool, sexy, & cute and he makes them all believable.
Best Anime Film
Wolf Children
I loved everything about this movie. I got to see it on the big screen twice. Once dubbed at Otakon which was a lot of fun. But I also got to see the sub version with Mamoru Hosoda in attendance and got to meet him and well that was just one of those incredible experiences you don't forget which I admit probably added to my appreciation of this movie.
Usually I say who my favorite male and female character is but I am not entirely sure who that is this year so I guess I will skip that one.
Will probably do a general fandom meme later and maybe a book meme since I actually read a lot this year. :)
Well first of all I feel that this year was much weaker than previous years but there were still some series that shined.
first I will list my honorable mentions which were all enjoyable series that I would definitely watch sequels for and most likely purchase:
Attack on Titan
Free!
Gingitsune
Kyousogiga
Silver Spoon
The Top 2
Shin Sekai Yori~From the New World
The first half ran in 2012 and while it was somewhat competing with Psychopass the latter's second half disappointed me while this blew me away. This was an absolute compelling sci-fi story with a great moral dilemma (nothing was black & white), and terrific world building. At times it was truly terrifying other times heart breaking but it definitely always left me feeling.
I would also say the ending pair (which I won't spoil) was my OTP of the year and Squealer was definitely this year's best villain (an incredible performance by Daisuke Namikawa)
Uchouten Kazoku~Eccentric Family
In many ways this was the opposite of Shin Sekai Yori since for me it was the feel good anime of the year. Along with Kyousougiga it brilliantly dealt with the themes of family. And as another bonus PA works did a beautiful job recreating the city of Kyoto making it both familiar and magic (a place where humans interact with tanuki and tengu without their knowledge). The series was quirky and pure magic and I loved every second of it. Episode 8 when you first saw how much the Tanuki family all loved each other was also probably my favorite episode of anime series this year.
Best Sequel
Chihayafuru
This one shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. Chihayafuru along with Natsume Yuujinchou has become my favorite ongoing franchise.
While I will say the 2nd season was not as strong as the first and had some episodes that dragged in the middle it's highs were still amazing and Taichi finally reaching Group A and Mizusawa winning the high school tournament are probably my favorite moments of anime this year.
I've also been reading the manga and it is fantastic, I need a 3rd season and I need for someone to license the anime & manga.
Series I miss the Most
Shirokuma Cafe
I wasn't really sure where to include this because it actually ran for most of its 50 episodes in 2012 however its last cour was in 2013 so I want to give a special shout out to this series that I also loved and it filled me with so much joy. I celebrated the seasons and holidays with these characters and they became like old friends. At first I thought I would get bored after one cour (which I usually do with most anime comedies) but in the end I could have watched this for 50 more episodes.
Best Licensing Announcement
While nothing quite as amazing as Rose of Versailles happened this year I am of course thrilled that NISA picked up Eccentric Family.
Best Continuing Series
I don't have a definite favorite but these are the the multi-cour series that I am enjoying the most right now.
Ace of Diamond
Magi: the Kingdom of Magic
Nagi no Asukara
Yowamushi Pedal
Best Opening/Ending
There were a lot of really great opening and endings this year but with all the meme's going around Attack on Titan's first opening was truly the most memorable of the year.
Click to viewBest Seiyuu
Daisuke Namikawa: While I was familiar with him before it was only in the last 2 years that I really took notice at what an incredible range this man has, he can sound sinister, tough, cool, sexy, & cute and he makes them all believable.
Best Anime Film
Wolf Children
I loved everything about this movie. I got to see it on the big screen twice. Once dubbed at Otakon which was a lot of fun. But I also got to see the sub version with Mamoru Hosoda in attendance and got to meet him and well that was just one of those incredible experiences you don't forget which I admit probably added to my appreciation of this movie.
Usually I say who my favorite male and female character is but I am not entirely sure who that is this year so I guess I will skip that one.
Will probably do a general fandom meme later and maybe a book meme since I actually read a lot this year. :)