Top 10 Anime of 2011

Hai everyone! With the new year rapidly approaching, it’s time to look back on our favorites of 2011. Below is our pick of the top 10 anime of 2012.  This list is subjective and not based on hard numbers, but I’m sure everyone who enjoys anime would like several of the titles listed here. Take note that  Chihayafuru, Mirai Nikki, Guilty Crown, Persona 4 and Fate/Zero isn’t including in this year’s top anime. The reason would be because we can’t really judge an anime series until it’s over. If the anime is good we will include it in our top anime post next year, no worries.

10. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai / I Don’t Have Any Friends

Was a very difficult choice, but I would have to say that Tomodachi was one of the standouts of the year, with Yozora and Sena’s constant battles, Kobato and Maria’s battle for attention from Kodaka and the dodgy side of Rika. I felt the ending was very anticlimatic, which looking back on this series makes it seem more of a normal fanservice anime as I didn’t really get much else out from this series. Else, this would’ve been ranked a lot higher.

9. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

Apparently this anime isn’t very appreciated in the anime world, but I still feel it deserves a lot more appreciation than it got. The first three episodes were a perfect story in itself. After that, it still delivered a wonderful anime with quirky characters and clever stories. Also of course being a SHAFT anime, we got a quality script with a hell of a lot of dialogue. It was also interesting how this series always left the mystery in the air about whether Erio or Elliot are really supernatural beings. An extremely worthwhile series!

8. Hanasaku Iroha

Animation quality is superb and the bgm fits it very well. Let’s face it, who felt the absolute need to stay in a Ryokan ASAP after watching this series? Ohana is one of my favourite characters of the year as well. In all series I’ve seen this year, this one probably has the best message – be who you can be, and no matter what life throws at you, give it your all and you won’t have regrets.

7. Nichijou

While some of the jokes fell flat on their faces, those that this series has gotten right are downright epic. Wieners anyone? Nano, Hakase and Mio are the standout characters, but some of the minor ones are awesome as well… Fun is the only thing that matters, and it’s this frugality, this ingenious simplicity, that allows everything to just click together like magic. When you finally get home after a long tiring day, the only thing Nichijou wants to do is to give you an excuse to prop your feet up after and wash that blue feeling away as it slowly puts that grin back onto your face. We made a review of this anime, you can read it here.

6. Kimi ni Todoke

The Art, the Animation and Closure. Specially closure which is a really big plus for me with the whole Sawako x Kazehaya romance. What the first season had lacked, is now the main focus for the second. The only thing that frustrates me about this series is the numbers of episodes that it take to clear a misunderstanding. Other than that the anime is pretty much awesome. I really like Kimi ni Todoke. It has been awhile since I watch a shoujo type anime.

5. Tiger & Bunny

I loved the first half, but I felt the second half didn’t quite flow. It was interesting to see an anime take on a superhero series, something which I don’t see very often in anime. One of the most unique anime I’ve ever seen in a while.

4. Usagi Drop

Who wants a daughter that is exactly like Rin? I wonder how many couples decided to try for babies after watching this series. Probably one of the most adorable series this year that makes parenthood not seem as daunting. It gives us a taste of the trials and joy behind it. Also a perfect image of how a children truly are. It’s a series that will really take you away to a place you won’t want to leave. It is also a plus that cute kids are cute. The animation, the plot, the characters, everything is great in this anime. If you haven’t watch it yet, do read my review.

3. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai 

I felt this series started to run out of steam near the end. There were also plenty of loopholes and facepalm moments, but if you could look past all of those, this series is one one of the most touching of the year. It is the only series this whole year which brought tears to my eyes. The struggles of youth and the feelings of guilt, this is all about letting go of your past, learning to accept what has happened, and moving on in life.

2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

This series is definitely overrated, but none the less is definitely one of the standouts for the year, if just for shock value. Episode 3 will forever stay in our minds whenever “Magical Girls” are brought out. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that this series redefines the genre, but I would say that this is definitely as dark as Magical Girl anime can go. Homura will win my award for the most badass Mahou Shoujo ever! I mean come on, that fight scene in episode 11 was the most epic fight I have seen this year. Awesome background animation and background music further adds to the impact Madoka would have left on many.

1. Steins;Gate

And now I bring you to the number one series, which is an anime that was truly something special. Steins;Gate is a suspenseful ride that you will not forget any time soon after you’ve finished watching it. It is so incredibly thrilling and it has so many plot twists and mind blowing events, that you’ll hold your breath or scream at the screen multiple times. It features amazing voice acting performances by talented seiyuu and a great soundtrack, including the opening and the ending. You will end up loving all of this show’s characters, since they all of their own charm and they’re all incredibly likeable. The animation is fairly good, and the sound effects are incredibly dated, but don’t let that scare you off. Steins;Gate is a masterpiece. It will twist your emotions in multiple ways loads of times. It’s an absolute must-watch, and it’s definitely one of THE best thrillers in the history of anime. Haven’t watch it yet? Let me convince you to watch this by reading our review here.

Stay tune for our best anime of 2012. So that is my list. What about yours? Would love to know your top anime this year. 🙂