TV Shows
1) Space Battleship Yamato 2199: I already wrote a lengthy piece on why this show was so good but I'll just link to it
here. I suppose I'm not being super original placing this show on this list and I had a few minor grievances with it but hey, a great show is a great show and it deserves recognition.
2) Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shows like this are why I fell in love with anime. Phantom Blood left me feeling lukewarm but Battle Tendency came back with a vengeance. So ridiculous! So over the top! So manly! SO FABULOUS! Joesph Joestar is truly the best and shames all/most other shonen protagonists. Iwasaki also delivers the OST goods again
I wrote more about the series
here and
here (I think I spoiler tagged all the important parts). My only real complaint was how low budget the whole show was, especially for such a well known and respected property. I'm hoping Stardust Crusaders gets the budget it deserves
3) Gundam Build Fighters: In a world where 3D CGI mechas are infesting our streets, its good to have quality 2D mecha animation represented so strongly here. Let's be clear: this show's primary function is to sell Gundam model kits. Who expected it to be actually good though O_O. We have an enjoyable cast of characters (I appreciate the international nature of the cast though a few like the black weeabo are a bit much), expertly crafted mecha battles, a rocking OST and (I feel like I'm saying this alot but its true) a ton of heart. Episodes 6 and 15 have been standouts. How serious the characters in the show take the hobby can be a bit eye-rolling at time though
I do hope they leave enough time to cover some of the plot threads they've laid out (Reiji's world, Source of the Particle, etc.), I think the qualifying rounds went on longer than needed.
4) Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet: While on both ends of the series are an intergalactic war between humanity and the enemy de jour (which itself has some interesting twists to it), what really sells the show is how the main protagonist has to interact and adjust to the new culture he quickly finds himself in. It's such an unusual, interesting and endearing anthropological perspective the show takes. Strong world and character building (even if not every single one of them is likeable) are the shows strengths. Some of the antics/fanservice in the middle of the series was admittedly awkward and unnecessary though :/
5) Gatchaman Crowds: I came into this expecting dudes and dudettes in suits fighting monsters but its mostly a commentary on social media and crowd sourcing. The main protagonist is a weird mix between a Mary Sue and an idiot savant but she kind of makes the show in her odd ways. One thing that struck out to me was how the show features a prominent gay character as well a prominent crossdresser (who I don't think is transgender - the show is a bit ambiguous about that) but treats the characters with complete respect. I find so few shows on both sides of the Pacific do that and I commend this show for doing so. The ending felt limp but the DVD releases, which I haven't seen yet, seem to have righted a lot of the ending wrongs from what I've heard so I'm looking forward to actually seeing them.
6) Yozakura Quartet - Hana no Uta: This gets here mostly on the back of the SUBLIME sakuga throughout and an entertaining cast of characters. When this series wants to do action, it does action WELL. You have to watch a related OVA to this series to get the ful picture (between Episode 8 and 9) which is annoying but that OVA was great so it works out. Points off for the whole "power of friendship" which gets turned up to 11 at some points and some really distracting fanservice that doesn't seem in theme with the rest of the show
7) Kill la Kill: Sometimes you just want a show that's unbridled crazy and this more than fits the bill. The narrative writing is weaker than I expected and the animation has been a let down overall (occasionally they are able to pull off some
SICK things though and the staff have more than proven their talent in the past so I can only assume budget or time constraints are the culprits). Overall though, the show continues to be a lot of fun with an interesting cast and I'm very interested in seeing where the show goes for its final act. The sky's the limit as far as I can tell.
8) Attack on Titan: Yeah this show gets a lot of shit and deservedly so. A botched production resulting in some episodes that are basically powerpoint presentations, pacing that falls to shit, mediocre, one note characters (like the protagonist :/) who probably belong in a different show, etc. However, I still have to admit, when the show was on, it was ON. Also I loved the OST (haters gonna hate). Because of those highs, the show sneaks onto the bottom of this list.
Most of the other shows I saw this year I haven't watched enough of them (
Watamote, Love Lab, Majestic Prince) to form a solid opinion. I tried
Log Horizon but it didn't really hold my interest. Maybe I'll give it another shot at a later time. I have been meaning to check out
From the New World, Eccentric Family and Kyousougiga but ran out of time. Some others shows looked promising to start or before release but completely fell apart for me over time (
Samurai Flamenco, Valvrave)
Movies/OVAs/Specials
1) Little Witch Academia: It's essentially Japanese Harry Potter but this was a joyful, jubilant romp. AMAZING animation, an enjoyable quirky cast and a quick, well paced tale make for something I've enjoyed watching many times over already. I like dit so much I was more than happy to contribute to their Kickstarter campaign. I hope the LWA series becomes to Trigger what FLCL was for Gainax
2) Pokemon - The Origin: This is the Pokemon anime I've always wanted but never got before. I'd still be watching the Pokemon anime regularly if it was like this. Sure it plays up the nostalgia card hard but the special just had heart and soul ozing throughout every pour. You could feel the "shonen heart" beating through in every battle. Red also grows more as a character in these specials than Ash ever has (though to be fair, they keep rebooting his development in the TV series
). If Pokemon is at all your thing, check this out!
I have to head out but I might have more to say if I get back in time. Thx for the extension BGBW