TV Anime:
1) Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: By far, this is the best anime of 2016. The subject matter is fascinating, and the show doesn't rush us through any of it; we get to see several rakugo performances at length throughout its run, and it gives its viewer an appreciation and understanding of the art. This is on top of its well realized cast (Yakumo and Sukeroku being the standouts, of course) and excellent direction (the performance of Shinigami in the tenth episode being my favorite scene of any 2016 anime). If you have to watch any anime that aired in 2016, this abolsutely should be your first priority.
2) Mob Psycho 100: The animation in this show is simply incredible. It's not just the amazingly fluidity of it either, but how creative its visuals and techniques are (the scenes with the oil painted frames being my personal favorite). While the story is simple and the humor is hit and miss, the characters are enjoyable and relatable.
While its ideas are nothing groundbreaking, their execution and the presentation of them is remarkable.
3) The Great Passage: I never thought that a show about people making a dictionary could be so interesting! I enjoyed the unique subject of the show, and seeing the characters meeting the different challenges of compiling a dictionary (from technical challenges to the apathy of the company and public) was a lot of fun to watch. Seeing how everyone changed and grew throughout the vast amount of time the project took was a joy.
4) Kiznaiver This silly little show really surprised me with how relatively restrained it was; not just for a Trigger production, but for one written by Okada as well. This really worked out to its benefit, and I really appreciated the focus on characters rather than over-the-top action. A lot of interesting ideas and good characters in this one, as silly as the show was at times.
5) Flying Witch: The most relaxing show of the year! I love anime like this, that focus on building a calming atmosphere through the daily lives of its characters. Best of all was its portrayal of magic; never bombastic, but always very simple and ordinary. It made it feel far more real than magic often appears in anime.
6) Yuri on Ice: While this show has its issues (a few too many characters, and a bit of repetitiveness with its skating sequences), I loved seeing how Yuri, Yurio, and Viktor grew throughout the series. Yuri and Viktor's relationship in particular was great, but I wish the show had the backbone to make it more explicit. While it's apparent to the viewer that they're in love, the show dances close to the line without truly committing itself to exploring much of their relationship. It was very good, but it could have been better. In short, make it more[/I gay.
7) Erased: The second half of this series was admittedly weaker than the first, but I don't really think that ruins the good that it did. The show was tense, and it had a number of well directed moments that stick with me even now (there was a great match cut where a characters eyes transition into a set of lights, for example). There's also some legitimately heartwarming moments with the cast members.
8) Amanchu: Another very relaxing show, with some more humorous moments dropped in throughout. While the frequent muppet faces can be at odds with the tone sometimes, overall I enjoyed myself. Futaba was a very relatable character to watch, and I enjoyed seeing her brought out of her shell by Hikari. The depiction of deep sea diving was great as well; it really makes it feel serene.
9) Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable : While the middle of the series is middling, the beginning and end are both fantastic. Rather than the dull direction that Stardust Crusaders took, DiU fully embraces absurdity and gets really creative with its stand battles. My second favorite part so far, with some of the best action sequences in the series. I only wish it could have been more consistent.
10) Sound! Euphonium 2: While it's not as good as the first season, I really appreciated their exploration of Asuka's character. The visuals, and the music sequences, were great as usual.
Honorable Mentions:
Orange
Flip Flappers
Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! LOVE!
Movies/Specials/OVAs:
(As much as I wanted to, I was not able to go to the film festivals showing Your Name and A Silent Voice)
1) Doukyusei: While the story itself is simple, I appreciated the intense focus on the main characters' romance. The vignette structure worked very well, showing key moments and developments in their relationship over time. While the drama isn't complicated, the characters felt real to me. The film is also visually beautiful, with great animation and a fantastic art style. I'd love to see the follow-up manga adapted in a similar fashion.
2) Harmony: The bleakest anime film of the year by far. Completely and utterly devoid of any hope, but directed in a way that made me feel incredibly unsettled. Micheal Arias' second film raises some interesting questions about the nature of human consciousness, and comes to some disturbing conclusions that I'm not sure if I agree with. Nonetheless, I was very impressed with this film and look forward to seeing more from him.
3) High Speed! Free Starting Days: Honestly, the movie was just fun for me to watch; the story isn't anything to write home about, but I liked seeing the characters help each other with their own personal issues. As expected of a KyoAni production, it also has great visuals.
4) Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu: This might have the best action sequences and best animation out of anything this year. They really are a joy to watch. However, I was put off by some of the super male-gazey shots; I don't know if they're more prominent in these films or if I'm just noticing them more as an older viewer. That's Monogatari for you, I guess.
5) Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot: It's short, but it's a great look at the potential a new Patlabor anime has. I'd love to see more of what the Patlabor world would be like in more recent times; hopefully we'll get the chance!
1) Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: By far, this is the best anime of 2016. The subject matter is fascinating, and the show doesn't rush us through any of it; we get to see several rakugo performances at length throughout its run, and it gives its viewer an appreciation and understanding of the art. This is on top of its well realized cast (Yakumo and Sukeroku being the standouts, of course) and excellent direction (the performance of Shinigami in the tenth episode being my favorite scene of any 2016 anime). If you have to watch any anime that aired in 2016, this abolsutely should be your first priority.
2) Mob Psycho 100: The animation in this show is simply incredible. It's not just the amazingly fluidity of it either, but how creative its visuals and techniques are (the scenes with the oil painted frames being my personal favorite). While the story is simple and the humor is hit and miss, the characters are enjoyable and relatable.
While its ideas are nothing groundbreaking, their execution and the presentation of them is remarkable.
3) The Great Passage: I never thought that a show about people making a dictionary could be so interesting! I enjoyed the unique subject of the show, and seeing the characters meeting the different challenges of compiling a dictionary (from technical challenges to the apathy of the company and public) was a lot of fun to watch. Seeing how everyone changed and grew throughout the vast amount of time the project took was a joy.
4) Kiznaiver This silly little show really surprised me with how relatively restrained it was; not just for a Trigger production, but for one written by Okada as well. This really worked out to its benefit, and I really appreciated the focus on characters rather than over-the-top action. A lot of interesting ideas and good characters in this one, as silly as the show was at times.
5) Flying Witch: The most relaxing show of the year! I love anime like this, that focus on building a calming atmosphere through the daily lives of its characters. Best of all was its portrayal of magic; never bombastic, but always very simple and ordinary. It made it feel far more real than magic often appears in anime.
6) Yuri on Ice: While this show has its issues (a few too many characters, and a bit of repetitiveness with its skating sequences), I loved seeing how Yuri, Yurio, and Viktor grew throughout the series. Yuri and Viktor's relationship in particular was great, but I wish the show had the backbone to make it more explicit. While it's apparent to the viewer that they're in love, the show dances close to the line without truly committing itself to exploring much of their relationship. It was very good, but it could have been better. In short, make it more[/I gay.
7) Erased: The second half of this series was admittedly weaker than the first, but I don't really think that ruins the good that it did. The show was tense, and it had a number of well directed moments that stick with me even now (there was a great match cut where a characters eyes transition into a set of lights, for example). There's also some legitimately heartwarming moments with the cast members.
8) Amanchu: Another very relaxing show, with some more humorous moments dropped in throughout. While the frequent muppet faces can be at odds with the tone sometimes, overall I enjoyed myself. Futaba was a very relatable character to watch, and I enjoyed seeing her brought out of her shell by Hikari. The depiction of deep sea diving was great as well; it really makes it feel serene.
9) Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable : While the middle of the series is middling, the beginning and end are both fantastic. Rather than the dull direction that Stardust Crusaders took, DiU fully embraces absurdity and gets really creative with its stand battles. My second favorite part so far, with some of the best action sequences in the series. I only wish it could have been more consistent.
10) Sound! Euphonium 2: While it's not as good as the first season, I really appreciated their exploration of Asuka's character. The visuals, and the music sequences, were great as usual.
Honorable Mentions:
Orange
Flip Flappers
Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! LOVE!
Movies/Specials/OVAs:
(As much as I wanted to, I was not able to go to the film festivals showing Your Name and A Silent Voice)
1) Doukyusei: While the story itself is simple, I appreciated the intense focus on the main characters' romance. The vignette structure worked very well, showing key moments and developments in their relationship over time. While the drama isn't complicated, the characters felt real to me. The film is also visually beautiful, with great animation and a fantastic art style. I'd love to see the follow-up manga adapted in a similar fashion.
2) Harmony: The bleakest anime film of the year by far. Completely and utterly devoid of any hope, but directed in a way that made me feel incredibly unsettled. Micheal Arias' second film raises some interesting questions about the nature of human consciousness, and comes to some disturbing conclusions that I'm not sure if I agree with. Nonetheless, I was very impressed with this film and look forward to seeing more from him.
3) High Speed! Free Starting Days: Honestly, the movie was just fun for me to watch; the story isn't anything to write home about, but I liked seeing the characters help each other with their own personal issues. As expected of a KyoAni production, it also has great visuals.
4) Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu: This might have the best action sequences and best animation out of anything this year. They really are a joy to watch. However, I was put off by some of the super male-gazey shots; I don't know if they're more prominent in these films or if I'm just noticing them more as an older viewer. That's Monogatari for you, I guess.
5) Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot: It's short, but it's a great look at the potential a new Patlabor anime has. I'd love to see more of what the Patlabor world would be like in more recent times; hopefully we'll get the chance!
