With the end of the year here, we wanted to wrap things up a bit differently than we have in past years at other sites that we’ve been known for. A bit of an opportunity dropped into our laps as well as long time UK anime reviewer Christopher Homer, who tends to have quite contrary opinions on anime series than I do which makes for an enjoyable read, started working on his top fifty series after being a fan for the last ten years and going to conventions. So rather than a run down of the year, which has been chaotic to be sure, we’ve opted to turn over the best of the best to Mr. Homer this time around and will present the top fifty anime series of all time to close out 2011 – according to him.
50) Umineko No Naku Koro Ni
It’s kind of weird that Higurashi gets most of the love. Oh don’t get me wrong, Higurashi is a mind fuck and a half, but Umineko took it to the real extreme. The anime itself definitely goes way far into the grimdark territory…and yes, I’m aware that certain scenes in Higurashi are still way too brutal *coughsKNIFEWITHRIKA, THE FINGERNAIL SCENEcoughs* but Umineko…jesus. When I heard it was a mystery series, it already peaked my interest, and that it was the psuedo-sequel to Higurashi, I had to try it. But trust me, I was totally caught off guard. I never played any of the games so I was going into it blind, so it’s starts out similar to Higurashi but immediately the fact it’s set in the past, and the plot that one of the characters is going to die suggests ‘greedy family who goes to remote island to find will.’
Cue mindfuck. Also known as Beatrice.
The unleashing of black magic on the family combined with this character who is so hammy that the scenery needs to be replaced every time she enters because she eats so much of it, it’s a real interesting take of science vs. magic. The hero, Battler, is basically trying to prove that magic doesn’t exist despite everything strange going around him, whilst Beatrice is trying to prove to him it does exist, proving a real chess game (literally) between the two as they try to outwit each other. It’s a real psychological tale in a different way to Higurashi because the scenarios that play out are much more head to head, instead of wondering what the hell is going on with one particular character like Higurashi did in Season 1. There is literally twist after turn as it screws with the characters (and viewers minds).
Now to be fair, it does have a disappointing ending – albeit it made sense because there was so much material still to cover, it does feel a bit of a cop out (which is a peeve in a couple of other shows in my top 50). However, the gorgeous animation and different scenarios which give some real moments to other characters whether they are involved with Beatrice in some way (Eva, Maria) to future characters and how they are related (Ange) to the witches themselves, the servants when they have their badass moments, to the really graphic ways their fates are detailed and how they are butchered at times (even censored at some parts) really gives the viewer the car crash effect ‘have to keep watching despite everything’. And how creepy Maria can get…you almost expect her to say ‘USO DA’ at times…Higurashi, I love you – but your younger sister Umineko just was a bit better, and it’s weird imagery in a mystery format with a unique twist on science vs. magic, combined with some epic characters manages to sneak into the top 50.
49) Taishou Yakyuu Musume (Taishou Baseball Girls)
Not the only baseball anime that makes the list, Taishou Baseball Girls was one of the shows I bought on a blind buy because of my love for that OTHER baseball girls anime which appears much higher on the list. This one however takes a very different twist on this because unlike the other one which is set in modern times, this is set in 1925 which takes a very different twist. This one the idea of woman playing baseball was perhaps even more silly than the other series, because women were just becoming more focused in Japan combined with Western influence in the country. Baseball was one of these things, and it all starts with a silly comment about a boy to his possible fiance with a typical girls should stay in the kitchen comment. This escalates into the girl, Akiko, to want to challenge him to a baseball game, the sport he is in a team with. She encourages her best friend Koume, to join with her despite a) neither of them knowing the rules of the game b) most girls scared of the game due to it’s fast paced play and c) Koume herself almost forced into staying in the dark ages as she wants to wear the western uniforms her friends are wearing but her traditional father continues to stick her in the kimono.
The greatness of this series comes from the turmoil the girls have in trying to a) create a baseball team and b) be taken seriously. It doesn’t help that unlike the OTHER SERIES that bar a couple, none of them have any skill at baseball at all. They join a team for various reasons (a couple join because they have a crush on Koume like Toume, and then Kyouko joins because she has a crush on Toume…yep, even in 1925 we have girls love 
) but it’s not a straight up Pokemon type thing where they do become good enough to handle the boys – in fact, for most of the series they are no match for boys teams, whether it was the high schoolers or just some elementary ones. However, a combination of actually practising through…unorthodox methods (seriously, baseball ninjas anyone?) with helps from some more enlightened team members and getting equipment through white lies and a very fun American/Japanese teacher brings us up to a very good finale, where the torment of being girls in a man’s sport combined with traditional values and aristocratical values are above all, means a lot of problems for Koume and Akiko.
The series is a lot of fun, and is full of heart. It’s strength is the fact that it does show the problems of being a girl in post WW1 Japan and how society, whilst improving, is not willing to accept everything yet. Most of the male characters are actually quite well shown (Koume’s fiance for example was actually kinda misquoted, but lets her do what she wants because he wants to see what she does, Koume’s co-worker as well is a good guy…her stalker guy thing though…comic relief. Poor sap. ^^) so it isn’t a show that will slander guys (unless you’re an overprotective adult) – sadly it’s only 13 episodes long and at least one episode I felt wasn’t needed as was a throwaway, but it’s a real hidden gem of a series. One of my most recent finds that blew me away and sneaks into my top 50.
48) Kaitou Saint Tail
I had both this and D N Angel on the possibilities of the top 50. I eventually favoured this just ahead for a couple of reasons. The Phantom Thief scenario has been done in many series (I haven’t seen Cat’s Eye but I heard that’s where the concept came from) and these two were the ones that did it the best for me. So why does Saint Tail get the nod? Well, it’s hard to say. A lot of it is thief of the week in a magical girl way a la Sailor Moon, with the item being stolen is simply to be returned to it’s main owner. DN Angel has the phantom thief steal rare art to open their abilities. They both have romantic foils (Meimi with Asuka Jr, Daisuke with Risa/Riku) and both very stylish for their time.
So why St Tail over DN Angel?
I think the reason was because of how the relationship between the two leads is never lost, and just slowly increases well over time. Asuka/St Tail have a real Zenigita/Lupin relationship in the way that Asuka Jr respects St Tail because of the way she does things and knows she has a reason for stealing, but because she is a thief, he is abided by the law to catch her. St Tail has fun because she knows how hard a worker Asuka Jr is, and he’s the only one who has any chance of catching her. The double fun where this comes from is the fact at school, Meimi (St Tail) and Asuka Jr are usually at each others throats, but definitely do care about each other as well. But there are other things that really make this a really good series.
Meimi’s mother for example, was a former Phantom Thief. This brings in with Meimi learning magic that her mother has obviously cottoned on more than expected, but doesn’t let her daughter know. This is surprising yet nice to see as it’s never really discussed apart from in flashbacks with how she married her father. Also how Meimi becomes jealous of her own alter ego, yet has to remain true and not let her identity show. Her best friend Seira, really is her own conscience and acts as a viewer to the audience because of this, so when even other characters become involved like Rina, who acts like someone to catch St Tail mainly because she is jealous of St Tail drawing attention from her when it comes to her own feelings of Asuka Jr, it’s not really distracting from the main story. Now granted, it is a semi-long series and some of it can feel like filler, but the two leads continue to fascinate you in new ways of being captured, how the surprising climax hits in the end that for me it never actually dragged, which is surprised in a ‘monster/enemy/insert random object of the day’ show. This was a rare series of a long runner that managed to not get repetitive and kept the viewers attention, the two leads in both school and on the job are fantastic (the tension both as enemies and as in romantic is oozing every episode) and it’s a decent coming of age tale in one respect as well when the ending hits. It’s a real surprise and manages to get into my top 50 on the strength of that.
That, and it had Ruby. By god I love that hedgehog. 
47) Spice & Wolf
This type of show would normally actually be ranked much higher as it’s exactly my type of show. Period setting, merchant Lawrence is travelling from village/town/city to make ends meet and try and raise enough money to chase his dream of owning his own shop. However, on one village he stops in, he accidentally wakes up Holo, the wolf spirit, a wolf god of the harvests who later becomes Lawrence’s partner as she searches for her home town…simply ‘up north.’
This is an extremely unique series that it could have easily focused on Holo as a fanservice item, but instead the focus is actually more on Lawrence, with Holo’s god form and wolf energies not a huge part unless needed (like basically when Lawrence’s butt needs to be saved) and focuses on his trade work (and making it much more epic that it should be) as personal interaction is the main energy that makes this series work. The interaction between Holo & Lawrence is a combination of business partners, combined with the hint of romance (and the jealousy combined with rivlary with the sheppard girl Nora, combined with Lawrence’s one real moment where he’s hit rock bottom is my favourite arc of the show) in a show that uses more real life settings than you’d expect with a show about a wolf god makes it a real gem.
The only down side is that in Season 2, they rely too much on relying that you’ve seen the first season. Most fans would have watched just Season 1 so know about all the flashbacks, but it gets a little distracting. They are some great arcs in S2 (the marriage one in particular was great, Lawrence having to go through another god in some respects…not realising Holo was effectively trolling him throughout). However, that element did make this show a lot lower than where I thought I was going to place it (in the 20-30 range). Still, that doesn’t mean it’s a great series (and also represents only the second Blu-Ray release I’ve imported) and should give you a set idea of what type of series will rank highly.
Compared to this one…which will shock a few…
46) K-On!
Yes. You read that right. A show which is one of those shows which fans have endless arguments about…moe b/s? Most fans likes it because are KAWAII DESU…urgh, I’m gonna vomit. K-ON is one of those shows, which whilst doesn’t has the fanbase of say a Naruto or a DBZ, does have a dedicated following which because of it’s popularity, is prime schmuck bait for haters. It doesn’t help that I’ve seen comments supporting K-ON mainly because of the moe art style, and fans of the girls (particularly Mio) can be…well idiotic. I mean – hating her because her seiyuu has a boyfriend? WTF?
I’ve long decided not to bother with most forums now – it’s good for my sanity. But yeah, with my supposed reputation of not being one to follow popular series, why is it in it? Is it because I’m shallow? Yes, we have 5 nice attractive girls in a shoe which screams ‘moe’. But…
…is that what I see?
What I see was quite different. I saw a show about 4 (and later 5) girls who met as a club, saving it with four different personalities, and skills in terms of music – who develop a bond over two seasons which is closer than some family relations. I saw a very good crafted comedy series with sweet overtones with great attention to detail (like the instruments). I saw an actual school life, quite realistic (bar Mugi being the deus ex machina to all problems…then again, she is my fave of the girls so I’ll let her off….oh come on, who doesn’t like super strong ojou-sama yuri fangirls??? ) with a few tears shed by the end of it. I’m not going to deny that a lot of it’s popularity is the sheer cuteness of the girls (in particular Mio, who the show lampshades about a million times…) but seeing this animated with music, the introduction of Azusa and the comedy hijinks of Ritsu and Yui (both of them do grate on me a bit, but put them with anyone and you get fun…the Ritsu/Mugi ‘date’ being one of my favourite episodes), combined with one of my favourite sensei-chan’s ever in Sawako, the show is more than what people may say. It’s a great slice of life school series, with the added element of being a bad. It tells them growing up very well in overall 39 episodes (plus a soon to be movie) where laughs are had, tears are shed, and you wonder how Sawako is going to costume-rape Mio this episode…poor girl needs therapy.
The characters make the show. Genius ditz Yui, genki tomboy Ritsu, the gorgeous but oh so scaredy cat Mio, my fave the aforementioned ojou/yuri fan Mugi, and later we have Azusa…a.k.a. Azunyan. The youngest and most adorable becomes both the heart…and the voice of reason/sanity. Combined with Sawako and great side characters like Yui’s sister Ui and Azusa’s friend Jun, you’ve got a great dynamic.
Overall, one of the few overrated series in fandom that I genuinelly like. It may be over-hyped, but there is more than meets the eye to this, and it’s one of those guilty pleasures that is genuinelly good. MOE MOE KY…er I mean…that stuff is crap…
45) Full Moon Wo Sagashite
I put this much lower than I thought I would – but it’s still a great series. It’s one of those ones that expands the manga more and actually improves upon it. Not that there doesn’t seem to be that element of filler but each episode does at least have a point – Full Moon has to go through a new stage of problems, whether it’s as a pop star or as a young girl suffering from a throat cancer. It tells the tale of Mitsuki, a young girl who wants to be a singer but due to her illness combined with a very strict grandmother who hates music, is destined to fail. Then two shinigami…in the form of a rabbit and cat (yeah, Death Note didn’t take these designs ^^) tell her she has a year to live…so in that year, she puts even more effort to make her dream come true. Thanks to Takato, the cat/male shinigami (they transform into human size that only Mitsuki can see) gives her the power to transform into a 16 year old girl, the pretty Full Moon. With this transformation, she is able to sing…and cue audition…
At first, it seems quite generic with the exception of the whole, y’know, gonna die in a year thing. It’s very mahou shoujo, with Takato’s blood being able to make her transform, with him being there. This causes comedy moments, jealousy (Meroko is very into Takato…much to his annoyance, whilst Takato seems to be falling for Full Moon) as the reason for Mitsuki wanting to sing is to find her first long lost love Eichi. The episodes also deal with Mitsuki trying to return to school and live a normal life, make friends, whilst trying to hide her other self from her seemingly way too bitch grandmother.
Then the plot hits.
This series is DARK. Seriously, frikking DARK! The introduction of a new shinigami is interesting enough, then we see Takato’s past…the reason why Mitsuki’s grandmother hates music…and then of course, well…Eichi. Snow. America. This was one of my biggest tearjerkers ever (2nd biggest behind one other series) and whilst because of the first half being part fun, part filler it’s nowhere near as highly ranked as the other one, it’s still a series I’d really recommend. Sadly, Viz who licenced it, never finished the series due to poor sales. It’s a shame as it’s a real gem with such a deep backstory with the Shinigami, great character development (Meroko in particular starts of as a jealous brat but as it slowly develops, she becomes my fave) with the side characters like FM’s manager Oshige and the doctor Wakayoji (whose past caught me off guard in how it links with Full Moon-tachi) combined with some fun comedy moments, makes this a hidden gem.
44) Usagi Drop
The first of a couple of series from this year, proving that there were some good shows out this year; Usagi Drop reminded me of a series that very nearly made the list called Aishiteruze Baby. The premise of that was a teenage boy has to look after his 5 year old cousin as he learns how to grow up basically. Usagi Drop has a similar premise except for 2 things which is why it makes the list.
1) It’s an 8 year old girl and the man who adopts her is 30 years old.
2) Aishiteruze Baby has his whole family pitching in whilst Daikichi is on his own.
Usagi Drop (released as Bunny Drop in the licenced manga) tells the tale of single man Daikichi Kawachi, who returns to his family home to pay his respects to his recently deceased grandfather – and notices a young girl outside he doesn’t recognise. To his shock, he is told the girl, Rin, is actually the illegitimate daughter of his grandfather (technically making the 8 year old girl, his aunt…yes, this is hilariously intentional) – which doesn’t sit well with the rest of the family. Daikichi, disgusted with the way the rest of the family tries to fob Rin off, eventually decides to adopt her himself…despite having no knowledge of child rearing or even a relationship because of his workaholic lifestyle.
Yes, I can totally relate to him…
This series is magnificent and would easily be much higher if it was more than just 11 episodes. It tugs at human emotions so well as well as tellling the story of both a man growing into a new role that many single parents have to feel – sacrificing their needs for their children. Whether it’s reducing hours at work, getting childcare, going to school – as well as trying to find out who the mother is, and of course, Rin herself is a great character. She’s so mature for such a young age but at the same time has to realise her life without her ‘dad’ and moving with Daikichi is a change she has to understand. She has normal chld problems and it’s the relationship between her and Daikichi, whilst awkward at times, is totally realistic and engaging. I was actually upset there was only 11 eps – I wanted so much more of this, and hopefully there will be a second season, which I will forsee this rising through the ranks. But until then, I’ll be jumping over some trees…
43) Chrono Crusade
This one came out of left field. I suddenly realised when going through my list of shows I liked enough to put here that I nearly forgot about this one, and yep…I still remember the eps – awesome leads, check. Based on really cool manga? Check. Incredible villain, check. Ability to reduce me to a quivering wreck with the ending? Checkmate.
The story tells about a battle couple named Chrno and Rosette…only they are a tad different. One is a nun. The other is a demon. And it’s the nun who is far scarier. Set in the 1920s in the US, the two are demon exorcists hired to do their order’s dirty work amongst others, and whilst Rosette does high on collaterial damage at times, she is very skilled…but she has a few skeletons. Her main objective is to find her missing little brother…and that shotacon looking demon by her side? Turns out that she has made a pact with him which reduces her life everytime she has to unleash his power. Which is quite a lot considering the situations they are in…
The arcs basically all leads to the pasts of the two – Rosette with her brother, and indeed Chrono with his brother, the main boss Aion. Along the way, other characters join them, such as the gospel girl Azmaria, who is one of a number of people with a power inside them which the demons want, and Satella, who also is looking for her missing sister and has the powers to use gems to summon energies herself. As simplistic as it sounds, it becomes much deeper as the show goes on (Mary Magdelene arc anyone?) The fight scenes are gorgeous at times, the relationships are both fun and tragic at various instances…and yes, it’s another series that can easily elicit a tear from me. Now to be fair, I did enjoy the manga more and also felt that whilst Satella was awesome in the anime, Azmaria was far better in the manga, and same with the villains like Flore for example, preferred in the manga. But the ending in the anime delivers both tears and a bit of a mindfuck.
The real strength though is the relationship between Rosetta and Chrono – their past is tragic yet they are both mostly chipper – they have fun despite their profession but also are focused on their goals. They befriend people, they have epic battles, and are truly one and one alone together. It’s very unique and very engaging, so it’s definitely worth a spot in the top 50.
42) Kare Kan0
I really…REALLY wanted to rank this higher. Sooooo much higher. One of my favourite manga of all time which had a Gainax adaption which was amazing…until…
…well, everyone that is good, is really good. The story focuses on Yukino Miyazawa, a model student who is loved and respected by teachers, students and outsiders alike. Beautiful, intelligent, the perfect girl right? WRONG. It’s all a facade. She simply wants to be the best, and will go to extreme lengths to do so. So when someone actually beats her in the first set of exams, she is PISSED. Expecting it to be a total nerd, she is stunned that it is a handsome young man named Soichirou Arima. Yukino still hates him, because he appears to be the model student legit compared to her fake version, but it takes an interesting turn when Arima confesses his love to Yukino. She rejects him (as her family who knows what she’s like definitely wonders why she did it bar being an ass) but whilst in her goofy persona, unknowingly answered the door to Arima one day who is in shock of her true self…before revealing his own true self – as Arima has a few more demons than one may expect. Thus the romantic comedy between Arima and Miyazawa begins.
The characters are gripping. Arima has one of those pasts which make you wonder how can he keep smiling at times, whilst Yukino at her goofiest with him is utter awesome. This brings in various elements of Yukino slowly revealing her true self as she begins to make new friends (and even converting some old enemies) whilst Arima confronts his demons whilst also falling more and more in love with Yukino. Add to that a fun supporting cast (Asaba, Tsubasa and Yukino’s little sister Kano being my faves) this should have been a top 20 series…
…sadly, it was cut rather short. Basically just as the best part of the manga begins, due to budget and other issues, Anno (of Evangelion fame) did a rush job with the ending which left fans very disappointed. An absloute travesity because until episode 23 it was one of, if not Gainax’s best to offer. A real shame as it should be top 20, but instead only getting just into my top 50 due to the awesome that happened before it was cut short. Still worth checking out as the Anno animation is in full swing and just a great show to view and watch. Just leaves you begging for more sadly…
41) Fruits Basket
Like Kare Kano, this one suffers from an ending cut badly by not enough chance to do a sequel to a then ongoing and awesome manga. Unlike Kare Kano though, the ending isn’t anywhere near as bad so it sneaks above it despite until till said ending I enjoyed KK slightly more. However, this one is more well known and it’s still a great anime.
A kind of new take on the romantic comedy, this one stars Tohru Honda, a recently orphaned girl who is about to live with her grandfather but couldn’t due to renevation. Whilst she has close friends, she doesn’t want to bother them so she decides to live out in a tent for a while. Unfortunately, she doesn’t realise she is on private property, so when one of the children there and classmate Yuki Sohma sees her on the way past their house, he and his apparent guardian Shigure wonder what is going on. They quickly discover her secret and decide to let her stay there for a bit…that is, until another Sohma, Kyo, literally crashes in to have a fight with Yuki…which Tohru then discovers THEIR secret…involving hugging, zodiac animals, and a lot of hilarity…
The story is basically about Tohru adapting to her new ‘family’ with Yuki, the ‘prince’ at their school, and hot headed Kyo, a martial artist who is intent on defeating Yuki. Her relationship with the Sohmas increases as she discovers more family members, their relationships with each other and a certain omnipitent individual, combined with her own conflicted feelings between herself and the two main boys. There is a lot of sad moments involving the Sohmas, and each member that she meets is healed a little by little by Tohru’s kindness, whether it is Hatori’s loneliness, Kisa’s bullying, Momiji’s hidden family problems and of course Kyo’s troubled past.
Tohru is a messiah among messiah’s but she is still an entertaining girl, but it’s her interaction within the Sohmas that is the key issue. She is a surrogate mother to Yuki and Kyo, whilst a confidant to some of the younger members like Kisa and to a lesser extent Momiji, whilst Shigure sees her almost like a granddaughter despite not that much age difference (of course, Shigure is a hound dog ^^) – the ending actually was decent considering there was so much more manga to cover and I so wished there would be a 2nd series now I’ve read all of this (highly recommended) manga. A romantic comedy, with more emphasis on comedy, but has signifcant drama which can tug at the heart strings, Fruits Basket is one of those series I can recommend for anyone just starting out or not even an anime fan, it’s that charming and character driven.
