2010 Anime Report: The Best List

So I realize that I haven't really made my year-ender report for 2010 as per this blog's tradition in the past two years. I suppose I got busy. I'm also about to get busy but I still have at least one week before work will get the better of me. Therefore, allow me to milk these precious free moments to give you my humble list of best and not-so-best titles of anime for the year 2010. (BTW, for categories, I'm taking my cue from jute's previous year-ender posts.)

Most Highly Anticipated Series

The Tatami Galaxy

(Durarara!!, High School of the Dead)

I have to admit that this was a tough choice. What did I most look forward to? These two series came out in two different seasons and perhaps because of the gap in time, it's a little hard to compare the anticipation I felt for each one. So I'm afraid that my decision has largely something to do with the overall feeling of satisfaction I got from the series, and not necessarily with how I felt before I watched the first episode.

Best First Episode

Occult Academy

(Katanagatari, High School of the Dead, Kuragehime, The Tatami Galaxy)

For the most part, this was a no-brainer. Occult Academy did have a strong opening, which makes all the more ironic the extent to which it downgraded and eventually fell flat on its face. In hindsight, the series could have done better if it didn't have such a good first episode because then, expectations would not have been set high and I would have come off it a lot less disappointed.

Best Finale

Katanagatari

(Durarara!!, Arakawa Under the Bridge, The Tatami Galaxy, SoRaNoWoTo)

Another no-brainer. What a revelation Katanagatari turned out to be. This is anime done right, and if I knew a word of Japanese, I'd go read the light novels right away. NisiOisin, you the man!

Best Randomly Picked Series

Katanagatari

(Arakawa Under the Bridge)

Hands-down. And just imagine that I never even paid attention to this series the first time I heard about it. I thought the art style was a little child illustration book material and it is, for the most part, but strangely enough, it works for this series. And the best thing about it is the story. Fantastic.

Favorite Title

Katanagatari

(The Tatami Galaxy, House of Five Leaves, Durarara!!)

Do I have to spell it out? And to think that I almost dropped this series, not because of anything lacking in the material itself, but because of its airing schedule. White Fox made it difficult with a once-a-month release, but in the end it was worth it.

Favorite Female Character

Busujima Saeko [High School of the Dead]

(Nino, Yasuri Nanami, Tsurugi Meisai, Kazumiya Rio)

Busujima-senpai ♥ ~ Nuff said. Although Nanami and Meisai made the choice a little tough.

Favorite Male Character

Yasuri Shichika [Katanagatari]

(Watashi, Shizuo, Yaichi, Ichinomiya Kou)

I liked Yaichi mainly because of his sexy voice. Kou, despite the insanity surrounding him, developed nicely. Watashi is love but talks too fast. Shichika, on the other hand, had the luxury of a one-hour-long-episode-a-month-for-twelve-months time to develop from a complete toolbox to a human being. Watching it was superb.

Funniest Character

Hoshi [Arakawa Under the Bridge]

(Togame, Kuwashiro Maya, Hoshi, Maria, Sister)

No doubt about it. Arakawa Under the Bridge has the best cast that if the categories included one for best cast, it would surely win. As it is, if I were to chose between Hoshi and all the other eccentric characters from the series, I'd chose the former. Why? Watch the show.

Favorite Villain

Yasuri Nanami [Katanagatari]

(Yasuri Nanami, Tsurugi Meisai, Ozu, Izaya, zombies)

I loved Meisai. I thought she had an excellent story. But in terms of bad-assness, Nanami pwns them all.

Favorite Couple

Yasuri Shichika x Togame [Katanagatari]

(Yasuri Shichika x Togame, Watashi x Akashi, Susukihotaru x Riken, Ichinomiya Kou x Nino, Kurashita Tsukimi x Koibuchi Shu)

I couldn't take them seriously at first. Togame was obviously using Shichika for her own gain and Shichika was too quick to declare himself in love with Togame right after she asks him to that it was just too incredible. But as time went, the love story became real, made more poignant by its bittersweet ending. Who can't love this couple after all that?

Favorite Crack Couple

Maria x Sister [Arakawa Under the Bridge]

(Kuwashiro Maya x Uchida Fumiaki, Yaichi x Otake, Kazumiya Rio x Filicia Hiediman, Busujima Saeko x Komuro Takashi)

Talk about S & M. But the love story between Maria and Sister is pretty one-sided, and the violence that occurs whenever the two are together in one scene makes it doubly hilarious. Ah, love.

Favorite Slash Couple

Izaya Orihara x Shizuo [Durarara!!]

(Yaichi x Akitsu Masanosuke, Kazumiya Rio x Filicia Hiediman, Togame x Hitei-hime)

Simon pretty much confirmed it in the last episode, calling Izaya's constant picking on Shizuo as his "Shizuo complex." Besides, what's love without a little man-handling? (and vending machine throwing?)

Best Horror Series

Shiki

(Occult Academy, High School of the Dead, Dance in the Vampire Bund, Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan)

The series started out very slow, so slow in fact that I could barely get through it. Add to that the very distracting character design and hair-do. But don't let appearances fool you because this series is creepy. No, I don't mean you're going to spend the entire time screaming pantsless at your monitor. The scary is more psychological here for the monsters aren't the only monsters in Shiki.

Best Comedy Series

Arakawa Under the Bridge

(SoRaNoWoTo, Kuragehime, Occult Academy, The Tatami Galaxy)

When I came up to this point, I thought to myself: "Hm, which is funnier? A cross-dressing nun with an unhealthy regard for guns or a boob wall? But Arakawa Under the Bridge has the advantage of having an insane number of cast who, well, insane, so it wins by sheer number.

Best Drama Series

House of Five Leaves

(Katanagatari, Shiki, Kuragehime, Durarara!!)

I think Shiki should win this category. But I have not yet finished watching the entire series so I can't really say. House of Five Leaves, however, turned out very well.

Best Action Series

High School of the Dead

(Durarara!!, Katanagatari, Star Driver Radiant Takuto, Heroman)

If there was a category for best fan service, the series would win it, too. Busujima-senpai ♥ ~

Best Romance Series

Kuragehime

(The Tatami Galaxy, Arakawa Under the Bridge, Otome Youkai Zakuro, Katanagatari)

I don't know if you can correctly classify this series as a romance. There certainly are some romantic elements in it. At the very least, there are unrequited crushes. But the show doesn't resolve any of the possible romantic entanglements so...eh. On the other hand, the runners-up aren't really about the romance either so there. Kuragehime wins this category because I actually was aware of the romantic tensions at first blush and primarily watched this show for that.

Best Production Value

The Tatami Galaxy

(Kuragehime, Katanagatari, Star Driver Radiant Takuto, Heroman)

Madhouse. Need I say more? With this title, they've saved themselves this year. Now, if only I could say the same thing for 2011. But perhaps, I'm saying too much too soon. After all, we have two whole anime seasons still coming up.

Best Opening Theme

"Maigoinu to Ame no Beat" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (The Tatami Galaxy)

Best Ending Theme

"Kimi no Kirei ni Kizuite Okure" by Sambomaster (Kuragehime)

Best BGM

SoRaNoWoTo

(Kuragehime, Arakawa Under the Bridge, High School of the Dead, House of Five Leaves)

Kaijura Yuuki, baby. Also, Kalafina. (Keiko-san ~)

Best Voice Cast

Katanagatari

(House of Five Leaves, Arakawa Under the Bridge, Kuragehime, The Tatami Galaxy)

I really, really liked Yaichi's voice. But I'm judging this based on the entire voice cast and Katanagatari has the best, IMHO. The Tatami Galaxy also came close because...Sakamoto Maaya (who is also in Arakawa Under the Bridge). 

Best Style

The Tatami Galaxy

(Arakawa Under the Bridge, Katanagatari, House of Five Leaves, Shiki)

SHAFT / Shinbo did something amazing with Arakawa Under the Bridge. But stylistically, The Tatami Galaxy was pure insanity. Add to that the really messed up presentation and we have ourselves a winner.

Best Animation

Kuragehime

(Arakawa Under the Bridge, Katanagatari, The Tatami Galaxy, Durarara!!)

Because I don't know. The whole series was just cute.

Best Background Art

Arakawa Under the Bridge

(The Tatami Galaxy, Durarara!!, Heroman, High School of the Dead)

Not much of a choice really. I thought High School of the Dead would win this one for sure but on second look, SHAFT did a pretty good job with the river scenery.

Best Character Designs

The Tatami Galaxy

(Kuragehime, Occult Academy, Katanagatari, House of Five Leaves)

The designs fit the characters. Watashi looked generic enough as to be anonymous. Ozu certainly looks devious. And Akashi is seriously cute and fits the bill for the girl-next-door type only with more grrr.

Best Storytelling

Katanagatari

(The Tatami Galaxy, Shiki)

NisiOisin. Nuff said.

Best Concept

The Tatami Galaxy

(Shiki, Durarara!!, Kuragehime, Occult Academy)

Everything about it, even its title, screams: GENIUS. And the whole rewind bit confused the shit out of me at first but in the end, all I could say was BRILLIANT. And a main character named "Watashi?" Absolutely inspired!

Anime Series of the Year

Katanagatari

(The Tatami Galaxy, Kuragehime, Shiki)

As much as I loved The Tatami Galaxy (for its eclectic style) and thoroughly enjoyed Kuragehime, Katanagatari offers a more complete package. Style, it has it in spades. Cuteness, why, yes. See Togame and Nanami and Pengu. Story? Absolutely.

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Otome Yokai Zakuro 4-5

EPISODE 04: Timid Distance

The girls receive a new assignment. However, after their last mission, Kushimatsu specifically excludes Zakuro and Agemaki from participating in this new one, sending only Susukihotaru, Riken, Bonbori, Hozuki and Ganryu. The case involves a sword which has come into the possession of Orikata Aya, a human who seems to feel a certain affinity towards spirits, especially her little servant, Mugi. Aya tells the team that the sword is said to have caused horrible things to happen around people who owned said sword. While Ganryu, Bonbori and Hozuki try to locate the place where the sword's former owner is said to live, Susukihotaru and Riken try to take the sword home. Susukihotaru, however, faints and Bonbori and Hozuki believe that the sword is affecting her. They then reveal that Susukihotaru's power consists in being able to empathize with persons and objects. Later, Susukihotaru befriends Mugi who shows her a comb that used to belong to her mother. When Susukihotaru touches it, she sees a vision of how Mugi's mother was slain by a man with a sword. Mugi does not remember this so in order to spare her the pain, Susukihotaru tells Mugi that her mother will come if she is good. Riken then asks Susukihotaru how she knows Mugi's mother. Susukihotaru starts to tell him her secret but before she can, they are alerted to Mugi trying to take the sword from off the dresser. As the sword falls, Susukihotaru accidentally touches it. The spirits within the sword possess her and Susukihotaru starts attacking Riken with it. Aya then comes to protect Mugi, which triggers Mugi's memory of how her mother died. Susukihotaru cuts Riken's hand, causing her to regain control. As she mends his wound she senses only his concern for her with nothing for his own. She cries and apologizes. Riken figures out her ability to empathize and tells her that because he does not say much, he is glad that she can read his feelings. Susukihotaru replies that she hopes he can read her feelings as well. As the day closes, Ganryu and the twins return unsuccessful and the team leaves for home. Later, Kushimatsu and Amaryoju wonder if the whole thing was just a coincidence or it was somehow orchestrated.

EPISODE 05: Sticky Trap

Hanadate pays a visit to Spirit Affairs headquarters in order to request the division's help in solving a case of disappearing soldiers. The incidents all seem to occur at high society gatherings and one witness has stated that he has seen a beautiful woman turn into a spider. Kushimatsu suspect that a black widow spirit is responsible and agrees to loan her team to him. On his way out, Zakuro, who has a crush on Hanadate, intercepts him. Always the gentleman, Hanadate compliments her belt buckle, which sends Zakuro straight to cloud nine while Agemaki watches in discomfort. The mission requires the team to attend a ball and Zakuro and the girls  find out that they have to dress in Western clothes. Zakuro is especially adamant about the whole thing but calms down after Agemaki tells her that she's pretty even in her ordinary dress, only to blow up in anger again after Agemaki tells her that it is her behavior that is unladylike. Later, at the ball, Hanadate singles out Zakuro and invites her to dance. The others all disperse with their own particular tasks: Bonbori and Hozuki spread magic petals all over the dance floor while Susukihotaru and Riken patrol the grounds outside. It is only Agemaki who has nothing to do except watch Zakuro and Hanadate together while he boils in jealousy. In the dance floor, Zakuro seems to be having fun but Hanadate has caught the eye of the black widow. Meanwhile, the twins are chanting their song, explaining to a distraught Ganryu that their magic petals only work if they sing. They add that he shouldn't worry as everybody things they're drunk anyway and are staying away. Ganryu, however, discovers to his utter dismay that the girls are actually drunk and not just pretending. They then see Hanadate with a strange woman in his arms walk past them and into a room. Bonbori senses that the woman is the black widow and so they alert the others. However, the other team members couldn't come right away as each pair is attacked by masked individuals, leaving Ganryu and the twins to go ahead without them. Inside the room, they discover a huge spider's web with the bodies of dead soldiers stuck to it. Hanadate is one of the victims but appears to still breathe. The black widow reveals herself and starts to attack. Ganryu falls but before the black widow could finish him, the entire room is flooded with petals and Hozuki engulfs him in her arms, singing. With Hozuki protecting Ganryu, Bonbori fights the black widow by herself. The black widow senses Bonbori's diminished power and takes her down after a prolonged fight. Seeing that Bonbori is hurt, Ganryu pleads for Hozuki to let him go but Hozuki tells him that she would get in trouble with Bonbori if she allows him to get hurt. Finally, Zakuro arrives and kills the black widow. Bonbori recovers and while the black widow lies dying, she mocks Zakuro for fighting spirits without knowing anything, not the truth about her nature or her mother.

COMMENTS:

Is it just me or does Riken look like the grown-up version of Ryuu from Kimi ni Todoke? I swear he's like the portmanteau of all my favorite anime characters. The soldier outfit reminds me a bit of that soldier dude from Xam'd: Lost Memories. That said, I loved the fourth episode. I think Susukihotaru and Riken make a cute couple. Sure, there are some cringe-worthy moments but this is shoujo and that's only to be expected. They're cute and that's all that matters. 

From way back in episode 3, methinks, there's a hint of an overarching plot. I don't expect a lot from it because I've been burned too many times. But suffice to say that it has something to do with Zakuro's past, particularly her mother. 

I can't really say that I look forward to each episode of this anime. But when they do come out and when I do watch them, they're okay and I guess in an anime year of shows ranging from mediocre to downright bad, okay is good enough.

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First Look: Psychic Detective Yakumo, Iron Man, Star Driver Radiant Takuto, Otome Yokai Zakuro

Psychic Detective Yakumo 1-3

This is Bee Train's offering this season. Psychic Detective Yakumo is about the titular Saitou Yakumo who was born with a peculiar eye defect: one of his eyes is colored red. The red eye gives him an ability to see ghosts and spirits, which he believes are bound to earth by one reason or another and which reason if eliminated will release said ghosts and spirits. Enter Ozawa Haruka who enlists Yakumo's help in exorcising a spirit that is possessing one of her friends.

From the outset, the story isn't that engaging and the characterization isn't the least bit novel. It's a dime-a-dozen story about a jaded guy with special abilities and his genki female sidekick/love interest. The art isn't even that great. In fact, the whole time I was watching Psychic Detective Yakumo, I totally forgot that this was made by Bee Train, so generic the visuals were. Worse still, the background music is fairly forgettable, which is really the lowest of the low, considering that this is a Bee Train project.

VERDICT: not watching

Iron Man 1-3

I don't think I have to tell you what Iron Man is about. Just know that this is the first of a series of Marvel/Madhouse collabs and that it should be good. It isn't by the way. The art is corny. The dialogue is corny. The CGI is corny. Even the story is corny. It looks a bit too much like Viper's Creed, only worse because I expected a lot from it.

VERDICT: not watching

Star Driver Radiant Takuto 1-3

Star Driver Radiant Takuto is about a boy who swims all the way to an island in order not to be late for the first day of classes at the academy where he is the newest transfer student. Unfortunately, he falls unconscious on the beach from exhaustion and is saved by a girl who has a special mission to save...something. After getting introduced to the student body, which make up the rest of the characters, the boy Takuto discovers that not everything is as it seems on the island and even Takuto himself isn't as ordinary as he appears.

Star Driver takes the formula for the brilliant character dynamics of Samurai Champloo -- that is, the main characters are actually a trio: the gregarious, hero type, the silent pillar of strength and the token female whose only role is to eat and do clumsy things. But their interactions are more along the lines of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time with its obvious love triangle. As for the story, if there is such a thing as mahou shojou for boys, Star Driver fits the bill.

VERDICT: The art is great but I really can't take the story seriously. Watching.

Otome Yokai Zakuro 1-3

Otome Yokai Zakuro tells the story of Zakuro, a half-fox spirit, half-human girl who leads a pack of other half-breeds working with a special branch of the Meiji Government that deal with spirits going rogue. It's a story about discrimination and acceptance, age-old culture clashing with modernization, and most of all love. My romance pick for the season? Definitely. Also, it's a comedy. Double yes.

VERDICT: watching and blogging

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2010 Fall Anime Short List

SOURCE: Chartfag

Star Driver Radiant Takuto - It's by Bones so it's probably good. The plot, however, reminds me too much of Xam'd: Lost Memories and almost every other Bones production of late. And again, I'm not really a mecha person so I don't know if I'll take to this.

Ironman - It's by Madhouse and a collab with Marvel. It's Ironman, forgodssakes!

Psychic Detective Yakumo - It's based on a manga, if the promo poster is any indication. Anyway, I need my psychological fix and the plot for this just jumped out.

Kuragehime - Trap. Brains Base. Humor. And it's on the noitaminA time slot, something which I've come to associate with quality, out-of-the-ordinary anime.

Arakawa Under the Bridge Season 2 - because I watched the first season and found it entertaining. Here's to hoping the second one can keep it up.

Well, I'm not likely going to watch all of these seeing as how my interest in anime is waning a little bit.

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