2011 Year-Ender: Best Anime

Jan8

2011 Year-Ender: Best Anime

By Team Meta, posted under ANIME, Featured, Year-Ender

Tenth and last in line: Best Anime nominations for 2011. Vote Away~

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	And finally, we are at our last category of Awards for 2011 and what a year it has been. We got to see many glorious series, some of them came as surprises while others crashed and burned. Comparison to 2010, I definitely saw a lot more and can vouch for it to be a good year quality wise. Even when Japan was hit with massive earthquakes, the production didn’t halt. Hats off to the industry and hope there’s many more and even better years to come!
	A whole year has passed already? Whoa! Where is my personal time machine to revisit some great anime! But forget that mess we should look forward to 2012! Have fun with out list of the years best in 2011 anime.
	There can only be one anime of the year. It’s undoubtedly the most coveted award in the list, as it recognizes the series overall as being the best to offer. If you could only watch one anime from 2011, which would it be? It’s a hard choice, so think carefully! Or maybe you don’t need to think. Use your heart to decide. Or..your soul. Screw it, I don’t have either of those, what the hell do I know? Just vote!
	2011 has been a terrific year for anime. Every anime on this list has something you can take away from it, whether it be a meme (“wanna form a contract?” or “YOU HAVE GAIN”), unique relationships (the No. 6 shounen-ai duo or Usagi Drop’s parent/child pairing) and dead people (Menma from AnoHana and Himari from Penguindrum). Good luck voting, cause you’ll be stuck on this page for about half-an-hour deciding where to put your votes.
	…Can we even give out just one award? There were so many amazing anime that came out this year that I imagine that it’s going to be difficult to decide who to vote for. Well, it’s your problem now, not mine. Happy voting!
	Wooo, we’re finally here! The almost most important part of the Year-Ender awards… Best Anime. Now, I’m sure this is going to be a tough one considering all of the good anime of the past year. But we gotta do this and it’s all up to you viewers. I’d probably have a hard time just choosing one, good thing we’re giving you all seven choices. XD As an update, so far the following Year-Ender posts are out and voting is still open. Get in your votes! All polls except for Best Anime close on January 10th, 2012. 2011 Year-Ender: Anime OPs 2011 Year-Ender: Anime EDs 2011 Year-Ender: Male Seiyuu 2011 Year-Ender: Female Seiyuu 2011 Year-Ender: Supporting Male Character 2011 Year-Ender: Supporting Female Character 2011 Year-Ender: Villainous Character 2011 Year-Ender: Lead Male Character 2011 Year-Ender: Lead Female Character The list is in no particular order. So check out these super duper animes of 2011 and vote for the best~!

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[ 01 ] [ Fate/Zero ]

{ ufotable }

The bomb of Fall season and the most well-executed anime of this year, hands down. From the one hour first episode till the last one with a giant cliffhanger, this brilliant story intertwined by Gen Urobuchi for Nasu’s fate world has kept the viewers glued to their screen. I heard so many Type-Moon fags scream that I almost became deaf. The beauty of this is not only the movie-quality animation and music but the crisp plot and interesting fleshed-out characters. Of course, thirteen episodes are not enough to dish the whole story but wait till Spring and for ultimate glory!

//.kyokai

[ FALL ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 02 ] [ Steins;Gate ]

{ White Fox }
Steins;Gate started with a crawl and ended with a sprint, taking all the time in the world to set up a riveting storyline and flesh out the main characters in a way that most anime only dream of being able to achieve. The time travel elements are all carefully researched to mirror real life phenomena (with a few errors cough Ruka’s D-mail cough) and is used to spin an amazing story. But what really sets this show apart is not the time travel, but how everyone deals with it. Okarin and Kurisu are brilliant characters to watch, filled to the brim with realistic emotions that are never restricted to just one character type. Steins;Gate was a beautiful, unique show, and I appreciate everything it strives for. //.overcooled
[ SPRING ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 03 ] [ Usagi Drop ]

{ Production I.G }
There’s no doubt whatsoever that Usagi Drop was the feel-good anime of the year. The story of Daikichi taking Rin under his care was nothing short of heartwarming; they were a great duo and both had a lot of likable qualities. Production I.G. should do more josei/shoujo series, because they seem to have such a great feel for how to animate a series of this nature. //.jrow
[ SUMMER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 04 ] [ Tiger & Bunny ]

{ Sunrise }
Tiger & Bunny accrued a massive following of fans after it took everyone by surprise when it someone didn’t suck. Having heroes with labels of real companies plastered on them seemed like an instant flop, but it somehow turned it around and made everything wonderful. It was a more real take on heroes and how they would be treated in real life, mixed with some ridiculous cheesiness and hilarity. Every single episode was entertaining and full of moments to think back on and chuckle over. The real pull to this show, however, is Kotetsu and his relationship with Barnaby. They go from being hostile to one another to the absolute closest of comrades. It’s one of the most addictive parts of the series, and it made my week…every single week. //.overcooled
[ SPRING ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 05 ] [ Mawaru Penguindrum ]

{ Brains Base }
Kunihiko Ikuhara’s return to anime was a very crazy, twisted one with a multi-layered plot, symbolism overload and some of the greatest artistic direction in anime this year and of the 21st century. At times Penguindrum was charming, others it was funny, and it also was heartbreaking at times. All this with the music and dialogue voiced by an excellent cast blended together into what was one of 2011’s most compelling anime. //.jrow
[ SUMMER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 06 ] [ Ao no Exorcist ]

{ A–1 Pictures }
One of the best action/shounen shows of the year. Ignoring the…er, anime original ending, A-1 took the story and gave us laughs, action and amazing characters. Rin and Yukio are probably the most kick ass set of twins this year. …A-1 also gave us some weird loving husband version of Satan, another Hanazawa character and twincest shipping fodder for the fangirls, but let’s ignore that for now. //.karakuri
[ SPRING ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 07 ] [ No.6 ]

{ Bones }
No.6 has its ups and downs, but I’m not about to ignore that this anime made me very, very happy as a whole. While I can’t say too many nice things about the way the dystopian society story was handled (wasps. it was handled with wasps.), the story of Nezumi and Shion coming together was spot on. The two of them shared a beautiful relationship while avoiding all of the horrendous traps and stereotypes most gay couples in anime tend to fall into. It’s not perfect, but it’s full of charm and a bunch of moments that made me melt like butter. //.overcooled
[ SUMMER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 08 ] [ Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica ]

{ Shaft }
I’m sure not many people didn’t expect much from a magical girl type anime. But this Mahou Shoujou has surprised and won the hearts of many who wouldn’t even touch a magical girl themed anime. This anime isn’t just about little girls and their transformation sequences. No, this is about the struggle of friendship, self-less acts for a wish that comes with a heft price. This is pink gone dark and you’ll be touched by the hardships that these girls have to go through. //.ness
[ WINTER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 09 ] [ Hanasaku Iroha ]

{ P.A. Works }

The slice of life anime that kept its regular pace with the regular life at Kissuiso inn. Life for Ohana sure has been tough with a careless mother and a tyrant grandmother. I still remember that slap in the first episode but the good thing about her is that she didn’t let it pull her down and conformed to the situation. Of course, her jilting Kou repeatedly pissed me off but the series ended at a good point with resolution for almost everyone.

//.kyokai

[ SPRING ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 10 ] [ Kamisama no Memochou ]

{ J.C. Staff }
This was a surprise of Summer with an interesting storyline and almost as engaging characters like Durarara!! if only it got similar episode length. Yes, it had its weak baseball episode but it started out really well and ended up with a bang, the latter two story arcs were definitely the best this story had to offer. I loved the character development of Narumi and how little bits were revealed about every character. I hope this gets another season so that we get to know more about the side characters. //.kyokai
[ SUMMER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 11 ] [ C ] The Money of Soul and Possibility Control

{ Tatsunoko Production }

Fighting with the power of money with some of the most interesting looking monsters next to something like Persona! From start to finish this series had some decent fights with lots of random English quotes, like ‘You have gain!’ and ‘Direct!’ If the world of C was real, I wonder how our very own Ness would do? She would probably keep all of her monehhs and kick so much ass!

//.foshizzel

[ SPRING ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 12 ] [ Kore wa zombie desu ka? ]

{ Studio DEEN }

Damn what can I really say about this little gem of an anime? Only one word comes to my mind FANTASTIC! I have to say Kore wa zombie has a very unique cast of supernatural characters. We get everything from a necromancer, vampire ninja, a few zombies and one over-powering magical girl! Hell we get to see Ayumu become a magical boy and his transformation? Watching those scenes will always make me laugh every damn time.

//.foshizzel

[ WINTER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 13 ] [ Level E ]

{ David Production / Pierrot }
Probably one of the most underrated animes of the year. Level E isn’t just about extraterrestrial beings. It’s about a trolol in the form of a tall, not dark but handsome blonde alien man. This anime brings different stories, good laughs and likeable characters. As well, throw in some sci-fi alien elements and we’re set. //.ness
[ WINTER ’11 ]

[ EXTRA ] Spoiler Video: Show ▼

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[ 14 ] [ Working’!! ]

{ A–1 Pictures }

Since the moment I found out, this was getting another season, my jubilation didn’t know any bounds. This is all about a bunch of misfits who gather in Wagnaria and somehow or the other end up complementing each other. Even if that means some employees getting bullied, punched, threatened and downright persuaded for being adopted. The gals and guys alike have insane obsessions and what ensues is nothing short of amazing comedy. Check this out, yo~

//.kyokai