Wow, so this is different, huh? Well, so it is – but that’s one of the reasons for doing so.
This was actually intended to be a top 10 but there were way, way too many strong contenders for good shows this year, so this was difficult. Yes, I know 15 is retarded.
So, you know the drill. Only anime that have ended in 2014 are eligible. And obviously, I will only be ranking it based on anime I have watched – FYI, that extends further than what you’ve seen me blog about on this site. Here goes! (Soul Eater not, Chaika, and Nobunaga the fool just barely didn’t make this list – fyi, I enjoyed these shows immensely. Sorry guys!)
Beware – there may be spoilers ahead.
15 – Noragami
Noragami was a brilliantly executed show with a familiar spin on a familiar story. Wait, what? That doesn’t sound good at all. No worries here though – Yato proved to be much more than a troubled hero and Yukine was much more than a slimy kid. Character development was top notch, the story was touching, and even if it did have a predictable ending that was left somewhat unresolved, it proved to me how much I actually care about every single one of these characters. I miss you guys.
14 – Amagi Brilliant Park
Kyoani’s most recent outing proved to be, in my opinion, some of their best stuff since the original Free/K-on – I was shocked. As is a common trope for this list, it contains a star cast, one of the most interesting Kyo-ani MC’s in quite some years, and a compelling plot and objective with a fair amount of uncertainty and hardship. The road to getting 500,000 visitors isn’t and wasn’t an easy one – no, I would even say that final, solemn scene shared by Seiya and Moffle on the dawn of their final day are some of the scenes that defined this show.
Even if you’ve been inclined to give some of Kyo-ani’s showings in the past few years the definition of “moe crap”, I guarantee you will not be disappointed or bored with this one.
13 – Witch Craft Works
Witch Craft Works could have been an absolute abomination of its genre, but instead we were once again treated to great characters, an interesting, imaginative world and a powerful as fuck protag. There is much to be said about this show but I think I’d begin mostly with the setting and pleasant visuals – in a world not unlike our own, where witches can be anywhere. What, that sounds routine you ask? True, but the recurring visual gags (Such as the jobber witches), Medusa, Kazane, Evermillion, Weekend, Chronoire, and the conspiracy of the witch academy left a lot of great ground to be tread. I won’t spoil it for those of you that haven’t seen it, but if anything, keep watching if nothing else than for the endgame, which is absolutely spectacular.
12 – Saki ~ Zenkoku hen ~
While not the strongest outing that Saki has had, I feel as though we still had the chance to get the full Saki experience, albeit not as fleshed out and extensive as we are used to. There is also the issue of what I consider to be the least interesting and weakest school advancing with Kiyosumi. That said, Eisui had a cast of powerful mahjong players, and Miyamori was no slouch either. I will miss both schools dearly (Eislinn!)
The achiga girls even got time to see Kiyosumi, and presented the scene from achiga-hen’s episode 3 in a different light. All of their cameos were greatly welcome.
That said, we got another dose of Saki at it’s best (And Saki at her strongest!), which puts us one step closer to the final showdown with Achiga and Shiraitodai!
11 – Gokukoku no Brynhildr
Brynhildr is an excellent dark fantasy type show, truly bringing the more horrific parts of Elfen lied to a new audience, but somewhere halfway through the series it fell flat with a lukewarm ending. That said, I consider the first half to be so strong and resoundingly interesting that it still merits this place. Most of everyone you’ve heard from on the internet probably hates it, but that’s ok, I hate them for hating it.
People that seem as though they’re going to live, despite fighting death rarely do, and more often than not you’ll be heartbroken.
It treats adult themes (such as intimacy, life, and death) as they should be treated – with maturity and respect. Case in point – Kazumi’s later encounters with Ryouta. While this could have been played for laughs, the idea of love, intimacy, and emotional maturity is approached with such resounding tact that I must admit I was surprised, especially coming from this show.
The soundtrack and opening for this show are some of the best you’ll ever hear – from fast, frenetic, hardcore electronic music generally. The opening needs to be heard, whether you intend to watch this show or not, however.
This also isn’t a show where everyone lives through every encounter – generally, everyone is stronger than you and you are always in danger of dying. While it does introduce some potentially interesting scenarios for a future season, tread carefully – be ready to have your high expectations of the show let down at the end. Reeks highly of an “Anime only” ending.
10 – No Game, no Life
There’s pretty much no way you’ve not heard of this show unless you’ve been quite honestly hiding under a rock the past year. No game no life brings us highly intense psychological battles in a world where winning is everything – and it takes our overconfident heroes from rags to riches on a quest to conquer god. Anyone who enjoys the typical tête-à-tête between two forces with high intelligence and half a mind to fuck the other over as magnificiently as possibly will be right at home here – more comebacks and asspulls than can possibly be imagined.
It’s really a fantastic ride, and I can guarantee you will enjoy it. Nothing like watching someone who is genetically the most inferior defy all odds and beat those superior to him on paper.
9 – Free! – Eternal Summer
Another show that I would be astounded if you had not heard of before. Free features wide ranged characters with the full breadth of emotion, youthful energy, and a story told with true enthusiasm and love for the sports of competitive swimming. Perhaps I am a bit biased as a competitive swimmer of 11 years, but this show really made me feel that urge to do better, pushing your friends, and striving together to go further in the sport. Numerous swimming flashbacks later, and I’m quite touched.
It also shows that, despite how good you are, your love for other activities may trump your love of swimming – some are forced to go separate ways like Makoto. Quite a realistic outcome and one that befell many of my friends, myself included.
The emotional ending is sure to leave an impact on you, regardless of your background. Rin, Haru – this is to you. To the future of your careers.
8 – Hamatora / Re: Hamatora
These shows have been combined, given that they tell one cohesive story.
Hamatora is a blaze of brilliance. Fascinating and amazing, compelling, and action packed, it never fails to disappoint. What can you expect? Action, detective work, conspiracy and intrigue. All of the main characters, the “Hamatora”, are what is known as minimum holders. That is, young people with supernatural powers. Obviously, this makes it easy for them solve problems that would be an issue for you and me.
The first season is stronger than the second, but you really should watch both if you decide to indulge. From Nice, to Art, to birthday, to Murasaki, to Ratio – all of the Hamatora are incredible (I didn’t forget you, Three and Honey!). With a villain that is downright insidious in the first season, Hamatora is never one to let itself be outdone in the second season.
Several faceoffs, an insanely twisted set of villains, trials of friendship, and a new world order await you here.
7 – Selector Infected WIXOSS / Selector Spread WIXOSS
I felt it fair to combine these two shows as they really tell one story. In any event, let me say that WIXOSS was the greatest surprise of this year for me.
Psychological, dark, twisted, hopeless – these are all words that describe the carnivorous tale that it weaves through both seasons. Unafraid to tackle heavy subjects without the usual scapegoats (Incest, forbidden love, mental problems), it’s like a tale from madoka fused with a card game. The origins of the game itself do not disappoint.
This show resonates strongly with me on several levels – How Yuki went from being a villain to a heroic sacrifice is one of the show’s greatest successes. Yuki is a tragic figure in a show filled with tragedy, but not without hope.
Strong symbolism, powerful character relationships and friendships – all of WIXOSS’s strongpoints.
With a satisfying ending to a bloody battle, I can say that I will remember Ruu, Hitoe, Yuzuki, Yuki, and Tama for as long as I walk this earth. This one will get several rewatches from me over the years.
Please note – from this point on, I had an extremely difficult time re-arranging the shows. Consider them all almost interchangable. These are the true winners here.
6 – Kill la Kill
Another show that is almost impossible for you not to have heard about.
What is there to say about Kill la Kill, in brief? Not much that you haven’t already heard of. With the wild ferocity of Gurren Lagann, the ridiculous fights of jojo’s bizarre adventure, and an aesthetic unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, it really must be experienced to be described.
With a ridiculous climax and a creeping plot reminiscient of the aforementioned Gurren Lagann, it is not to be missed.
There are some damn satisfying battles near the end of the show. When you’re in the mood for something of similar enthusiasm, fire this one up.
5 – Mekaku City Actors
Another huge surprise from last year. Mekaku city actors tells a somewhat convoluted story about several young people with supernatural abilities that originate from their eyes. Dark at times, figurative at others, and spectacularly brilliant nearly all the time.
Strongest points here are Ayano’s personal back story and Ene’s backstory – trust me, once you reach these points, you will be sold on this show. The show is never confusing enough that you feel it is directionless – nay, there are enough pieces of the puzzle to put together and make sense of the greater picture. You’ll find yourself putting things together and, for whatever reason, it will be that much more impressive to you.
Presentation is key here – again, a clever tapestry of personal tales and backstories is told, one at a time until you have the entire picture. Nary a day passes through the entire timespan of the anime, from start to finish.
While I wasn’t privy to this before watching the show, the anime is actually based off a vocoloid set of stories called “Kagerou Project”. While one might be inclined to dismiss this as little more than fanservice, let me tell you – there is some true meat here. Animated by the likes of SHAFT, you can be sure you’ll be captivated.
I don’t care who you are, if you like anime at all – you should watch this.
4 – Nagi no Asukara
Touching, soft, loving, and warm – all words I would use to describe this show that’s ultimately, about the trials of love. As a guy that’s a huge fan of these shows, I can say that it’s a resounding success.
Nagi showcases young love and the harshness of the passage of time – with a small dash of unrequited love. Matters of the heart are paramount. Add in a touch of the spiritual with the sea god and life underwater, and you have a complete package that’s ultimately a rite of passage for its young cast as they overcome not only each other’s feelings but racism and adversity itself.
Worth a watch? You goddamn bet your ass it is. It’s not at number 4 for nothing.
3 – Golden Time
Another show that set my heart aflutter, golden time is also a tale of love – although we’re talking older, committed love here. From the author of Toradora, you can expect a tale from the female perspective that’s sensitive, realistic, often dramatic, and a touch supernatural.
While the supernatural aspects seem to have split the fanbase a bit, I can assure you that they only strengthen the package. Relationships are realistic and develop in satisfying ways – it’s really a great payoff to see the budding romance and intimacy that Banri and Koko share. You’ll cry…maybe a lot. But in the end, it will be worth it.
Every character is remarkable. From 2d-kun, to Nana, to Linda herself, you’ll end up loving everyone (Except maybe Chinami, I dunno man) by the end of it and just hoping that everyone can stay friends and love each other.
If it doesn’t remind you of your past loves, your old friendships, and your old friends, then I think you may have missed the point. This is a story that hits close to home.
This one has a special place in my heart and quite honestly, probably a spot on my top list of anime of all time, along with it’s sister story Toradora.
2 – Kuroshitsuji – Book of Circus
Ooh.
OOOH.
Yeah, this one. I may be a bit biased here, but allow me to go on.
Kuroshitsuji contains some of the best mixture of outstanding characters, twisted, dark decadence, and action that you’ll ever find. Book of circus, thankfully, takes the series on the right track after taking a few non-canonical pit stops.
Taking place approximately after the curry arc in the original anime, this picks up right where it leaves off discarding other non-canonical elements (The presence of the queen at the curry contest, pluto, etc.)
Sebastian and Ciel return, hellbent on maintaining the queen’s wishes and getting to the bottom of a mysterious occurance where young children are disappearing in the night. Tracing the act back to the Noah’s Arc Circus troupe, what they find is horrifying, sad, and darker than ever.
You’ll end up loving the Noah’s arc troupe (most of them anyway) – their story is unbelievably sad. I’ve seen many a sad sap story in anime, but this one really moves me. Perhaps it’s the sordid imagery of their orphanage with the green plains in the backdrop – Beast’s love for Joker, Joker’s love for them all. I’m not sure I can nail exactly what it is, but it’s bloody fucking splendid whatever it is.
Think near the end of Cowboy Bebop, when Faye returns to her old school. That’s a similar feeling that the end of this show evokes. Who’s really the hero here, and are we sure it’s Ciel?
Ciel doesn’t seem to think so.
“There is no ‘right’. Just winners are losers.
And today, I’m going to steal your future.”
1 – Zankyou no Terror
And here we are, at number one. The top 6 is terribly difficult because it comes down to counting the faults of each show, and all of the top 6 here are nigh flawless.
Zankyou no terror is the full package. Start to finish, it weaves a complex tale of revenge and “science gone wrong” with no shortage of exciting cat and mouse chases and societal discourse. While everything ends up evening out in the end, the story concludes on a rather somber note and ends in the most powerful of ways – Watanabe is truly a master of executing a fulfilling ending.
Terrorism is the main point of interest here, but surprisingly, nobody seems to die. I wonder why that is? Who are twelve and nine, and just what are they trying to accomplish? How do they view the world, and what is their goal? What has created them, and what are they trying to expose? I dare not answer any of this here.
How good is this show? Again, so good I dare not spoil any plot details here. It’s strong enough to stand amongst Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. It’s fast, frenetic, dramatic, full of tension, and constantly makes you wonder – who’s really the villain here?
Nigh flawless in concept and in execution, you will forget to breathe.
If you choose to watch this one – enjoy.
