It’s that time of year again – welcome, one and all, to the Seventh Annual Reader’s Choice poll! Do you have a favorite series you’d like to see win? Or perhaps you’re just curious what everyone else enjoyed this year? Well either way, this is the time to cast your vote and make your voices heard!

As has become our habit, there will be two polls for you to vote on this year – one for regularly broadcast TV series, and another for OVA/movies. We’re asking you for your top 5 picks in each poll, which should stop the results from being heavily skewed towards the mega-popular shows. This year we have an astounding 132 TV series and 75 OVA/movies for you to choose from, so make sure you look over the entire list before deciding. Also, please respect other people’s choices in the comments, and keep in mind that entertainment is subjective. People like what they like, so even if you might think they have terrible taste (ooo, ooo, ooo, that’s me!!), please try to respect their opinions.

Here’s the criteria we used to decide what shows did (or did not) make it onto these lists:

  • For a regular broadcast TV series to be considered, it has to have finished airing in 2012. The idea is that you can’t truly judge a series until it’s over, so shows such as PSYCHO-PASS, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo, Space Bros, and Little Busters! will appear on next year’s poll. Series with a second season coming but a clear stopping point in the one we’ve already seen (Ex: DOG DAYS’, K) are included. To further complicate things, this year has seen a rash of shows that have sort of finished, with further episodes incoming but often under a slightly different name, such as Saki: Achiga-hen episode of Side-A and Kokoro Connect. We decided to go ahead and include those shows in this year’s poll, and will treat future episodes like OVAs.
  • For OVA/movies, it has to have been released on Blu-ray/DVD in 2012 to qualify, ensuring that viewers outside of Japan have had a chance to watch it. This mostly pertains to theatrical offerings. The difference from TV series is that they don’t necessarily have to be complete to be included, since it can take several years for an OVA series to finish. That’s why Gundam Unicorn and Towa no Quon are appearing again this year.

As far as we’re aware, the anime series list is complete, barring a handful of shows that are animated but unlike “typical” anime. The OVA/movie list is less so, but this is by design; there are lot of really niche OVAs that aren’t really worth considering. However, if you feel there’s something that deserves consideration, please leave a comment or send me an email (email works best) and I’ll add it.

Now, are you ready for this? Well you’d better be, because let the voting begin!

Note: The polls will close on Tuesday, January 1st at 8:00 AM GMT. Results will be posted in the Best of Anime 2012 post, which will be written by the three active writers who have watched the most anime this year.



398 Comments

    1. It is easy to choose if you think about the anime that over excited during his time and after that.
      I mainly chose the anime, among which I of course like, that stand out for their originality of the subject of history. It remains of course something subjective to my tastes, but I think they have their credit to differentiate of the common.
      I vote for:
      – Another, by the atmosphere of mystery and terror.
      – Hyouka by the mysteries and Houtarou resolutions.
      – Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon 2, by way of showing political situations and problems, a large group of protagonists rather peculiar, and a world with very different powers and abilities, few are unbeatable powers.
      – Binbougami ga, because the series is more killed me with laughter and deserve to be remembered, especially today XP.
      This vote serves especially to remember and discuss the best of each series.

      Shadow74
  1. Ah, that exciting time of the year again!

    Fate/Zero, Chihayafuru, Tsuritama, Sakamichi no Apollon, and Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi.

    I had trouble picking just five because I also really enjoyed Jormungand, Hyouka, and Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita. Good year for anime all in all. That being said, Space Bros. and Hunter x Hunter would have been my top two were we allowed to vote for them.

    Mormegil
  2. I can’t believe that I almost overlooked that Kuroko no Basuke was in the poll – shame on me..

    Well then there’s Fate/Zero, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, Kokoro Connect and Another I guess..

    destinyflower
  3. I voted for Hyouka, Fate/Zero, Chihayafuru, Tsuritama and Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun for the series 😛 AND Hotarubi no Mori e, K-On movie, Code Geass -Boukoku no Akito-, Another OVA, Inu x Boku SS for the OVAs/MOVIES

    mistress_kisara
  4. Damn, this is too hard. I really liked Ano Natsu de Matteru, Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou, Fate/Zero, Haiyore! Nyaruko San, Jormungand, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II, Mouretsu Pirates, Nisemonogatari, Oda Nobuna no Yabou, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia, Tsuritama and there’s a lot I didn’t even watch.

    Anyway, I picked Fate/Zero, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II, Mouretsu Pirates, Nisemonogatari and Oda Nobuna no Yabou. OVAs/Movies were much easier to choose from. There was only one I liked this year, Steins;Gate.

    Reinou
    1. I surely hope so. Fate/Stay Night lost to Suzumiya Haruhi and Ouran High School Host Club in Reader’s Choice Poll 2006 by a landslide, lost to Mai-Otome in the Best Anime category, and even lost to Blood+ in Best Action. I think the Fate series deserves a top spot recognition this year.

      Matroid
    1. And no Madoka movies, either, which definitely did show in the U.S. (saw them in NYC myself). I’m assuming that they’re going by home video release date, even for theatrical films. Makes sense, I guess, for the sake of consistency.

      Velox
    2. It doesn’t release on bluray/DVD in any form until next year, so it doesn’t count for this.

      Madoka movies released as a limited airing in select theaters and doesn’t fulfill the requirement that there’s either some BD/DVD release and/or widely available translated version for the majority of anime viewers. It will appear on next year’s poll.

  5. Definitely going for Guilty crown and Kokoro Connect.

    Even though i just started watching anime (again) during this spring and since i’m watching it hardcore. I also started to read randomc since well, the same spring, so i have a fair amount of anime knowledge (no i don’t). Yet there is so much anime I’ve watched and i still don’t know what was actually GOOD and what was wanting to know how the f*** it finally ended.

    Guilty crown and Kokoro Connect were the only 2 that really standed out for me (in this list atleast). Not because i loved the animation of Guilty crown (which i REALLY did) or the but also because the characters standed out for me and loved them.
    Except for (yes this reveals a HUGE bit of Guilty crown)
    Show Spoiler ▼

    And yes, i know it’s because the writers made it like this but i want a happier ending.

    Pity that Sakurasou no Pet na kanajo (To. Long. Title.) and Zetsuen no Tempest weren’t here. Great shows (for me, i love romcoms and the *cough* fun it sometimes brings along which :D).
    And i haven’t watched most of the other shows because i’m living a very busy (lazy gamer) awesome high school life (which i don’t have Q-Q) so even more reasons why i could only pick these 2.

    So YAY ROMCOMS AND FANTASY ♥♥♥ (yes, i AM a guy. Or so i think so. teehee)

    Duelistdusk
  6. The list is obviously missing the best “thing” of the year – Space Battleship Yamato 2199. Nothing else comes close. None of your moe-fanservic-y crap, none of that. Unicorn comes close, but it is still quite beneath Yamato for its relative childishness. And yet nobody covers it. Yamato isnt stupid enough to be reviewed by mainstream bloggers, it seems.

    Karry
  7. Soundtrack: Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II(Save you from anything .>_<.)
    action: Btooom!
    Romance: Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    drama: ??
    Sci-Fi: Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II
    Mystery: hyouka(?)
    Comedy: Nisemonogatari(?),Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of the Dead
    Fan-Service: To Love-Ru – Trouble: Darkness. Hagure Yuusha no Estetica

    NoRePLY
    1. My top series of 2012

      1.Fate/Zero
      2.Sakamichi no Apollon
      3.Kuroko no Basuke
      4.Hyouka
      5.Nisemonogatari

      Top Ova /Movies
      1.K-ON! Movie
      2.Letter to Momo
      3.Berserk Movie 2 : Battle for Doldrey (sadly the movie didn’t get included, so i gave the first one the nod instead)
      4.Steins;Gate Special
      5.Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko Special

      KingofConquerors
  8. Of the 132 TV series, I watched 99 of them… wow… I’m surprised myself… And to think this is my last year in high school… I must be high on something…

    My pick for this year:

    Accel World
    Fate-Zero
    Persona 4
    Nisemonogatari
    Hyouka

    A special mention must go to Bleach, It is quite an epic show, even if some of the contents don’t live up to the expectations. It has been a great 8 years together, it will be remembered by fans all over the world.

    Mixed Milkshake
  9. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai – I’m a KyoAni sucker
    Ano Natsu de Matteru – Best cliffhangers
    Fate/Zero – Movie-quality animation in a 2 season series. Dialogues about morality. Saber. Enough said.
    Sakamichi no Apollon – Jazz and a love story. It’s like cake and coffee.
    Binbougami ga! – The moral of the story was obvious from episode 1 but it was way too hilarious :))

    Runner-ups:

    TARI TARI – Witty script and lovable cast
    Hyouka – Production value was superb but the mysteries themselves were boring. Also, high school students shouldn’t be analysing each other that hard.
    Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou – Solid laughtrip
    Medaka Box – Only shounen anime I liked this season
    Kokoro Connect – Promising story, shitty production
    Nazo no Kanojo X – Niche
    Nisemonogatari – Ararararararagi-kun is getting on my nerves

    Hireyuki
  10. Kinda shock by the list…It’s been an awesome year for anime fans.

    It’s hard to pick, but i made my decision:

    Fate/Zero
    Kokoro Connect
    Nisemonogatari
    Rinne no Lagrange
    Sword Art Online (Eps 1-14)

    PS: Yup, i just had to mention SAO. Personally, first 14 episodes quality is on-par to Fate/Zero for me. Episode 15 onward seems to lost all the magic i love. Sorry for the hate (>.<)

    Bakaro
    1. yes yes i agree very much with the sao. i dont know why but i have a feeling sao has extreme support from the fans of the light novel. argh doesnt really do justice to the other shows cause i was a little disappointed with how the episodes after 14 went. as you said “lost its amgic” definitely..

      seanytan
  11. 1) Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna
    2) Sakamichi no Apollon
    3) Chihayafuru
    4) Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    5) Another

    Honorable mention (in alphabetical order): Eureka Seven AO, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita, Jormungand, Natsuyuki Rendezvous, & Tsuritama

    Although they don’t apply to this year’s vote, 4 current series (Psycho-Pass, Robotics;Notes, Shinsekai Yori, & Uchuu Kyoudai) are candidates to make my list next year from what I’ve seen so far.

    boznia
  12. Welcome to the Reader’s Choice – Best Anime 20112, where we are projected 18100 years into the future, LONG LIVE ANIME.

    My picks:
    1. Zumonno to Nupepe – Just because Zumomo is the correct spelling
    2. Maji de Otaku na English! Ribbon-chan: Eigo de Tatakau Mahou Shoujo – Longest title, and comon..it teaches ENGLISH. We all know English is important, right?
    3. SAO – SUGU IS THE BEST IMOUTO
    4. New Prince of Tennis – It’s not old, it’s NEW
    5. Tamagotchi! – Good times people, good times.

    Keep in mind, entertainment is subjective!

    Show Spoiler ▼

    PS: GC Lost Xmas OVA where? (not discovered by me). Also I realized that the previous installation was titled Favourite instead of “Best”, favourite sounds more suitable IMO.

  13. Mädchen und Panzer!! *Obvious WoT nerd* XD

    But seriously, no fan service till OVA, HUGE musical score with historical background. Cannot wait to grab the OST. Accurate tank models and acceptable physics, what’s not to like >_<

    Yoz
    1. Probably because the initial impression is kinda bad, like ‘cute girls doing things’. And the early episodes aren’t quite helping, either…

      Honestly, I don’t think GuP could make it to the top, not even the top 10. But I’m seriously rooting for Most Exceeded Expectations and Best OST. Those marching songs are awesome XD

      Kevin Yamagata
  14. You might as well just end the poll now cause we all know Fate/Zero will win (Even if it butchered two of my favorite scenes *grumble* *grumble*)

    With that being said, there were a lot of good (Not great) shows this year. Fate/Zero was the big standout for me, but the two shows that would have got my top votes are still airing so I can’t vote for them. That would be Sakurasou and Psycho-Pass btw.

    On that note I guess my top 5 would have to be:

    1.Fate/Zero (Mostly because of everything Gilgamesh did in that show)

    2.Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II (The way it meshed emotional scenes and comedy was just…wow)

    3.Sword Art Online (Knew what I was getting into so a lot of the jazz that bothered people didn’t really affect me and the fact that the first two arcs are the prelude to the good stuff)

    4.Nisemonogatari (Not even close to as entertaining as Bake was for me, plus I have a long hair fetish so you can imagine how I took those scenes. Gets on here purely for Shinbo being magical)

    5.High School DxD (Didn’t even start watching this until the week the last episode aired, but for some reason I loved it. Wouldn’t usually be on my list but nothing else stood out too much)

    I get the feeling Mirai Nikki would be on here if I actually got around to watching it, but I keep putting it off. I also liked Ano Natsu de Matteru, but I never got around to finishing it (Didn’t really like Ichika and I knew she was going to win so…). To-Love-Ru also would have made it on if it weren’t for those darn censors.

    Kuntzy
  15. Accel World
    Aquarion EVOL
    Berserk Ougon Jidaihen I: Haou no Tamago
    Beelzebub
    CODE GEASS Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito OVA
    Binbougami ga!
    Beelzebub
    Chihayafuru
    Inu x Boku SS SP
    Code:Breaker
    Eureka Seven AO
    Momo he no Tegami
    K
    Kokoro Connect
    Medaka Box
    Mirai Nikki
    SKET Dance
    Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
    Sukitte Ii na yo.

  16. I forget to vote Chihayafuru and Hyouka.
    Voted for Jinrui, Kokoro Connect, Kuroko no Basket, Koi senkyo to chocolate and Onii-ae.
    I would have removed chocolate and Onii-ae if I notice Chihayafuru and Hyouka.

    soshinra
  17. Counting them, I watched 63 out of the 132 listed with 5 dropped shows(6 if you count Bleach).
    I’m surprised that I watched that many this year, though this is probably low compared to others(did I see someone say he watched 99?).

    My top 5 in no particular order(and totally my own opinion):Show Spoiler ▼

    So yeah.

  18. Hyouka, the question of the mysteries was not boring, in reality some people could not follow the reasoning of the anime.

    And if have a poll for best male character… is Oreki Houtarou, a character with a new personality, quite different from the current leaders

    vane
  19. Very difficult to pick this year… Many good series but no real BEST like in 2011 when it was Steins;Gate and Mahou Shoujo Madoka on top. Therefore I made a like of runner-ups as well.

    1. Hyouka – Loved the mystery, and the production was epic.
    2. Jormundgand – Her name is KOKO, she is LOCO!
    3. Kokoro Connect – Good story, good production, had me show my emotions from time to time.
    4. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga shitai – beautifull story, and good production and RIKKA :3.
    5. Sankarea – Zombie fetish FTW

    Runner-ups:

    Accel World
    Ano Natsu de Matteru
    Another
    Danshi koukousei no Nichijou
    Mirai Nikki
    Mouretsu Pirates
    Shakugan no Shana III
    Sword Art Online (you have to admit, the first half was epic, even thought the second half sucked balls. Would have made my top 5 if it wasn’t for the second half.)
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

    OVA’s/Movies:

    Accel World OVA
    Fairy Tail OVA
    Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Tenri-hen
    K-ON! Movie
    Steins;Gate Special

    I’m really exited to know which one will win, so many good series this year ^^

    Shrubbery
  20. Wanted to point out that ‘Saint Seiya Omega’ shouldn’t be on the voting list because it’s still airing.

    Other than that voted for:
    F/Z (for reasons I’m sure everyone has already mentioned)
    Chihayafuru (Karuta is epic and the love triangle is so well balanced)
    Tonari (The most refreshing show I watched all year, very well executed as well, Natsume is also kawaii and Sasayan plays a very good silent/poker-faced observer)
    Acchi Kocchi (funniest anime I saw all year)
    Aquarion EVOL (Zessica + AndyMix + Trashy show of the year)

    Honourable mentions go to:
    Tari Tari
    Chunnibyou
    Ano Natsu
    Kokoro Connect
    Nisemonogatari

    coflame
  21. Two of them got my attention this year:
    – Moretsu Space Pirates
    (Good story, good pacing, great main character, as Marika doesn’t come out as a ditzy clutz, good side-characters… mainly Chiaki going OMG when seeing a Chocolate Parfait, good humor, pretty close adaptation to the light novels as well)

    – Persona 4 The Animation
    (pretty much the best anime adaptation I’ve seen of a video game, very true to the source material, quality visuals, good soundtrack, it’s one of the best RPGs as a huge anime cutscene)

    I’ve checked other series this year, but I’d say that I enjoyed these two more than the rest. No offense there, ok?

    JiCi
  22. Kokoro Connect
    Fate/Zero
    Natsume Yuujinchou Shi
    Tari Tari
    Yuru Yuri(wow it rhymes)

    Hmmm, It was not that hard of a pick for me. I am well aware that there are many great shows this year but these are the only ones that really stand out for me.

    It has been a great year again RC. Looking forward to the Best of Anime Post this year. Good job guys! 🙂

    Nhelraios
  23. well, FATE ZERO is the best this year hands down it is one of the most exceptional and memorable shows to come in the last ten years whether in terms of story, art or characterization everything was just perfect ( shame it’s ending was ruined by the fact that it is a prequel to a very weak show ) after that for me come
    sakamichi no apollon
    natsuyuki rendez vous
    kami sama hajimemashita

    selma
  24. Panzer vor!
    1. GaruPan 2. Horizon 3. Nisemonogatari 4. Binbougami ga 5. ChuuNi
    6. Chihayafuru 7. NatsuMachi 8. Apollon 9. Lagrange 10. Kono naka ni hitori imouto ga iru (only because Scamp made it awesome)

    Best OP
    1. Youthful (Chihayafuru)
    2. Sakamichi no Melody (Sakamichi no Apollon)

    Best ED
    1. Vidro Moyou (NatsuMachi)
    2. Enter Enter Mission (GaruPan)

    Is this really a good idea? (aka Worst of the year)
    1. Kono naka ni hitori imouto ga iru (without Scamp) 2. Guilty Crown (lol) 3. SAO (facepalm.jpg) 4. Ginyoku no Fam (it is NOT Last Exile)

    celebrinen
  25. oh yes ! worst of the year
    sword art online desrves this honor as the most overrated show especially when i see amazing shows like jojo get so little attention
    then off course guilty crown and aquarion evol

    selma
  26. Fate/Zero was definitely the best anime, no doubt about it. However, there are a lot of people who did not watch it due to their age and not being familiar with the franchise. Well, let’s see what the people choose this year.

    DragoZERO
  27. It’s funny that bleach finally made it here as it finished. So should we take account of the entire 10 years its had or just this years. Will be hard, but got to give it credit the anime surpasses the manga by far with animation, cinematography and direction.

    tite kubo
    1. lol did not even notice it in list but yeah makes all other look rather poor
      and same naruto I guess anime is just much better then manga but I would vote it if I had seen it before in list I liked first part of it 60~ eps never got over 70 but it was realy well made till that part

      laaa
    1. I didn’t vote for Fate/Zero because everyone and their moms are going to vote fate/zero and is already going to win.

      My votes:
      Ano Natsu de Matteru
      Another
      Code:Breaker
      Jormungand
      Zetman

      chad28
  28. Decisions, decisions…

    Aired series:
    1. Jinrui wa Suitashimashita
    2. Hyouka
    3. Sakamichi no Apollon
    4. Ano Natsu de Matteru
    5. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

    Tsuritama almost made it to my list. Still haven’t seen F/Z and Nisemonogatari, so too bad.

    OVA/ONA/OAD/whatever
    1. Hotarubi no Morin e
    2. Momo he no Tegami
    3. Gundam Unicorn
    4. K-ON! (Damn right.)
    5. Minami-ke

    S;G was unimpressive. Kenshin was quite disappointing, as was Ika-chan. On hindsight, Berserk movie should have been on that list…

    junglepenguin
  29. Best anime of the year:
    Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II.

    Best OVA: Un-Go: Inga-ron

    Also: I hope there weill be a third Horizon series next year, so I’ll know what’s the best next year.

    Also the worst of this year: Sword Art Online, Guilty Crown, Black Rock Shooter. And also K, I would say.

  30. by category:
    serious bzns/overall best: Fate/Zero – debates of the Kings alone suffice, and there’s so much more epic stuff
    action: Jormungand – her name is Koko, she is loco and she will kill you with her mercenaries
    romance: Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun – because I was exactly like Mitty in the highschool
    sports: Chihayafuru – come on, making Karuta this entertaining is a top-notch achievement
    outside of the box: Girls und Panzer – come on girls riding and battling in TANKS??? and it WORKS!

    ewok40k
  31. I’m So tied up this year…. for this to have been a year where i kept looking at the season previews and thinking “WTF is this?!” I really enjoyed at least 3 or more shows each season :X
    Still I Personally Voted For
    Horizon II
    Yuru Yuru (don’t judge me XD)
    Jinrui wa suitai shimashita
    Nazo no Kanojo X
    Ano Natsu de materu
    these were just shows that I REALLY ENJOY after looking at them and thinking why would i watch this so i figure they earned my vote 🙂

    Naske
  32. Hyouka was a real surprise.
    But just 5 choises is non enough.
    This is my real list of the best:
    Hyouka
    Psycho Pass
    Hotarubi no mori e
    Natsume Youjinchou shi
    Sakamichi no Apollon
    Another
    Zetsuen non tempest
    Chyhayafuru
    Uta Koi

    Barbara
  33. Five is too damn low! I can see at least 10 good picks.

    Series:
    Muv-Luv
    Sword Art Online
    Jormungand
    Fate Zero
    Lupin Mine Fujiko

    OVA:
    Berserk
    Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito
    Fairy Tail OVA
    Steins Gate Special
    Amagami SS+ plus SP

    dimasok
  34. come on guys…sword art online…the memorable characters, beautiful story-telling, complexly designed villains, completely logical and intelligently thought out plot scenarios, wonderful scene transitions that were as smooth as flowing rivers made of butter. oh wait i didn’t make it past episode 8, i just made all that sh*t up. i did occasionally follow the remainder of the series on randomc.net though X-D

    stalkingpanda
  35. F/Z
    Sakamichi no Apollon
    Nisemonogatari
    Hyouka
    Sankarea (difficult choice but decided to go with one I enjoyed and rather original)

    Others I wanted to include:

    Another
    Chuu2
    Chihayafuru
    SAO (needed an anime original ending after first arc that made more sense)
    Kuroke no Basuke
    Uuchu kyoudai (lost impetus after the selection process wound down)

    shin
  36. Just scrolling down the list, I could already pick out 10 series that I really liked.
    My top 5 Series:

    Fate/Zero
    Nazo no Kanojo X
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    Tsuritama

    Honourable Mentions:

    Ano Natsu de Matteru (Great confession scene + relationship AFTER the confession + Remon-senpai)
    Hyouka (Kanya-fest arc was one of the best story arcs this season + great visuals)
    Another (Horror well done, except for the finale)
    Chihayafuru (Great character development + Karuta. I see so many more references to Karuta in anime after having seen this.)
    Jormungand (Her name is Koko, she is Loco, I say oh NO!!)
    Thermae Romae (Absolutely hilarious. Its only 6 eps at 12 mins each, but it had me laughing the entire time)

    OVAs (For me, its more like the ones that I watched, as opposed to my favourite ones)

    Steins;Gate Special (shining example of how to make an OVA)
    Another OAD
    CODE GEASS Hangyaku no Lelouch: Nunnally in Wonderland
    CODE GEASS Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito OVA

    Kentaiyoshimi
  37. HYOUKA, BLEACH, GUILTY CROWN, SWORD ART ONLINE, BEELZEBUB

    ***(5 SPECIAL ONES)K, ANOTHER, SHAKUGAN NO SHANA III, INU X BOKU SS, KAMISAMA HAJIMEMASHITA***

    DIN’T HAVE TIME TO SEE EACH EVERYONE OF THE ANIME….THESE ARE MY BEST ONES THAT NO ONE CAN’T DENY THEM…..

    Sakana-chan
  38. 1. Tsuritama
    2. Jormungand
    3. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
    4. Kuroko no Basuke
    5. Acchi Kocchi

    As for movie/OVA, I voted for the only thing that deserved my vote, the K-ON! Movie.

    Accel World, Black Rock Shooter, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou, Joshiraku, Kokoro Connect, Sakamichi no Apollon, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, and YuruYuri-eighth-note-eighth-note were all good shows too.

    The show that I still don’t understand why I enjoyed it so much is Senki Zesshou Symphogear.

    Jimhawk
  39. Fate/Zero, Mouretsu, Sakamichi, Ano Natsu and Tonari for me. For some reason I ended up choosing 3/5 from spring >_< If I could choose 10 it'd probably go on with Jormungand, Hyouka, Chihayafuru, Tsuritama and Jinrui… and then there are still others I feel like I should be choosing.

    HakumeiJin
  40. Instead of posting yet another top 5 list, I would like to offer a suggestion regarding the year end post.

    Have all active writers on the website vote for best of the year rather than simply posting the opinions of three of them.

    This is what every game reviewing website does for example, and it works well in keeping the year end awards objective. I have been following Random Curiosity for years, and one of the strength of the site has always been its “mainstream”-oriented point of view. In other words, Omni and Divine have never felt bad about awarding the most popular and well-liked shows – which has typically resulted in a close match between awards and reader’s poll results. Please keep it this way.

    Steelman
    1. Voting was an attempted solution, but with double digit writers in varying time zones and availability and writers having drastic differences in the total and type number of shows that they watched too, it made for results that weren’t… quite ideal. There was quite a lack of real consensus to say the least and a whole lot of other issues that cropped up too.

      Think of it this way: It took 7 hours just for the three writers that are doing the AOTY post to decide on the winners/honorable mentions (even with a lot of agreement and not counting time to do the post). Combined with the work spent on 12 Days of Christmas and the Winter Preview recently too… well, you get the drift.

      As for the picks and keeping it objective, it should be alright. The picks may vary slightly from what you’ve come to expect from Divine, but there was no fear for awarding the most popular and well-liked shows (and those of the vice-versa nature) for the most part. Also, part of the reason it ended up being the writers who watched the most series was because it would contribute more to this objectivity, because more shows watched = less likely to miss something etc. etc.

  41. Hmmm I feel these two are underrated Black Rock Shooter and Jormungand
    and cosz I m a bit romantic(only sometimes) I vote Kokoro Connect and AmagamiSS
    with the 5th spot having my hardest pick as usual I put K for some unique parts it had and hopefully 2nd season will make up for all the plot holes and lack of two kings but so far animation was awesome and characters fun
    O and as usual honorable ones I d vote if I had more picks
    SAO (only cosz half of it was way too random)
    F/Z I love great ending but I knew how it will end…
    HightschoolDxD WE ARE ECCHI

    with that said again I didnt watch moves that much to give some reasonable opinion..

    laaa
  42. Only 5 choices are a tough pick, there’s a lot of entertaining shows this year but to those that really do deserve them:

    1) Another: There hasn’t really been a horror mystery show this year that stood out. (Mirai Nikki? Read the manga!) Death of the week aside, the storytelling is solid enough to keep you on the edge despite seeing the ending miles away.
    2) Fate/Zero: Incredible screenplay, well adapted, great soundtrack, flawless visuals (Maybe I’m a bit biased.)
    3) Jormungand: Compelling characters, thought-provoking plot, *Boom Bang*, Koko Hekmatyar
    4) Hyouka: Episode 17, damn it Oreki…
    5) Nisemonogatari: Solid plot and they created a new fetish, what’s not to like?

    Only OVA worth mentioning is CG: Boukoku no Akito. It took a long time coming, the new knightmare(hax) might not be for everyone, but the new character dynamics breath new life to this very loved series and I’m looking forward to see the next episode.

    T.K.
  43. Fate Zero
    Jourmungand
    Chuunibyou
    SAO(flying knifes in 3..2…)
    Accel World(don’t kill me, please!!)
    Those last two are in because “zetsuen no tempest” and “psycho pass” aren’t included yet XD

    danpmss
  44. in the last years it was always difficult to choose only 5 series, this year (sadly) wasn’t:
    Chihayafuru
    Fate/Zero
    Natsume 4
    Sakamichi no Apollon
    Rinne no Lagrange

    disappointment of the year: Eureka ao

    Mi-Mi-Mikuru
  45. for me:
    1/ fate/zero – best one this year, saber look good in this too 😡
    2/ SAO but only the 1st part, the 2nd part is a bit too fairy tale for me X_X
    3/ Hyouka – idk about his one but its catch my interest when watching so its fine, the only problem is a bit sleepy
    4/ Oda Nobuna no Yabou – never expect much from this one when I heard its going to be adapt into anime, but its turn out to be too good to be true. The art, seiyuu, character and storyline is near perfect, its a dark horse this year 😀

    5/ Zetsuen no Tempest – its not end yet so I guess why its not include, but this one is as good as the manga in my oppinion ^^

    QX1102
  46. Series:

    Beelzebub
    High School DxD
    Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
    Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
    Queen’s Blade: Rebellion

    OVA/Movie:

    Berserk
    Fairy Tail
    High School DxD
    Kenichi
    Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead OVA

    framefreeze100
  47. 5 too small (A-Z):
    1. Amagami SS+
    2. Campione
    3. High School DxD
    4. Nisemonogatari
    5. Shakugan no Shana III
    or
    1. Amagami SS+
    2. Acchi Kocchi
    3. High School DxD
    4. Nisemonogatari
    5. Shakugan no Shana III

    Andrew
    1. Personally, my problem with Kokoro Connect is that it never explains the rationale of the experiments (other than providing amusement), and it never went through a discovery process to reveal the secret identity of those god-like figures. Bad things just happened without closure. Other than that, the premise of the story is quite interesting.

      Matroid
  48. 1st: Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream
    2nd: Mouretsu Pirates
    3rd: Sengoku Collection
    4th: Fate/Zero
    5th: Accel World
    Special mentions to Inu x Boku, Lupin Fujiko, Hyouge Mono, Kimi to boku 2 and Persona 4.
    If you’re wondering why I think PRAD is the best:
    Show Spoiler ▼

    I did say I would vote for Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream last year. The sequel, Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future, is totally blowing my mind too and I’ll probably vote for it next year.

  49. Series: Chuu2Koi, Fate/Zero, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san, Kyoukaisen II, Yuruyuri

    OADS/Movies: Gundam Unicorn, Kami Nomi OVA, Minami-Ke, Steins;Gate Special, Strike Witches

    Not in any order. Hard to choose 5.

    Though Kyoukaisen II is easily my favorite series of the year due to many reasons(Stilts is probably one of them). Can’t wait to pre-order S2 from Sentai!

    Mukyuu
    1. Forgot to type it orginially…

      Honorable mentions: Hyouka, Tari Tari, and Tasogare Otome X Amnesia.

      Enjoyable year of anime really. Going to dig through what other shows aired this year due to only watching 8-12 a season or so.

      Mukyuu
  50. I think that it might be worth considering loosening the ending not yet shown requirement in future years. I think what should be judged is the impact of the series on the year in retrospect rather than the subjective quality of the series as a whole.

    Like in the USA, TV series might last for a number of seasons. These days there seem to be quite a number of series that are being adapted in in parts or those that lack a conclusive ending. Its not like an ending for a series like uchuu kyoudai for example would really change or mean anything.

    shin
    1. I’m with you dude…no HUNTERxHUNTER is just blasphemy. it went through a bunch of arc’s..seriously if that aint enough to be able to pass judgement on WHAT IS!?
      DOWN WITH THIS LIST!!! MUHUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

      BROOKLYN otaku
  51. I included a vote for the Bleach anime. Yeah yeah I know, but here me out. It’s true that the series does suffer from bad pacing in the story, and there are moments in the anime where the animation quality sucked (I’m looking at you Bount arc), not to mention tons of filler episodes, but lets face it: it was a solid anime adaptation directed by Noriyuki Abe (YuYu Hakusho) that did a great job at adapting the manga. Honestly out of all of the Big 3 (One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach), I personally think that Bleach had the best anime adaptation out of all of them. It had great voice acting by Masakazu Morita, Fumiko Orikasa, Sho Hayami, etc.; it had mind-blowingly awesome fight scenes with brilliant animation such as Ichigo vs. Byakuya/Grimmjow/Ulquiorra/Yushima, Byakuya vs. Koga, Hisagi vs. Findor, etc.; it had one hell of an awesome soundtrack composed by Shiro Sagisu (Neon Genesis Evangelion). Most importantly, Bleach is one of those series that was influential in helping to continue to boost the popularity of anime and manga in the West. I know a lot of people who were first introduced to anime through Bleach. To be honest, before Bleach premiered on Adult Swim, I was on the verge of giving up on anime altogether after suffering abysmal ending of the InuYasha anime (those who watched the original anime know what I’m talking about). Bleach prevented me from doing so and kept me on board, and when the Soul Society arc began, that is when I knew that I was gonna love this series for a long time, and that my love for anime was strengthened once again. While I admit that Bleach is definitely not a perfect series and that it does have its faults, it nonetheless remains as one of my all time favorite series and it always will.

    While I’m personally rooting for Fate/Zero to win 2012’s anime of the year, I hope that some of you will at least recognize the Bleach anime for what it is and consider voting for it. If not, then that’s no problem. It’s your vote, and I respect that.

    Here’s to Kubo’s success for 10 years of his series and hope that the final arc in the Bleach manga provides a satisfying conclusion. Lastly, here’s to hoping that the final arc eventually gets the anime adaptation that it deserves.

    LaughingMan
      1. One of the most original opening sequences I’ve ever seen, props to all the original artwork, complemented by Orange Range. Still don’t see many anime with such details added to character clothing these days.

        Fallenrock
    1. Hard for me to justify what bleach has done to deserve best anime of 2012 besides end in 2012. Only Soul Society arc was interesting but afterwards it simply copied the same formula over and over again. Get a random bunch of baddies and then get the good guys and turn it into a long drawn out series of epic standstill.

      (a while back someone did a comparison of Jump series in terms of their panels/page and lines/page)
      http://i.imgur.com/9QaG9.png

      I dont think bleach compares well to some recently aired shounen series like Full Metal Alchemist and Hunter x Hunter.

      shin
    2. In general, the filler arcs of Bleach are better than other long-running series. Take the Dolls arc and the Zanpakutou Rebellion arc for example. The production was able to work within the premise of Bleach and created self-containing stories that can be merged back to the main arc. For that I think Bleach TV deserves a lot of credits.

      Matroid
  52. Top 5 Short Anime List(No Order)

    Humanity Has Declined- Saa?
    My Little Monster- More Natsume plox
    Kids on the Slope- Amazing music performances
    Kuroko’s Basketball- Hotblooded sports shounen? hell yeah
    Tsuritama- Catchiest opening of 2012 plus quirky cast

    Top Ongoing Anime(No Order)

    Hunter x Hunter- Heaven’s Arena/Yorknew arcs were amazing
    Gintama- Who doesn’t love Gintoki? O.o
    Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure- WWWRRRYYY!!!!!!
    Shirokuma Cafe- Grizzly-kun…. nuff said

  53. Here’s my five, can’t say it was hard to choose as I haven’t really watched that much anime this year (around 15 shows).

    Binbougami ga!
    High School DxD
    Jormungand
    Kuroko no Basuke
    Tasogare Otome x Amnesia

    yoblob
  54. (In no particular order)

    -Ano Natsu De Matteru (Dat character development and romance (plus terrific use of the ED song))

    -Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai (Had me laughing my butt off several times. Warning: causes diabetes)

    -Fate/Zero (Epic. need I say more?)

    -Hyouka (beautifully animated and witty to the core. I’m a sucker for great character-driven plots)

    -Kuroko no Basuke (Warning: causes heart attacks and increase rise of blood pressure)

    Bacarara!
  55. 5. Jormungand
    4. Mirai Nikki
    2/3. Tsuritama & Kids on the Slope (the former is better but the latter is closer to my heart)
    1. Fate/Zero

    Movies/OVA:
    5. Code Geass: Akito of Whatever
    4. The World Only God Knows: Tenri-hen
    3. BERSERK: The Golden Age I
    2. Gundam Unicorn 5
    1. Steins;Gate Special

    Bio D
  56. Idolm@ster Shiny Festa isn’t on a BD or DVD, it isn’t even translated. You can get some terrible PSP rips from places but how can a wide audience judge something that is in terrible quality and can’t understand whats going on. The hoops you have to jump through to watch this in any form to be able to make an educated opinion on it seems to be a bit of a stretch.

    Stranger – Mukō Hadan (Sword of the Stranger) is not from 2012.

    You also seem to have forgotten the existence of Naruto and One Piece, which may be intentional, but you have Bleach included so I don’t know.

    Mech
    1. Bleach officially ended it’s anime run. Naruto and One Piece series themselves are not over. This requirement was listed in the post.

      Idolm@aster Shiny Fiesta has translations and is readily available with a quick google. Just because it’s not full 1080p goodness does not mean it’s “unwatchable” and “you can’t form an opinion of it.” Over 700 people have completed it on MAL and the discussion is multiple pages long. It’s not as readily available as many of the more popular shows, but there is enough to warrant it’s inclusion, especially since there will probably be no BD/DVD separate release to wait for. It makes no sense to put it for 2013 as a result.

      Stranger Muko Hadan will be taken off shortly.

  57. 1.HYOUKA—->PERFECT ANIME 1000%
    2.SWORD ART ONLINE—->PERFECT STORY
    3.INU X BOKU SS—–>PEFECT LOVE
    4.KAMISAMA HAJIMEMASHITA—–>PERFECT COMEDY\LOVE(THE BEST MANGA)
    5.K\ GUILTY CROWN—–>AMAZING ANIMATION AND CHARACTHERS!!!!

    Sakana-chan
  58. Hyouka
    Tsuritama
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    Rinne no Lagrange
    Tari Tari

    The original series did great this year. Thanks for restoring my hope in today’s anime!

    Re-watch/ honorable mention list:
    UtaKoi, K, Jormungand, Kokoro Connect, Sukiite ii na yo, first half of Sword Art Onling

    Gracelyn
  59. 2012 turned out to be a reasonably good year in my eyes, and I had trouble choosing. Given some thought, I now return these as my picks.

    Top series in alphabetical order: Ano Natsu de Matteru, Kokoro Connect, Rinne no Lagrange Tari Tari, YuruYuri♪♪

    Top OVA/Movies in alphabetical order: Gundam UC, K-On! Movie, Rinne no Lagrange Kamogawa Days, Strike Witches Movie

  60. K
    Sword Art Online
    Hyouka
    Fate/Zero
    Btooom!
    Shakugan no Shana III
    BRAVE10
    Jormungand
    Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle
    Campione
    ZETMAN
    Persona 4: The Animation

    OVA/Movie:
    Towa no Quon 6
    Persona 4 OVA
    CODE GEASS Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito OVA

    shadowalker
  61. 10. sakamichi no apollon
    9. Kuroko no basket
    8. Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!
    7. Papa no Iu Koto wo Kikinasai!
    6. Ano Natsu de Matteru
    5. Tari Tari
    4. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
    3. Sword Art online
    2. Mouretsu Pirates
    1. Oda Nobuna no Yabou

    André
  62. @Stilts
    Should Bleach be on this list? This poll is only for 2012 and I’m having hard time comparing such a long running anime with shows that has only 13-24 episodes, 50 at most.And the added fact it’s not divided into seasons only makes it more difficult to rate.

    shadowalker
  63. Best ED: Highschool DxD

    At the risk of sounding like a dirty old man: hypno-butt. Just google the word and you will undoubtedly see Highschool DxD ED in the search result. Nothing else needs to be uttered. Yep.

    deathtogenericshows
  64. Man, forgot that some of these series aired this year… Feels so long ago ^ ^;
    And Bleach!! Forgot that it ended this year as well…

    Anyway, in no particular order,
    *Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    *Tsuritama
    *Nisemonogatari
    *Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    *and NichiBros 😀 (Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou… not [i]the best[/i] but my vote was for all my good laughs)

    As for OVA/Movie,
    *Code Geass Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito
    *UN-GO: Inga-ron

    Shiawase
  65. As for series, I’d say…
    -Another
    -Fate/Zero S2
    -Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    -Hyouka
    -Mouretsu Pirates

    ..in kind of that order. With honorable mentions for Mysterious Girlfriend X, Tonari no Kaibetsu-kun, Accel World, Nisemonogatari and Ano Natsu de Matteru.

    As for OVA’s:
    -Code Geass Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito
    -UN-GO episode: 0, Inga-ron
    -Steins;Gate Special
    -Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Tenri-hen
    -Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Sekai Tougou-hen OVA

    In the end, last year was a better anime year, but I’ve still enjoyed myself plenty.

    Dvalinn
      1. I don’t know what to tell you guys, it’s called the polarization effect and it stems from personal taste.

        If you didn’t enjoy it, that’s fine, move on with your life and learn to accept opinions. All you’re doing when you bash a show is saying “I have superior taste to all you mongoloids that actually like this”, which is absolutely idiotic because, once again, opinions.

        Kuntzy
  66. In no order

    Accel World
    Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai
    Fate Zero
    Kokoro Connect
    Hyouka

    Special mentions go out to

    Mouretsu Pirates
    Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II’

    And ESPECIALLY Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate (such a gem of a show)

    FadingMoon
  67. Where is JoJo Bizarre?! So underrated.

    Also why is nobody blogging about jojo bizarre: battle tendacy?
    Action is good, fabulous poses, badass, manly and Sugita Tomokazu all in one package!

    bruce
    1. JoJo is still ongoing. Verdant was gonna blog about it but he didn’t have the time since he was handling too many other series. I’m still following it, especially for Sugita as MOTHERFUCKING JOSEPH. I absolutely love JoJo.

      LaughingMan
  68. Series:
    -Busou Shinki
    -Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai
    -DOG DAYS’
    -Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A
    -Sword Art Online

    OVA/Movie:
    -A-Channel+smile OVA
    -Asa Made Jugyou Chu! OVA
    -K-ON! Movie
    -Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead OVA
    -Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru: Futari no Elder

    MetaDrow
  69. For series I’d have to vote:
    -Fate/Zero
    -Hyouka
    -Kuroko no Basuke
    -Natsuyuki Rendezvous
    -Sakamichi no Apollon

    For OVA/Movies:
    -Another OVA
    -Berserk: Golden Age 1
    -Code Geass Akito OVA
    -Steins;Gate Special
    -UN-GO episode 0

    pcturtle
      1. I think because the DVD/Blu-Ray release at least for the West is in 2013. I don’t know if that’s what they meant when they mentioned only DVD releases that came out in 2012. But whatever reason I agree, a great movie definitely worth at least a mention.

        pcturtle
    1. Good point, I don’t usually know the average turn around rate for translating movies, usually the subbed version just pops up on the usual sites unexpectedly and just makes my day a little better.

      pcturtle
  70. Series
    – Accel World
    – Fate/Zero
    – Nisemonogatari
    – Hyoukai
    – Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

    OVA
    – of course #1 OVA will be Steins Gate♥
    – Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka? OAD
    – Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead OVA
    – To Love Ru Darkness
    lastly – Gundam Unicorn

    Ryoushi
  71. 5 Anime + 1 Movie :

    Best comedy : Guilty Crown (Yes,It’s a big fat joke)
    Best Action : SAO
    Best romantic : Tonari
    Best slice of life : Kokoro Connect
    Best horror : Another

    Best Movie : K-ON! movie (great mix of all kind:drama,comedy,slice of life,musical)

    Topboy
  72. Another
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita (I’m surprised that this seems to be underappreciated!)
    Jormungand
    Mirai Nikki
    Nisemonogatari

    I haven’t seen a lot of OVA or movies, but definitely have to vote for Berserk. 🙂

    NaYa
  73. I had to pick five…. damn.

    I’ll list the animes I liked this year (there were alot and in no particular order)
    – Ano natsu de Matteru
    – Danshi no koukousei
    – Kamisama hajimemashita
    – jormungand S2
    – Nazo no Kanojo X
    – tonari no kaibutsu-kun
    – tsuritama
    – sakamichi no apollon
    – Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
    – kuroko no basket
    – Sankarea
    – sakurasou (not finished but I like it so far)
    – Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
    – Another
    – Mirai nikki
    – hyouka
    – natsume yuunjinchou shi
    – Natsuyuki Rendezvous
    – kimi to boku S2
    – inu x boku SS (Hated the first half but I liked the final episodes)
    – project k Show Spoiler ▼

    There’s still more anime I need to catch up on (Chihayafuru, jinrui, etc), but I’ll say this year was an otaku’s dream for great anime.

    BNV
  74. I came back to watching anime this year and there were plenty that I thoroughly enjoyed, but alas, can only choose 5 so here goes:
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita (I am surprised this wasn’t on most people’s list – it was spectacular!)
    Kimi to Boku 2
    Moyashimon Returns
    Sukitte li na yo
    Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi

    Jae
  75. Series

    Highschool DxD
    Inu x Boku SS
    Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate
    Guilty Crown
    Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of the Dead

    OVA

    Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Tenri-hen
    Inu x Boku SS sp
    Fairy Tail OVA
    To Love-Ru Darkness OVA
    Highschool DxD OVA

    Special mention to Chuunibyou, To Love-Ru Darkness seriesShow Spoiler ▼

    (my gateway to harem ecchi series), and Acchi Kocchi that fill my day with laughter.

    Neo Ankara
  76. no order

    TV series
    Fate Zero
    Nisemonogatari
    Ano Natsu de Matteru
    Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai
    Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of the Dead

    OVA/Movie
    Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Add-on Disk
    CODE GEASS Gaiden: Boukoku no Akito OVA
    Gundam Unicorn Episode 5
    Steins;Gate Special
    Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead OVA

    zero4life0
  77. I voted for:

    Accel World (It was intense and mind blowing, especially the first 4 episodes)
    Last Exile (I’ve been waiting for this for years and it blew me away)
    Mouretsu Pirates (Pirates in space? Chiaki? What a fun anime)
    Rinne no Langrage (It was very fun to watch)
    Sword Art Online (Perhaps anime of the year, oh wait it shouldn’t beat Last Exile in my book)

    elmaton04
  78. My votes for regular anime in order starting from my most favorite:
    1) Fate/Zero — Best Drama of 2012. Personally I think it is long overdue from last year.

    2) Sword Arts Online — Best Scifi of 2012. Solid, but not quite as epic and as complex as Fate.

    3) ChihayafuruBest Sports of 2012, edging out Kuroko no Basuke, Area no Kishi, and Saki Achiga-hen partly because of its originality. Who would have thought playing a card game would be so exhausting and full of drama?

    4) Another — Best Thriller/Suspense of 2012.

    5) Mirai Nikki — Like Sankarea, it is both scifi and thriller. I like its originality slightly better than Sankarea.

    Returning series such as Nisemonogatari, Bakuman 2, SKET Dance, Natsume Yuujin-chou 4, Moyashimon Returns, Shakugan no Shana III, and Zero no Tsukaima F are as entertaining as ever. Mouretsu Pirates also deserves some late credits from last year. However, no particular romance, comedy, or anime song from this year really got my attention.

    My votes for OVA (in no particular order):
    .hack//Movie
    Berserk Ougon Jidaihen I: Haou no Tamago
    Momo he no Tegami
    Rurouni Kenshin Shin Kyoto Hen 01
    Sankarea OAD

    I put up Sankarea here partly because I didn’t have enough quota to vote for it in the regular section. Tegami is something for the younger audience and is of high quality. And I have been a fan of .hack, Berserk, and Kenshin since their TV days.

    Matroid
    1. On second thought, I would vote for Hiiro no Kakera‘s OP 1 Nee by Maiko Fujita to be the Best Anime Song of 2012. Fairy Tail’s ED 11 Glitter by Another Infinity (featuring Mayumi Morinaga) would be a honorable mention.

      Matroid
  79. 1-Aquarion Evol
    2-Accel World
    3-Another
    4-Ano Natsu de Matteru
    5-Black Rock Shooter TV
    6-Busou Shinki
    7-Jormungand
    8-Medaka Box
    9-Milky Holmes 2nd Act
    10-Queen´s Blade Rebellion
    11-Saint Seiya Omega
    12-Sword Art Online
    13-Fate Zero
    14-Jormungand & Medaka Box 2nd Season
    15-Chunnibyou demo koi gai shitai
    16-Code Geass OVA: Nunnally in Wonderland
    17-Strike Witches The Movie
    18-K-On The Movie
    19-Nazo no Kanojo X
    20-Sankarea
    21-Guilty Crown
    22-Dog Days 2
    23-Zero no Tsukaima F
    24-Code Geass Ova: Akito the Exiled
    25-Symphogear
    26-Kore wa Zombie? of the Dead
    27-Rinne no lagrange 1st & 2nd Season
    28-Eureka Seven AO
    29-Jojo Bizzare Adevnture The TV
    30-Madoka Magica+Madoka Magica the Movie part 1&2
    31-Shakugan no Shana 3

    Meus 5 Melhores ANIMES de 2012 são:

    Melhor Ação:Saint Seiya Omega,Accel World e Aquarion Evol

    Melhor Comédia:Zero no Tsukaima F e Kore wa Zombie Desuka?OF The Dead

    Melhor Drama/Fatos da Vida:Black Rock Shooter TV

    Melhor Ação com Música:Senki Zesshou Symphogear e AKB0048

    Melhor Ação Extrema:Jormungand,Guilty Crown,Mirai Nikki e K

    Melhor Sci-Fi/Mecha:Eureka Seven AO,Rinne no Lagrange,Code Geass:Akiko the Exiled e Macross Frontier

    Melhor Aventura:Sword Art Online

    Melhor Comédia MoeMoe Kyun:Chunnibyo Demo koi gai Shitai,milky Holmes 2 e Acchi kocchi

    Melhor Terror: Another

    Melhor Romance: Ano natsu de Matteru

    Melhor Anime Baseado em Produtos(games,Brinquedos etc.):Busou Shinki

    Melhor Sequência de Temporada:Fate Zero

    Melhor Filme:Strike Witches e K-On

    Melhor Supresa de Anime em 2012:Versões Anime de Senran Kagura e HyperDimension Neptunia

    Melhor Anime Hentai(Anime Erótico ^-^): Queen´s Blade Rebellion e HighSchool DxD

    Melhor Anime Original:Madoka Magica e Senki Zesshou Symphogear

    Melhor Dublador Masculino de Anime:Toru Furuya(Seiya de Saint Seiya Classic/Omega)

    Melhor Dubladora Feminina de Anime:Nana Mizuki(Moka Akashiya de RosarioVampire e Tsubasa Kazanari de Symphogear)

    Melhor Estudio de Anime:Kyoto Animation(K-ON)

    Melhor Personagem Masculino – Protagonista:Kirito(Sword art Online) e Kiritsugu Emiya(FateZero)

    Melhor Personagem Masculino – Codjuvante:Johan(Jormungand)

    Melhor Personagem Feminino – Protagonista:Hibiki Tachibana Tsubasa Kazanari Yukine Chris Kanade Amou e Miku Kohinata(Senki Zesshou Symphogear) Asuna e Leafa(Sword Art Online) Misaki Mei(Another) Kuroyukihime e Chiyu(Accel World) Koko Hekmatayr(Jormungand) Medaka Kurokami(Medaka Box) Zessica Wong(Aquarion EVOL) Yoshika Miyafuji(Strike Witches The Movie)
    Mato Kuroi e Yomi Takanashi(Black Rock Shooter TV) Ann(Busou Shinki) Rikka Takanashi(Chunnibyou Dmeo mkoi gai Shitai) Louise de Francoise(Zero no Tsukaima) Sherlock Shellyford(Milky Holmes) Chie Satonaka rise Kujikawa Yukiko Amagi(Persona 4 OVA) Annelotte e Aldra(Queen´s Blade rebellion) Yuna de Aquila(Saint Seiya Omega) Madoka Kaname(Madoka Magica) Madoka Kyouna Lan e Muginami(Rinne no Lagrange) Shana(Shakugan no Shana) e Saber(fateZero)

    Melhor Personagem Feminino – Codjuvante:Mogana Kikaijima(Medaka box) Valmet(Jormungand) Henriette Mystere/Arsene(Milky Holmes) Ryoko Sakurai/Pine(Senki Zesshou Symphogear) Irisviel von Ezinbern(Fate Zero)Homura Akemi(Madoka Magica)Perrine H Clostermann(Strike Witches the Movie) Sawako Yamanakawa(K-on The Movie)

    Melhor Musa de Anime de 2012:Tsubasa Kazanari de Senki Zesshou Symphogear e Yuna de Aquila de Saint Seiya Omega

    Pior Anime de 2012:MONSUNO

    Decepção de Anime do Ano:Monsuno

    Melhor Revelação de Anime do Ano:Jojo Bizzare Adventure 2012

    Melhor Opening de Anime de 2012:Synchrogazer(Symphogear) Chase the World e Busrt the Gravity(Accel World) Crossing Field(Sword Art Online) Pegasus Fantasy Omega Version(Saint Seiya Omega) InstallxDream(Busou Shinki) Happy Crazy Box(Medaka Box) BlackRockShooter (Black Rock Shooter TV) Light My Fire e Serment(Shakugan no Shana 3 Final)To the Begining(fateZero) Paradoxical Zoo(Aquarion Evol) Trip – Innocen of D -(HighSchoolDxD) Sparkling Daydream(Chunnibyou Demo koi gai Shitai)

    Melhor Ending de Anime de 2012:Meteor Light(Symphogear) StudyxStudy(Highschool DxD) e Unfinished(Accel World)

    Melhor Música de Inseração de Anime de 2012:Zetsu no Chikara – Ame no Habakiri – Gekisou Gungnir Makyuu Ichi-Bal(Senki Zesshou Symphogear)

    Melhor Anime para 2013(Novas Séries e Novas Temporadas):Novos Animes – Senran Kagura e Hyperdimension Neptunia e Novas Temporadas: Highschool DxD e Senki Zesshou Symphogear

    MELHOR ANIME do Ano de 2012:Senki Zesshou Symphogear,Sword Art Online,Accel World,Highschool DxD,Another,Black Rock ShooterTV,Jojo Bizzare Adventure 2012,Saint Seiya Omega,Guilty Crown,FateZero,Rinne no Lagrange,Chunnibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai,Busou Shinki e Madoka Magica The Movie part 1&2

    Obrigado e Very Thank You all members do random curiosity this is my favorites Animes e my Choices,Symphogear is best Anime Action with Music e Highschool DxD a best Hentai!

    Espero que aceitem as minhas escolhas beacause i have dificult to choose the Best Anime of 2012 and i make a draw from the selected animes i liked more!!!!

    So Thanks Everyone e Feliz 2013 from all Random Curiosity members!!!!!!

    From Anthoni Vedovato of São Paulo Brazil!!!!!!!! peace!!!!

    Anthoni Vedovato
  80. Here’s mine!

    1. Sakamichi no Apollon
    2. Hyouka
    3. Fate/Zero
    4. Chihayafuru
    5. Tsuritama

    I’ve linked a website to my tumblr where i’ll just be writing more about each series in my TOP 10. I really think that these 5 series stood out as doing something new, but also having that raw anime feel to it. And that’s really all i ask for in a series.

  81. Series

    Looking at the poll, these shows are the ones that were stood out the most because they were also the most memorable. Memorable in the sense of how good the show made me feel episode after episode. We might have some disagreements here and there but, I hope you respect my reasoning for why I chose these shows.

    Ano Natsu De Matteru – This show was beautiful. The character development, the way it justified cliche ideas in romance shows and somehow made it really good. The writing and character interactions is commendable. The directors, writers and producers, had a story to tell and they executed it within 12 episodes. NAGI YANAGI HAS DONE IT AGAIN (Implementing the ending song with great emotional scenes, JC STAFF tooo good. )

    Mirai Nikki – Although had many flaws, was one of the better suspense shows this whole year. Terrific heroine Yuno Gasai is definitely one of the better characters to come out in anime.

    Sakamichi no Apollon – The animation of the music scenes definitely justified Yoko Ono and the works of great Jazz artists. One of the only shows that actually encouraged me to learn something new after watching it.

    Hyouka – Most satisfying show this season for me despite the fact that its a show that is not fully concluded. The last episode was executed so damn beautifully! I also love the way they approached romance in a traditional way in this show, its such a good contrast to the bold romance that is coming out of anime recently.

    Sword Art Online – Ah much to say about this show, It was an entertaining show theres no doubt about that, I even wanted to start playing the Paladin Role in my mmorpgs just cause Heathcliff was a beast. I loved the action, the romance and the IDEA! Unfotunately, recurring themes, tentacle hentai, and alo were just some of my problems with the show.

    * Show that would have probably been in this list is Fate/Zero for I haven’t seen it yet.

    It would be awesome to see some of these shows winning a category because I believe they deserve it.
    I would like to thank the Studios and all of the people that worked on these series for giving us some really entertaining show this year. And of course, I would love to thank the Bloggers of this website for doing your job and creating this community. Happy New Year

    end3rr
  82. From what I’ve watched I’d say:
    -Guilty Crown
    -Btooom!
    -Another
    -Mirai Nikki
    -Kokoro Connect
    In no particular order.

    Also enjoyed Campione! and the first half of SAO. The second half not so much.
    Aquarion Evol ended up being more annoying than anything imho.
    And I also honestly don’t understand why Highschool DxD is so popular. Nothing mindblowing there.

    Lazarus
      1. I never said the show was terrible, so there’s no need to shit on my list to prove a point.

        Either way, I made my list based on enjoyment. To be honest I can’t really decide on any best anime of 2012. There were some enjoyable series, but nothing really comes to mind when I try to think of the best out of the handful that I’ve watched.

        Since you obviously know what quality is, got any recommendations?

        Lazarus
  83. here are my top 5 anime of 2012:
    5.guilty crown-this is also my biggest guilty(no pun intended) pleasure because the plot is a mess and it has badly written characters characters but on the other hand,the soundtrack is great and there are some great visuals in the show. Plus,gc is one of the most addictive and unintentionally funny anime I’ve seen since the original code geass.
    4.hyouka-good sountrack and visuals(as expected from kyoani) and decent mystery arcs that kept me engage while watching the show. A step in the right direction for kyoani.
    3.nisemonogatari-not as good as bakemonogatari but it was still fun to watch the characters interaction. Plus,it is always great to have the witty and sarcastic senjougahara hitagi back to torture araragi.
    2.jormungand-I came into this show wanting to hate it but came out loving it. Memorable characters and unconventional story really made me like it more than say…black lagoon.
    1.fate/zero-one of the most satisfying anime I have seen in a while. Not only is the animation and music great but it also has an engaging story and memorable characters to boot. It’s not for everyone due to an ending that most people will bitch about but for me the ending is both satisfying and sad at the same time(IMO a great ending). It will probably make my top 5 anime of all time list in the future.
    Overall,another decent year in anime considering we live in a dork age of shitty moe shows.

  84. Selecting my top 5 was pretty straightforward, so I thought I’d do something a little more interesting and create a list of my personal favorites for 2012, for bookkeeping if nothing else :3

    Favorite Animes 2012: Fate/Zero, Tsuritama, Eureka Seven AO, Jormungand, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon
    Favorite OVA/Movie 2012: Gundam Unicorn E5, Kokuriko Zaka Kara, Denpa Onna OVA, The IDOLM@STER OVA, E7 AO OVA
    Animation: Fate/Zero
    Story: Fate/Zero
    Soundtrack: Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon
    OP & ED Sequence: Tsuritama OP “Tsurezure Monochrome”, High School DxD ED “STUDYxSTUDY”
    Song: Fate/Zero OP2 “to the beginning” by Kalafina
    Character: Emiya Kiritsugu (Male), Koko Hekmatyar (Female)
    Seiyuu: Irino Miyu (Male), Ishihara Kaori (Female)
    Plot Twist: Fate Zero (The corrupted Holy Grail)
    Death: Fate Zero (Rider / Iskander)
    Trap: Haiyore! Nyaruko-san (Hastur)
    Action: Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon
    Romance: Nazo no Kanojo X
    Drama: Fate/Zero
    Sci-Fi: Eureka Seven Astral Ocean
    Thriller: Jormungand
    Mystery: Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    Comedy: Binbou-gami ga!
    Romantic Comedy: Ano Natsu de Matteru
    Slice of Life: Mouretsu Pirates
    Fan-Service: High School DxD
    Most Underappreciated: Tsuritama
    Biggest Disappointment: Guilty Crown
    Exceeded Expectations: Tsuritama

    Seishun Otoko
  85. Voted for:

    Hyouka
    Jormungand
    Natsume Yuujinchou Shi
    Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

    Also giving the nod to:

    Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb
    Kokoro Connect
    Tari Tari
    Fate/Zero II
    Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
    Nisemonogatari
    Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai
    Rinne no Lagrange

    StyleF1re
  86. Can I post my full list here?
    Show Spoiler ▼

    Kevin Yamagata
  87. Curious to see the results, but I expect Fate/Zero to be near if not at the top of “Best Anime of 2012” rankings – deservedly so. For me, the show set the benchmark for the rest of the year, probably beyond that. I have less optimism regarding Hellsing Ultimate 09 ranking at the top of OVA list, but IMO, the Hellsing Ultimate OVA series is one of the best – even the English dub is outstanding!.

    One thing I had hoped to see were polls for “Most Surprising/Underrated (preseason)”, and “Most Disappointing/Overrated (preseason).” Perhaps they can be added in time. There certainly were a few for both categories this year. Of course that happens every year, but for some reason it seems this year it was more frequent and/or dramatic for both categories.

    Thanks to the RC staff for all their work in 2012, and looking forward to next year’s reviews.

    daikama
  88. Sorry if this question has already been asked, but why isn’t Gintama’ on this list? I know that they continued with new episodes this fall, but the series that ended in March was complete. It had a clear start and a clear ending to seperate it from the rest of the episodes, and thus I think it deserves its own entry as a finished series.

    Hurvilo
  89. Not in any order:

    Tsuritama- underappreciate, loved the unique style of art even if it wasn’t always the “best quality”, and overall a really fun series to watch

    Sakamichi no feels Apollon- Not really much to be said except for awesome story, characters, and DAT MUSIC

    Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou- SEVERELY underappreciated, or maybe I just have a weird sense of humor, but I thought this was one of the funniest series ever made

    Kuroko no Basket- lovable characters, made basketball actually entertaining enough for me to watch and appreciate

    Chihayafuru- totally surprised me and really exceeded my expectations

    skysekai
  90. Fate/Zero: No argument is needed.

    Persona 4: Really faithful to one of the most incredible RPGs of all time.

    Btooom: Great story and character development.

    High School DxD: These characters grew on me after a few episodes.

    Zetman: Loved the artstyle and great philosophical debate of “what is justice”.

    YanDaMan
  91. Best anime
    1-Aquarion evil
    2-girls und panzer
    3-Nichibros
    4-Thermae Romae
    5-Moraine Nikki

    Ova and movies
    1 code geass akito
    2 code tease nulally
    3 steins gate sp
    4 berserk
    5 hellsing ultimate

    mike
  92. By My Order:
    1. Hyouka (non mainstream mystery anime, there’s no other than this one)
    2. Another (Horor. I don’t often watch horor anime but, this one is sooo great)
    3. Sankarea (Necrophilia male chara…)
    4. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou (Pure gag anime!)
    5. Yuruyuri (it’s my heaven of yuri… oh it’s sooo great!!!)

    Novice
  93. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is so underappreciated. Comparing it to the rest of the comedy shows I’ve watched, it was definitely THE best comedy of the year, maybe the best when compared to comedy shows from last year’s, the year before, and maybe even the year after.

    Though I enjoyed Sword Art Online a lot, I think it’s given far too much credit than it deserves. It’s pretty much one of the most overrated anime I’ve seen and is most likely going to take top place in this poll.

    As for what I think is the best this year, It is Fate/Zero hands down. I don’t think I need to say anymore than this for such a magnificent title. I didn’t even think 2012 could even present an anime that can compete with the 2011 trinity, but I was so wrong. I think I even enjoyed this title more than anything last year provided.

    The biggest disappointment for this year, if anyone can recall, will most likely be Guilty Crown. The PV, music, and expectations were just off the roofs. The people behind it were big names, and yet it was didn’t come close to being compared to the other works these people made.

    For suspense and thriller, I’m a bit torn between Mirai Nikki and Another, however I think I’d go with Mirai Nikki due to its length and music.

    There are so many good Opening and Ending themes that it’s hard to choose but for the song by itself I’d have to give it to Inu x Boku SS ED 7 theme, Taiyou to Tsuki. I didn’t like the anime too much but I think I spent more time listening to that song than the time I spent watching the actual anime itself.

    There are more anime I’d like to talk about but I’d like to keep this comment short.
    P.S.
    R.I.P. Bleach anime, I didn’t think 2012 would be the year it ends. Though I dropped the anime for the manga plenty of years ago and raged at the many things the anime series is doing wrong when compared to the manga, I grew up with the anime series and it will always be something special to me.

    Senshi
  94. Guilty Crown! SAO! Aquarion Evol! (hahaha)

    Top 5 OVA/Movie
    1. Hotarubi no Mori e (I think this is one of the most underrated in the list)
    2. From Up on Poppy Hill
    3. Lupin III: Touhou Kenbunroku – Another Page
    4. Gyo
    5. Steins;Gate Special

    Here’s my top 10 in no particular order (since 5 is not enough)
    Best Love Relationships/Pentagon Ano Natsu De Matteru
    Best Sports Chihayafuru (If GeK is eligible, GeK would be my best sports anime)
    Best Scifi Fate/Zero
    Best Animation Hyouka (That Kanya Fest…)
    Best Comedy Jinrui wa Shitai Shimashita (Stark & dark comedy is the best)
    Best Action Jormungand
    Best Romance Natsuyuki Rendezvous
    Best Direction Sakamichi no Apollon (This would be a mess if not for Watanabe-sensei)
    Best Story Tsuritama
    Best RomCom Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

  95. Fate/Zero
    Sword Art Online
    Guilty Crown
    Kuroko no Basket
    Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
    Hyouka
    Binbougami ga!
    Tasogare Otome X Amnesia
    Accel World
    Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse

    Altstrike93
  96. Fate/Zero – For the epic battle and surpassing it’s sequel I approve of this one.

    Ano Natsu – For giving me irritation and headache thinking and waiting for the next episode because of it’s good cliffhangers.

    Chuunibyou – For the laughter it gave to me and realizing I have the same sickness before. 😀

    Black Rock Shooter – For the epic fights and grafx

    Last Exile – Even though it can’t surpassed it’s predecessor seeing the adventure from this world again made me adore this.

    BaKaYaRou
  97. so far I only remember watching
    – Sword Art Online.
    – Fate Zero.
    .
    .

    ah yes I remember also watched
    – k-on movie.
    – code geass akito
    – strike witches movie..
    – TLR darkness ova (this one is must see ^^)

    el-andvari
  98. Hmm…

    I can only think of

    Hyouka
    Fate Zero
    Chuunibyou

    A lot of the shows have been a let down like LE, GC, and other stuff I was so eager to watch before it aired.

    I’d pick K-ON movie and Unicorn for the OVA/Movie category but I seem to be lacking a lot in this so whatever.

    megalith
  99. I am left without many choices as I only complete watching 2 animes and no ova and movie either…just hope that anime which emphasis more on storyline and character development without sacrificing budget for graphics win the best anime if there is since I didn’t watch that many series this year. Looking forward to best anime of the year 🙂

    fishell
  100. Why is Bleach listed in 2012 series while Naruto, Fairy Tail, Detective Conan and other long running series are not? I thought Bleach is a long running series. Correct me if I’m wrong.

    Soulsphere
  101. TV-Series:
    Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
    Hyouka
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II
    Rinne no Lagrange

    OVA/Movie
    Asa Made Jugyou Chu
    K-ON!! Movie
    Minami-ke OAD
    Seitokai Yakuindomo OAD
    Strike Witches Movie

    Zannafar
  102. This is a hard vote since :
    1. For this season, almost all shows that I am currently watching are not listed yet since they’re still incomplete.
    2. I didn’t finish a giant bulk of shows that I watched this year. Waning interest, disappointment, etc.

    Finally, I pick (in no particular order) :
    Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai : I didn’t have a big expectation for this although I love KyoAni, but it surprised me and could greatly exceeding my expectation. Good laugh, good vanilla.
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita : Romeo Tanaka writes a very unique story, and it’s adapted very well. A rare treat of dark comedy and mixed bag of awesomeness. I hope it could be a little bit more popular.
    Fate/Zero : It almost reach my extremely high expectation. Kinda disappointed with some direction things, but it still very great in many ways.
    Hyouka : Beast animation! I appreciate its unique way of combining mystery and slice of life, although in the end what really matter are the cast’s personal development. Kinda hoping they take a bit different way of presenting Chitanda, though.

    The last option is the hardest decision, but in the end I pick :
    Papa no Iu Koto wo Kikinasai! : I am weak with family shows. At first I’m afraid that they will play in “creepy” territory, but I’m glad they decided to focus at family and cute+heartwarming things. Maybe I just pick this title because it could exceeding my expectation, in contrast with a ton of disappointing shows this year.

    The rest? Some honorable mentions to Kokoro Connect, Nisemonogatari, Nichibros and Total Eclipse since I could manage to finish them without big disappointment (with different motive, though), but the rest left me with bitter tastes of disappointment of waning interest.

    In the bright side, there are still numerous shows that are still waiting in my to-watch-list (and most likely will be good) such as Girls und Panzer, Tari Tari, Acchi Kochi, Sakamichi no Apollon, etc. Too bad most likely I could only spare my time to watch one or two.

    Personal Conclusion : This year is a year with a lot of good anime, but lacking “masterpiece” titles. There are some potential “masterpiece” such as Fate/Zero, but they are lacking a vital step in my own book. Some are even degrading to “epic fail” territory, such as Guilty Crown. But overall it still continue a great momentum after a great “comeback” in 2011 after years of disappointment in 2009-2010.

    zeroyuki92
    1. Medaka Box,Binbougami ga,Haiyore Nyarlko,Aquarion Evol,Dog Days,Sankarea,Persona 4,Kyoukai Senjou no Hrizon II,Onii-chan Dakedo Ai,Guilty Crown,Oda Nobuna no Yabou,Kokoro Connect,K,Campione,Hyouka,Hagure Yuusha no Estetica,Amagi SS+ and Black Rock Shooter.

      Well,if I add all of the anime I’ve really enjoyed this year,here they are.(There are still some anime i’ve not watched yet though ^_^)

  103. OMG THIS IS so friggin hard

    1.sukitte ii na yo
    2. natsuyuki rendevous
    3. tsuritama
    4.Koroko no basuke
    5. bimbougami ga

    thermae romae, kokoro connect, nazo no kanojo x, accel world, another, ozuma and sket dance were all battling out for top 5 as well. really hard

    Amina
  104. Anime-
    Sword Art Online
    Fate/Zero
    Danshikoukousei no Nichijou
    Hagure Yuusha
    Kore wa Zombie Desuka?

    OVA/Movie-
    From Up on Poppy Hill
    Hagure Yuusha
    Seitokai Yakuindomo
    Gundam Unicorn
    Code Geass

    The tales of symphonia ova was a huge disappointment… What happened to Lloyd fighting Kratos for the Flamberge and the crafting of the Eternal Sword?

    Taiyo
  105. 132 TV series & 75 OVA/Movie ??? this is so friggin’ hard.

    anyway, my pick this year..
    TV Series:
    1. Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon 2
    2. Nisemonogatari
    3. Sakamichi no Apollon
    4. Chihayafuru
    5. PapaKiki

    OVA/Movie:
    1. Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito
    2. Strike Witches Movie
    3. K-On! Movie
    4. Minami-ke OAD
    5. KamiNomi Tenri-hen

    briex
  106. It’s a shame that the sheer beauty of Uchuu Kyoudai isn’t qualified. It definitely obliterates all the other shitty uninspiring anime that came out this year.

    Uchuu Kyoudai is very well the “good kid m.A.A.d. city”/”Bish Bosch” of 2012 anime.

    Ryan S
  107. BEST ANIME 2012
    1. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    2. Kamisama Hajimemashita
    3. SKET Dance
    4. Area no Kishi
    5. Acchi Kocchi

    Ahhhh, Sukitte Ii na yo., Sakamichi no Apollon, & TARI TARI were so close to making it on my top 5!! That was so hard.

    Animeluverz125
  108. Best Anime 2012
    1. Sword Art Online
    2. Chunnibyou demo Koi ga Shitai
    3. Shakugan no Shana Season 3
    4. Ano Natsu de Matteru
    5. Guilty Crown

    These were fun to watch. I would’ve chosen more but these are my top 5. Kuroko no Basket was one of the most entertaining I had watch. Luckily there is season 2. Happy New Year Everybody!

    Kuro
  109. Is there a reason why Smile Precure is on the list when it’s not over yet?

    My 5 choices are, in no particular order:

    Binbougami ga
    Chihayafuru
    Girls und Panzer
    TARI TARI
    Yuru Yuri♪♪

    I loved Nisemonogatari and Fate/Zero as well, but I decided to give the underdogs my vote because they entertained me just as much, if not more. With the exception of Yuru Yuri (because I knew what I was getting into), all of the titles I voted for caught me completely by surprise and still upheld an air of quality storytelling that I felt deserved my vote.

    I also enjoyed Oda Nobuna no Yabou and Hyouka, but those two came to mind long after this gut reaction list.

    This last season is undeniably the strongest of 2012 for me, ending an amazing year in anime. Psycho-Pass and Shin Sekai Yori are sure to get my vote for 2013.

    Thank you to all the RandomC writers for all your hard work.
    Here’s to another great year of wonderful shows next year!

    R
  110. Fate/zero – I obviously don’t need to say anything about it at this point 😛

    Another – DEM CLIFFHANGER ENDINGS!It just kept me wanting for week after week.

    Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! – I was interested in the PV,quite hooked after the 1st episode and it didn’t disappoint till the end.Don’t see how any1 wouldn’t find this at least decent(doesn’t mean it has to be in their top list of course).

    Jormungand – I actually started watching this after the 1st season was almost over since I assumed(by god knows what stupid reason) that it was just weaker version of Black Lagoon only to enjoy it more than that and to facepalm myself at what I was missing.

    Muv-Luv Alternative:Total Eclipse – I’m still surprised this one is so underrated.I know it has it has several flaws but there are MUCH worst shows that are viewed in a MUCH more positive light.Maybe it’s because it introduced me to the awesome Muv-Luv universe that I never even heard of till’ then but I also thought it was a good show on it’s own.I wonder if I’m one of the few who thinks this but the main characters just grew on me over the course of 6 months as I found their development quite entertaining,especially Yuuya’s growth.

    Already got 3 for the best of 2013 poll as well unless something manages to surpass Zetsuen No Tempest,Psycho-Pass and Sakurasou in the next year.Oh,and happy near year!

    MgMaster
  111. Looking from the list, I expect this year’s poll return to be one of the most varied in recent times. There hasn’t been major standouts like last year (Steins;Gate and Madoka were clear cut from the rest). It is not that the quality of anime has dipped. If anything, there are too many good series to pick from.

    My picks (in random order)
    – Fate/Zero
    – Acchi Kochi
    – Chuunibyou
    – Jormungand
    – Can’t remember whether I chose Hyouka or Ano Natsu de Matteru…

    By the way, you missed Acchi Kochi OVA as well I think.

    taiakun
  112. I voted for Bleach and Hiiro no Kakera. Bleach is my favorite anime and Hiiro no Kakera is my newest favorite anime. Hiiro no kakera is amazing and wonderful romantic story. It was at a good pace not too fast not to slow just right. the characters are also great.

    meg2541
    1. I like Bleach TV, too. If there were a long-running series category, I would have voted for it. I just think it is an unfair comparison between a long-running series and a genuine season-based series, because the former has the luxury of time to develop the story in more details and bring in many more new characters.

      Matroid
  113. my vote:
    series:
    Fate/Zero
    Girls und Panzer
    Jormungand
    Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse
    Nisemonogatari
    special mention: Another, Btooom!, Kokoro Connect, Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna, Sakamichi no Apollon, Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A, Sword Art Online
    ova/movie:.hack//Movie, K-ON! Movie, Steins;Gate Special

    Passbyer
  114. My vote in no order was:
    High School DxD
    Campione
    Kokoro Connect
    Symphogear
    and my number one was hands down
    ACCEL WORLD!! That anime (especially towards the end) had me on the edge of my seat cheering. No other series gave me that kinda reaction.

    Arcad
  115. Man this is what I get for playing Skyrim all week, 300+ comments!

    Anyways will go with what I enjoyed the most, in no particular order:

    Hyouka
    Guilty Crown
    Oda Nobuna
    Fate/Zero
    Nyaruko

    0927123
  116. Hyouka
    Girls und Panzer
    Black Rock Shooter
    Acchi Kocchi
    Nazo no Kanojo X

    Although I wonder it GuP is really qualified since it technically hasn’t ended yet. Still what we have is indeed amazing so it gets my vote for being the most entertaining show of the year and exceeding everyone’s expectations.(the ones who gave it a chance anyway). GuP is aparently the most successful anime Actis has ever produced. They’ve had to start another run of blu-ray production to keep up with demand, and the Final episodes and OVAs aren’t even out yet.

    Roguespirit
  117. Top Five Series:
    – Natsume Yuujinchou Shi
    – Sakamichi no Apollon
    – Lupin the THIRD: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna
    – Chihayafuru
    – Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

    Top Five OVAs/Movies:
    – From Up on Poppy Hill
    – Hotarubi no Mori e
    – UN-GO #0
    – Sakasama no Patema
    – K-ON! The Movie

    Honestly, I wish I understood Japanese so I could have finished Hyouge Mono.

  118. Shakugan no Shana, Saki, Hyouka, Jinrui & Girls und Panzer

    Very hard this year, not because theres a lot of good titles, but because none of them are really ‘omfg this is THE BEST EVER’, like last year when we had, for example, Madoka.

    Spz
  119. Taking a look at the list I can see only three serious candidates.

    Hyouka, very inconsistent, sometimes average, often decent, really good or plain excellent at times. Anyway, Hyouka’s festival arc is far above anything else that was made this year.

    Nisemonogatari, some terrific scenes here and there. Some pacing issues. Overall best candidate.

    Jinrui, a slow first half overshadowed by its genius second one. Jinrui was more of a necessary show than AOTY material compared to the two above but it did leave the strongest impression. Time Paradogs.

    Ananas
  120. Series:
    – Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II
    Ebiten
    – Girls und Panzer
    – Binbougami Ga!
    – Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

    I chose these five because these are the shows that always left me satisfied after each episode. These are also shows I watch every now and then to cheer myself up because I know at the end I’d be grinning like an idiot. The best anime of 2012 for me is one that I would still watch in the future and still get the same enjoyment out of it that I got when I watched it the first time around while anime that I can appreciate more everytime I watch it is something that will stick with me forever; and that’s Kyoukaisen.

    OVAs:
    – Steins;Gate Special
    – The iDOLM@STER Shiny Festa OVA
    – To LOVE-Ru Darkness OAD
    – Seitokai Yakuindomo OAD
    – Amagami SS+ SP

    As for these five, well pretty much the same deal as above — any anime that one can enjoy watching over and over again is definitely worth being called the best.

    iyArashi
    1. Okay… I just saw the last 4 episode of Kokoro Connect and I’d be damned if I didn’t give it a place in my list. With that said, I’m bumping up Kokoro Connect to Girls und Panzer’s place (since it hasn’t really ended yet) and my revised list is as follows:

      – Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II
      Ebiten
      – Kokoro Connect
      – Binbougami Ga!
      – Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

      iyArashi
  121. Highschool DXD
    Chuunibyou demo koi ga shitai
    Jinrui wa suitai shimashita
    Hyouka
    Nazo no Kanajo X

    4th and 5th were a little hard to place for me. Were some others but I really loved the other 3 (no particular order). By no means watched all the series though!

    None of the few ovas I’ve seen particularly made an impact, Jinrui’s are cool (not on list/doesn’t qualify) and Hyouka’s was nice in a kyoani/fanservice way (but made my eyes bleed in its web stream quality). To love-ru darkness ova on the otherhand…pretty awesome =D

    If psychopass or tempest were for his year, they’d probably have made the list.

    Ngai
    1. lol as much as I want it to happen, I know they won’t nominate Study x Study for best ED of 2012. they should though, because …

      …um…

      …it was so well animated >.>

      …*coughs and shuffles away*

      pluskin
      1. Wouldn’t mind that ED for the whole of season 2 =D It was ridiculously awesome (with likely a massively disproportionate share of budget).

        I hoping Stilt’s ecchi side will call him to give DxD ED a special mention 😛 Look forward to him hopefully covering season 2, unashamedly gushing over is potential awesomeness… For an ecchi series though, it has a lot to live up to.

        Ngai
  122. My choices(anime):
    -Fate Zero
    -Hyouka
    -Chuunibyou
    -Kokoro Connect
    -Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

    Honarable mentions(shows I would have chosen if I could choose more than 5):
    -Muv-luv alternative total eclispe
    -Acchi Kochi
    -Girls und Panzer

    hamDemiya
  123. Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita!!!!! needs more lovin. That show was amazing, I hope it does well overall. My other picks were Danshi Kokousei no Nichijou, Nisemonogatari, Joshiraku and Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. I’m all in for comedy. This year wasn’t really a big one for me, especially considering last year was so mindblowing with four-star worthy shows like Steins, Madoka and Penguindrum. Props to Another, that would’ve been my next choice, I still get nervous around dolls with vacant expressions. or dolls in general.

    also…never thought i’d live to see the day bleach was on this poll.

    aelove
  124. Hmmm, many good anime came out this year but only Fate/Zero really stands out. I also voted for Hyouka, Chuunibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai and Sakamichi no Apollon although I don’t view them as worthy “Best Anime 2012” title. good series but not enough. Sadly, I had to put Jinrui wa Shimashita on-hold due to school and didn’t have chance to resume. And I didn’t even touch Sukitte Ii Na Yo & Toonari no Kaibutsu-kun. They seem like awesome series. :/ Maybe if I had seen these series, I would have better opinion of 2012.

  125. 1.Hyouka
    2.Chihayafuru
    3.Sakamichi no Apollon
    4.SAO
    5.Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

    I wished I could add, chuunibyou, accel world, nazo no kanojo and sukitte ii na yo as well!!

    OVA
    1.Steins gate
    2.HAGANAI
    3.accel world

    Happy new year!!

    Natasha
  126. One Im noticing about peoples opinions, we all have our own opinions of what we thought was the best of the year. Just cause someone else doesn’t agree doesn’t mean you gotta disapprove of their votes.

    Arcad
  127. A quite disappointing year, although there’s a lot of good animes, non of them actually impress me much. In the last few years, we have code geass, FMAB, Steins;Gate, but this year, meh

    Guess I’m gonna go with Fate Zero and SAO

    Kuro
  128. Sword Art Online competing with Guilty Crown for biggest disappointment, considering the hype it gathered before it started? I don’t any other titles that gathered so much hate.
    Nah, I still think that this award will easily go to the Code Geass ripoff, while Fate/Zero will probably be voted the best anime of 2012.

    My favorites: Fate/Zero and Horizon

    boingman
    1. nah, man. GC was the biggest disappointment because it actually had potential. The character and animation were great, the music was phenomenal. All it had to do was come up with a competent story and everyone was ready to call it the greatest anime of this generation. Instead we got this…

      pluskin
    2. SAO? Guily Crown? Biggest Dissappointment??
      You’ve got to be kidding, SAO and GC is just overrated show, but is still quite okay.
      The biggest dissapointment this year has got to be Aquarion Evol. Only god knows how disapointing I am for this show…. x_x

      Jonz
  129. I’m going to go on a major rampage if Fate/Zero isn’t anime of the year or if the mediocre SAO gets it (no offense SAO fans, I sat through 20 episodes already so I don’t wanna seem like I’m hatin’ for no reason…I actually liked it a bit at some point).

    Don’t get me wrong, 2012 has a fair share of solid finished titles that I enjoyed like Humanity has Declined or Another but Fate/Zero just grabbed me by the balls and made sure my eyes stay on screen at all times plus you got to admire how ambitious it is even if you disliked it.

    kondee
    1. Loved F/Z here myself, but I think the material itself was too dense for most people. Recommended it to a few friends and they dropped it because “it didn’t have enough action.” It’s true that it starts slow, especially given that the first ep was double length.

      Despite SA:O squandering opportunity at being great and morphing into an entirely different show in the second arc, it was still one of the most entertaining shows this year for me.

      Anon
      1. That’s disappointing dude, I thought there was a lot of good action if people managed to get through the slow parts. When it happens it’s gorgeous. I recommended to friends to better success.

        SAO didn’t do it for me but I’m glad you managed to enjoy it. Though my reaction to it seems venomous and exaggerated, I do agree that this is a celebration of anime in general for 2012. As long as any fan of anime gets entertained either way it doesn’t matter what show it is, I’ll consider it a good year.

        kondee
  130. Aw man…I wonder why I’m so pumped for this as if this were the Oscars? I read Best Anime 2012 poll and the adrenaline just kicks in. It is not healthy for the fanboy side of me…

    kondee
    1. Any fan of this web site can easily watch over 10,000 hours of anime per year. After dedicating such a large chunk of our lives, it is only natural to want for some justification for our effort so that we can do it again next year. An annual ritual of “best” anime election is all that it takes to give us a sense of collective achievement. No, it is no longer an election– it has become a war to prove that I Watch Anime Therefore I Exist. You bet people are pumped. You should be. I surely am. This is what it means to be a fan.

      Matroid
    1. Then go vote for Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou. That’s the Japanese name for Daily Lives of High School Boys and that is what they have up for the poll. It along with Fate/Zero comes up as my favorite this year.

      Senshi
  131. Biggest Disappointment of 2012: GUILTY CROWN
    Everything was lining up to break new ground in anime and the best it could deliver was a story by committee. All side characters were one dimensional. They blatantly recycle overused story elements and fanboys have the gull to call it “homage” or “nostalgia”.

    pluskin
  132. My picks in no particular order:

    Fate/Zero
    Mirrai Nikki
    Muv Luv Total Eclipse
    Jormungand
    Eureka Seven AO

    Best OVA by FAR: Unicorn Gundam Episode 5.

    Biggest Disappointment of 2012: GUILTY CROWN

    Wissenschaft
  133. Oh man, if only the OVAs for Kokoro Connect was up there, I just finished watching it a while ago and it was amazing. I think I enjoyed that arc as much as or even more so than the first arc which was what I considered to be the best arc in that anime until I saw this OVA. I would definitely have voted for that if I had not voted already and/or if it was included in the OVA/Movies poll.

    Senshi
  134. so hard to choose since most of animes sucked or didn’t give u the ” this is the best anime i’ve ever watched” feeling.. however, I think if i had to choose it would be:

    Kamisama Hajimemashita, Kuroro Connect n maybe bleach since it ended in 2012 hahahaha XD

    Nya~
  135. Looks like I missed the deadline, but I’ll post for the fun of it anyhow!

    1. Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon II
    2. Tsuritama
    3. Nisemonogatari
    4. Daily lives of Highschool Boys
    5. Rinne no Lagrange

    Biggest disappointment has to go to SAO for me (it’s just edging out guilty crown). I adored SAO’s first episode, but it all started to go downhill from there… I couldn’t even finish Fairy Dance.

  136. 1.kyoukai senjou no horizon
    2.accel world
    3.Sword art online
    4. chihayafuru
    5. fate zero

    this five make people want to watch more and excited every episode best top 5 but still got more

    knight
  137. Gundam AGE for most underappreciated Anime of 2012. Poor show was dead before it even hit the air. It’s not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it brought a solid number of interesting ideas to the table.

    Vsin
  138. #1 Fate/Zero
    #2 Fate/Zero
    #4 Fate/Zero
    #4 Fate/Zero
    #5 Fate/Zero

    Special consideration for Guilty Crown. Despite how fucking terrible it was, it is the one anime (along with Fate/Zero) that will ultimately be the most memorable for me in 2012.

    In all seriousness it was an excellent year of anime but its a cluster fuck deciding spots 2-5.

    Jin
  139. Haha.. missed coz of work..

    Just for fun then, my list in no particular order would be:

    Tsuritama
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
    Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita
    Girl and Panzer
    Jormungand

    ah… Moretsu Pirates break my heart… sigh~~

    fairx
  140. In order for me
    1. Fate Zero (ALL TIME BEST ANIME GRAPHICS and it has a very good story)
    2. Sword Art Online (Best anime for its 1st arc, but Alfeim was a little boring and quite a disappointment @_@)
    3.Another (One of the best twist ^_^)
    4.Sket Dance (I love this show though it has a not so good ending)
    5.Kore Wa Zombie Desu ka of the Dead (though its a personal preference I guess) ^_^

    Mukuro Rokudo

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