It’s been nearly three years since Kita ze Inbou! was born. I still find it hard to believe we’ve made it so far. On top of that even though we lost one member along the way we gained three more companions. Thankfully we all have our own unique tastes when it comes to anime, manga, and other things so you’ll likely never see the same opinion repeated where it counts (our second annual awards is a perfect example). We’d like to continue providing such content for as long as we can.

That said, we are officially moving to our own server! Kitazeinbou.com has been in planning for the past few months and is now up and running. We have a brand new theme to show off so do give us your opinions on it (over there and here). Along with the new theme we now have a new layout for posts and I do hope that it is received well, especially since we’ve had questions in the past before about having clickable images that enlarge to their original sizes. Of course we have a new banner incoming from none other than Youko. There may be even a few more coming from elsewhere in the future!

Again I’d like to thank all of our readers, old and new who have stuck with us up till now. I can only hope that you continue to follow us from now until whenever time ends (or restarts). Huge thanks to Maestro who gave us our start in the blogosphere, our affiliates, and, of course, you, our readers. I can never stop thanking you all because with you, whether you comment or not, we’d just be talking to ourselves. That said, see you on the other side~

Please remember to update your bookmarks to the new site! Tell anyone else who frequents here too as well!

I couldn’t think of a better way to end this then calling this last part the end, so you get your oshimai instead. This final entry has a whopping eight categories so this is where the best of the best lie. Our focus here is on the story and direction of the show and overall how it was handled in the end. Cheers to 2008, but let’s hope 2009 is even better!

Best Original Story

Winner: GHOST HOUND

This was a tough one. For me to able to come up with a choice I chose to go with series that weren’t from existing franchises. Therefore, the choices came down to Druaga, true tears, and GHOST HOUND. My choice for Best Original Story therefore goes to GHOST HOUND. It amazed me throughout its entire run and actually even managed to freak me out on a regular basis. One really had to pay attention so as to soak up everything that was going on and it even taught me a few new things every episode spanning various topics. The characters were quite interesting and the issues each of them had to deal with were unique. It’s one of the more interesting stories out there that really caught my interest from the very first episode and I can’t recommend it more to anyone looking for something fresh. Go watch it!

Winner: Garei -zero-

While technically based on the Ga-rei manga, this was actually an original story set before the manga’s time, making it a prequel. I’m not very far into the manga, but knowing how the life of Kagura and Yomi was before the present time was a fascinating idea and I commend the staff for doing this. Not only did it have a great cast of characters, but the direction and execution of certain events were handled fluidly and sharply. When you think about it, Ga-rei -zero- became a sort of coming-of-age story about Kagura and Yomi. It showed what they went through in their childhood and what happened that lead up to the moment where they were standing on opposite sides.

Winner: Kaiba

The premise may seem simple. In the fictional world where Kaiba takes place, memories are stored into chips and they can be transferred from on to another. This may seem simple, but the writers knew exactly how to build upon that for the first half of the series, only later to end it with a bang with the second half.

Best Adaptation

Winner: SOUL EATER

Honorable Mention: Spice and Wolf

It’s pretty hard to 1UP SOUL EATER in this regard. Bones stayed pretty faithful to the manga for as long as they could before having no other choice but to go for an original ending. Seldom does an adaptation improves upon the source material but SOUL EATER excelled at it through and through. Who knows, maybe it’ll receive a ‘SOUL EATER 2′ a few years from now like Fullmetal Alchemist? That would be pretty sweet. I also must give a nod to Spice and Wolf that aired pretty early in the year. It was a very enjoyable show that I felt did a decent job following the manga. I’m looking forward to the second season of that quite a bit.

Winner: SOUL EATER
The anime was very faithful to the manga and even added extra oomph to the coolness, pop, and action factor that the series is full of. While the manga is great on its own, it’s the anime that made the panels of each chapter come to life in full color and sound, and I think BONES did a swell job at it. In the last quarter half of the show that, BONES has started shifting toward an original end sans Fullmetal Alchemist. I don’t know how this will turn out, but up til now I’d say they did a fantastic job of transitioning the manga to the anime format.

Winner: SOUL EATER

SOUL EATER wins not only for staying true to the manga, but also for bringing to life the immense world it’s based on. Just showing a single snapshot of it is enough to make it distinguished and definitely one of the most memorable adaptations in recent memory.

Winner: CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~

lol I broke the chain. Don’t read the SOUL EATER manga so I can’t pick it. Anyways, kudos to KyoAni for another great adaptation from Key. Having played the visual novel myself, I can say that I’m content with what they’ve done with the show. Given that they can’t include everything due to time, what they do manage is incredible. Thanks for the Tomoya OVA btw. It was short, but sweet. Now how bout that Kyou one?

Most Underrated

Winner: The Tower of Druaga ~the Aegis of Uruk~

When I first thought about this I came up blank. Then my mind wandered to Druaga. I think it might have been underrated from the very start given that GONZO was in charge of it. After the disaster of Dragonaut, it wouldn’t surprise me if many didn’t give it a try. However, after watching the full first season I can only conclude that it would be a crying shame if it wasn’t given a chance. The characters are pretty enjoyable and the story, while technically nothing new, is quite fresh. Jil, the main character, is one of the more stable and likeable leads that I’ve seen in a while. He doesn’t start off uber-strong but gradually gains more strength alongside his friends. The music is pretty good as well and the humor is awesome. Given that it has a second season currently airing, I’d definitely say it deserves more attention. I’m glad to say that Druaga was one of my favorites of last year and hopefully the second season is even better.

Winner: Telepathy Shoujo Ran

I’m pretty sure a lot hasn’t ever heard of this, nor care for that matter, but even if it wasn’t up on everyone’s radar, it was at least decent to watch. Telepaths and drama are hardly common these days so a show that includes these plus mystery and drama gives you that sort of Scooby Doo gag, but this is far less goofy and cynical. And c’mon, who doesn’t wanna hear Ueda Kana with a Kansai dialect?

Winner: Kaiba

Honorable Mention: Natsume Yuujin Cho

The choice this year was pretty easy. People were turned off by Kaiba’s design that looks like a young kid’s drawings or some scrap work of Osamu Tezuka. While the character designs are simplistic, the show is far from juvenile, and if you can look past that, you will enjoy it.

Natsume Yuujin Cho is yet another anime many of you missed. It was thankfully good enough to not only be acknowledged and streamed on chrunchyroll.com, but also to warrant another season that is airing at this very season.

Winner: Skip Beat!

I’m sure a lot of people glanced over this when Fall arrived this year. But with a strong lead seiyuu cast featuring Inoue Marina, Konishi Katsuyuki, and Miyano Mamoru, I thought to myself that I had to see at least an episode or two. So I went in, I saw it, liked it, and continued watching. I was given what I expected from reading the synopsis: an awesome female lead, comedy, and bishies. The show doesn’t redefine the shoujo genre or anything like that, but it’s entertaining and definitely worth a check out.

Best Animation

Winner: Gundam 00 and Macross FRONTIER

Honorable Mention: SOUL EATER and Xam’d: Lost Memories

Tough choices when it come to this category. There were quite a few contenders: SOUL EATER, Macross FRONTIER, Gundam 00, Nabari no Ou, Kannagi, Geass R2 and Xam’d. In the end though, I had no other choice but to give the nod to Sunrise and another studio. Oh? For which Sunrise series, you ask? Well, Gundam 00 of course! Who’s the other studio? Satelight for Macross FRONTIER! Both of these shows were absolutely gorgeous in their own right and the mecha designs were breathtaking. Character designs were marvelous with Gundam 00 in particular having the talents of Kouga Yun. BONES did a marvelous job this year as well but, for me, is just a tiny bit behind. In the end though, last year was definitely a treat to the eyes.

Winner: Kannagi

Honorable Mention: SOUL EATER

Simply. Stunning. Animation. Nuff said. But let’s talk a bit more! The production comes from A-1 Pictures. Now is that supposed to mean Animation’s #1? Something like that, but they’re right on with that, because Kannagi has the most visually appealing animation I have seen from a company other than Kyoto Animation (you do have Production I.G. and Studio 4C, but you know what I mean). Though, I really think A-1 outdone themselves, perhaps slightly more than KyoAni does. Looks like they have some competition on their hands. At first glance, Kannagi’s art reminded me of Lucky Star. After the premiere, I still think it’s like that. The charming designs and the amazing frame-by-frame accuracy is gorgeous. You seem them blinking, hair blowing in the wind, and most importantly, movement! Stiffness is not an option for this division of A-1. Just take a look at the OP sequence and tell me that’s not good.

Soul Eater also had blazing animation thanks to BONES’s work. The choreography of the fighting and non-fighting scenes are well drawn and the quality hardly dies down. One thing I really love are the explosions and the smog that comes out with skull marks on them. Well, okay, Shinigami-sama’s face is on nearly everything, but seeing smoke skulls are pretty sweet. Sometimes the visuals are so good they look rather symmetrical!

Winner: SOUL EATER

Studio BONES does it again. I can blabber hours on how unique the world of Soul Eater is and how it reminds of The Nightmare Before Christmas, but I’d rather ask you, the reader, to just watch the first five minutes of the show and tell me the animation is bad, I dare you. Every fight scene is beautifully choreographed and even the quiet moments are animated beautifully.

Winner: Xam’d: Lost Memories

Honorable Mention: SOUL EATER

BONES is no doubt one of the best animation studios out there. Their name immediately catches the attention of many and for good reason. Their animation is very fluid, consistent, and just stunning to watch. Especially with their most recent project, Xam’d: Lost Memories. This show is something that begs to be watched in HD because it’s just gorgeous. Of course BONES had another show this year: SOUL EATER. I gave my vote to Xam’d because compared to SOUL EATER’s more simplistic and zany visuals, Xam’d’s was more intricate and vast. This might be more of a preference because I honestly don’t know which one’s is “better”; but clearly the animation is a top quality in both of them.

Biggest Shock

Winner: Episode 1 ending of Ga-Rei -zero-, Episode 21 of Code Geass R2

This probably isn’t a surprise. Simply put, the ending of the first episode of Gai-rei -zero- was pretty damn shocking. For the majority of the episode we’re led to think that the new characters were the main characters (promo images even showed them off) only to have them brutally murdered by none other than Yomi. It almost seemed to be a cruel joke. I honestly thought that they were going to air the series in reverse with the first episode being the last. It was that damn convincing. Episode 21 of Geass R2 was pretty shocking as well. After almost two full seasons of hating each other and fighting to the death, Lelouch and Suzaku become allies. What the hell? My brain went pretty screwy there and Lelouch suddenly ascending to Emperor didn’t make things any easier. Yikes.

Winner: Ga-rei -zero- Episode 1 ending

Honorable Mention: Shigofumi’s Episode 1 and Geass R2’s 18

Clearly we all thought these guys would be the main cast. Why else would the promotional poster have the team on it? Why else are there a lot of scenes with them? Well clearly, that’s what AIC x asread wanted us to think because they played us good with the end of the first episode. So apparently they wanted to keep it a secret that -zero- was actually going to be an original prequel to the manga only revealed on the site’s net radio after the first episode aired. Quite ballsy, but it was a trip. It’s a shame Natsuki and Tooru weren’t the main protagonists (though they did cameo once). See how badass Natsuki was on her motorbike? And heck, Mami-chan was a cute girl, but she was unfortunately infected and pulled a Persona.

Shigofumi also had a crazy first start. I was expecting a mysterious anime like Jigoku Shoujo. Yeah, it certainly was, but Ayase’s shifting attack was unexpected and I thought this would lead to some crazy execution or something. Of course the episode later on were rather mild compared to this moment, but I still enjoyed the series as a whole. Are all the biggest shocks the deaths of others? Probably, because even Geass’ total nuke time was totally barbaric. It looked like a whole lot of main characters were doomed from the blast. Gilford, Nunnally, Sayoko… And I thought Episode 15 was ridiculous, this episode clearly showed how ridiculous things were getting from this point on.

Winner: Episode 21 of CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

That was a pretty easy decision for me. Everything about this episode was unintelligible and bizarre. The writers were pushing the coincidences and plot twists to an all time high with this episode and it was an important pivotal point to the main characters of the show, even if it was for the worse.

Winner: Episode 13 of CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

I was a Lulu x Kallen fan back when R2 was airing. And honestly, I thought Shirley was pretty annoying. She had no real importance to the story so when I first heard that she was going to die I was like lol ok (yeah I was spoiled). So the episode’s subbed and I go in expecting the usual. Then her scene hits, and by the end I find my eyes teary. The shock for me here wasn’t her death, but how powerful that scene turned out to be; especially for a character I thought I couldn’t care less about. If Sunrise is good at one thing, it’s death scenes. Bravo.

Best Scene

Winner: The Last Stand of Celestial Being (Gundam 00 Episodes 24-25)

Best moments, for me, is going to have to go to Gundam 00. The last two episodes contained so many awesome moments that I lost count. There were a few heartfelt deaths, particularly Lockon’s. There were more than enough exciting battles going on, especially Setsuna versus Alejandro and Allelujah versus Soma. Graham surfacing was pretty hilarious since it pretty much set him up for his Mister Bushido persona. Yup, you didn’t think Gundam 00 wasn’t going to end without its very own masked character did you? The four-years later epilogue was also a great device and only served to excite me further for the second season. Hell, it had hotness!Nena too!

Winner: Orange-kun loyalty, Zero Suzaku (Episode 25, CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)

Before the finale, I was hoping against hope that this would end good due to all the massive trainwreck and kabooms and deaths that occurred just before. Luckily, this totally made up for the events. There was a glee on my face after seeing Jeremiah nearly taking out Anya flawlessly in the beginning. He dishes out his KnightMare Frame, followed by his regular Frame within that, then he leaps out and lunges toward Anya for the kill! Well, he almost did, but that moment right there was definitely Jeremiah’s best. Don’t underestimate the storm of loyalty!

My other favorite moment is near the end when Lelouch is on his marching throne in all his tyrannical glory, but then… a mysterious shadowy figure appears out of nowhere, standing still and staring across at the Emperor Lelouch. We were left confused and stunned at this new Zero. Attacks were ordered at the symbol of the Black Knights, but, holy crap, look at him move! Seeing Suzaku with his superhuman skills and even dodging the KnightMares’ attacks, plus the “0″ track playing made me excited and astounded at this spectacle.
Winner: Nunnally vs. Lelouch (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 – Episode 25)

I have to say that the main problem with R2 was Lelouch rose too quickly and too easily. I think the most interesting of his adversaries wasn’t really Jeremiah and not even Xing-he, but his own sister Nunnally. The thing R2 did better than the original show is giving Nunnally a lot more depth and made her a worthy adversary, not just because she is his sister and she is handicapped, but this time she actually believes in her ideals, which make her probably the most likable character in the show.

And then came the beginning of the final episode, Nunnally vs. Lelouch, Good vs. Evil. Whilst the other confrontations of the show were to prove who is less evil, this was really polarized. I was disappointed to see that despite Nunnally’s maturity, she is still not strong enough to stop her brother, and to add insult to injury, he makes her his slave. Despite the fact she loathed him at one second and then, after a set of events, she loves him again. Yeah, it was topsy-turvy, but it was definitely a moment I won’t forget a long time.

Winner: See you, space playboy (Macross Frontier – Episode 20)

Honorable Mention: Emperor Lelouch + Smugzaku (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 – Episode 21)

I was simply blown away at this scene. And I’ll add to the fact that I got spoiled about it beforehand. It was simply breathtaking. May’n outdoes herself with a stunning performance of “Diamond Crevasse”; and mixed along with Michael’s tragic and heroic death, I ended up with teary eyes and a wonderful memory at the end.

Just when I thought Code Geass couldn’t top itself with the Eva crap they pulled earlier in the episode, it does the unbelievable. Lelouch takes the throne and his right hand man is Suzaku. Two of the strongest forces (JUST AS PLANNED and H4X) on Earth joining forces to face the World… just epic.

Movie/OVA of the Year

Winner: Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations

While I didn’t watch many OVAs or movies during the year, I can honestly say that Tokyo Revelations was among the best I’ve seen in a long time. The animation was outstanding and absolutely faithful to the original CLAMP designs. It covered quite a lot of chapters in just three episodes and left me wanting more. One hundred percent faithful to the manga. This is the way Tsubasa is meant to be adapted. Thank you for doing justice to Tsubasa, Production I.G. I wish you had adapted the manga from the very start.

Winner: Lucky☆Star OVA

Simple choice for me. This OVA was the biggest thing I was waiting for ever since it’s announcement months and months back. Hearing a delay in the release made me furious, but finally seeing it made me joyous. Several segments slapped into one original visual and animation feature was all I needed to satisfy my Lucky☆Star fix. Kagami’s Tsunderella story and Tsukasa’s Attack No. 1 were my personal favorites, and I also enjoyed the live action Lucky Channel return. Not to mention the awesome cover of Ai wo Torimodose! performed by Akira-sama and Shiraishi. Shocked indeed. Shocked by the amount of funny I got, that is. I only wish now that KyoAni continue the series with a second season. Yaranaika?

Winner: One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus – Fuyu ni Saku, Kiseki no Sakura

Anybody who has seen the movie knows that it’s basically a retelling of one arc in the series. And it feels stranges to give my choice for Best Movie to something like that. But IMO it really deserves. I won’t exaggerate here. There were tears while I watched the movie. But it just didn’t happened once, I must have cried at least four times; all during one movie. I’m a One Piece fan so I knew what to expect when watching this, but even so this movie still got to me. I cried manly tears when I read the arc in the manga, and I cried manly tears watching it animated.

Anime of the Year

Winner: Gundam 00

Hmm. Perhaps this was a surprise to even myself. It was a tough battle betwen Gundam 00 and CODE GEASS R2 for me, especially since both gave me almost the same level of entertainment. However, Gundam 00 won out this year for me because it was the stronger of the two. CODE GEASS R2 is in no way inferior to me but I must admit that the first season was much more organized and stronger than the second. Gundam 00 featured more of what I’ve been hungering for as well. That is, mecha battles. They weren’t just simple skirmishes either but rather battles of wit, will, and determination. No one fought for no reason. I loved the political intrigue and really liked that there was more than two sides involved throughout the season. Everything about Gundam 00 was absolutely awesome from animation to music and to the characters. I’m currently enjoying the second season and it has yet to disappoint me and is looking to remain a strong contender in my choices for the awards at the end of this year. Gundam 00, I salute you as my pick of Anime of the Year for 2008!

Winner: Ga-rei -zero-
Honorable Mention: Kannagi, SOUL EATER

If you’ve been keeping track, I’ve been praising Ga-rei -zero- for countless things by now. It was inevitable that it would lead to me selecting it as the best of ‘08 in the end. From the characters, the music, the story, the action, the drama… everything about it was great, great, great. Ironically, I despise asread for fucking up Minami-ke. Of course, this was actually a joint between AIC Spirits and asread so this could be why Ga-rei -zero- actually turned out to be marvelous. The finale was very open ended, and it could lead to where the manga starts. If they ever decide to do this, I’ll be anxiously awaiting.

Kannagi was, from start to finish, a real divine show. Haha, yes, that was a pun. The gags were immense and the characters are unique and memorable! The animation was brilliantly done and excellently flourished. There was simply nothing wrong with it, but I felt that Ga-rei -zero- turned out slightly better overall. Same with why I honorably mention SOUL EATER. While it is, for the most part, faithful to the original story, plus the awesome music and touch-ups in animation, the story itself was a bit lacking compared to Ga-rei -zero-.

Winner: Kaiba

Honorable Mention: Natsume Yuujin Cho, SOUL EATER

This year of anime, unlike video games or movies, wasn’t that great. Most of the year is comprised of romantic comedies that lack personality, whereas Kaiba has a lot of charm and personality to it. It may to tossed aside in favor of witness the trainwreck that was R2, but all in all, just to prove that even the smaller shows can be triumphant.

Winner: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

No, I’m not trolling here, folks. Let me explain. I really didn’t decide on this choice with the word “best” in mind but more with the word “favorite”. The anime in many ways was flawed, but that definitely did not reduce it’s entertainment value which the show was full of and why it’s my pick for this year. I can still remember those Sundays where when I first woke up in the morning, the next thing I did was turn on the computer, and spent the rest of the morning/afternoon camping out on gg/Eclipse’s IRC channel with hundreds of other eager fans waiting for the latest sub. Whether you were watching it for the sake of finishing it, for the lulz, or because you genuinely liked the show, everybody got something out of, with no doubt, the biggest show of 2008.

Third round and this time, it’s all about the music. You can have anime with voices, but once you cue the music at the right time, you get some pretty amazing results. Kudos to all the composers and arrangers, and the vocalists for all their hard work! Firstly, we’d like to get our Top 10 Opening Themes and Ending Themes outta the way.

Top 10 Opening Themes

1. Ash Like Snow by the brilliant green (Gundam 00)
2. PAPERMOON by Tommy heavenly6 (SOUL EATER)/SHUT AND EXPLODE by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES (Xam’d: Lost Memories)
3. Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi by UVERworld (Gundam 00)
4. motto☆Hade ni ne! by Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi)
5. O2 by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
6. resonance by T.M.Revolution (SOUL EATER)
7. Beautiful Fighter (Shikabane Hime: Aka)
8. PSI-missing by Kawada Mami (To Aru Majutsu no Index)
9. Lion by May’n & Megumi Nakajima (Macross FRONTIER)
10. CLOSER by Inoue Joe (NARUTO Shippuuden)/Pre-Parade by Kugimiya Rie, Horie Yui, and Kitamura Eri (Toradora!)

1. motto☆Hade ni ne! by Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi)
2. PAPERMOON by Tommy heavenly6 (SOUL EATER)
3. Paradise Lost by Chihara Minori (Ga-rei -zero-)
4. F.D.D. by Itou Kanako (CHAOS;HEAD)
5. Aoi Kakera by Chara (Telepathy Shoujo Ran)
6. resonance by T.M.Revolution (SOUL EATER)
7. Pre-Parade by Kugimiya Rie, Horie Yui, and Kitamura Eri (Toradora!)
8. O2 by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
9. SHUT UP AND EXPLODE by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES (Xam’d: Lost Memories)
10. Kuusou Rumba by Ootsuki Kenji & Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi (Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)

1. WORD OF THE VOICE by FLOW (Persona -trinity soul-)
2. Donten by DOES (Gintama)
3. Last Train ~Atarashi Asa~ by Knotlamp (Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s)
4. Gekidou by UVERworld (D.Gray-man)
5. PAPERMOON by Tommy heavenly6 (SOUL EATER)
6. Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi by UVERworld (Gundam 00)
7. WORLD END by FLOW (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
8. CLOSER by Inoue Joe (NARUTO)
9. CHU-BURA by KELUN (BLEACH)
10. kimi=hana by pigstar (Junjou Romantica)

1.) “Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi” by UVERworld (Gundam 00 S2)
2.) “Lion” by May’n & Nakajima Megumi (Macross Frontier)
3.) “motto☆Hade ni ne!” by Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi)
4.) “PAPERMOON” by Tommy heavenly6 (Soul Eater)
5.) “Ash-like Snow” by the brilliant green (Gundam 00)
6.) “resonance” by T.M. Revolution (Soul Eater)
7.) “PSI-missing” by Kawada Mami (To Aru Majutsu no Index)
8.) “SHUT UP AND EXPLODE” by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES (Xam’d: Lost Memories)
9.) “O2″ by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
10.) “Futatsu no Kodou to Akai Tsumi” by ON/OFF (Vampire Knight)

Top 10 Ending Themes

1. Friends by Stephanie (Gundam 00)/Prototype Ishikawa Chiaki (Gundam 00 S2)
2. Super Special by Kagami Seira (CHAOS;HEAD)
3. Bakusou Yumeuta by Diggy-MO’ (SOUL EATER)
4. Northen Cross by May’n (Macross Frontier)
5. My story by angela (Shikabane Hime: Aka)
6. Musuhi no Toki by Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi)
7. Shiawase Neiro by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
8. Katahiza no Yogore by Last Alliance (Real Drive)
9. Hitosashiyubi Quiet! by N’s (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu)
10. changes by Base Ball Bear (Library War)

1. Style. by Kana Nishino (SOUL EATER)
2. Super Special by Kagami Seira (CHAOS;HEAD)
3. Bakusou Yumeuta by Diggy-MO’ (SOUL EATER)
4. Musuhi no Toki by Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi)
5. Koiji Romanesque by Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi (Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
6. Hitosashiyubi Quiet! by N’s (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu)
7. Vanilla Salt by Horie Yui (Toradora!)
8. Shiawase Neiro by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
9. Broken Youth by NICO TOUCHES THE WALL (Naruto Shippuuden)
10. Tokyo et Paris by Miyamoto Emiri x solita (Nodame Cantabile Paris-hen)

1. Broken Youth by NICO TOUCHES THE WALLS (Naruto Shippuuden)
2. Bakusou Yumeuta by Diggy-MO’ (SOUL EATER)
3. Style. by Kana Nishino (SOUL EATER)
4. Shiawase Neiro by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
5. Orange by Lil’B (BLEACH)
6. Sunao na Niji by surface (BLEACH)
7. Koyoi, Tsuki ga, Miezu Tomo by Porno Graffiti (BLEACH)
8. ONE DAY by The Loose Dogs (Major)
9. I, Ai, Ai by ghostnote (Gintama)
10. Friends by Stephanie (Gundam 00)

1.) “Prototype” Ishikawa Chiaki (Gundam 00 S2)
2.) “Friends” by Stephanie (Gundam 00)
3.) “Northen Cross” by May’n (Macross Frontier)
4.) “Vacancy” by Kylee (Xam’d: Lost Memories)
5.) “Bakusou Yumeuta” by Diggy-MO’ (Soul Eater)
6.) “Namida” by 2BACKKA (Skip Beat!)
7.) “Shiawase Neiro” by ORANGE RANGE (CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2)
8.) “Suna no O-shiro” by Wakeshima Kanon (Vampire Knight: Guilty)
9.) “Let’s go together” by Afromania (Birdy the Mighty Decode)
10.) “Tokyo et Paris” by Miyamoto Emiri x solita (Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter)

Best Insert Song

Winner: Iteza – Gogo 9ji – Don’t be late (Sheryl On Stage), Diamond Crevasse by May’n (Macross Frontier)

I can go on and on about how awesome these songs are and about how much I’m in love with Sheryl Nome. So to cut all the fanboying ranting short, you should just go and listen to them. Better yet, go watch Macross Frontier and you’ll see why these two songs more than deserve the title of “Best Insert Song” of 2008 for sure. Better still, go watch AND listen to the songs.

Winner: The Song of Hello Soybeans by Dokkoi Foods, performed by Nagi (Tomatsu Haruka)

Clearly, this was the best song out of the whole karaoke room, with Takako’s putrid song coming in second. The lyrics are straightforward, but Haruka delivers her tone so perfectly horrid that it’s amazingly really funny. My favorite part is definitely when she says the line “a fierce sex appeal.” I wonder how she would’ve done with Shirigeya.

Winner: “Diamond Crevasse” by May’n (Macross Frontier)

Obviously I’m referring to the episode 20 insert. That was no doubt the highlight of the show. I’ll admit it was a bit weird when Sheryl stood up and started singing all of sudden; but then it cut to Michael and BAM, we got hit so hard that it left us breathless by the end. One of the most memorable scenes this year if not the most.

Best Soundtrack

Winner: Macross FRONTIER

Honorable mention: SOUL EATER

Well, well now. Had this been another year or a year without Macross, the winner would either be SOUL EATER. However, Kanno Youko, Sheryl Nome/May’n and a few other artists clinched this year without a doubt . It’s mighty hard to beat out awesome pieces such as Big Boys, Alto’s Theme, Iteza – Gogo 9ji – Don’t be late (Sheryl On Stage), and Diamond Crevasse. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you fall in love with music over and over and that which you hear even when you’re not listening to the actual songs. That’s not to take anything away from Iwasaki Taku’s work though. Some of my favorites from SOUL EATER’s OST are: PSYCHEDELIC SOULJAM, DEATHCITY, Overdrive, and Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Have a Nice Dream.

Winner: SOUL EATER
I was never a big fan of Iwasaki Taku’s work, though I did like some of the music he composed for Black Cat and TTGL. However, I believe that SOUL EATER showed just how amazing Taku is with a variety of tracks with different moods that clearly distinguishes a sad moment or an action-packed scene. It fits so perfectly with the scenes that I’d be crazy enough to call it a masterpiece. Furthermore, he even composed a great deal of vocal tracks. We have Soul’s track, which is indeed so scandalous, Black Star’s “never lose myself” song, which is, funnily enough, about him and also his hatred for Excalibur, and the last character track for Death the Kid. The other vocals are “harmoNIZE,” “Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Have a Nice Dream,” and “PSYCHEDELIC SOULJAM,” with the last two having some of the best arrangements and rhythms I’ve heard.

Winner: Soul Eater
From the person who brought you the Gurren Lagann soundtrack, we have an upbeat soundtrack for the year’s most exciting anime. Ironically enough, the most memorable track in the show for me is the bad flute instrumental whenever something idiotic happens. It’s one of those moments that are so bad, yet they are so good because they compliment the scene so well.

Winner: Macross Frontier

Honorable Mention: SOUL EATER

Macross Frontier and SOUL EATER both have a strong, an amazing OST. My choice could have gone to either one, but in the end I gave it to Macross Frontier because it had a much deeper impact. Anybody who’s seen the series knows how the music is an integral part of the story as well. Like when a concert is being held parallel to an intergalatic space fight, it’s a real treat to both the eyes and ears. Endo Aya and Nakajima Megumi lead the music for Frontier and both are just really amazing singers. I especially love Endo Aya’s “Diamond Crevasse.” That’s just a really powerful piece and she performs it so well.

I loved Gurren Lagann’s OST, so when I heard Iwasaki Taku was coming back for SOUL EATER, I was shitting bricks. SOUL EATER’s OST has so many great tracks and Iwasaki manages to keep the variety there as well. I really enjoy songs that really pump up your adrenaline like “Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Have a Nice Dream” and “never lose myself” which are my two favorite. I can still remember people going in a frenzy when the OST was first released. Iwasaki Taku has definitely made a name for himself.

The second part of AIA ‘08 focuses now on what makes a show unique and that is the numerous amount of characters, each with their own personalities, preferences, hobbies, you name it. They give life to the show and they are the stars that get seiyuu their money in their wallets. For this year, we’ve added a seiyuu of the year, for male and female, because we just love our seiyuu and they deserve our kudos.

Best Male Character

Winner: Lelouch vi Britannia from CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

ALL HAIL LELOUCH! What’s that I hear? “But Leon, you chose Lelouch last year”? Well, that’s true but honestly when thinking about which male characters stood out in 2008, my mind kept coming back to Lelouch. Sure, CODE GEASS R2 had some insanity going on in it near the end but it doesn’t change the fact that he is easily one of the best characters written in the past few years. Seeing him grow from a normal student with elite chess skills to a masked freedom fighter and finally to Emperor was a wonderful journey. We watched him make decisions that ranged from relatively simple to insanely difficult. His most amazing feat, however, is easily Zero Requiem. Up to the very last episode I had no idea what the hell he was trying to do but when it all hit me right before his death, I couldn’t help but feel the tears start to flow. Not only because he sacrificed himself for his friends but that he realized that he had to somehow make up for what happened to Euphie, Shirley, and all the suffering he caused while he was trying to make a better world. It’s not often that I like male leads but Lelouch is easily one of the few who have earned a place in my memory as one of the most dynamic and well-crafted main characters I’ve ever come across in all forms of media.

Winner: Akiba Meguru of Kannagi

Honorable Mention: Sunohara Youhei of CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~

Akiba is quite possibly the most deepest otaku ever, in the traditional sense and in the modern sense, and you don’t see that a lot at all. Even his family name is “Akiba.” Should that really be a coincidence? In any case, I just think he’s a really humorous character. You can always count on him to lighten up the mood and make way for laughter. I love this guy ever since he ranted about the rottenness of the filthy otaku dwelling, despite the fact that he is an otaku himself; just a rather clean otaku, if you will. Kakihara Tetsuya sure knows how to play his characters awesomely, and Akiba is certainly no exception. Don’t forget, “It’s a Sony!”

Now, after seeing how awesome Sunohara’s arc was, you just gotta love the guy even more. He’s got a cute imouto, and he’s pure comic relief. See the way he totally steals the show when he’s there? Outside his jester-like personality, though, the other side of him is a sight to see. Like Tomoya, he’s had his time of delinquency and bitterness, as we’ve seen in his past. Honestly though, I started appreciating him since the original Clannad’s Episode 15 when he made an outburst. Perhaps if he wasn’t so gullible (though that’s his charm, really), I would’ve given the gold to him, but I had to hand it to the other blond fellow.

Winner: Kogarashi from Kamen no Maid Guy

Honorable mention: Lelouch vi Britannia from CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Is there anything this guy can’t do? He has giant pecs, has shark teeth, wears a maid outfit, and has 31 different senses. He may be invincible but he makes the show more than just a simple run of the mill slapstick comedy. Kukuku…

As much as I was disappointed from Code Geass’ latest outing, I cannot deny the fact Lelouch was probably the most prominent character this year, just not as Kogarashi. While he does evolve and goes beyond protecting his sister, his true self isn’t very clear and at the end of the series, you still do not understand what his goals are, but it was at least entertaining to see his rise and demise… and rise… and demise… you get the picture.

Winner: Lelouch vi Britannia from CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Surprise, surprise. Through the show’s ups and downs we’ve seen a lot from Lelouch. From how deep down the abyss his resolve will drag him to how high up the peak he can rise through cunning and deceit. We’ve seen him grown through both seasons and I’m one who has felt attached to him and the many other characters in the show. It was touching seeing him developing from fighting solely for his sister to fighting for his friends and the entire world. But due to all the underhanded things he’s done throughout the show, his death was imminent and we all knew that. But even still, we BAWWW’d as he died for our sins because we all wished for a happy ending for him. For me, Lelouch will remain as one of the best and most FABULOUS male protagonists for years to come.

Best Female Character

Winner: Nagi from Kannagi

Honorable Mention: Sheryl Nome from Macross FRONTIER

Nagi is God. She came, she saw, and she conquered. She pushed everyone else in the competition out of the way and put them to shame. Her dialogue is absolutely brilliant and her ability to switch personalities on the fly can not be described as anything other than “WIN”. Seriously, who else can blame a separate personality for gluing a stick in the center of a table and almost get away with it while giving off some of the most hilarious expressions and jumbled words of all time? Also, like Youko mentioned, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard a female character just up and call someone a piece of shit. She’s hardcore! Uh oh, Haruhi! You’re in trouuuuuuuuuuuble!

Winner: Nagi from Kannagi

Move over Haruhi, there’s a new God. She has blue hair, a magical exorcism staff, a NEET, loves puns, and best of all, she’s got nice thighs. Who would’ve thought a being born from a sacred tree carving would turn out to be so appealing? I bet Jin didn’t! She may have a bossy attitude at times, but she’s got her own set of rebuttals that just makes me laugh. Bluntly calling Jin a stupid piece of shit and telling him he’s a boobian that should go back to Planet Tits? Impressions of a teenage drama too pure-pure boy? She’s undoubtedly godly, but she’s very human too, with the same feelings as basically any girl. Love her or hate her, she has left an impact to all. And I just can’t get enough of her awesome speech structure.

Winner: Maka Albarn from Soul Eater

Female protagonists in a Shounen anime is as rare as good filler in Naruto. The reason why Maka is my favorite is because deep down inside her tough exterior, she is just a regular teenager that has regular problems with friends and family. People hate her voice actress, but I think that’s what makes Maka sound more like a young teenager rather than a damsel in distress. Her chemistry with Soul is what makes not only her character, but the entire show worth watching every episode.

Winner: Kushieda Minori from Toradora!

Oh Horie Yui. Hearing your voice always sounds familiar and relaxing. And to hear you voice the eccentric and energetic Minorin, it just amplified the cuteness to her character. What can I say about Minorin? Well, she’s probably a factor to why I watch this show. She brings life to it with her oddities and antics. She has her peculiar moments, and she has her sweet and touching moments. And I love her for all that she is. But I think what I love most about her is that she always tries to have a smile on her face no matter the situation. She won’t show her weaknesses and will keep on smiling whether for herself or her friends. And that’s something I really admire.

Best Cast

Winner: Kannagi, CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

I could not choose between these two. Both Kannagi and CODE GEASS had marvelous casts and strong seiyuu presence. You know you have a strong cast when the seiyuu are capable making the characters feel like living and breathing people who you could just reach out and touch (whether you take that as literal or figurative is up to you). These two shows also illustrate that size doesn’t matter when it comes to a cast. Kannagi’s is relatively small when compared to CODE GEASS R2’s huge list. All that matters in the end are the characters themselves, the manner in which they are written, and without a doubt their seiyuu. Nagi/Haruka, Lelouch/Jun, C.C./Yukana, and Tsugumi/Miyuki are the prime examples of why both casts are the winners in my eyes.

Winner: Kannagi

Honorable mention: Garei -zero-

Kannagi brought out a good balance of male and female characters alike, which I don’t see much nowadays. Aside from the three heroines (two gods and the childhood friend), we have the awesome art club, consisting of Too pure-pure boy, a hulk with artistic talent, vocal talent, but an innocent heart, an Akiba addict, a perverted fujoshi-in-training, and a lady that always has her eyes closed. The interactions and adventures they have with each other are astoundingly hilarious and entertaining to watch, it just never gets old. It’s quite amazing that you’ll see the together at some point, whether it’s at Jin’s house or in the club room or in a karaoke box, they’re like one giant family.

Yet again, Ga-rei displays another awesome thing about itself, and that is the cast. Kagura and Yomi had some of the greatest character development ever, and the agency also had some of the wildest and respectful characters, like Kazuki, Kouji, Noriyuki, Ayame and Kiri, and even the Nabuu brothers. Their time in the limelight was enough for me to know that these guys were the best of the best. But I gotta say as well, for one episode only, the 4th Special Division from the SDPA were all colorful characters. It would’ve been great to have Natuski and Tooru as the main protagonists, but man did they fool us good. Mami-chan and Natsuki were gone too, too soon.

Winner: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Code Geass, as far as most of you already know, is an epic show. Sunrise knows and they weren’t really holding off. Getting big name actors such as Yuuko Gotou and Shinichiro Hoshi definitely strengthened an already strong cast featuring Jun Fukuyama, Ami Koshimizu, and dare I say… Norio effin’ Wakamoto?

Winner: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Sunrise didn’t hold back when creating the cast for this show, because it’s fucking huge. Oh how I lol’d when half of the Rounds turned out to be fodder and how they introduced a bunch of other characters (Chinese Federation) they tried to make important but ended up in the shadows after their use. That being said, there are a lot of characters who I simply adore and love (Lelouch, Kallen, C.C.) and of course those I hate (Gino). The driving force of the show is the characters and it’s what keeps me coming back for more. The core cast is loveable and it’s hard to not become attached to them over the course of two seasons. It’s big and diverse enough for everybody to have at least one favorite character. And amazingly, the characters are strong enough to redeem themselves from undying hate to love (Rollo, Suzaku) and vise-versa in an instant.

Male Seiyuu of the Year

Winner: Tomokazu Seki

Tomokazu Seki is awesome. The guy is Sagara Sousuke AND Miyata. That said, I’ve found the characters he has played this year to be absolutely entertaining and hilarious. Chiaki is definitely among my favorite of his most recent roles. I just love the way he reacts to Nodame and his self-monologues are brilliant. Ryuuji is pretty different from Chiaki but is also among the best of Tomokazu Seki’s roles. I mean, have you heard him when he gets super anal about being flawless clean? I thought so.

Winner: Midorikawa Hikaru

I was unsure of which male seiyuu did the best this year, but I really think Hikaru shined (no pun intended) from his roles as not only Xingke (GEASS), but also as Yusuke (CLANNAD). I thought Xingke was a really impressive character because it was said that he had the intelligence of Lelouch and the fighting maneuverability of Suzaku, a deadly combo IMO, and he certainly showed he was capable in both brains and brawn. Underneath this rough appearance is his soft side, the one that protects Tianzi with all his might.

I actually didn’t recognize him as Yusuke until after R2, but when I did, I started paying attention to Yusuke a bit more thanks to the current arc running, but I really think he did an awesome job as comic relief in the first AFTER STORY episode where he was declaring a speech during baseball. His voice is deep, yet very strong, and every time I hear it, I get that vibe. I do wonder if he’ll have any future roles because I enjoy hearing him a lot. I recently looked up info on him and found out that he actually is the voice of Marth. Yup, the very same Marth from Fire Emblem, the the handsome sword-wielding, royal prince we love using in SSBM.

Winner: Rikiya Koyama

Despite the fact this year we had Jun Fukuyama starring in six different anime just in the spring season, I have to give it to Rikiya Koyama. He was first introduced as Captain Yamato from Naruto Shippuuden, but this year he showed much bigger diversity by voicing two great characters: Shinigami-sama from Soul Eater and Kogarashi from Kamen no Maid Guy. Seriously, that’s the same guy?! Most seiyuu stick to the same voice and just change the pitch a little, but Koyama-san just went all over the board with great comical timing and perhaps the funniest performance I remember akin to Norio Wakamoto.

Honorable Mention: Tomokazu Seki

The guy is definitely one of the best in the biz and he had a good year as well. Besides the fact he did a stellar job with Chiaki in Nodame Cantabille: Paris Chapter, I also liked his more innocent role as Ren Uesugi in They Are My Noble Masters, a conventional yet effective little anime. He can do drama and comedy, and not many can pull it off.

Winner: Tomokazu Seki

Tomokazu Seki’s two biggest roles this year were probably Chiaki from Nodame Cantabile and Ryuuji from Toradora! which are both romance comedies. If you’re familiar with his roles, when you hear this guy yell, you know it’s him. One thing I noticed while watching Toradora! was the “Chiaki” yell from Ryuuji. It’s like they paired up Chiaki with teh Rie. Tomokazu is actually a lot more well-known than I thought he was. When I looked him up, I was surprised at what he’s done in the past; from Sagara Sousuke (Full Metal Panic!) to Miyata Ichiro (Hajime no Ippo). He usually plays serious yet cynical characters, but can really make the comedy shine as shown in Nodame Cantabile.

Female Seiyuu of the Year

Winner: Tomatsu Haruka

Honorable mention: Endo Aya

What can I say? Haruka did a great job with Lala in TLR but her break-out role this year is definitely Nagi by far. If I wasnt’ already in love with her voice and talent before Kannagi, she definitely slayed me in the very first episode. Her talent is amazing and among the best I’ve heard in all my years of anime. Seriously, her range is just insane and her singing even more insane. She’s also super cute. There is no way she doesn’t deserve to be female seiyuu of 2008 unless you’re, well, deaf. Did I mention that she’s SUPER cute?

Winner: Tomatsu Haruka
She’s not to plain and her love is real, that’s Haruka for you. Her role as Nagi is definitely her most prominent one and is one to be remembered forever. Her execution is great and the way she handles all of Nagi’s different moods is outstanding in my eyes. Not to mention she displays her vocal range with the OP and ED theme. I think she’s impressed many, many people, and, like Nagi, has gathered many devotees. I think I’m beginning to melt too…

Winner: Kaori Nazuka

Kaori Nazuka is able to be sweet and delicate like Mamiko Noto, yet still has some impact in her voice like Ami Koshimizu. What’s great about the characters she voices is the emotion that is instantly injected into them. Her performance as Tsubaki, in particular, was some of the more memorable parts of Soul Eater, especially Episode 10.

Winner: Tomatsu Haruka

A seiyuu + singer is a dynamite combination as Tomatsu Haruka has demonstrated in Kannagi. She performs both the OP and ED for the show and both allow her to show off her great vocal range. And of course there’s Nagi, whom she skillfully handles; from Nagi’s usual antics to her sweet, serious moments. From start to finish, she shines and it’s hard to not take notice of her stellar voice work. I look forward to her future roles as either a seiyuu, singer, or both.

Every year, fresh from the Land of the Rising Sun, an overflow of anime in all directions surges out, and we, as technophiles, catch those torrents. In the year of 2008, there was quite many hits and misses. There’s no in-betweens, no so-sos, no kindas, sortas, or littles. Well… maybe… but I’d be lying if I said 2008 was failure. While there were quite a number of mundane shows (mostly from the mundane summer season, which is, by default, traditionally mundane anyway), we can look past them and say we got some good shows out there. So which ones did we find awesome? Which ones were the best? Which ones made us laugh the most? Made us cry the most? Which parts made us shit bricks? All that and more answered when we reveal our picks from this year. A year ago, it was mostly just Leon and I, but the number of writers have doubled, and frankly, that does sound like too much, but with this, you all can see just how diverse our picks are. Variety can be a good thing sometimes. Let’s see just how much we agree and disagree, shall we?

Best Action

Winner: Shikabane Hime: Aka

Honorable mentions: Macross Frontier, Gundam 00, SOUL EATER

Hmm, is this a surprise to anyone? It probably should be, I think. Shikabane Hime: Aka has a ton of action that is almost always in-your-face which is graced by animation that lends itself to the unique pacing of its battles. It’s something that GAINAX isn’t exactly a stranger of handling and, simply put, I fell hard in love with Shikabane Himes style of action. Whether it was Makina taking on Corpses with her guns, Minai’s hand-to-hand sweetness, or any of the other Shikabane Himes using weapons such as swords and hammers, the action never disappointed from beginning to end. Hell, the first season was pretty much just a warm-up for the second which is very likely going to have way more action. I can hardly wait for it.

Winner: Garei -zero-

Honorable Mention: SOUL EATER

As far as action goes, SOUL EATER’s visual presentation of action scenes are really stunning and amazing. Don’t you just love it whenever Black Star’s fighting? It’s almost nonstop action throughout any battle. I can say this was the best show for some action, yet I found myself more in love with Garei’s action-packed fighting scenes and the great variety in the inventive weapons and choreography.

Winner: SOUL EATER

Honorable Mention: Birdy the Mighty: Decode

This one was a no-brainer, not only because this year was a little lacking in action, but because because SOUL EATER has got to be the most high octane anime since Gurren Lagann. The main thing about an action show to work is not just to have great animations, but also have great characters to root for. There is no doubt that SOUL EATER is the best action anime this season.
I do, however, would like to mention Birdy the Mighty: Decode. While it is not really filled with action, the action scenes were pretty enjoyable as well as the show’s overall design.

Winner: SOUL EATER

With BONES behind the series, it’s natural to expect amazingly animated action scenes; and SOUL EATER delivered on that. From the gorgeous Tsubaki vs Masamune fight to the epic Shinigami vs Kishin showdown, the show really poured on the adrenaline, with the help of a banging OST of course.

Best Comedy

Winner: Kannagi

Honorable mention: Kamen no Maid Guy

There’s really nothing else that can stand up to it. It’s an anime of absolute hilarity and much of it is thanks to its wonderful cast of characters. The puns and gags never cease to have me rolling with laughter and the character reactoins and expressions are priceless. Nagi in particular has a %100 rate of success in making me burst into laughter whenever she does something funny/stupid.

Kamen no Maid Guy was also pretty funny. It may have used breast jokes every chance it got, but it still managed to be quite entertaining. Kogarashi is one of the most hilarious characters I’ve ever laid my eyes on and I wouldn’t mind seeing another season of his antics involving his masters and, of course, Fubuki.

Winner: Kannagi

Kannagi wins for comedy, hands down. Not only do I love the little puns that are inserted now and then, the situational and dramatic irony of it all amuses me so much. It doesn’t help that the characters’ actions and reactions make the funny moments even more comical. I just love how they’re using running gags related to previous episodes, such as Jin getting eerie phone calls from raging students cursing him for taking away their Zange-chan or even their Daitetsu from them.

Winner: Kamen no Maid Guy

Honorable Mention: Itazura no Kiss

This may be considered a weird choice for most people, and to be honest I have no idea why I chose it. After all more than half of the show is nothing but big breasts jokes. Still there is something charming about the Maid Guy that makes this show work and never loses momentum. Because it is risky and different than any comedy anime this year, I give a golden maid guy badge to Kamen no Maid Guy.
Itazura no Kiss, however, was great as well. The characters were charming and the story was down to earth. The college years were a little cliché and prevented it from becoming a classic, but just the character development alone makes it noteworthy.

Winner: Kannagi

This show came out of nowhere for me. Sure I read the plot description when the Fall 08 previews were coming out, but it didn’t sound like something I’d want to watch. Soon after the first episode is subbed, my friend suddenly IMs me, telling me to check this shit out. I started the episode expecting crazy shrine maidens doing crazy things, then I see the OP, and it’s like I’m watching a fabulous version of the Lucky Star OP. Fucking lights everywhere with good choreography. The show itself has a great cast and the humour is very excellent. It’s not over the top or dry. It manages to skillfully use what it has and bring about a truly wonderful show.

Best Drama/Romance

Winner: true tears

Honorable mention: CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~

If it’s romance and based on what I’ve seen in the past year, then there is no doubt in my mind that true tears deserves the award from me. It did an amazing job with the story of three people in love and kept me guessing till the very end as to who would end up with the main guy. It is also one of the most recent romances that didn’t use supernatural elements or have some type of mentally disturbed female in its cast. Shinichirou turned out to be a more decent guy than most male protagonists while Hiromi and Noe were some of the best female personalities in a romance I’ve encountered in recent years. Whether you cheered for Noe or Hiromi, the end result turned out to be rather inspiring for all parties involved. It was simply an amazing story of relationships and hardly anything else I saw during the year was able to match it. Granted, CLANNAD was good but I didn’t think that the romance was conveyed as strongly or clearly compared to true tears (I can’t speak for AFTER STORY since I haven’t seen much of it yet. Ef is also missing because I haven’t finished it yet.).

Winner: CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~

Honorable Mention: Garei -zero-

Man, I just love how AFTER STORY has been doing since the beginning. Seeing Tomoya working hard for his and Nagisa’s sake is really moving, and it shows how much he’s grown up from being a delinquent. The drama gets fiercer every time I watch an episode. I recall in Episode 12, Yusuke’s story about the young man yearning to be a star in music, but went through hardships after becoming famous. Obviously this sounds like Yusuke’s actual past, but watching it was just so sad and touching, especially when you have the right music at the right time. Heck, even before the actual “after story” began, the Sunohara and Misae story arcs were the best arcs I’ve seen ever, beating even the previous season. The struggle with the Sunohara siblings, Misae’s high school days… they were just very good.

I also want to honorably mention Garei’s awesome drama as well. Kagura’s hesitance and Yomi’s encounter with the Death Stone brought them to the last battle with each other, even after the time they’ve been together since they were young. It showed values of people you cared for the most and how it affects you inside. I can’t forget the fanservice-y yuri moments with the pocky kissing too. And hey, even Yomi and Noriyuki’s relationship was a great watch from beginning to end. Also take note of the line they use for the series. “Will you kill someone you love, because of love?”

Winner: Natsume Yuujin Cho

Natsume Yuujin Cho is probably the mildest anime that has been released this year and there is nothing really that stands out about it, and yet, everything about it works. The characters, the premise and the stories in each episode are just intriguing to watch. To those who like action, however, you might want to stay away. This series is very dialouge heavy and will probably bore some of you, but to those who appreciate good story might want to take a look. It’s a solid proof that even with a small budget, Natsume Yuujin Cho is a soothing adventure tale that will warm everyone’s heart.

Winner: CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~

Honorable Mention: Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter

If this year’s season of Clannad is anything, it’s dramatic. From the soccer drama of SunoGARa’s arc to the gang showdown in Yukine’s, the show just kept throwing the dramatic turns at us. I don’t know any show other that has had us BAWWW over a cat pretending to be a shota pretending to be a dead person. And to think we didn’t even hit the really “good” stuff yet. Of course, the show has a romantic side which is developing now that most of the side character arcs are done. Tomoya’s angst just further intensifies the relationship and it’ll be really interesting to see where that will lead to. Since the show isn’t over yet, it’s best if you keep those tissues near by and maybe get another box, because the warm up is almost finished.

Nodame Cantabile: Paris Chapter gets the honorable mention from me this year. Chiaki and Nodame’s relationship has developed one step further and it’s really cute to see them together whether they’re fighting (physically) or just walking side by side. Though not as good as the first season in terms of pacing and character development, Paris Chapter is definitely still one of the best romance shows this year and the series should not be missed by fans of the genre.

Best Sci-Fi

Winner: Gundam 00

Honorable mention: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 & Macross Frontier

Unfortunately, as of the time you read this I wouldn’t have finished Macross FRONTIER as yet. If I had managed to keep up with the show, I have little to no doubt that it would be among the winners of this award for me. That said, I did complete CODE GEASS R2 and Gundam 00 which both presented their own flavors of Sci-Fi. Gundam 00 easily had the best mecha battles of the year while CODE GEASS R2 had a mixture of both mecha and “out-of-mecha”. However, Gundam 00 impressed me far more than CODE GEASS R2 did this year though thanks to the political drama and moral issues that were woven into the plot. The characters stuck to their roles which grew from start to finish and the world itself was left with no other choice but to adapt to all of the events that took place. So as to not go off on a tangent, Gundam 00 and CODE GEASS R2 both hold special places in my heart and it is all thanks to their respective characters and storylines. This time around though, Gundam 00 has managed to gain my favor a little more than R2 did this year and that is why it is my personal choice as best sci-fi for 2008.

Winner: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Just like the previous season, R2 wins the prize for it’s awesome KnightMare Frame action and the continuing war between the two sides. This season brought many more Frames and a load of other intricate weaponry, including a certain nuke. Yeah, that one.

Winner: Kaiba

Honorable Mention: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

The reason why Kaiba was triumphant over Code Geass R2 is because it dared to be different. Kaiba isn’t really a sci-fi anime, it is its own genre. The concept is inventive, the drawing style is unique and there is never a dull moment. Unlike the famous Kaiba, this one is actually enjoyable.

Code Geass would have won in my book if the creators didn’t throw the story to the drain after episode 18. The ending was decent, but I still feel a little empty with the result and the characters didn’t mature or change after 50 episodes, just to prove how much Kaiba did in just 12 episodes.

Winner: Macross Frontier

I don’t really consider Code Geass a sci-fi show. Sure there are giant robots everywhere, but the atmosphere isn’t there. I just don’t want mecha. I want aliens! I want space colonies! I want j-pop! Well… maybe not the j-pop. But a lot of the songs are catchy I’ll admit. From intergalatic dog fights to calming down hostile aliens through song, it has a lot of what you would expect from a typical science fiction show. The CG mecha fights are a sight to behold and the plot is decent enough to keep you interested. It’s not anything award-winning, but it manages to stand out on it’s own not just in genre, but in the whole year of 2008 as well.

Best Suspense/Thriller

Winner: CHAOS;HEAD

Honorable mention: Shigofumi

Like Youko said, CH was a mixed bag of Higurashi and Welcome to the NHK. Though I’d probably through in any anime that had lots of technobabble in it as well. I didn’t know what it was going to develop into since I haven’t played the game and didn’t bother to look for game spoilers but it turned out to be one of the better experiences of the year for me. It really kept me on the edge and wanting more. That is especially true thanks to its use of a save point system. It sort of reminded me of there being a sudden save point near a hard boss in RPGs. Absolute genius use of something so small.

Shigofumi also gets an honorable mention from me. The very first episode ended in such a shocking manner and from there delved into Fumika’s character which was cloaked in mystery throughout until near the end. The individual cases were also highly entertaining and always kept me at full attention so as to not miss a single detail.

Winner: CHAOS;HEAD

Honorable Mention: Shigofumi, Garei -zero-

To me, C;H was basically like a cross between Higurashi and NHK. Sounded like an awesome combination to me. I’d say it was decent of a show to get into, and it was just as puzzling and horrifyingly good as Higurashi was, but probably not as thoughtful a plot as Higurashi’s was. Still, it kept me on edge while watching, just wanting to know just what in the hell is going on in Shibuya. The episode closing scene with the save point was genius, I thought.

For my honorable mentions, I selected Shigofumi because of it’s mysterious atmosphere and the interesting secret behind Fumika’s origins. It gave me that Jigoku Shoujo vibe while watching as well. Again, Garei gets a mention here because it got me wanting more at the end of each episode. Thanks to the teasing first two episodes, the climax built up and it was intriguing to see just how everything led up to the very moment of Yomi’s corruption.

Winner: Hakaba Kitarou

I am sorry I never got to properly review the show, but despite the childish origins of its other adaptations, Hakaba Kitarou was intriguing and gloomy from beginning to end. It wasn’t scary or shocking, but it just had a great atmosphere. Despite the episode with Neko Musume which was a little cheesy, Kitarou was a great show, and that’s admirable considering horror is one of the genres I usually can’t stand.

Osu~ What’s going on, everybody?

I’m the new guy on the block. I got into blogging somewhat recently and thought it would be good idea to bring my legend here to KzI, which I’ve followed for a while now. So through prestige and bribery, I found my place as a new writer here.

A lot of great shows this season and for starters I’ll be blogging Clannad ~After Story~, Yozakura Quartet, and Xam’d: Lost Memories. I’m thinking about doing a jdrama in the future as well, but I’ll just stick with those three for now. I look forward to reading your comments~

Btw my name is from Outlaw Star. Please go watch it if you haven’t yet. It’s a classic. :3

You can read more about me on the About Us page. \o/