As promised mina san, LalakoKyubey reporting back to the recommendation stage~! There were so many animes that I loved 2014, and a lot of my favorite directors that were inactive before came back with a huge boom this year, but I do have to choose the top four animes that are the winners of my heart of the 2014 anime year! Before I continue, especially for this post, please do not flame or hate on my opinions or those who comment below. Not everyone has the same four opinions as you! Other then that, let's get started!
In 4th place...
Ping Pong The Animation
Wow. That is one word I have for this anime. Before I start, I would like to give some applause to the three sports animes that I was thinking of putting in 4th place which were Haikyuu and Baby Steps. I will explain why I did not choose Haikyuu in one of my many upcoming posts. Other then that short break, back on to track.
Ping Pong The Animation is a sports anime about ping pong, hence the name, and focuses on two main characters nicknamed Peco and Smile. They are known as the two most talented ping pong players of the Katase team, always seen together no matter what the situation. Peco is highly gifted and is very cocky, while Smile is very talented but does not have the drive to win games. Under the guiding hand of Koizumi sensei and real life experiences, all characters grow as a player and a person, finding the meaning of why ping pong important in their lives and how winning after hard work could ever feel so good.
Sadly this is a spoiler free recommendation, or else I would have done in depth character analysis... That’s how good each character is developed. The art is absolutely unique, the music is top tier, but the reason why Ping Pong placed fourth is not because it was not lacking in anything but simply outshined by the other three animes that come before it.
In 3rd place...
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun
Sweet, light, funny, I really couldn't ask for anything more. Although, I usually tend to dislike animes that don't really have a conclusion and just ramble for comedy, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun really made me laugh in each episode. This anime was very clean and percise, never coming off the plot line, and unlike a lot of the animes that were made this year, that tended to stretch the plot line to fit in philosophical meanings, deep messages, and tragedies. Overall, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun acted as somewhat of a breather for me. It's an anime were I could just laugh without trying to think about deep character and plot analogies.
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, also known as Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, revolves around the various situations of the high school students. Student, Chiyo Sakura, confesses to her all time crush Umetaro Nozaki, but for some reason, Nozaki kun signs an autograph board and hands it to Chiyo! Chiyo obviously being confused about this reaction tells Nozaki kun that she wants to be "with him". With this Nozaki kun invites Chiyo to his house, and has her help inking his manga art. Going home, Chiyo takes a look at the autograph board, and finds out that Nozaki kun is actually a renown shoujo manga artist, with his pen name Sakikio Yumeno, and the whole time Nozaki kun had mistaken her as a fan. Later agreeing to be his assistant to get closer to him, she meets other students that help assist Nozaki kun, and also whom Nozaki kun takes and uses as inspirations.
This anime has done well with clean cut comedy, and I think the only thing that I could complain about is that it wasn't up to par with the voice acting and music with the two animes that stood before it.
For more information on this anime, please take a look at my post before:
In 2nd place...
Barakamon
At first I was really afraid of this anime, that it would be a sterotypical shoujo situation were the main character suddenly falls in love with a little girl, and wants to take care of her forever. When they grow up, they marry. I was cleared of my suspicions as fast as they came, and this heartwarming slice of life does deserve it's place as a second place winner.
After punching an monumental and historical calligrapher, young and award winning calligrapher Handa Seishu finds himself put on a small country side island in Japan to cool his head. A modern and urban man, Handa slowly learns to live in the country side and deal with the unknown family atmosphere of his neighbors! From barging in the door without permission and the village girl, Naru, who continuously pesters him everyday, will Handa truly find the meaning of "peace of the mind and soul"?
Finally! A kid voice acting a kid! If I had to describe this anime in one word, it would be natural. All the voice actors fit perfectly in to their role because it's a character they have done before. Handa is violent, so they choice a voice actor that usually does violent voice acting, Ono Daisuke. (He voiced Shizuo from Durarara). Naru is a kid, so they chose a 9 year old kid to voice act. There is a calm flow, and a healing substance to each episode, telling us that life is more than just winning and putting on facades. Congrats to the 2nd place winner, and I really wish that I will see another slice of life that is up to par.
Now, for the first place winner...
Zankyou no Terror
VON. VON. VON. Do I really need to say more? This was an absolutely stunning project that I have seen in 2014 and ranks in my top ten animes of my life. From characters, to plot, to music and acting, this anime has hit all of the criteria with a dashing 10. Although there was a slightly weak ending, I knew that it had to end that way, for there was no other ending optional after episode 9 and 10. (Those of you who watched the anime get this statement than those who didn't.)
Taking place in modern day Tokyo, Japan is hit with a terrorist attack. As police are baffled by the mysterious works, they are left with a video from a group called "Sphinx", which is uploaded on to a mass streaming site. Always leaving riddles and clues, the police remain shocked and is racing to stop the terrorists. As the police and Japan commence on their searches, we are introduced to two mysterious masterminds named Nine and Twelve, who come together to make the group Sphinx. What is their real motive? And what should Mishima Lisa do when she is pulled in to this terrorist world?
With a strong clear motive and political message, this anime reflects on modern day Japan and Korea, but not only is it political, it's fun to watch. The action scenes are unforgettable, while the riddles are an "ah" moment when the solution comes out. You feel the frustrations of the police, and the victories of Nine and Twelve. Emotions are clearly shown, and characters are developed to the fullest. Congratulations Zankyou no Terror. This anime fully deserves its place.
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