Spring 2011 Anime Season End List

I’m finally able to finish this ranking list since Anime Expo gave me such a huge anime backlog. With so many two cour shows, this season is truly difficult to rank. However, I can say with confidence that this was a great season to be an anime fan.

Dr. Pepper Tier

1. Steins;Gate - Steins;Gate is again in the top spot even in face of the dramatic ending to AnoHana. Why, you may ask? I believe Steins;Gate holds the greatest potential as a narrative this year, surpassing even Madoka Magica due to the presence of more relevant characters. While Steins;Gate may never get the widespread popularity of the two aforementioned shows, to me it is the most engaging of the three and there is no other show this year I’ve looked forward to see as much as this one. Also, SCIENCE.
   Halfway Rank: #1, Watched: 14 eps.

Not Quite Dr. Pepper Tier

2. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai - Only time will tell how good this show really is. I am reluctant to name a tearjerker drama a classic so shortly after it has aired due to the lack of time to distance oneself from the deluge of emotions experienced from the climax. That aside, AnoHana is easily one of the best shows of the past five years; how good it is can only be determined with proper perspective.
   Halfway Rank: #2, Watched: 11 eps.

Pretty Good Tier

3. Ao no Exorcist - Expanding upon my previous evaluation of the show, the last couple of episodes have really allowed this show to shine. While I am still quite disappointed at the lack of impressive action scenes, I’ve had proper time to readjust my expectations which have allowed me to accept this show for what it is. This may be one of my favorite shounen series of the past five years or so.
   Halfway Rank: #8 (+6), Watched: 12 eps.
4. Hanasaku Iroha - How far the mighty have fallen. HanaIro was my golden child through the first 4-5 episodes, but has been falling off ever since. While it is still interesting to see Ohana and co. grow and mature, I don’t look forward to watching it nearly as much as I used to. It’s hard to put into words, but perhaps I just need to admit it’s getting boring?
   Halfway Rank: #3 (-1), Watched: 14 eps.
5. C - Control - The Money and Soul of Possibility - I really wanted to like C, but it always felt like something was lacking. While the plot was certainly promising (a simple man learns the value of money and human worth and decides to save the future by sacrificing his present), the characters—namely Kimimaro—did not have the depth to convincingly pull it off. That being said, at least C has a plot, which is something many shows this season can’t claim.
   Halfway Rank: #7 (+2), Watched: 11 eps.
6. Kaiji - The biggest difference between this season and its first is that the intensity is lacking. In the first series, Kaiji was perpetually in life-threatening danger with each episode leaving the viewer wanting more. The second time around Kaiji isn’t put into such situations, emphasized by the fact he isn’t even doing the gambling himself in the first part of the pachinko arc.
   Halfway Rank: #4 (-2), Watched: 12 eps.
7. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko - Throughout the series, I was constantly confused if this show was just an ordinary harem show or if it was trying to be something more. With the last couple of episodes it was trying to convey some sort of message about adolescence, but it basically fell on deaf ears because I wasn’t really expecting it to take that kind of turn. In the end, it had cute girls and some funny moments, but it’s not much more than that.
   Halfway Rank: #5 (-2), Watched: 12 eps.
8. The World God Only Knows - I certainly love me some KamiNomi and this was another successful season; at least in my mind if not fans’ wallets. If you’ve read the manga source, then you’d realize how well the anime makes somewhat questionable material into something entertaining. The biggest question is whether a third season will ever happen and even if it does, will the story ever progress far enough to get to the Goddess arcs; the point where the manga gets very interesting? I really feel that the series is finally starting to develop Keima as a character (particularly with the Chihiro and Yokkyun arcs) so it would be a shame to end it now.
   Halfway Rank: #6 (-2), Watched: 12 eps.
9. A Channel - As is the norm for me, I really warm up to light comedy/slice-of-life 4-koma based shows the more episodes I watch. While this doesn’t hold a candle to something like K-ON! or Azumanga Daioh, not much does. A Channel provided some nice entertainment, but will probably be forgotten as quick as it came.
   Halfway Rank: #11 (+2), Watched: 12 eps.

Kinda Bad Tier

10. Dog Days - They really tried to turn on the waterworks with the last couple of episodes and it pretty much worked on me. Unfortunately it doesn’t even come close to the Nanoha franchise, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more.
    Halfway Rank: #13 (-3), Watched: 13 eps.
11. Lotte no Omocha - I feel like this show had a lot of unrealized potential. The art was beautiful and the characters were likable, it just feels like they wasted the last few episodes doing nothing. Granted, the love between Lotte and Naoya was realized, but it just wasn’t satisfying.
    Halfway Rank: #10 (-1), Watched: 12 eps.
12. Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai - Still confusing as hell, but at least now I have a grasp of what was going on since the first episode. I’d still like to give the visual novel a whirl if it ever gets translated, however improbable that may be.
    Halfway Rank: #14 (+2), Watched: 12 eps.
13. Nichijou - The comedy was at one point curious, now it is just bland. I would be nice if it learned to use new material instead of regurgitating the same droll over and over again. In my opinion, the only saving grace of the show at this point is Sakamoto. I’m considering dropping this show depending on how the summer season turns out.
    Halfway Rank: #9 (-4), Watched:13 eps.
14. Hidan no Aria - Just another show in the long list of J.C. Staff’s failed light novel adaptations. Yeah, this show was terrible, but even terrible shows can be entertaining. I became rather fond of Riko towards the end of the series, though.
    Halfway Rank: #15 (+1), Watched: 12 eps.
15. Hen Zemi - While ranked low, I rather enjoyed this bizarre show. It’s refreshing to see characters that are comfortable with their perversions and are will to discuss such things in depth. Juxtaposing such people with the rather boring Nanako created many an interesting situation.
    Halfway Rank: #16 (+1), Watched: 12 eps.

Shit Tier

16. Maria Holic Alive - Terrible. A second season was unnecessary as there was no character progression and the entire shtick wore out its welcome long ago. Probably won’t get around to watching the last episode.
    Halfway Rank: #12 (-4), Watched: 11 eps.