{"id":1228,"date":"2005-12-30T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2005-12-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/2005\/12\/30\/ask-john-what-were-the-best-anime-shows-of-2005\/"},"modified":"2005-12-30T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2005-12-30T14:00:00","slug":"ask-john-what-were-the-best-anime-shows-of-2005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/ask-john-what-were-the-best-anime-shows-of-2005\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask John: What Were the Best Anime Shows of 2005?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/strong>
\nWhat were the best and the worst anime shows for the year 2005? Another year came and went by. Based on your initial expectations and your judgement, which series do you think were major highlights and which were major disapointments?<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong>
\nWith every passing year it’s becoming more difficult for me to compile a list of best anime premiers. There’s simply too much new anime available for me to even sample everything. And that’s not including continuing series. At the bottom of this article I’ll include a partial list of 2005’s new anime premiers. For the sake of convenience, 3D CG animation and other non-2D anime including Tenku Senshi Shadow Fighter, Clay Anime Taiko no Tatsujin, Kirara to Ishyoni Fushigi Tanken, Fukushima Folklore House Nee Minna… 2, and Final Fantasy: Advent Children were left off the list. Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi and Zettai Zetsumei Dangerous Jiisan were left off the list because they’re re-broadcasts of programs from prior years. And World of GOLDEN EGGS was left off the list because it’s too much trouble to include anime made for cell phones. Even with those exclusions, my list isn’t complete. But out of the 111 new anime TV series of 2005 on my list, I did manage to watch at least one full episode of 92 of them. I’m not so presumptuous as to believe that watching one episode provides enough information to critique an entire show, but one episode can be enough to establish parallels and reasonable expectations. So with this forewarning in place, I’ll proceed to identify the anime debuts of 2005 that I thought were the best. Note that I didn’t say, “my favorite,” because that’s a different list. I also need to stress that the following list is based on my own exposure and awareness. There are some shows on this list that I haven’t finished watching, and some on this list that haven’t yet finished in Japan. So without further ado, in no particular order:<\/p>\n

If I was forced to rank the past year’s premiers I have little doubt that the Mushishi<\/a> television series would top my list. The anime is based on a highly respected, award winning manga, and the animation takes care to do justice to its source. Mushishi does a brilliant job of creating a complex, totally convincing mythology. In fact, it’s so capable that it really makes viewers wonder if the show is completely fictional, or if it’s based on real life folklore. The colorful art design straddles the line between photorealism and expressionism, which enhances the show’s dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere, along with its ethereal and perfectly fitting music. The show also literally employs more frames of animation than standard for TV anime, which results in stunning, flowing animated movement. The story of a time just before science and technology have drained the world of magic, and a protagonist who’s wisdom, altruism, and childlike curiosity are almost godlike themselves, literally carry viewers away and envelop them in a unique, fascinating, morally ambiguous world that’s literally beautifully tragic.<\/p>\n

In the vein of his previous charming shows Risky Safety and Kokoro Toshokan, director Koji Masunari delivered Kamichu!<\/a>, the only mainstream anime title this year to be honored by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Like Mushishi, Kamichu! featured exceptional animation quality, amazingly detailed art design, and an emphasis on the comingling of mundane and supernatural. This uniquely Japanese show put an adorable face on Shinto traditions by turning a clumsy and nervous but good natured Japanese schoolgirl into a goddess, overnight, and with no explanation why. The set-up allowed for a wonderful, heartwarming, romantic situational comedy, as well as an opportunity to deeply delve into the Japanese philosophy of “kami” and their place in daily Japanese culture. This adorable, heartwarming series is a treat for devoted fans of Japanese animation because it’s uniquely Japanese, and it fully explores the cinematic potential of anime to stir a sense of wonder and imagination.<\/p>\n

The first of Fuji TV’s “NOITAMINA” series anime was Honey & Clover<\/a>, a series primarily targeted at adult mainstream Japanese women rather than hardcore anime fans. This unusual intended audience allowed the show to be appealing for anime fans, and at the same time very unusual and unique. I suspect that remaining conscious that its target audience wasn’t used to anime helped the show focus on being narrative and affective. Honey & Clover is a touching, charming, and funny romantic drama. It’s also gorgeous to look at because of its unusual watercolor design style, and its attractively rendered character designs. It’s impossible to look at Hagu-chan without wanting to pick her up and hug her. The characters are thoroughly personified, and their relationships involving and interesting. Honey & Clover is literally the visual equivilant of a book you a can’t put down, with a lovely soundtrack to go along with it.<\/p>\n

I’m afraid that many American anime fans have overlooked or ignored Animal Yokocho<\/a> because on first glance it appears to be a Disney-esque children’s cartoon about a little girl and her talking animal pals. That superficial impression doesn’t reveal that the show is, in fact, a black comedy deeply in the vein of Hare Nochi Guu. Animal Yokocho is literally gut-busting funny- filled with cruel and spiteful violence, death, disturbing situations, and an almost endless stream of bizarre, surreal gags that literally defy description. In fact, attempting to literally describe the gags in Animal Yokocho totally fails to do them justice. Viewers simply have to see a rabit excreting eggs from her ears, or a Christmas sack of fish in order for the jokes to have their full effect. There are few shows that better exemplify the principle that looks can be decieving.<\/p>\n

The criticism of style over substance is often applied to anime. In some cases, it’s fitting because visually attractive or dynamic shows can leave behind no lasting memory or impact because they have no narrative impact. In the case of Karas<\/a>, the style is the substance. The visual component of Karas is so rich, the action so dynamic, that the story is subserviant to the visual assault. Karas simply exudes stylistic chic; futuristic noir merged with a post-modern interpretation of conventional Japanese costumed tokusatsu heroes. It takes the nostalgic futuristic action of Gatchaman, Hurricane Polymer, and Kamen Rider, and actually makes that action electric and post-modern. Karas is literally so cool that it doesn’t matter if the story is confusing and jumbled.<\/p>\n

There are three additional titles that I feel obligated to at least acknowledge. I know that there are a number of English speaking fans who adore the Victorian Romance Emma television series. I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of fiction set in the Victorian era, nor did I watch very much of the show. But I found Emma to be a straightforward romantic drama, and in a year of such brilliant shows, a unique setting alone isn’t enough to stand out. The Noein television series has been highly praised, but I haven’t watched enough of it to be fully convinced that it’s an outstanding work. Finally, I’m hesitant to recommend Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid without qualification. While the series finally fulfilled the franchise’s potential for well animated and good looking tense, violent and dramatic military action, the show is also so heavily dependant upon its first series that it may be daunting or inaccessible for viewers who haven’t watched the earlier series.<\/p>\n

As a sort of mixed blessing, while the majority of this year’s shows haven’t been stellar, there have also been very few that were absolutely terrible. In my experience, Koi Koi 7 was the absolute worst anime series of 2005, but ironically it kept me watching to the end. Like a terrible train wreck, I couldn’t look away because I found myself compelled to see just how bad the show could get. Even now, I’m still not sure if Koi Koi 7 was an inelegant, poorly drawn and animated mess, or a brilliant, fully intentional satire. The only other show I feel necessary to name is Fighting Beauty Wulong. The current girl fighting genre of anime started in 2003 with the brilliant Air Master, then declined with Ikkitousen and Tenjho Tenge, and has now hit a new low with the poorly animated, ugly, and unappealing Fighting Beauty Wulong. (Allow me to explain that my picks are subjective and don’t reflect any criticism of particular anime fans or Japanese artists. Fans have every right to like any anime, and disagree with my opinions. Although I may dislike certain anime, I still have the utmost respect for the effort and devotion of animators and artists who create anime.)<\/p>\n

2005 Anime Debuts (partial list)<\/strong><\/p>\n

TV Series<\/strong>
\nA-kuei to Gacchinpoo
\nAh! Megami-sama
\nAir
\nAkahori Gedou Rabuge Hour
\nAmaenaideyo!!
\nAngel Heart
\nAnimal Yokocho
\nAria the Animation
\nB-Densetsu! Battle Beadman Enkon
\nBasilisk
\nBeet the Vandel Buster Excelion
\nBlack Cat
\nBlood+
\nBuzzer Beater
\nCanvas 2
\nCapeta
\nChou Positive! Fighters Moeruze Yakeruze! Series
\nCluster Edge
\nComic Party Revolution
\nDa Capo Second Season
\nDamekko Doubutsu
\nDinobreaker
\nDoraemon (2005 series)
\nErementar Gerad
\nEureka 7
\nEyeshield 21
\nFighting Beauty Wulong
\nFull Metal Panic: The Second Raid
\nFushigiboshi no Futago Hime
\nFutakoi Alternative
\nFutari wa Precure Max Heart
\nGaiking -Legend of Daiku Maryu-
\nGallery Fake
\nGinban Kaleidoscope
\nGinga Densetsu Weed
\nGirls Bravo Second Season
\nGlass Mask
\nGokiburi-chan
\nGokujo Seitokai
\nGunparade Orchestra
\nGUNxSWORD
\nGuyver the Bioboosted Armor
\nHappy Seven the TV Manga
\nHe Is My Master
\nHoney & Clover
\nIchigo 100%
\nIchigo Marshmallow
\nIdaten Jump
\nIGPX
\nIzumo ~ Takeki Ken no Hirameki
\nJigoku Shoujo
\nJinki:Extend
\nKabutomushi Ouji Mushiking
\nKamichu!
\nKarin
\nKido Shinsengumi Moeyoken
\nKoi Koi 7
\nKotenkotenko
\nLamune
\nLaw of Ueki
\nLoveless
\nMagical Canan
\nMahoroba ~ Heartful Days
\nMahou Sensei Negima
\nMahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s
\nMajimeni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori
\nMar Heaven – Marchen Awakens Romance
\nMasuda Kousuke Gekijou Gag Manga Hiyori
\nMato Kaidan Pandalian
\nMushishi
\nMy Otome
\nNanami-chan no Waku Waku Doubutsuen
\nNintama Rantaro (13th series)
\nNoein ~ Mo Hitori no Kimi e
\nOden-kun
\nOjarumaru (8th series)
\nOkusama wa Joshikosei
\nOkusama wa Mahou Shoujo
\nOnegai My Melody
\nPaniponi Dash!
\nParadise Kiss
\nPatalliro Saiyuki
\nPeach Girl
\nPetopeto-san
\nPlay Ball
\nRaimuiro Ryukitan X
\nRockman.exe Beast
\nRozen Maiden Traumend
\nShakugan no Shana
\nShinshaku Sanada Juyushi
\nShuffle
\nSnow Queen
\nSolty Rei
\nSousei no Aquarion
\nSpeed Grapher
\nStarship Operators
\nSugar Sugar Rune
\nSukinamono wa Suki Dakara Shouganai
\nSuzuka
\nTide-Line Blue
\nTo Heart 2
\nTohai Densetu Akagi ~ Yamini Maiorita Tensai
\nTransformers Galaxy Force
\nTrinity Blood
\nTsubasa Chronicle
\nUltimate Girl
\nVictorian Romance Emma
\nWagamama Fairy Mirumo de Pon Charming
\nWitch Village Story
\nXenosaga the Animation
\nZettai Shonen
\nZoids Genesis<\/p>\n

TV Specials<\/strong>
\nDIGITAL MONSTER X-evolution
\nShinshaku Sanada Juyushi Special
\nLupin the Third: Angel Tactics
\nHotori – Tada Saiwai wo Koinegau<\/p>\n

OVAs<\/strong>
\nAkane Maniax
\nBoku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru
\nBokusatu Tenshi Dokuro-chan
\nEien no Aseria – Spirit of Eternity Sword
\nFinal Fantasy VII: Last Order
\nGhost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man
\nIriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu
\nKaras
\nKing of Fighters: Another Day
\nKirameki Project
\nMajokko Tsukune-chan
\nOVAL X OVER
\nPapa to KISS IN THE DARK
\nPrayers
\nSt. Seiya: Meiou Hades Meikai Hen
\nSaishuheiki Kanojo: Another Love Song
\nSeikai no Senki III
\nSentou Yousei Shoujo Tasukete! Mave-chan
\nSuper Robot Taisen Original Generation
\nTenchi Muyo! 3rd Season + 1
\nUFO Princess Valkyrie: Seiretsu no Hanayome
\nWings of Rean
\nYuusha Ou Gaogaiger FINAL Grand Glorious Gathering<\/p>\n

Movies<\/strong>
\nA-Kuei to Mahou no Hammer & Chelsea no Gyakushu
\nAir
\nArashi no Yoruni
\nAshita Genki ni Na~re!
\nCrayon Shin-chan: Densetsu wo Yobu Buriburi Sanpun Pokkiri Daishingeki
\nDetective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths
\nDual Masters movie
\nFullmetal Alchemist: Shambala wo Iku Mono
\nFutari wa Precure Max Heart
\nGlass no Usagi
\nKino no Tabi: Nanika wo Suru Tameni – Life goes on
\nKakurenbo
\nKonjiki no Gash Bell movie 2
\nMobile Suit Z Gundam movies 1 & 2
\nNaruto movie 2: Maboroshi no Chiteiiseki Dattebayo!
\nOne Piece: Omatsuri Danshaku to Himitsu no Shima
\nPocket Monster Advance Generation: Mew to Hadou no Yuusha
\nPrince of Tennis: Futari no Samurai The First Game
\nRockaman.exe: Hikari to Yami no Isan
\nSoreike! Anpanman: Happy no Daibouken
\nSoreike! Anpanman: Kuroyukihime to Motemote Baikinman
\nTsubasa Chronicle ~Nendaiki Torikago no Kuni no Himegimi~
\nxxxHolic ~Manatsu no Yoru no Yume~<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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