{"id":32830,"date":"2013-12-31T18:44:27","date_gmt":"2013-12-31T22:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/?p=32830"},"modified":"2013-12-31T18:44:27","modified_gmt":"2013-12-31T22:44:27","slug":"ask-john-what-were-the-best-tv-anime-of-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/ask-john-what-were-the-best-tv-anime-of-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask John: What Were the Best TV Anime of 2013?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BEST-2013\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After so many years of composing “Ask John” articles, I now feel as though sharing my retrospective observations on each year is a personal tradition. Appreciably in recent years, and especially in 2013, the English speaking fan community audibly bemoaned the lack of creativity and originality prevelant in anime production. In response, I believe that refusing to recognizing unique, innovative, creative, original, and provocative anime is sheer hypocrisy. Five anime television series this past year excelled in innovation, creativity, uniquness, and artistic provocation. I’m going to also supplement my list with an additional two-way tie recognizing a pair of additional titles that were simply too good to ignore. However, breaking with widespread wisdom, I’m not going to nominate Shingeki no Kyojin as one of the year’s best anime.<\/p>\n


\nAttack on Titan is the runaway fan favorite pick of the year, and the show is certainly not without merits. However, I find the show a too-easy obvious pick and also find the show highly compromised. American viewers naturally gravitate to Shingeki no Kyojin because the series contains everything that American fans adore about anime. The series features a male protagonist who’s psychologically conflicted yet still assertive (similar to Heero Yuy, Vash the Stampede, Gutts, and Light Yagami), a historical European setting, grotesque and exaggerated violence, and elaborate flashy action animation; the show includes everything that American viewers love in anime. Yet the show also suffers from interminable pacing, illogical character motivations and actions, and animation quality that relies heavily on cinematic tricks and shortcuts like camera pans and sweeps to simulate the visual impact of extensive, fluid animation. I’m also going to exclude the exceptional Space Battleship Yamato 2199 series from consideration. Technically the series premiered in 2011, and moreover the show is widely considered a movie or OVA series rather than a television series. If Yamato 2199 had been more qualified for consideration alongside other 2013 anime, it would easily have ranked among the year’s every best TV anime series.<\/p>\n

My extensive but possibly incomplete count of 2013 TV and web anime premieres numbers 172 titles. I’ve consciously excluded the Korean animated series Kara the Animation and the non-animated series Seiyu Sentai Voicetorm 7. I also count the first and second seasons of Hakkenden: Toho Hakken Ibun and Kakumeiki Valvrave as single series since the two shows began and ended within 2013. I’ve been fortunate enough to have watched at least one full episode of every new anime released this year except the children’s anime series Ganbare! Lulu Lolo. I’ll list my picks in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n

\"Aku<\/a><\/p>\n

No anime series this year, or even in recollection, inspired as much vehement polarized viewer reaction as Aku no Hana. If the purpose of modern art is to evoke a reaction in its viewer, Aku no Hana was successful as the highest form of modern art. The rotoscoped anime series employed exceptional creative flourishes, most noticably in episode 7. The show provides a wealth of thematic depth to unravel and interpret. The series’ three main characters are complex, complicated psychological profiles. The series’ entire setting encourages examination of the conventions and practices of the Japanese social and familial order. Anime series director Hiroshi Nagahama deliberate decisions applied to the visual design of the anime are provocative, challenging, and substantive. The series is absolutely unpleasant, and it does suffer from flaws including, most significantly, ineffective pacing and series structural layout. However, the show’s provocative strengths far outweigh its shortcomings. Every anime is intended to entertain. Specific genres are intended to elicit specific emotional responses: horror to terrify, comedy to amuse. Aku no Hana is the very rare sort of anime that seeks to upset, unsettle, and provoke the viewer into asking profound questions about the show and even the viewer him or herself. In a generation of crowd-friendly conventional anime, Aku no Hana dared to be completely contrary, unexpected, shocking, offensive, and deeply psychological, literary, and provocative. The show is certainly not pleasant, but it absolutely deserves the hight of respect.<\/p>\n

\"gatchaman-crowds-cover-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Gatchaman Crowds likewise upended viewer expectations by completely reimaging one of anime’s most familiar franchises. Rather than rehash the exciting but simple premise of heroes uniting to defend the world. Gatchaman Crowds utilized unconventional art design to illustrate a diverse cast of characters, each with a completely unique personality. Moreover, the series provoked viewers to analyze their own networked life and question whether the current era of wireless social networks has come anywhere close to its full potential. The show refreshingly posited the theory that enthusiasm, initiative, and hope are capable of eradicating despair and elevating mankind to its greatest potential. Heroes like the Gatchaman can lead the way, but it’s everyday citizens, the ordinary people on the street that make up society and ultimately determine the direction in which society will evolve or decline. And within that social critique, the show also managed to include striking, never-before-seen anime visual design and thrilling, unique action.<\/p>\n

\"kill-la-kill-anime\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While the current Kill la Kill television series hasn’t yet ended, it’s first half alone earns commendation for being among the very best anime of the year. Typically viewers watch anime to be enthralled by wondrous exaggeration that exceeds reality. Kill la Kill ranks easily among the most kinetic, frenetic, and visually creative anime ever designed. The show takes the relatively simple exaggerated fighting transfer student premise of Kazuhiko Shimamoto’s 1983 manga Honou no Tenkousei and elevates it to the farthest extreme that we’ve seen in anime yet. The show is the epitome of the fantastic, creative, kinetic, absurdly hyperbolic action that fans love about anime escalated exponentially. It’s a literal non-stop breathtaking furious assault of exhausting spectacle. The mad genius behind this show, from its creative staff and cast, deserves tremendous accolade.<\/p>\n

\"Uchoten<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2010 anime adaptation of author Tomihiko Morimi’s novel Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei received a lot of acclaim, much of which, I think, was laid upon the show out of charity rather than recognition. The 2013 adaptation of MOrimi’s novel Uchoten Kazoku, however, finally lives up to the expectation for an anime based on an acclaimed modern literary classic. Studio P.A. Works’ adaptation of Uchoten Kazoku is an affecting oddity reminiscent of Madhouse’s excellent 2007 series Oh! Edo Rocket. The depiction of a modern Kyoto inhabited by humans, shape-shifting tanuki, and ancient tengu is itself marvelous. But the deliberately revealed backgrounds and relationships between the characters and the balletic delicacy of their interactions adds a superb supplemental level of uniqueness to the show. Rather than feeling pretentious, Uchoten Kazoku feels off-kilter; rather than seem highly redundant and ultimately unfulfilling as Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei did, Uchoten Kazoku feels ultimately touching and satisfying. The show may be too odd and weird for viewers addicted to the conventional, but viewers that appreciate the eclectic and esoteric will find the show very enjoyable.<\/p>\n

\"Yozakura-Quartet\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After a 2006 manga, 2008 television series, and 2010 OAD series that looked beautiful but made little comprehensible sense, the Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~ television series seemed to finally get everything right. The Yozakura Quartet franchise incorporates all of the avant-garde characteristics of post-modern anime include sleek character designs, kemono-mimi, pantsu, kung fu, and an ample dose of hip, chic attitude, but the 2013 TV series finally managed to combine the outstanding visual design and animation quality of the 2010 OAD series with a linear, comprehensible narrative. The result is a fluidly animated, stylish-looking post-modern action anime that never feels pretentious and actually makes sense. The Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~ series is simply fun viewing that exhibits all of the distinctive stylish trademarks that viewers subconsciously desire from anime.<\/p>\n

\"Kotoura_maou\"<\/p>\n

Unlike the forementioned titles, the Kotoura-san & Hataraku Maou-sama television series were not technically or narratively innovative or provocative shows. They were very conventional, ordinary anime stories that excelled far beyond the norm. Kotoura-san is a relatively simple school relationship and romance comedy, but its characterizations and the psychological maturations that the characters undergo all feel exceptionally affecting and charming because they feel totally honest. Like every anime, Kotoura-san is entirely structured and artificial, but its characters and relationships never feel obviously manipulated. Hataraku Maou-sama employs unexpectedly good animation quality to compliment its attractive character designs and wonderfully expressive, surprising, and engaging character personalities. The show’s narrative conflicts are interesting enough on their own, but the reactions and responses of the characters, and the ways the characters interact with the storyline’s events makes the series a bouyant joy to watch.<\/p>\n

(Mostly) Comprehensive List of 2013 New TV & Web Anime:<\/p>\n

Ai Mai Mi
\nAiura
\nAku no Hana
\nAMNESIA
\nAoki Hagane no Arpeggio
\nArata Kangatari
\nBakumatsu Gijinden Roman
\nBakushishi Gasshin Ziguruhazeru
\nBattle Spirits: Sword Eyes Gekitoden
\nBeast Saga
\nBLAZBLUE: ALTER MEMORY
\nBlood Lad
\nBoku wa Ousama
\nBoku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Dai NEXT
\nBrothers Conflict
\nCardfight!! Vanguard: Link Joker-hen
\nChihayafuru 2
\nChocotan [web anime]
\nChokkyu Hyodai Robot Anime
\nChoujigen Game Neptune The Animation
\nCOPPELION
\nCuticle Tantei Inaba
\nCyclops Shoujo Saipu [web anime]
\nD.C.III ~Da Capo III~
\nDanboru Senki Wars
\nDanchi Tomoo
\nDanganronpa
\nDansai Bunri no Crime Edge
\nDate A Live
\nDD Hokuto no Ken
\nDEVIL SURVIVOR 2 THE ANIMATION
\nDia no Ace
\nDiabolik Lovers
\nDibetagurashi: Ahiru no Seikatsu
\nDoki Doki! Precure
\nDuel Masters Victory V3
\nFantasista Doll
\nFate\/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
\nFree!
\nFreezing Vibration
\nFutari wa Milky Holmes
\nGaist Crusher
\nGakkatsu! second series
\nGalilei Donna
\nGanbare! Lulu Lolo
\nGatchaman Crowds
\ngdgd Fairies 2nd season
\nGen’ei o Kakeru Taiyou
\nGenshiken Nidaime
\nGifuu Doudou!! Kanetsugu to Keiji
\nGin no Saji ~ Silver Spoon
\nGinga Kikoutai Majestic Prince
\nGingitsune
\nGJ-bu Chuutou-bu
\nGlass no Kamen Desu ga
\nGolden Time
\nGundam Build Fighters
\nHaitai Nanafa 2nd series
\nHaiyore! Nyaruko-san W
\nHajime no Ippo Rising
\nHakkenden: Toho Hakken Ibun
\nHataraku Maoh-sama
\nHayate no Gotoku! Cuties
\nHeisei Policemen!! [web anime]
\nHentai Ouji To Warawanai Neko
\nHetalia: The Beautiful World
\nHigh School DxD New
\nHyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride
\nInazuma Eleven Go Galaxy
\nInfinite Stratos 2
\nInu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou
\nIshida to Asakura
\nJewelpet Happiness
\nJigoku Yochien [web anime]
\nKakumeiki Valvrave
\nKami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami Hen
\nKamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi
\nKara the Animation
\nKarneval
\nKetsuekigata-kun
\nKill la Kill
\nKimi no Iru Machi
\nKingdom second series
\nKiniro Mosaic
\nKitakubu Katsudou Kiroku
\nKoroshiya-san ~The Hired Gun~
\nKotoura-san
\nKuroko no Basuke 2nd season
\nKyoukai no Kanata
\nKyousougiga
\nLINE OFFLINE ~Salaryman~
\nLine Town
\nLittle Busters! Refrain
\nLog Horizon
\nLove Lab
\nLove Live!
\nLupin III: Princess of the Breeze ~Kakusareta Kuuchuu Toshi~ TV special
\nMachine Doll wa Kizutsukanai
\nMagi: The Kingdom of Magic
\nMaji de Otaku na English! Ribbon-chan: Eigo de Tatakau Mahou Shoujo the TV
\nMakai Ouji ~ devils and realist
\nMangirl!
\nMaoyuu Maou Yuusha
\nMeganebu!
\nMinami-ke Tadaima
\nMiss Monochrome -The Animation-
\nMondaiji-tachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru So Desu yo?
\nMonogatari Series Second Season
\nMushibugyo
\nNagi no Asukara
\nNamiuchigiwa no Muromi-san
\nNekomonogatari (Kuro)
\nNon Non Biyori
\nNurse Angels
\nNyuru Nyuru!! Kakusen-kun
\nOre no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai second series
\nOre no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru
\nOre no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love Come o Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru
\nOshiri Kajiri Mushi 2nd season
\nOutbreak Company
\nPhi-Brain 3rd series
\nPhotokano
\nPocket Monster XY
\nPocket Monster: The Origin
\nPretty Rhythm Rainbow Live
\nPuchimas! Puchi Idolmaster
\nPupipo!
\nRDG Red Data Girl
\nRecorder to Randoseru Mii
\nRou Kyuu Bu! SS
\nRozen Maiden
\nSaikyo Ginga Ultimate Zero ~Battle Spirits~
\nSamurai Flamenco
\nSasami-san@Ganbaranai
\nSekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai
\nSenki Zesshou Symphogear G
\nSenran Kagura
\nSenyuu.
\nServant x Service
\nShingeki no Kyoujin
\nSparrow’s Hotel
\nStella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C3-Bu
\nStrike the Blood
\nSuisei no Gargantia
\nSuper Seisyun Brothers
\nTamagotchi! Miracle Friends
\nTamako Market
\nTamayura ~More Aggressive~
\nTanken Driland: 1000-nen no Mahou
\nTenpo Suidoken Neo [web anime]
\nTesagure! Bukatsu Mono
\nTetsujin 28-gou Gao!
\nThe Midnight Animals [web anime]
\nThe Unlimited Hyoubu Kyousuke
\nToaru Kagaku no Railgun S
\nTokyo Ravens
\nUchoten Kazoku
\nUta no Prince-sama ~ Maji Love 2000%
\nVividred Operation
\nWalkure Romanze
\nWatashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!
\nWHITE ALBUM 2
\nYahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy ha Machigatteiru
\nYama no Susume ~ Encouragement of Climb
\nYami Shibai
\nYondemasuyo Azazel-san Z
\nYowamushi Pedal
\nYozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~
\nYusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shushoku o Ketsui Shimashita
\nYuto-kun ga Iku
\nYuyushiki
\nZettai Boei Leviathan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After so many years of composing “Ask John” articles, I now feel as though sharing my retrospective observations on each year is a personal tradition. Appreciably in recent years, and especially in 2013, the English speaking fan community audibly bemoaned the lack of creativity and originality prevelant in anime production. In response, I believe that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ask-john"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32830"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32840,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32830\/revisions\/32840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.animenation.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}