Top Ten Anime Series of 2014

Another year came to an end, I’ve sampled nearly 60 shows, watched about half to completion, and it’s time to see which shows stood out (in a good way). If we’re frank, this year hasn’t been nearly as good as 2013. Had I used the cut-off criteria of 2013, only the top 7 shows would’ve made it in, compared to 12 that passed that bar in 2013 (and Aku no Hana that passed using different criteria). But even if the year as a whole was weak, the top shows were still worthy of your time. There’d be “Notable Absentees” and “Honourable Mentions” at the end of the post, so if you don’t see a show, keep reading!

Only full series had been considered, no OVAs or movies of any sort. The names link to the show’s description and information on My Anime List (MAL).

10. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis (Rage of Bahamut: Genesis)

Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis anime / Rage of Bahamut: Genesis anime

One of my favourite films is the first Pirates of the Carribean film, which I describe as a 10/10 performance by Johnny Depp, lifting a 5/10 film to the realm of 7/10. The show had a great sense of action and fun going for it early on, which in the second half all but abandoned it for slow and tepid non-action weighed down by a non-character taking center stage. The first half of the show and the finale though are more than worth the price of entry. Just like Pirates of the Carribean, loveable rascals with an extreme penchant for getting in trouble and over the top facial expressions while swashbuckling dominate the show. Zombies join on our crusade to bring down a CG dragon, as we cross against angels, demons, drunk gods, and inflatable ducks. How can you not love a show so in love with its own irreverence?

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Sekai Seifuku / World Conquest Zvezda’s Plot Episode 4 – Abandon the Past, Obtain Udo!

(Note: Episodic notes are still mostly to be found on the Episodics Notes’ page, but up to a couple every week will have their write-up appear on the main page, when I think they warrant it. For those who don’t know, I take the notes as I watch the episode, and merely re-order them afterwards.)

This show isn’t the show that I’m enjoying the most this season, but is definitely the one that intrigues me the most and that I find the most impressive this season, by a large margin. Third episode was so similar to the third episode of Gatchaman Crowds, and I sure do love me some Gatchaman Crowds – and in case you hadn’t heard, aside from the 2nd season, a movie had been announced as well.

Anyway, what will this episode bring forth? Considering that the themes and behaviour carries over, but that each episode thus far is pretty episodic, I can’t say. So let us observe, world conquerors in their natural habitat.

Thoughts and Notes:

Act 1, Part 1: Home (Sanity):

Sekai Seifuku Bouryaku no Zvezda / World Conquest Zvezda Plot Episode 4 Notes anime  Plamya asleep

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