Alright, so this top five is going to be different. It is going to count down two series simultaneously. Each one will be discussing one series that is based off of source material and one original work. This list is also not continuing shows that second season aired this year, unless of course the first season aired as well this year. This is also not counting shows that started in 2013 fall season, so keep that in mind.
Number Five: Space Dandy and D-Frag
Space Dandy, for starters I have to say is amazing. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but it is the first series that was dubbed before subbed. Both were coming out simultaneously as well. Personally I did not see it, and I wish I did. However, because of the fact that it was being dubbed and subbed simultaneously, then I have to give it some major props for that. If I have seen it, I am fairly certain it would be higher on this list because of that.
D-Frag, is one of my favorite manga. It gets funnier and funnier to say the least the longer it goes. Although it might not have been funnier compared to others that came out this year, it is still on the list with the fact that it was in the winter season, which to me always seems to have few new shows. I think it is more of the reason why I liked the manga that is on this list, but at the same time it is one of the few shows that follow closely to the manga and I mean closely. Sure, they skipped a small arc, but that was later covered in the OVA that came out later this year. With the fact of the comedy and how close it follows the source material, it is on this list because of that.
Number 4: World Conquest Zvezda Plot and The Fruit of Grisaia
World Conquest Zvezda Plot, can be summed up by questioning what is it exactly. The series, at least in some way is connected to Type Moon, and in my last Top Five I mentioned how really anything by Type Moon I find enjoyable. This series fits into that category. Although it tells a complete story, at the same time it is clear that it can still have another season. It is called World Conquest, and sorry for the spoiler, but they only conquered Japan at the end of the show. Clearly it could have more, but from where it is now, it was enjoyable while it lasted as an original series.
The Fruit of Grisaia is a show that, well like some in the fall lineup, I did not have high hopes for it when going into it. It seems like this year there were several shows that really surprised me in how they turned out, this is one of them another is also on this list as well. For starters, I cannot wait for the more episodes in April. Even if they did not get the other Visual Novels adapted, the series has a well thought out story, and character development as time went on. My only problem really was the final arc and how long it took, at the same time that was important. Regardless, this was probably one of the best surprises this year when it came to watching something I thought would be different. Also the novels are getting a port to Steam sometime in the next year.
Number 3: Aldnoah.Zero and Parasyte
Aldnoah.Zero would be higher on this list if not for my major concerns for season two or the second half of however you would put it. The final minute or so in the last episode is the reason why I feel that way. It is from the creator of Psycho Pass, although his work is good, with how Psycho Pass 2 turned out I am a little worried, as in a lot worried for what could happen. With that out of the way, this series was probably the biggest one this year. I only recently got into the mecha genre; Buddy Complex was the one that got me into it. This series was wonderful. Out of the like five mecha series I have seen, this one was different in the sense that the only ones who had different mechas where the bad guys. Yet, that aside this series clearly did something right. It was entertaining; I even had to stop watching several times since I could not deal with just watching a single episode. It would probably be at number one if not for my concerns with best original work for 2014.
Parasyte, I have to say might be a little early which is why it is also high on the list. At the same time compared to other shows this year I know I can go in episode to episode and be entertained and will not want to wait for the following week. Sure there are other series that came out this year that made me feel the same way, but those are mostly shows that are on their second season or remakes. What really surprises me and what I really like is the fact that they are adapting it in full, and it was based off a manga from almost two decades ago, which I have to say is amazing. Unlike Aldnoah.Zero, I do not have worries for this series as of right now. So, I am glad it is at spot number 3.
Number 2: Selector Infected WIXOSS and No Game No Life
Selector Infected WIXOSS is one of the other series as well as No Game No Life that were a lot better than you would think. However, at least I think, Selector did not get as much limelight as it should have. What I liked about it through the two seasons is that it told a complete story. At the same time I originally dropped the show before the massive plot twist that was in I want to say episode eight. It is because of that plot twist and the fact that after that plot twist I really enjoyed this series. Recently home video rights were required, and it may be a series that I may or may not pick up in the future since I enjoyed it. Personally it is not top ten worthy, maybe top twenty at least for me.
No Game No Life, need I say more? Yes, this was a show that I personally thought would be bad, but decided to watch it anyway. It was funny and rather enjoyable. My only real problem with this series was the cliff hanger at the end of the final episode that makes me want a second season, which more than likely there will be. At the same time I am also thinking of getting the novels once they get their English release, although that is unlikely since I am already getting too much as is. Regardless, I doubt I need to say a lot since this was a hugely popular series this year.
Number 1: Yuki Yuna wa Yusha de Aru and Akame ga Kill
Ironically the number one spot is taken by work from the same author. As I said in the Akame ga Kill discussion, it is my favorite manga. Although I was a little disappointed at first with the original ending that thought quickly changed with the blind side in the twenty-third episode. So, sure it is bias to put that at number one, but I mean, this is a discussion and opinion related piece, so it would make sense. Really any reason why I would put this at number one could be found in my Akame ga Kill discussion, but I pretty much summed it up with what I mentioned the twenty-third episode.
Now, for the original piece, it fits into the same category. Although I did not really know that it was by the creator of Akame ga Kill, this did not stop the fact that I really enjoyed it. In fact I only learned this information later when the series was on the final episode. Much like getting into the Mecha genre this year the Magical Girl genre became a thing as well. This one was my favorite that I have seen the characters, the development of the characters and story. It was defiantly one of if not the best original work this year, even though like most shows had their flaws.
Well, notable mentions I would have to put a lot of shows that had their second season and a lot of show in general. But mentioning ones that did not turn out as well as I would have liked would be Psycho Pass 2, Bryhildr in the Darkness, and Trinity Seven. Although Trinity Seven is the better of the three, and the manga of Bryhildr is a lot better, but might be worth checking out. This is more disappointment in knowing that they could both turn out better.
The Reviewer's Corner 