2008′s pleasant surprises
It’s hard to make head or tail of 2008 as a year at this point, and that’s something I don’t intend to tackle until our annual review (coming to a NHRV near you soon). And while the year didn’t deliver any titles that I’d call an outright masterpiece (which is pretty disappointing), there were a few pleasant surprises here and there. Here’s a short list of the titles that particularly caught me off guard, and certainly exceeded my expectations.
Kure-nai
This is a strange title to put on this list, considering the list of names involved in this title. But, then again, when it first came out director Matsuo Kou was only acclaimed for Red Garden, and production company Brains Base was only really recognized for Baccano!. Eight months later, and Brains Base is on an eighteen month winning streak that doesn’t look like ending soon. (…Yes, yes, I know about Akikan). Kure-nai was ultimately a mature and very even-handed anime that knew how to do good character analyses, sparing the audience from insulting pleas for sympathy. This allowed it to develop very flawed and very complicated (and, thus, very interesting) characters. It was only about three episodes in before most people watching this knew this was going to be a winner, and while it didn’t quite fulfill all my expectations, it still ended up being an excellent series.
ARIA The Origination
It’s no surprise that this was a winner. But, the reason this title is on the list is because I’d never have imagined that it could possibly be better than The Natural. But, it was, and it exceeded its predecessors without doing anything all that much different to them. ARIA is, in one sense, the archetypal slice-of-life series, but it’s so well executed that it’s set the bar for future titles in the genre. But, like so many good slice-of-life series, ARIA is, and always has been, all about its characters, and by allowing us to learn so much about these characters and watch as they deal with challenges and grow up, they become more and more endearing with time, and so does the show as a whole. ARIA The Origination also had the single best episode of the year, when show spoiler
Itazura na Kiss
Itazura na Kiss was all over the place for the first half, but once show spoiler
Natsume Yuujinchou
Natsume Yuujinchou rounds out Brains Base‘s impeccable year. This is one of those series that didn’t really grab me during the first ep, but by the end of the second, it showed its potential. The series has been referred to as Mushishi-lite, but the comparison isn’t meant to be unflattering (Mushishi is a masterpiece, after all). But, I was surprised how good the storytelling in this anime was, even if the stories themselves don’t quite compare with those from the anime that pioneered the genre. Natsume Yuujinchou‘s delivery was outstanding, simultaneously subdued, but also tender and emotional, and, thus, very affecting. And, I daresay it has the best soundtrack of the year.
Kannagi
This anime is the best reason I’ve come across to give Yamamoto Yutaka the benefit of the doubt for Lucky Star. Nonetheless, KyoAni may well be sorry they let him go, and not just for all the barbs he’s throwing at them through this series. But, if there’s something that can be said about Kannagi, other than the fact that it’s very funny, particularly if you appreciate metafiction humour without it being taken to the extremes it was in Lucky Star, is that it’s very well directed. And the voice acting is outstanding.
There are a few other titles like Chaos;Head which I haven’t included on the list (even after ten episodes, I’m still not sure if Chaos;Head is a winner or not, even if it is very engaging), and I’m sure there are many series I’ve forgotten or simply haven’t seen yet. So, what other anime were you pleasantly surprised with this year?
I’m surprised why Kaiba isn’t discussed since it’s a very unconventional series but… never mind; just my own thought.
I think that it’s about time that people should comparing this year with the last. Each year have its own ups and downs and though this year didn’t offer any masterpieces, it still have some anime which I thought would be great enough to be remembered for a few years ahead. I haven’t watch the ARIA series and Kannagi so I’ll consider watching them soon after all the good things I hear about them.
For me, there was no title this year that could hold a candle to NANA, Toward the Terra, Gurren Lagann, Baccano! or the first season of Code Geass. Sure, shows like Kaiba and Natsume have been strong, but I can’t recall any shows that really made me viscerally excited to see each new episode and – at the same time – make it to the finish line in one piece. I suppose Kure-nai tops my list for unexpectedly good shows since it’s the only show I seriously considered giving a 9/10 to. (I would have more of an opinion for Mouryou no Hako if there were subs)
Kaiba was a godsend from Yuasa. Aria the Origination and Zoku Sensei were brilliant as well. Those three are this year’s top imo and everyone kind of expected them to live up to their names. So I guess the “surprises” for me were Natsume Yuujinchou and Spice and Wolf, which I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy them as much.
Obligatory Strike Witches joke goes here.
To be honest, I don’t think Kure-nai being good was all that surprising. After watching Baccano!, I was fairly certain that Brains Base was destined for greatness. I think Kannagi is probably the strongest show out of the ones you listed here.
I do agree with your general grievance that 2008 hasn’t been as spectacular as 2007, especially during the summer. There were only a few good shows then, and lots of crap in between. A lot of highly anticipated sequels came out this season, yet a good many of them (Looking at you, SHAFT) turned out to be duds. Alas.
The reason I didn’t put Kaiba on the list is because I haven’t seen it.
@Akira: I agree, there were a lot of “dud” sequels, including Nodame Cantabile Pari-hen and Clannad After Story. I mean, both have been good, IMO, but neither has lived up to their originals (at least so far, that could change yet). I know you’re pretty cool of ef ~melodies~, and while I’d never suggest it’s as good as ~memories~, I don’t think it’s been a total trainwreck.
Interestingly, my next post will be along the lines of “2008′s biggest disappointments”. At this stage, if I let temptation get the better of me, it’ll be twice as long as this post.
I’d put off commenting on this post mostly because when I saw that Origination had made your list, I made sure not to read it so that it wouldn’t influence my writing. Now that the writing project is behind me, I’ll say that the scene you spoilered was really moving. Speaking as someone who listened to the soundtrack before finishing up the series, I knew that scene was coming up and though I had formed a positive opinion of Ryou Hirohashi’s performance on the track in question, to see it happen on screen was truly wonderful. Anime is made up of moments of sheet beauty, and in my eyes (brimming with tears, naturally), that was one of most moving scenes that I’d ever seen.
It goes to show that this medium is capable of leaving behind unforgettable experiences. Monster gave us that in droves (I can still remember most of the scenes with a remarkable degree of clarity) and ARIA the Origination will forever leave the same imprint with that stunningly good delivery.