UlasanAnime.com – As the year draws to a close, it’s a common practice to reflect on and remember the year’s highlights. This piece aims to serve as a guide for those looking to compile their end-of-year lists.
When discussing anime, it’s important to step back and remember that “anime” is a broad term for Japanese animation. The spectrum is vast, ranging from the unconventional and perhaps obscure like “Paprika,” to the seemingly cartoony yet unengaging like “Animal Yokocho” (no offense intended), or even the straightforward and teen-focused like “Gundam Seed Destiny.” Viewers naturally gravitate towards different genres, and their lists will reflect these preferences. Since most people don’t consume every single show produced, “best of the year” lists are valuable for understanding individual tastes.
However, it’s also a reality that any single person can only watch a finite number of shows in a year. Similarly, Japan, with contributions from other countries, produces a limited quantity of anime annually.
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This leads to a simple conclusion: list the shows as you genuinely like them. Assigning objective value is nearly impossible. If you enjoyed a show that others might consider poor, simply state your enjoyment. If someone criticizes your favorite, it’s merely a reflection of differing tastes or a lack of understanding of its appeal.
To streamline the process, consider a few helpful strategies. Firstly, accurately identify the shows you watched during the current year. Ensure the shows you include are indeed from that specific year. Maintaining internal consistency is key; your year-end list should not simply be a rehash of your all-time favorites because you rewatched them. While technically possible, this approach tends to be uninspired.
If you typically watch two to three series per season, you might have seen around nine to twelve new shows in a year. Creating a top-10 list from this selection suggests minimal critical discernment. Conversely, a top-5 list compels you to engage in the challenging yet rewarding task of mentally evaluating which shows truly merit recognition.
For those who watch fifty or more shows annually, a top-10 list can feel restrictive. Restraint might not be your strong suit, so why limit yourself? There’s also value in discussing lesser-known shows that few have seen, as they might possess overlooked merits.
If you’re like me, you probably enjoy a diverse range of shows for various reasons. Taking the time to explain why “Suzumiya Haruhi” deserves the number one spot is a worthwhile endeavor. Articulating your reasons for liking something is often the most rewarding aspect of these exercises. Alternatively, readers can gain insight by examining your list and correlating it with their knowledge of you. However, if “PriPri” ranks as your number one, perhaps refrain from providing an explanation; some things are best left unsaid…
Most importantly, allocate sufficient time for reflection. Consider shows that spanned from the previous year. For instance, “Noein” and “Black Cat” might not be fresh in everyone’s memory. How many people caught “Mushishi”? How can “Asatte no Houkou” be fairly evaluated? These assessments require time and careful consideration.
This end-of-year season, I encourage everyone to share their appreciation for what they enjoyed. 2006 has been a remarkable year for anime, marked by numerous landmark series and unexpected gems. The anime subculture experienced its share of triumphs and setbacks, and it’s beneficial to savor these moments. A mere list, devoid of personal reflection, barely scratches the surface of the year’s events.
