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The end of the year is here and it’s time for the 13th Annual Reader’s Choice poll. Do you have a favorite series you’d like to see win? Are you just curious to see what everyone else enjoyed this year? There’s no electoral college here. The anime with the most votes wins!
As per the usual, there will be two polls for you to vote on this year – one for regularly broadcast TV series, and another for OVA/movies. We’re asking you for your top 5 picks in each poll, which should stop the results from being heavily skewed towards the mega-popular shows. This year we have an astounding ~180 TV series and ~70 OVA/movies for you to choose from, so make sure you look over the entire list before deciding. Keep in mind that like all entertainment, anime is subjective. There is no one size fits all here. Please respect the opinions of others, even if you may disagree with them.
Criteria-wise, the following is what was used to decide what shows did (or did not) make it onto these lists:
- For a regular broadcast TV series to be considered, it has to have finished airing in 2018 and fit in the general criteria for receiving a preview. The idea is that you can’t truly judge a series until it’s over, so series such as Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken will appear on next year’s poll. Series with another season coming but a clear stopping point in the one we’ve already seen are included. This means the third season of Boku no Hero Academia will be included this year, but Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 will be pushed to 2019, as the remaining episodes of it’s third season will be aired in 2019. At the same time, shows generally aired for all ages/kids were not included.
- For OVA/movies, it has to have been released on Blu-ray/DVD in 2018 to qualify, ensuring that viewers outside of Japan have had a chance to watch it. This mostly pertains to theatrical offerings. The difference from TV series is that they don’t necessarily have to be complete to be included, since it can take several years for an OVA series to finish.
As far as we’re aware, the anime series list is complete, barring a handful of shows that are animated but unlike typical anime. The OVA/movie list is less so, but this is by design; there are lot of really niche OVAs that aren’t really worth considering and there is a tendency for series in this category to be delayed or released at different dates, so accuracy will vary greatly. If you feel there’s something that deserves consideration, isn’t listed, or is listed but shouldn’t be, please leave a comment or send Zephyr an email or tweet at him via @ZephyrRC and we’ll add it in as soon as possible. Please note that the first comment in this post will keep a list of shows added, so keep an eye on that before voting.
With that said, vote away.
Note: To give viewers more time to vote, the polls will close this year at 3:00 PM PST on January 3rd, giving you the most time possible before the Best of Anime post comes out with the results. This means the 3:00 PM in the afternoon in PST or 11:00 PM GMT on the 4th.
Please comment below or contact me via twitter/email (see post) if you see a series/OVA/movie missing or if something doesn’t belong. They will be added in ASAP so please hold back on your voting until that happens if you don’t see your pick on the list.
The following are a list of modifications (in alphabetical order) to each poll as we do them:Series List: Garo: Vanishing Line, KirakiraPrecure a la ModeOVA/Movie List: Detective Conan: Zero The Enforcer, Hataraku Saibou: Kaze Shoukougun, Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin VI, Kimi no Koe wo Todoketai, Lord El-Melloi II Case Files – 00, No Game No Life Zero, Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us, Precure Super Stars! Movie, Shikioriori (Flavors of Youth), Strike the Blood III OVA (1 and 2), Space Battleship Yamato 2202 OVA (Ep 11-18)
I know it’s a niche and wouldn’t win, but I don’t see -VANISHING LINE- shouldn’t be listed.
Done!
The 22nd Detective Conan movie isn’t there, Detective Conan: Zero The Enforcer.
Done!
Shouldn’t Hosoda Mamoru’s Mirai be on the list of movies made this year (or did i make a mistake)? Would be a travesty for it not to receive the recognition due it!
Not yet. The BD is scheduled for a January 2019 release.
Oof, my bad. Kudos for all the hard work that goes into these posts!
The new Pokemon movie isn’t on there.
Added.
MISSING at least the following:—–TV:KirakiraPrecure a la Mode (Ended January 2018)Movie:Hataraku Saibou: Kaze Shoukougun (OVA Special episode)Pretty Cure Super Stars (Cross-over movie)
Added.
As I’d mentioned down in the comments, Attack on Titan S3 and Doreiku are missing.
Shingeki’s third season doesn’t officially conclude until next year so it’s not counting for 2018. Dorei-ku The Animation has been added.
I think Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Movie: Take On Me is missing (aired in January 2018).
Added!
Well well well. Only 2 series I could honestly vote for… Such a disappointing year.
Here’s my personal Top 5. I watched very little anime this year compared to other years, so take this as you will.1. 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season2. Golden Kamuy S1 + S23. Megalo Box4. Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) 5. SSSS.Gridman
only one series I could truly call great, Sora Yori…other slots went to :Golden Kamuy (1+2)Overlord (2+3)Yuru Camp Akanesasu Shoujo it shows that if show is getting second or evend third season it is probably worth italso cute girls doing cute things making into top 5 is showing real lack of good action showsoh and Akanesasu is hidden gem of last season
“will be pushed/aired to/in 2018”–> typoHm, with Shingeki out of the competition, I don’t have a clear number 1 pick, but maybe Overlord if we were only talking about the 2nd season, as the CG/production values got even worse in the 3rd one.1) Overlord II/III2) Goblin Slayer3) Bunny Girl Senpai 4) Violet Evergarden5) One of either FMP IV/Castlevania 2/Yorimoi/Isekai Maou/Magus BrideMovies is easy with Heaven’s Feel I as likely winner. Disappointment of the year for me was probably FMP IV due to, once again, production problems, though I’m still hoping for a further continuation. Favorites to win either Violet Evergarden, Yorimoi which I still have to finish or Hero Academia 3 (haven’t watched, but is popular)?
Daaaaammmmnn I forgot about Sora Yori and didn’t vote for it RIP
Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho was the truly outstanding series of the year.But it’s been a year with many standouts: Bunny Girl Senpai, Violet Evergarden, Bloom into You, Thunderbolt Fantasy 2, Yuru Camp, and the last halves of 3-gatsu no Lion S2 and Ancient Magus’ Bride S2. I would also give honorable mentions to Zombieland Saga, Golden Kamuy, Revue Starlight, Planet With, and Iroduku: The World in Colors (though the latter isn’t finished until Saturday).I have a hard time understanding those who consider this year a disappointment, but I suppose it comes down to differences of taste.
Winter 2018 is an outstanding season this year. Pretty sure Yuru Camp, Sora Yori, Devilman Crybaby, and Violet Evergarden will get mentioned a lot.Fall 2018 is a season of surprises that gave us Zombieland Saga and SSSS.Gridman.
Just a heads up, all three Code Geass films were released on Blu-ray this year and should be eligible. (The third one is the best!)
Roger that. They’ll all combined into one entry in the OVA poll.
Winter: Sora Yori mo Tooi BashoSpring: SAO AlternativeSummer: Sunohara-sou no Kanrinin-sanFall: Himote HouseGiving my 5th vote to Slow Start for giving us my favorite character out of this year, Eiko.
Just your obligatory Thunderbolt Fantasy for AOTY comment passing through.
Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho AOTY hands down. HYPE!
I didn’t realize that released this year!
Here’s my personal list:1. My Hero Academia S32. Violet Evergarden3. DEVILMAN Crybaby4. MEGALOBOX5. Goblin Slayer
3-gatsu no Lion AOTY for two in a row for me. As well regarded as the series is I always feel it isn’t talked about quite enough. With runner ups like SoraYori, Bunny-girl, Evergarden and so on it’s been quite a good year, especially for great Slice-of-lifeesque dramas (3gatsu and SoraYori!)
Honestly these are the only shows I’ve actually enjoyed so much this year, there are other good ones but this is my Top 5…1. Banana Fish2. My Hero Academia S33. SAO Alicization4. Goblin Slayer5. Violet EvergardenBanana Fish deserves it, it’s just my opinion. I never expected to like it so much and that ending was completely unexpected but still Series as a whole it was Amazing and One of my Top Animes of All time.
My personal list this year:1.Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho (AOTY for sure)2.Yuru Camp3.Hinamatsuri4.Seishun Buta Yarou5.Wotakoi
Mine is:1. SSSS.Gridman2. Violet Evergarden3. Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho4. Overlord5. Hakumei to Mikochi But i wasnt watching a lot so pretty much these ones plus a few more.
Uhm, where is Garo: Vanishing Line?
Added.
What I voted for:1. Lupin III Part V2. Koi wa Ameagari no You ni3. Planet With4. Megalo Box5. Full Metal Panic Invisible Victory
At a glance, Aggretsuko, Kyojin S3 and Shikioriori seem to be missing.
Because SnK S3 is not done yet, spring next year it will resume.
Shikioriori (Flavors of Youth) has been added to the OVA list.
Was it intentional not to include the hero academia movie Two heroes? It was a greaaaat movie!
Yes, because the BD/DVD doesn’t receive an official release until February of 2019 so it won’t count until next year.
Attack on Titan 3rd Season ????
Not done yet, their next cour will begin spring next year.
Had there been an “I don’t know an anime of this genre/franchise can be made THAT good” award, I would nominate the followings:1. Gun Gale Online (this is how a game should feel like a game!)2. SSSS Gridman (this may sound silly, but I really feel that the production team has a for anime)3. Hanebado (I think Ayano’s character is flawed, but the badminton matches are marvellous; the opening sequence is also artistic)That said, for the best anime of 2018, I’d bet that it’s mostly a fight between Sora Yori and Violet Evergarden.
Can’t w8 for your Best of 2018Love your work.
1. Hero Academia2. Devilman Crybaby3. B: The Beginning4. Violet Evergarden5. Darling in the FranxxHonestly not the strongest year for me.
1. Lupin part 5 (overlooked gem)2. After the rain3. SSS. Gridman4. Happy Sugar Life5. Zombie Land saga
Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho (Without question anime of the year. Period).Yuru CampSSSS.GridmanZombieland SagaUma Musume: Pretty DerbyHonerable mentions:Mahoutsukai no Yome (Wanted this desparately in the top 5 but it ended at an odd spot in the show).Goblin SlayerKokkoku (very creative storytelling)No, I never saw Violet Evergarden but from what I heard the animation was good, but story lacked a bit.I don’t watch OVA’s/Movies that much, so I didn’t vote on that list at all.
SERIES:1. Devilman Crybaby2. Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho3. Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight4. Yagate Kimi ni Naru5. Violet EvergardenMOVIES/OVA:1. Liz to Aoi Tori2. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms3. Violet Evergarden: Kitto “Koi” wo Shiru Hi ga Kuru no Darou
Mobile Suit Gundam Origin: VI: Rise of the Red Comet is not on the OVA list
Added in as Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin VI.
Sora yori definitely. The anime of the year. Of all the anime, sora yori is the only one that can “send you to antartica” because of very great execution.
Banana Fish Number 1. Never seen any anime like it before!
Sora YoriYuru CampViolet-chanHinamatsuriAobutaBut I don’t know how to order them from 1 to 5…
Golden Kamuy was without a doubt the best anime of this year
in my opinion, but sadly I doubt it’ll get enough votes to win any awards since it doesn’t seem to be very popular. All I can do is hope.EVERYONE REMEMBER THAT SORA YORI MO TOOI BASHO AIRED THIS YEAR! Nothing beats that. Period.And yes, my opinions are, of course, 100% correct and should never be questioned. 😉
Banana Fish is my number one.Even looking back on everything else this year, Banana Fish is my numero uno.Otherwise?Banana FishDevilman CrybabyShokugekiViolet EvergardenMHA
Is Dragon Ball Super: Broly in the list?
It wont be released on BD until next year so it doesnt count for this one yet.
Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho is definitely the Anime of the 2018 IMHO. Nothing ever come close.Yuru CampBunny Girl SenpaiGoblin SlayerSword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale OnlineHataraku SaibouHonestly after the first three, the rest are equally good in my opinion. Would like to vote for SSSSS.Gridman, Violet Evergarden, and a few other animes, but I only got five votes.
These are the five I’m going with:1. Asobi Asobase2. A Place Further Than the Universe3. Zombieland Saga4. SSSS Gridman5. Yuru CampI at least have a Top 16 I have so its painful to have to choose between all of them. Don’t have as many on the OVA section unless the Christmas specials for Aggretsuko
and Neo Yokiowere there.Hmm, don’t see Zoku Owarimonogatari. Though it’s a bit of an odd case. I haven’t watched it anyway.I voted on 4 anime. Looking forward to seeing the results, it’s always enlightening to read the post along with staff picks, especially since I don’t pay much attention to anime these days.
It won’t be released on BD until next year so it doesn’t count for this one yet.
Got it, that makes sense. In retrospect, I realized that it also makes sense to have it in the poll after most people have had a real chance to see it.
If Senran Kagura: Shinovi Masters doesn’t get a clean sweep then there’s no justice in this world.
I’d be surprised if anyone votes for Persona 5 what with how awfully they handled the adaptation. By awfully I mean the way they just ended it on such an awful note and haven’t been forthcoming with how they’re handling the final two palaces. If a movie or a OVA series isn’t announced following Dark Sun, I wouldn’t waste my money supporting this series.
I didn’t like a lot of a/w 2018 anime, I watched a few but never completed any of them. In the end, except for one or two the rest were half-hearted picks (nothing fantastic, but watchable)1. Mo Da Zu Shi (I’m amazed at this quality of animation coming from China, and that season 2 is announced for summer 2019 is exciting)2. Violet Evergarden3. Megalo Box4. Gun Gale Online5. Golden Kamuy Wanted to put Kokkoku in if only because the premise and music was interesting, but fell apart during the ending.
There’s still a date typo at “will be pushed to 2018”.Anyways, now that I have finished Yorimoi, it would definitely deserve to be called best anime of the year 2018. Since the comments section of old titles have been closed:All characters were very likable, though in particular Shirase’s and Hinata’s circumstances really got to me, but what also set this anime apart from other titles were all the interesting details that dealt with the expedition work and the harsh, but beautiful, environment of the Antarctica. This title has been a emotional, but also very informative experience. Considering that both this (same director as Sakurasou) and Bunny Girl Senpai (same author as Sakurasou) were among my favorite shows of the year, I think it’s time to finally pick up Sakurasou…
Gosh darn there was another one? Fixed it, thanks. I’m just gonna like, leave the years off and say “next year” or something next time, haha. After looking at the posts a hundred times the year numbers just start to blur.
I can’t help but notice my tastes seem to differ quite a bit from most of the other comments here. I can only imagine y’all simply didn’t watch my top three… :D#5 – Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory#4 – Hinamatsuri#3 – Hoozuki no Reitetsu Season 2#2 – Megalo Box#1 – Lupin the Third Part VI know the FMP adaptation wasn’t great, but it’s FMP. I can’t NOT include it. Honorable mentions include Die Neue These and My Hero Academia, and maybe Also Golden Kamuy? Haven’t seen it, but the manga is phenomenal.As for movies and OVAs, I really didn’t watch any this year. I had no idea there was a Yu Yu Hakusho OVA, though. I need to watch that ASAP. Also, wasn’t there another Gundam The Origin movie this year? And also weren’t the Space Battleship Yamato 2202 OVAs this year as well?
From what I’m seeing Origin V came out last year on BD in November so there shouldn’t be another one available unless I’m completely messing up my search check. And yeah, Space Battleship Yamato’s OVAs did air I believe episodes 11-18 this year. They’ve been added! Thanks.
i didn’t watch very many series at all this year (who’d have guessed having to start employment really saps one’s free time!), these are simply ones that i enjoyed, in no particular order. TOP 3*boku no hero academia – solid premise though not the most original, but FANTASTIC execution. superb characters, with actual development; great world-building; some interesting plot turns and developments. a shonen that ranks with the best of them.*overlord – yes MC is grossly OP, but it’s surprising what an excellent cast of supporting characters can do for a series. story development with some plot arcs out of left field (who could forget the lizardman arc…) combined with a rare ‘evil’ but likable protagonist made it quite a compelling watch.*seishun buta yarou – fairly unique premise, great MC (capable of talking to girls / not a beta, without being a pervert – unheard of in anime?), interesting plot arcs. the first arc of 3 episodes was definitely the strongest, and could easily have spanned a full season on its own IMO; but the others also kept me hooked. a refreshing romcom/drama for 2018. shame no season 2 for now, only a movie sequel, but here’s hoping for more.RUNNERS UP*goblin slayer – understandly divisive but rather unique for its darker fantasy spin, fills a niche in anime sparsely populated prior to its release. rather one-tone MC can get a bit tedious after a while, but the action and world exploration kept me watching.*high school DxD Hero – brainless popcorn fun / guilty pleasure. funny MC with pretty ladies and some pretty good action. this season saw more plot development (not of that kind, though that wasn’t in short supply either) and more frenetic fights/action sequences. i was disappointed that the female MC somewhat regressed in this season to a damsel in distress more or less this season, after previous seasons showed her own considerable power/strength and influence, which seems to have been strangely ignored. that aside, still an enjoyable watch.
Best anime1. Mahoutsukai no Yome2. 3-gatsu no Lion S23. Boku no Hero Academia S34. Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho5. Violet Evergarden6. Overlord7. Golden KamuyHonourable Mentions (no particular order)Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no FukkatsuDarling in the FranxxHisone no MasotanHinamatsuriWotaku ni Koi wa MuzukashiiBANANA FISHGrand BlueSeishun Buta Yarou wa Bunnty Girl Senpai no Yumi o MinaiYagate Kimi ni NaruJust like last year, my 1 and 2 (and 4) this year are winter anime from the beginning of the year (and double cours at that, so starting over a year ago!). This years top 5 was a hard pick, so hard I made it a top 7. I predicted last year I would vote for Mahoutsukai no Yome, and for me nothing topped that masterpiece troughout the rest of the year. 3-gatsu no lion, and Sora Yori Tooi Basho came close in terms of character development, but nothing beats the atmosphere, the soundtrack and the beautiful art that is Mahoutsukai no Yome. Speaking of beautiful art, that was the deciding factor in choosing my 5th and final vote, as the choice for position 5 was the hardest of all; Violet Evergarden, Overlord and Golden Kamuy all deserve a vote, but unfortunately, I could only pick one more. Finally, my list of honourable mentions is long, but all of these I very much enjoyed watching. 2018 had a couple of good comedies (Hinamatsuri, Wotakoi, and Grand Blue), and underappreciated action drama (BANANA FISH), a couple of good shounen series (Boku no & Nanatsu no Taizai), and one oddball but endearing dragon & pilot pair (Hisone to Masotan). Oh and Yuri (Yagate Kimi ni Naru)
No worries. Fixed it for ya.
Thanks Zephyr <3
Anime1) Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo MinaiDarling in the Franxx2) Darling in the FranxxEasy first place.DitF built a good atmosphere and had potential. Characters were endearing. Because I had higher expectations, I was disappointed by the big reveal and ending which was neither bad but great either. It tried to live up to TTGL and KLK but because the atmosphere was melancholic as opposed to GAR, it didn’t achieve the same effect.Unsure about the rest:Violet EvergardenShokugeki no Souma: San no SaraGoblin SlayerIsekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei MajutsuHanebado!Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale OnlineIrozuku Sekai no Ashita karaSSSS.GridmanBest MovieNo Game No Life ZeroFate/stay night: Heavens Feel I. Presage FlowerCode Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch I, II, and IIIEasy first.Didn’t watch many movies/OVAs other than these 3. FSN movie was slow as hell but that’s part of the dark somber atmosphere that ufotable excels at creating.Watching Code Geass III’s climax at the theaters and hearing the soundtrack intensify brought back some good memories.
This year was pretty easy for me to vote:Violet Evergarden
My personal top 5 shows:1. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (unbelievably good)2. Hinamatsuri 3. Violet Evergarden4. Yuru Camp5. Yagate Kimi ni NaruThere were a lot of great shows this year but Sora yori/A Place Further Than the Universe absolutely blew me away and became one of my all time favorites. I hope it gets recognized by a lot of websites in their Best of 2018 discussions.
Violet Evergarden actually surprised me. I didn’t expect to love it but it floored me. Probably because I didn’t expect too much from it.
MISSING at least the following:——-TV:KirakiraPrecure a la Mode (Ended January 2018)Movie:Hataraku Saibou: Kaze Shoukougun (OVA Special episode)Pretty Cure Super Stars (Cross-over movie)My top 5——–Baki (Netflix has outdone the Japanese version. Great job!)Goblin SlayerYowai Mushi Pedal Glory LineMy Hero Academy IIIShokugeki no Souma: San no SaraHonorable Mention—————–Akanesasu Shoujo (Upbeat and positive spirits)Hataraku Saibou (Very creative)3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season (Would have gotten more attention if it were released earlier)Gakuen Babysitters (Turned an otherwise sad story into a comedy)Grand Blue (Nice graphics)Hanebado! (Some bad graphics near the end of the series. But still good overall.)Killing Bites (Captured the mood of the manga rather nicely)Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (Simply NUTS!)
Mr. Tonegawa, Pop Team Epic, Happy Sugar Life, and 3-gatsu S2.Titan S3 and Doreiku were missing from the poll, so I voted the FLCL sequels instead.
Personal top 5: Sora Yori, Hinamatsuri, Violet Evergarden, Koi wa Ameagari, Steins;Gate 0If I was allowed another 5: Hi Score Girl, Bookseller Honda-san, Bunny-girl-sempai, Zombieland Saga, ???And some that are bumping up against the top 10: Kokkoku, Yuru Camp, SAOA:GGO, Bloom Into YouAnd those that I know I like the story for (having read the manga), but never got around to watching the anime: Food Wars, MHA, March Comes in Like a Lion. Since they’re long-running series, I don’t consider them valid candidates for best-of-year polls anyway.The above doesn’t count a few series that I just haven’t gotten around to watching yet, but have heard good things about, or that I’ve been holding off on because I want to watch them with friends.
It’s that time of the year again uh. This year’s dropped list was bigger than expected, it was pretty easy to make a top 5:1. (AOTY) 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season – hell even anime of the decade2. Saiki Kusuo no Nan 23. Golden Kamuy4. Boku no Hero Academia Season 35. DEVILMAN crybaby
It amazes me that 3 of my picks this year came out of Winter. That used to be the slow cour, but the playing field has definitely leveled recently. As always, there’s a lot of great ones that just can’t make the final cut.Top Five:1 Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho2 Boku no Hero Academia S33 Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san4 Darling in the Franxx5 Mahoutsukai no YomeHonoraries:6 Megalo Box7 Beelzebub-jou no Okinimesu mama.8 Kokkoku9 Gurazeni10 Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai
It’s amazing to me that I didn’t hear about this sora yori anime that everyone’s been raving about. I will be sure to rectify that injustice immediately. I guess I’ve been blindly following enzo’s blog for recommendations.My top 5 are:GurazeniBoku BokuHi score girlGoblin slayerMajor
I love Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms so much.(and Fate/stay night: Heavens Feel I. Presage Flower, can’t wait to see the sequel).
Yagate Kimni ni Naru?
You can find it near the bottom of the TV Anime (not the OVA/Movie one) poll.
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou ?
Hmmm, from what I’m seeing it was a series that ended in December of last year?