Best Anime of 2009

10. Toaru Majutsu no Index

Genre: action, comedy, drama, fantasy, science fiction

Tags: superpowers

Plot: In a world where science clarifies supernatural powers. In a huge college that has power development in its curriculum. To a resident high school student, Kamijou Touma, a pure white sister appears. She calls herself “Index” and says that sorcerers are chasing her. Thus, Kamijou Touma enters the world of the occult.

Personal Notes: I got caught up on the supernatural feel of this anime. Although its got a taste of religious factors – you should definitely not miss this title!

09. Skip Beat!

Genre: comedy, drama, psychological, romance, supernaturalTags: idols, inner demons, stardom

Plot: Kyoko followed her true love and childhood friend Sho to Tokyo so she could help him reach his dream of becoming an idol. She cleans, cooks, works three jobs and does nothing for herself because she loves him so much, but gets nothing in return. Still, she remains by his side. But then one day she goes unannounced to his agency with a delivery, and overhears him talking about her; he reveals to his manager that he only took her with him as a maid, and that he doesn’t care for her at all. Upon hearing this, Kyoko doesn’t just sit around and cry. She cuts and dyes her hair, changes her clothes and attitude and thus begins her journey to join showbiz and have her revenge against Sho.

Personal Notes; At first I thought it was just about the love-love relationship until one great factor snapped and changed the flow of the story. It gets exciting as it progresses, the only thing was it kinda became stagnant in story after some point but it has several good aspects – like romance.

08.  Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season

Genre: action, drama, science fiction

Tags: mecha, military, real robot

Plot: 2312 A.D. Four years have passed since the final battle between Celestial Being and the UN Forces. Humanity, after having established the Earth Sphere Federation, forms an independent security force, A-LAWS, separate from the formal Federation army to further unify nations and the will of mankind. But in reality it is simply inhumane oppressing anti-government powers, doctrines, and ideologies in the name of unity. Setsuna F. Seiei, after surviving the battle four years ago, has decided to once again fight with his Gundam.

Personal Notes: I really like this series not only because I’m a gundam fan but because sunrise never ceases to impress me (yet). Its a direct continuation of its predecessor and provides a lot of action than before.

07. Toradora

Genre: comedy, romance, slice of life

Tags: school

Plot: Despite Ryuji Takasu’s gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent so he is utterly hopeless about his chances of getting a girlfriend anytime soon, and does not have many close friends either. After being greeted by his hungover mother in the morning, Ryuji goes to school and is happy to find that he gets to be in the same class as his best friend Yusaku Kitamura and crush Minori Kushieda. However, it is then that he unexpectedly knocks into “the school’s most dangerous animal of the highest risk level” — Taiga Aisaka — who just happens to also be in his class, and is a good friend of Minori.errorsource
Despite Ryuji Takasu’s gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent. Class rearrangements on his second high school year put him together with his best friend, Yusaku Kitamura, and his hidden crush, Minori Kushieda. Along with these two comes Kushieda’s best friend, Taiga Aisaka. Her delicate appearance contrasts with her brutal personality. Secretly in love with Kitamura, Taiga agrees to help Ryuji with his love interest as long as he helps her get closer to hers.
It’s a new school year and Ryuuji Takasu discovers not only is he in the same class as his best friend, Yusaku Kitamura, but also Minori Kukshieda whom he’s had an undisclosed crush on for quite some time. Along with Kitamura and Minori is Minori’s best friend, the “Palmtop Tiger”, tiny Taiga Aisaka whom, despite her small stature, takes nothing from nobody. (When unflattering pictures of her in a bathing suit were circulated, “Of course, I made it rain blood in the photography club.”) Taiga is secretly in love with Kitamura and she and Ryuuji, despite an oil and water relationship, agree to mutually support each other in their quests for their heart’s desire.

Personal Notes: This anime kinda reminds me of lovely complex but is different in several ways. One is the rejection from both parties is greater and both Taiga and Ryuuji seem miles away from each other because of their individual attitudes. I’m somewhat impressed on how they made the story progress.

06. Tears to Tiara

Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, romanceTags: bishounen, harem, war, war-medieval

Plot: Set in a fictitious land during a medieval-like era of magic and fantasy, Tears to Tiara unfolds with the Divine Empire’s rise to power as it conquers and rules lands far and wide. On the island of Erin, still ruled by the Ancient Kingdom, the Goidelic people are attempting to sacrifice priestess Riannon to revive protagonist and demon king Arawn to lead the resistance against the Empire. Although the ritual fails and Riannon survives, the seal imprisoning the demon king is broken and Arawn is resurrected. Armed with mysterious and devastating powers and a human’s demeanour, Arawn joins Riannon, her brother and battalion commander, Arthur, as well as their team of fighters comprising a swordsman, an archer and a quintet of magical pixies, in the epic struggle against the Divine Empire.

Personal Notes: Tears to Tiara, ah yes I could reminisce the times way back the rpg days. Its definitely a cool piece this year as I was searching for an adventure-type anime. If you know utawarerumono you’ll get a glimpse of what this anime is like. The adventure touch and medieval period was somewhat similar to utawarerumono but I personally prefer utawarerumono over this hands down although they did a great job coming up with the concept and story.

05. Minami-ke Okaeri

Genre: comedy, slice of life

Tags: crossdressing, family, school

Plot: A year has passed since “Okawari” and the 3 sisters have grown up. Their likings and mods are almost the same, Haruka the older sister is a love-giving mother to the younger sisters, but she’s also a discipline follower, Kana the middle one leaves everything to the last possible moment and always gives trouble to this trio, and Chiaki the little one is the calculating and manipulating one, she likes to be admired and loved by Haruka and always gives trouble to the less blessed Kana. An unbalanced family, but besides of that they love each other with their whole heart. This family’s daily life is as funny as ever, trouble and love is always present, now its time to see if they’ll survive this age change since Haruka is now a Young adult and she has even more responsabilities while having to watch over the younger while integrating to the adult life.

Peronal Notes: minami-ke was a blast! like its predecessors it never ceased to make me laugh! the comedy factor was definitely something, although it did not provide a fixed story – the humor and uniqueness per episode was its key points which made me interested in this title.

04.  Hatsukoi Limited

Genre: comedy, romance, slice of life

Tags: ecchi, school

Plot: A series of short stories depicting the complicated love lives of eight middle school and high school girls, their classmates and relatives. These stories later intertwine to form a main story involving most of the cast.

Personal Notes: I just watched this a day before writing this list and I’m glad I was able to put it in this list. The individual romance per character was cool and I liked how the story progressed. Compared to the previous once I’ve watched – they were kinda serious and sort of beat-around-the bush if you know what I mean. This time it was different – it gave me the feel of curiosity till the end and was satisfied. Again a good job for the author Mizuki Kawashita – the same author of Ichigo 100% which is one of my all-time favorite publications!

03. Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th

Genre: slice of life

Tags: shoujo-ai, yuri

Plot: Life goes on for the ladies in the Yamayurikai. On the one-year anniversary of Sachiko and Yumi becoming sœurs, Yumi receives a difficult task from Sachiko: to finally acknowledge someone as her younger sister.

Personal Notes: I understand that most people don’t agree with this being on the #3 spot of my list but I can’t deny it! Although its genre being sort of a girl-girl relationship it wasn’t explicit like the others. The story is more of like a sisterly relationship which is a plus for this. I totally suggest this title for those who can add some shoujo-ai titles in their list. For one – its story is one of a kind apart from it being a school-life anime. It has several good points like character-to-character story progress and misunderstandings but that’s what kept me yearning for it till the end of this season.

02.  K-ON!

Genre: comedy, slice of life

Tags: bishoujo, moe, music, school

Plot: It’s Yui Hirasawa’s first year in high school, and she’s eagerly searching for a club to join. At the same time, Ritsu Tainaka, a drummer, and her friend Mio Akiyama, a bassist, are desperately trying to save the school’s light music club, which is about to be disbanded due to lack of members. They manage to recruit Tsumugi Kotobuki to play the keyboard, meaning they only need one more member to get the club running again. Yui joins, thinking it will be an easy experience for her to play the castanets, the only instrument she knows. However, the other members think their new addition is actually a guitar prodigy…

Personal Notes: I thought this was just another make-over similar to the anime ‘beck’ but I was mistaken. Without a doubt this broke the record of being a great moe-music type of anime. It reminds us on how dedicated we are to what we love doing and how important that thing is to us. I’m very thankful something good like this one came out this year.

01. Clannad ~After Story~

Genre: comedy, drama, psychological, romance, supernatural

Tags: family, moe

Plot: A sequel to the recently wrapped anime based on the Key Clannad franchise. After Story is a path that opens in the original visual novel after all the other paths have been opened.
Life continues on for Tomoya. A few months have passed since he confessed his love to Nagisa. Now entering the second semester, he continues to meet a variety of different people, expanding his own world in the process. As well, Tomoya and Nagisa’s relationship begins to enter a level of intimacy unlike before. Through his relationship with Nagisa, and his various encounters, Tomoya begins to understand the meaning and importance of family. Unfortunately, as Tomoya and Nagisa begin their own family together, they are faced with many hardships and challenges along the way.

Personal Notes: yes! you are not mistaken, Clannad: After story is the #1 in my list. I admit, this title left a great impact to me and my life. I realized how important it is to life on and move forward despite the hardships that come across you, always think that your family will always back you up in times of need. This is a MUST watch for any anime lover out there.