Otaku have voted to determine the top series of 2012 thus far, meaning everything from January, up till now – and while the number one result is a shock, it’s quite fitting, however the rest of the list is certainly not.
A ranking of near-total nonsense:
1.) Shirokuma Cafe
2.) Hyouka
3.) InuBoku SS
4.) Accel World5.) Nisemonogatari
6.) Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
7.) Another8.) Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead
8.) High School DxD
10.) Sakamichi no Apollon
Shirokuma Cafe is a series which can appeal to everyone though its lighthearted nature, easygoing comedy, and overall outgoing vibe which impressively has zero centralization on moe, bishoujos, pantsu, or anything else regarding the human female – thus, it’s spot at number one is well-deserved as not to mention, the series itself is grand in every respect one could conjure, be it music, visuals, or something else entirely.
However, this list fails to hold up beyond the first entry – perhaps it may be different upon the series’ conclusion, yet as for now, Hyouka hasn’t done much to be worthy of such recognition as second place. Its spot on the list likely arises from a sizable slab of female voters, as otherwise, it would have been doubtful for Shirokuma Cafe to have made the top of the list as well – despite how superb it is. Nonetheless, Hyouka’s experience provided has, up to now, been akin to watching a mastic composition convert to a solid film – i.e., watching paint dry.
InuBoku SS, much like Shirokuma Cafe, is excellent all around – yet this is another indicator of feminine votes being prevalent, as is Accel World’s place on the list, as neither could have otherwise managed their ranking. The issue isn’t that they ranked high, they certainly have earned such – rather, it’s in relative comparison to other series on the chart which makes it clear this list is biased in general favor of some sort of subset of otaku. On a more general metric, minus woman or children, Nisemonogatari would have never ranked below Accel World.
Similarly, if this chart was done according to animation quality, not only would Nisemonogatari not be below Accel World, yet Accel World would not be on the list – or even anywhere near it.
Yet returning to what a more sensible list would contain, a series as Nisemonogatari wouldn’t be beyond third place, if not first – however, that simply goes to show what sort of audience was voting in this case. Although even with that upset, the list’s main point of flaw is the absence of Fate/Zero, which actually ranked at number 15 – below a shounen sports anime, Kuroko no Basket, and even underneath a generic moe based slice of life series, Natsuiro Kiseki, which seconds as a marketing campaign.
And the greatest sin, while zero credibility stands with the chart for the reasons aforementioned, the lack of even a subtle presence of creeping cuteness leaves this list on par with drivel.
Jun 3, 2012 @ 11:42 CDT
Such lists hardly mean anything except the random opinions of a very limited number of people (8k? really?) over a very limited period of time.
Distilling meaning from these lists is tantamount to the explanation of the molecular structure of water to a drowning man.
Jun 3, 2012 @ 11:50 CDT
Of course there’s little meaning, nonetheless, interesting to see occasionally – this incidentally just happens to be one of the lesser quality lists unfortunately.
Jun 8, 2012 @ 12:00 CDT
Seems like a vote done from a vocal minority. I guess a more reliable indicator would be to look at the Nelson Ratings and then waiting three more weeks to compare the actual critical response from the anime community. Online polls aren’t reliable since they use a convenience sampling method; you need a random sample.
Zammael: Watchman reference. I see what you did there.
Dusk252: Ironically, the only recent anime,that I can think of, with more fanbased yaoi shipping than Fate/Zero is Tiger & Bunny, and it certainly has more than anything else this season. Most of the things on that list seem to go for the “moe moe” aspect that hardcore male otaku love.
Jun 3, 2012 @ 22:14 CDT
“Although even with that upset, the list’s main point of flaw is the absence of Fate/Zero, which actually ranked at number 15 – below a shounen sports anime, Kuroko no Basket, and even underneath a generic moe based slice of life series, Natsuiro Kiseki, which seconds as a marketing campaign.”
Seriously, something is very wrong with the world…
Jun 3, 2012 @ 22:16 CDT
Very, very wrong indeed.
Jun 4, 2012 @ 0:18 CDT
Ummm…this is the list…really….well people got some opinion…No Fate Zero…you just gotta be kidding…. Another at no 7…..and wow you also have high school DXD in the top 10…brilliant :p
Jun 4, 2012 @ 1:01 CDT
I sense the increase of women otaku…..
Jun 4, 2012 @ 4:24 CDT
I always get the idea women otaku always get very looked down upon. Perhaps not as a disagreement with their behavior but as being an undesired class for their different tastes. I’m not saying you’re implying this, as I just took your post as an introduction to what I’m saying, and I’m doing so because it isn’t the first time Seven expresses something on the lines of what he did in this post.
Not directing myself to Seven:
While I’m not offended by it, I find it a bit discriminatory that you’d say a series you deem better would never be ranked lower if it weren’t for the votes of women and children. Sometimes I agree that it does have its foundation, since I know that generally some genres appeal more to women, but here, for instance, I see no reason why Accel World would be directed at women in general. Quite the opposite actually, I find it more geared towards a male public (though a teenage one, arguably).
It also annoys me in a subjective level, but that’s something I can’t blame you on, since I am a woman and don’t fit that image. In fact, Fate/Zero aside (which I’m a huge fan of), I find this ratings total bullshit. However, I know I don’t fit the generalization, which is actually a valid one. It still bothers me anyway. I still don’t think it applies to shows like Accel World, though.
Jun 4, 2012 @ 5:56 CDT
^I thought I had this comment as a reply to kamihimmel’s. Just disregard the first part then.
Jun 4, 2012 @ 9:40 CDT
I’m making presumptions based on what I’ve come to determine is within the general female interest. You’re certainly correct in that Accel World is made for a male teenage audience, yet I find there’s a specific reason it would generally appeal to females as well – though I’ll let you figure that out on your own. Not to mention, this poll is from Biglobe – and they’re already known for their excess of fujoshi votes notable when it comes to character or seiyuu popularity rankings.
Incidentally, on the SeventhStyle Facebook, the Accel World review has a single “Like” from a female – not that this proves anything, it merely further goes to show the chances of perception being successful in my case. Generalization is both an opinion and a guess.
Jun 4, 2012 @ 12:50 CDT
As I believed I stated, I find your generalization to be mostly valid. It still irks me that you use it so often as a justification for the ratings.
As for Biglobe, I have no knowledge of it, so I’ll simply take your statement as true and add that despite not knowing the site, it’s a shame that rating polls get so heavily influenced by that, specially since most fujoshi I know tend to completely disregard story as an important component of what makes a good series.
Accel World has an element that would appeal to females? Heck, I must be really dense then… I don’t see any sexy males nor do I see females who would have unusual appeal as a role model in the cast. In fact, the only thing I’d consider as appealing to females in general is Haru’s avatar, which, I won’t deny, is extremely cute. Or maybe I’m the one who has the most stereotyped vision about other female viewers and am missing something simpler due to that.
So, have you written a review of Accel World as it is so far? Or are you referring to one of your episodic posts? Because I saw nothing like that in the Facebook page. Anyway, while I thought you were being too harsh on the show in the first few episodes, I find your episodic reviews to be pretty on spot. So, while I don’t have a facebook account, take it as another “like” from a female watcher^^ Either way, the number of “likes” from females is only indicative of something if you compare it to the female/male “like” ratio in other reviews. Otherwise it could just mean you have few female readers (which wouldn’t be all that surprising).
Jun 4, 2012 @ 17:06 CDT
The episodic, latest one.
I think Accel World appeals to females, generally, in that it’s not exceptionally hardcore or packed with depth. Girls aren’t commonly the diehard otaku type – so it’d make more sense for them to be attracted to something like this, versus something more to be appreciated by Genshiken-class otaku, like Haiyore! Nyaruko.
Also, if there was a predominance of male voting in the list, there’s absolutely no way something like Nisemonogatari would rank at fifth – pseudo-ero toothbrushing isn’t going to be bested by a moe face and a loli, both of which Nisemonogatari does better. Similarly, Fate/Zero’s audience is surely more male than anything.
In any case, nice to see there’s at least a few females here – reminds me of a scene from Danshi Nichijou.
Jun 4, 2012 @ 5:26 CDT
Ahah Highschool DxD. I actually liked that anime, but I still find it really funny for it to even be in the top 10.
Hyouka as 2nd is unsurprising, considering legions of KyoAni fans have that covered. Still doesn’t deserve that placing, though.
Nisemonogatari not being first is sacrilege.
Everything else seems pretty legit.
Jun 5, 2012 @ 18:58 CDT
Um… well…uh… I was..um, wondering… is it just me or do a lot of anime these days cover the moe, the lust, and make sure all this manga and mmorpg’s have a large fanbase? i mean seriosly. I started to read anime when i was around 6 and i just cant put them down!!!
Sorry if i misspelled anything. its been a long day.
Later!!!!
-Miranesa Miyu Kochibara
Jun 5, 2012 @ 19:03 CDT
You’re correct – it’s just a trending fad.
Jun 5, 2012 @ 19:04 CDT
Ah! i almost forgot. i haven’t been purchasing anime lately because i have bookshelves packed and my closet cant fit anymore. i was wondering also… since i have secret anime in my closet, yet i have anime outside in my room, what kind of otaku am i??!! that and i am sadly afraid of perverted anime….
AND IT KILLS ME!!
i will not truly be comfortable getting perverted anime until im at least 16!!!! MAYBE LATER!!
-Miranesa Miyu Kochibara
Jun 5, 2012 @ 19:07 CDT
Whatever you want is up to you.
On that note, you seem like you have a lot to share – why not sign up and post in the forums some? Also you’ll have your own identity instead of Anonymous.
Jun 5, 2012 @ 20:01 CDT
1.) Shirokuma Cafe: Doesn’t belong on the this list. Tired jokes are tired are tired. And it has become repetitious. Move Nisemonogatari to this spot. This is not to be argued.
2.) Hyouka: Doesn’t belong on this list. Look it’s good. But so far we’ve been struggling to prop it up. The animation is superb. But if it wasn’t, then this show would be on the worst list. Put Another here.
3.) InuBoku SS: I like this spot.
4.) Accel World: No No No. It hasn’t done a damn thing yet other than order it’s tropes rather well. I like the show, but we can put something better here. Saki-Side of A.
5.) Nisemonogatari: Kids on the Slope goes here.
6.) Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou. Didn’t watch it. No opinion, so I can’t move it up down or off.
7.) Another: Sankarea goes here.
8.) Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Of The Dead: I enjoy this show, but cobbled, random, and simply good, not great. Dusk Maiden seems a better choice.
8.) High School DxD: I found this show to be a great surprise. Fine by me to be here.
10.) Sakamichi no Apollon: Sengoku Collection goes here.
And………On a list by herself, ranked from spot one to spot over 9000! Haiyore. Nyarly-chan!
Jun 5, 2012 @ 20:05 CDT
One thing to keep in mind for the stuff I threw off the list; this is still the first six months of the year. In a few months, some of those shows could get even better and get a proper review for “Best of”
Jun 5, 2012 @ 20:15 CDT
This ranking would almost be ideal – High School DxD should be evicted, and everything should be moved down by one so Fate/Zero can sit first.
On another note, even though you haven’t seen Danshi Nichijou, it’s in quite the perfect spot as is – worth a watch as well.
Jun 5, 2012 @ 20:29 CDT
Thou I am not a watcher of the Fate stuffs, I appreciate your addition to my ranking and will stand with it. But not at first, second perhaps. I will weakly argue keeping DxD there as I very much enjoyed it’s safe psuedo-raunchy-romp.
Jun 5, 2012 @ 20:31 CDT
I watched about four episodes of Nichibros….the cup of tea was not to my liking. It had flavour, but a cloying aftertaste. But then, this is from a guy that argues in favor for DxD…..so……