Time to look at the best anime series of 2016. Thanks to an internship this year, this list isn’t as extensive as intended. Popular titles such as Erased, Sweetness and Lightning, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and Drifters couldn’t be addressed. This is the main reason this list isn’t the “Top 10 Anime of 2016.” Still there were plenty of great titles which deserve recognition this year.
Honorable Mention: Macross Delta
This series could easily have made this list and even been a contender for the number one position. Unfortunately, thanks to the licensing debacle surrounding this franchise it wasn’t streamed in America through proper channels. This disqualifies it from being the list but it still deserves recognition as being a powerful and enjoyable entry into the Macross series.
Please Tell Me! Galko-Chan
Sometimes a series can be short and sweet but pack a big punch (another entry on this list is further evidence of this point). Please Tell Me! Galko was a sketch comedy which focuses on the female side of what it’s like to grow up in high school and the hilarity which can come from it. Short, sweet, and funny which easily earned it a place on this list.
Yuri!!! On Ice
Believe the fanbase behind this show. It’s very entertaining. Focusing on Yuri Katsuki, a figure skater on the verge of quitting but is stopped when his idol Viktor Nikiforov shows up and offers to be his coach. What follows is a stunning series complete with comedy, emotional moments, and a very catching opening theme you’ll be singing for long after the show is done.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
Jojo’s is a unique series by having each of its arc focus on a different member of the Joestar family. Not all of these arcs are necessarily fantastic and each stands on its own with the titular bizarre adventures the new cast brings to the table. Diamond is Unbreakable seems almost like a dark horse, caught in the shadow of the more well-known arc Stardust Crusaders. Still, it finds a way to introduce a town full of entertaining and intriguing characters which kept all of us waiting with anticipation each week for a new episode to come out.
Space Patrol Luluco
What could easily be written off as a safe show for studio Trigger to produce after the well received Kiznaiver and before the release of the highly anticipated TV version of Little Witch Academia turned to surprise everyone by the time it was over. A little bit of comedy, a bunch of self-referential jokes and guest appearances, and a running time which no one can ever make the excuse of not having enough time for. The series is so entertaining fellow writer Logan Peterson made it his top show of the year.
Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto
Humor in anime is hard. Too many times writers rely on bad puns and references which are lost on the western audiences. This show has the majority of its comedy revolving on one simple premise: Sakamoto is the coolest person on the planet and everything he does is awesome. Though you’d think Sakamoto would come off as a jerk because of this fact, in truth, he just can’t help it. Everything he does is just beyond explanation and his antics will have you laughing uncontrollable. This series truly is one of the funniest comedies in a long time and considering how heavy this year was, everyone needed a good laugh. This is why Sakamoto easily took home the number one spot on this list.
All of these shows can be found at Crunchyroll. What was your favorite series of 2016? Leave a comment below and let us know.
