My take on the best and worst in animes, mangas and videogames of 2008.
ANIMU
Hidamari Sketch x365
Not Macross Frontier. Not Code Geass R2. Not fuckin’ Naruto either. Yes, I’m a biased slice of life fag. You unappreciative idorts can go chew on your own knuckle sandwich: you guys won’t know the true meaning of moe till’ you watch this anime. Yes, I am GAR for Hidamari Sketch. Embrace the nutbladder!
Runner-up: Wolf & Spice (stupid sexy Horo)
Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
I’M IN DESPAIR! Kohji Kumeta’s out of this world sense of humor and wit made me believe his previous life was that of a 17th century literature writer reincarnated as a 21st century manga artist. Combine his genius with Akiyuki Shinbo as the director and here we have the anime equivalent to Monty Python. ZSZS doesn’t simply tickle your funny bone. It wants you to think and ponder as you laugh. Who would’ve thought that such simple things that we take for granted in life, from everyday conversations to common behaviours in our society can be turned into an unthinkable yet genuinely comedic situation.
Runner-up: Detroit Metal City (RAPE RAPE RAPE)
Hyakko
Forced to compete against two of the most overrated animes of 2008, Hyakko had a relatively lukewarm reception when it was aired. Honestly, my first impression on the anime was quite underwhelming, but three episodes later, I was automatically hooked. If you’re done masturbating to the two aforementioned animes and looking for an alternative to pass your time until the next overrated anime (yes, I’m looking at YOU KyoAni) of the coming season, consider Hyakko an addition to your watchlist. Oh, and another box of tissue please.
Runner-up: Toshokan Sensou (this animu needs your attention badly ;_;)
Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino-
THERE IS NO GUNSLINGER GIRL SEASON TWO THERE IS NO GUNSLINGER GIRL SEASON TWO THERE IS NO GUNSLINGER GIRL SEASON TWO
Runner Up:
Macross Frontier
Despite lacking a proper epilogue, it has everything that I want and ever asked for. The ending left me extremely pleased, and when I say ending, I don’t mean the last 5 minutes of the anime, but the whole 25+ minutes of the entire final episode. Seriously, if you consider the last 5 minutes of an anime as a means of summarizing your entire view towards that series, you might as well turn the clock backwards to 1928 and worship Steamboat Willie as the one and only timeless example of an ending done right. Let’s see what Macross Frontier did that made me cum shock and awe, shall we?
Full-scale, all-out battle: check.
Massive explosions: check.
Casualties everywhere: check.
A HUEG BATTLESHIP “BOSSFIGHT” IS APPROACHING: check.
Epic Ranka/Sheryl duet: fukken check.
Altoh piercing the heavens: Muhfuggen check!
Everything that pleases my erection is right there. I’m satisfied, so shoot me.
Runner Up: Code Geass R2 (Lelouch died for your sins)
FLAG
FLAG breaks off from the monotony of teenage girly men, super-powered hax machines, beamspam and many forms of cancer that is killing the genre today. Utilizing real world politics and present day conflicts as its primary source of reference, FLAG created a new, not-too-distant alternate world with serious issues as with our own, adding a depth of believability. HAVWC (pronounced ‘Havoc’), FLAG’s trademark mecha is treated as if it truly exist in this world: it needs frequent maintenance, runs out of ammo, breaks down under abuse and vulnerable to antitank weaponry. Taking place almost entirely through the camera lens of a journalist during the time of the conflict, FLAG pushes the envelope of the mecha genre to a new heights and sadly, few would ever take notice of the silent revolution as Sunrise churns out more Gundam spin-offs for the blindfolded masses.
Runner Up: None
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
If there’s an anime to summarize the epitome of indecisions, then look no further than this indigestible highly inconsistent part comedy part serious drama mix-and-fail train wreck. Since most would likely take Zero no Tsukaima: Princess no Rondo or Linebarrels of Iron as their worst pick, I figured it’s worth(less?) to give this underrated failure some exposure.
Runner Up:
Strike Witches
I haven’t even watched this anime, yet my Strike Witches picture and doujin folder grew a few megabytes per every imageboard visit. Paraphrasing the majority opinions reflected by people who had seen Strike Witches, “this is one anime that Gonzo did right”, perpetual pantyshots and lolis notwithstanding. But who am I kidding, the latter IS the selling point of this anime, and perhaps Gonzo’s final solution for its financial losses. As I’m very much bogged down with shitty university filter, while back home across the South China Sea, my download rig committed seppuku and Internet connection there isn’t that grand either, mind donating a copy to me?
Runner Up: To Aru Majutsu no Index
Toradora, Kannagi (tie)
It’s everywhere and anywhere. It’s in everyone’s anime watchlist. It’s what everyone is watching. It’s everyone’s favourite flat-chested pedo shit (a hypocritical statement thar). It’s a phenomenon that mesmerized everyone but me. Until the next shipment of CARE arrives, I’ll stick to my own hype for now.
Runner Up: Lucky Star OVA (SAGE)
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MANGO
Onani Master Kurosawa
2008 was a very shallow year for new mangas. Everything that I’ve downloaded last year were all new chapters of mangas that existed the year before or older. Onani Master Kurosawa managed to unload something new and refreshing to my face. Ever wish you would’ve done something to save a poor weakling from constant bullying by a pair of really despiteful bitches? That’s exactly what our master in masterbation Kurosawa did, with the help of his vivid imagination, Yagami Raito-esque meticulous planning (and looks), and of course, his pleasurable nutrients.
Runner Up: None
Kentaro Miura and Idolmaster
Mangaka of one of the longest running manga series in Japan short of Dragonball Z, Kentaro Miura will temporarily suspend his work on Berserk so he can dedicate his time playing Idolmaster. WTF dude! Not AIDS, not any kind of illness, but fucking Idolmaster.
Runner Up: Second-hand Nagi (lulz)
Nantou Deculture!
Another one of Tony Taka’s masterpiece. I came buckets. Nuff’ said.
Runner Up: Yappari Pants Ga ii desu ka (Strike Witches, Takumi na Muchi)
Fesuta
Fesuta’s dedication in creating quality NSFW doujins for Hidamari Sketch has won them my LOYALTY and respect. I never expected them to push their creative talents even further by publishing a SFW Death Note/Hidamari Sketch crossover doujin. The odd situation of having Ryuuk encountering the friendly atmosphere of Yamabuki Apartment and its residence is both hilarious and epic in every way. It’s an unignorable addition to your Hidamari Sketch doujin folder.
Runner Up: Hikakuteki Simple na Panty (Seto no Hanayome)
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VIDYA GAEM
Fallout 3
One of the few games that stopped me from bathing indefinitely for 6 days, Fallout 3 has totally sucked me in like a huge gaping vagina the size of a hallway. Dozens of quests, a massive world spanning miles of the Capital Wasteland, a plethora of ways to exploit your nigh-limitless freedom (still can’t kill children, d’oh) and of course, Liam Neeson as your dad! 122 hours of my life lost in those 6 days, yet it was worth every second of my life spent playing one of the best RPG I have ever played in 2008. Watch those limbs fly!
PS: Whoever dislike the final main quest Take It Back! deserves a waterhose up their anus for being a massive cunt.
Runner Up: Dead Space
Homeworld 2
Thanks to an active modding community run by very passionate bunch of dudes, Homeworld 2 lives on six years after its official release. The game’s Abrahamic-influenced storyline combined together with middle eastern themes and an excellent musical score enriches its sci-fi universe with that hair-raising feel of myth and legend. Homeworld 2 features several alternative approach in its battlefield mechanics which gives a refreshing break from traditional on-ground RTS, allowing full three-dimensional movement (you can adjust your craft’s up/down position) and a sense of scale lending to the massive size of the map and differences in unit dimensions per ship class.
Runner Up: SWAT 4 (great mods and strong community support)
Bootfighter Windom
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG ROBOT COMBAT
Runner Up: Call of Dicking: Modern Wanker
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Also:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Grump Factory – FLAG screenshot.
Mirror Moon Forums – Bootfighter Windom screenshot.
Best meme move: Spinzaku kick
Linkinstreet: Oh shit I better make a separate entry for 2008 memes.
IMO, troll and drama should be separated: Kentaro Miura = troll, “second-hand” Kana = drama. Also how about the “most overrated” or “otaku fanfaggot favourite” entry for either Kannagi or Strike Witches?
Oh yeah, and don’t bother watching Toaru Majutsu no Index. What had in the beginning looked to be an interesting anime(from the first few episodes I’ve seen) had degenerated into your garden variety shonen animu. No power levels yet though.
Do you want Strike Witches? *grins*
lgw: I was gonna list Kouta Hirano in the runner-up, but he’s too obvious of a legendary troll. OK, maybe I’ll skip Index then.
Maskawaih: Why the hell not? DO WANT. I’m stuck in this polluted noisy hellhole for the next 4 months, so I’m gonna need as much entertainment as I can get.
You are sliding down on very, very slippery slope with Strike Witches. lol