Anime of the Decade – Part 3: The 7 Most Acclaimed Anime

Image source: Wikipedia entries for Gurren Lagann, Mushishi and Monster

(You can find Part 1 of our ongoing Anime of the Decade feature here, and Part 2 here.)

While no clear “winner” emerged from the various “Best Anime of the Decade” lists I browsed, these seven shows were noticeably more favored than others (especially in the case of the top two). Here then, in a rough approximation to their popularity on the lists, are the seven most acclaimed anime series of the decade (with a few blurbs gleaned from the lists I scanned).

Clannad: (Note that I considered mentions of both seasons, though many preferred the second.) After Kyoto Animation’s highly successful re-adaptation of Kanon, an immensely popular visual novel from Key, it was only natural for Kyoto to return to the works of the hit visual novel makers for further material. Clannad provided a richer mix of drama and comedy (well, at least in the first season) and a more interwoven storyline which, unlike most romance stories (and characters) in anime, actually developed and matured with time, constantly upping the emotional stakes.

Simply put, you're not going to get a better story out of any of these Key titles, and with the way that this show moves your heart and pushes you to love these 2-D characters, there's no reason why you shouldn't have already watched it by now.
On the second season: …the theme is now more on family rather than friendship…
On the second season: As a romance it differentiates itself from others in the genre by spanning several years, but as a story it’s remarkable for the amount and scope of the character development…

Furi Kuri (FLCL): While FLCL has always been a well-regarded anime, it surprised me just how many people still remembered and loved the OVA series, given that it was released way back at the beginning of the decade (April of 2000). Then again, its quirky, surreal plot stands-out (even in the quirky realm of anime) and the character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (of Neon Genesis Evangelion fame) remain striking to this day.

This is the anime. The one that, for just about every single otaku, proved to be a turning point in their lives. The show opened them up to so many new ideas, showed them the glory that is The Pillows, and forever cast them into the world of the anime lover.

Honey and Clover: (Note that I considered mentions of both seasons.) Honey and Clover is a story about coming-of-age… not, however, in the traditional anime fashion involving a quest, a mecha, or the devastation of the hero/heroine's home town. Now that there's no devastation involved… it is, after all, a story about growing up, about lasting friendship, and love unrequited.

…captures what it’s like to have unreciprocated feelings for someone…
On the second season: …incredible knack of justifying the actions of the characters without trying to absolve them…
Honey and Clover managed to mimic real life much better than we ever expected to see in anime…

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: (While Haruhi has had two "seasons", there were no listings for the second season. Unsurprisingly.) When Haruhi first appeared, few knew what to make of the show, but the appealing characters, intriguing presentation (starting off with an episode done in the style of an unedited home video, and then proceeding to air episodes out of chronological order) and high class animation was enough to capture the hearts and minds of discerning anime fans across genres… and its catchy (and smoothly animated) ending number gained it attention even outside anime fandom.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Gurren Lagann is, on the surface, one of the innumerable giant mecha animes that Japan churns out with the regularity of June rains, but like the very best of its kind it is about more than robot-versus-robot conflicts. It is instead an epic undertaking of wish-fulfillment, not due to the existence of mechas and beast-men and other-worldly entities, but because it gives us a setting where willpower (embodied in the symbol of the drill) is ascendant, when a person's ideals, courage, and sheer unremitting audacity can triumph over any foe, conquer any obstacle… save, perhaps, the final one.

Mushi-shi: Episodic anime are not usually my thing, but when these are as well-crafted as those chronicling Ginko's adventures… I've only had the pleasure of catching a few episodes, but the quality of the story and the animation--both of which serve to draw a viewer into the strange, eerie world of the Mushi--is readily apparent, and it doesn't surprise me in the least to see the show so highly regarded.

Monster: Manga-ka Naoki Urasawa is a master of layered characterization and storytelling suspense, and this series is based on one of his best mangas, which won Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 2001. The series begins with Dr. Kenzo Tenma choosing to minister to the needs of a peculiar young man who had arrived for treatment before a high-ranking politician in need of medical attention… the first of many hard decisions and harsh consequences that are explored amidst the plot-twists of this slow-burning--but compelling--psychological thriller.

These seven shows were very highly regarded across the Internet listings for best anime of the decade… but would the silent majority, especially Filipinos (who were exposed to different shows), agree? I decided to ask a few Filipino anime fans for feedback, and their own “Best of the Decade” lists, and their answers will constitute Part 4 of this series.

Sources: (with thanks to the aggregate list at Kitsune's Thoughts):