AnimeSuki Choice Awards 2014 Winners

[Last Sinner]

And that was the Madoka Magica awards for this year.

Tune in during early 2016 for the FSN: UBW awards.

[Darthtabby]

Hey guys, I know some of you are disappointed with the results. I'm somewhat disappointed myself. But let's try to be good sports about it, okay?

[Pocari_Sweat]

Feel free to add any discussion, but please try to keep it friendly and refrain from flaming winners that you didn't support (I'm looking at you, Pocari Sweat).

!!!

I'm making a complaint for defamation! Oh what the heck I'll be flaming anyway. Sue me!

And that was the Madoka Magica awards for this year.

Tune in during early 2016 for the FSN: UBW awards.

And to add, tune in during 2016 for the Charlotte runner-up awards that will take home the Drama/Romance/Best Female (cause Key moeblobs are kawaii) and perhaps the Slice of Life/Supernaturals slot because "Key". Type-moon and Key OP.


Having actually watched Rebellion and thinking it was a decent but ultimately pointless movie since I felt it made the TV series redundant due to how it ended I find it highly disappointing that it won so many awards. Particularly some of which that makes completely no sense like best visuals. Shaft winning visuals? Particularily in a year where there is Space Dandy, Gundam Unicorn and to a lesser extent Shingeki Bahamut and Nagi no Asu Kara (NagiKara winning slots that I don't think shouldn't have won will be discussed later). There are far better "avant-garde" or "experimental" style art styles out there like Ping Pong or Mushishi for this year and for all I know Shinbo is a hack (Yuasa and Ikuhara are for more interesting directors who use such a style).

It's also painfully obvious that not many people watched Kaguya-hime, because if they did they would realise it's this year "Wolf Children" equivalent movie. It's Ghibli's Swan Song and little people seem to care. I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of Miyazaki-Ghibli, but this wasn't him but Takahata, who did movies such as Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies. Madoka winning this slot just shows the forces of marketing and commercialism trumping over actual art once again.

Nagi no Asu Kara actually won less awards then I think it would (yay) but it winning the credits theme is just ... what? Reminds me of Anohana ED winning in 2011 which was equally wut. Winning drama is completely predictable (and disappointing) but it still dissappoints me that the notion "drama = melodrama" still remains intact, typically if its of the school-teen-romance type. Now not all melodrama animes are bad (just the vast majority) and there's one that's airing right now that is far superior (albeit having problems) called Shigatsu, which btw I have no idea how it didn't even get nominated for Ongoing but Aldnoah did.

But hey at least it didn't win Romance, though to be fair 2014 was a terrible year for romance (I didn't even vote for one). Same with the best female characters, none of the choices were any good so I also didn't vote for one.

There's also some disappointing results like Love Live winning Slice of Life as I am thoroughly sick of Idol anime destroying music-based theme anime which are the new fad atm and I fear the overuse of music as a theme in the coming years, and to a lesser extent FSN:UBW winning ongoing considering I can name 4 better shows (Shirobako, Parayste, Shigatsu and Akatsuki no Yona) but those are just minor gripes.

But not is all crap at least with Gundam Unicorn grabbing a few awards, Ping Pong grabbing Best Sports, Gekkan Shojo best comedy and Ginko co-winning Best Male. Unfortunately, I can't celebrate with H x H fans winning best TV and best antagonist since I didn't get far but I admire your dedication and you got what you wanted.

Overall, 2014 was a terrible year and I hope 2015 will be better, but more importantly I'm hoping it's not a clean sweep in the 2015 AS Awards by FSN:UBW and Charlotte which atm I am sadly expecting.

[Guardian Enzo]

Yes, I'd be shocked if more than a few voters have seen Kaguyahime. But some of us believe it's silly to pit TV series and movies against each other in the first place - apples and oranges. In a category like "best animation" it's especially ridiculous.

[MCAL]

Glad to see Hunter x Hunter win best TV Series after losing the ongoing series award last year.

[Reckoner]

No real surprises here. Madoka was always going to win here just by the numbers. Most people just didn't watch other films, so even if they did like them better, it wouldn't matter. Result may not have changed anyways, but the numbers just don't favor those movies at all.

Originally Posted by Pocari_Sweat

Overall, 2014 was a terrible year and I hope 2015 will be better, but more importantly I'm hoping it's not a clean sweep in the 2015 AS Awards by FSN:UBW and Charlotte which atm I am sadly expecting.

Why care? Community based award ceremonies are more about how many people actually watched X show/movie or what type of anime can succeed to begin with, than an actual real evaluation of all the titles out there in the year. So yes, we had more Madoka fans than Kaguya Hime fans. No surprise. Most of this website didn't even see Kaguya Hime, and a lot of them probably wouldn't like an anime like it anyways. We can sit here and be elitists, putting down the opinions of the masses, but what good does it do? There are better ways to advocate for a film than basically just saying to others that they have shit taste.

In any case, I actually do not agree with you or Enzo at all about 2014. I think it was a better year than 2013, and it is marked by a greater variety of titles than we usually see in most years. I think years like 2008-2010 were much, much worse than this year as well. The only thing 2014 lacked was a title that really brought the anime fandom together, both critical and popular. Not always going to have a Madoka level presence anime made every year that is actually good.

[Pocari_Sweat]

I still think 2009-10 was narrowly worse than 2014, but really the winter and spring seasons of 2014 were awful, summer being ok and fall being the only season that remotely being good. That's a pretty awful year.

I also disagree that 2013 was a worse year, considering we had Shin Sekai Yori, Kyousogiga, Uchoten Kazoku, White Album 2, Wolf Children airing in that year along with heavy popular hitters like Attack on Titan and Psycho Pass. We also had the 2nd season of Chihayafuru, Little Busters, Sakurasou, Garden of Words, Railgun s2 and regardless of what your opinion was on those shows, you can't deny there was far more variety. Hell, I think Hataraku-Maou Sama and Yahari was 2013. Some genres this year were plain non-existent like romance and we had a lack of thriller type series as well. And 2013 wasn't even a fantastic year compared to say 2011 or even 2012. It just shows how bad of a year 2014 is.

Also I recall the winners for the AS 2013 awards having far more diversity than a single series (or two) dominating.

[Guardian Enzo]

This is an argument that almost inevitably becomes circular, as it's wholly based on personal opinion. But yes, I certainly think 2014 was weak. I can look at my own Top 20 lists from 2014 and 2013, and the difference in both quality and diversity is stunning. Of course that's true for 2014 against every year I've been compiling lists, and I tend to think the 2008-2010 period is unjustly dismissed in some circles. I think it was better than it's being given credit for, and each of those years was certainly better than 2014 to my tastes. YMMV.

Here's hoping 2015 is better in every sense. And at least the big award went to the right show.

[Last Sinner]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

I tend to think the 2008-2010 period is unjustly dismissed in some circles. I think it was better than it's being credit for, and each of those years was certainly better than 2014 to my tastes.

Those were 3 good years. *shrug* I guess they're too 'old' for newer people now. What can you do in a visual-obsessed generation?

[Maxulous]

"Best TV Series" is about as contestable as "Best visuals/Animation", if we're all talking apples and oranges. But hey, when in Rome...

Nice to see Kill la Kill emerge victorious in some areas - Mako is unstoppable. And somewhat reassuring that Kiseijuu didn't grab best ongoing series, even though most of the competition was meager IMHO.

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Those were 3 good years. *shrug* I guess they're too 'old' for newer people now. What can you do in a visual-obsessed generation?

They're also too 'new' I guess because I happen to think 2006-2007 are anime's best years ever. I also like many years in the 90's .

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

This is an argument that almost inevitably becomes circular, as it's wholly based on personal opinion.

Indeed and I never meant to enter a debate in which objective opinion can be established here (It really can't), but was just expressing an opposing point of view. My main reason for thinking 2013 is extremely weak is that most of its best titles come from 2012 series (Which basically only half count) that just spilled over. 2013's two cour fall shows that spilled over into this year all ended up failing in one way or another (Nagi no Asakura, Golden Time, etc.). Just think no anime that actually started that year really was all that great. Of course when we make our lists, we only consider the end dates, but I tend to look at this a bit differently. Parasyte, Shirobako, Akatsuki no Yona, etc. are in my mind just as much part of 2014 as they are 2015.

[Solace]

On the subject of visuals, I was very impressed with Rebellion's animation. Especially moments like the gun battle and the transformation sequences. If we're just talking about last year, Rebellion had some of the best animated visuals in the industry.

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Those were 3 good years. *shrug* I guess they're too 'old' for newer people now. What can you do in a visual-obsessed generation?

I'm not sure it's visual obsession so much as it is the ability to binge and forget so easily. Pretty much all mediums of entertainment are overloaded with content and nearly instant content delivery systems, so most people just jump right into the next big thing, hoping to keep up with the water cooler crowd that's talking about that awesome or horrible last episode, chapter, etc. There's little time to dwell on something that just finished airing, or to dig into the backlog to find something you missed.

I'm not immune to that. These last few years of anime have been mostly a blur to me. I had to check frequently when reading the list of winners this year because I was like "that was last year!?" And I don't really binge watch, it's just that I can't keep up with what aired when beyond the last season or two. There's just too many titles to keep track of.

[Last Sinner]

Originally Posted by Solace

I'm not sure it's visual obsession so much as it is the ability to binge and forget so easily.

Sorry, but when I have way too many people I speak to IRL (I'd say 70%) say they refuse to watch anything from 2011 or so because the art style is too outdated and this being the overwhelming majority of a response as to why they won't watch anything that isn't current, I don't buy into that. Art/animation plays a big part of it. I hear that reason so damn much it wears me out.

Pretty much all mediums of entertainment are overloaded with content and nearly instant content delivery systems, so most people just jump right into the next big thing, hoping to keep up with the water cooler crowd that's talking about that awesome or horrible last episode, chapter, etc. There's little time to dwell on something that just finished airing, or to dig into the backlog to find something you missed.

There's the rest of one's life. Talking with others is not mandatory to having good anime experiences. I enjoyed the medium FAR more once I accepted that fact.

I'm not immune to that. These last few years of anime have been mostly a blur to me. I had to check frequently when reading the list of winners this year because I was like "that was last year!?" And I don't really binge watch, it's just that I can't keep up with what aired when beyond the last season or two. There's just too many titles to keep track of.

*shrug* So rewatch value, for the ages value, memories, things that defined moments/decades/eras in anime - they don't mean anything? I know modern life is fast-paced and that there is more content out there. But I don't understand how one could simply forget it all. I really don't. Or maybe that is the major side-effect of being absorbed in the present.

And no, this isn't a trashing of the present. There have been some titles in recent times I value highly. I just value a lot of different things along the journey. Focusing on only the present eventually backfires.

[SuitUp]

I see everyone put down 2014 as a pretty awful year and well, for me at least it was one of the most active years of watching anime as it was being aired, as opposed to other years when I mostly watched old shows(well, not that old 2004, 2007, and the like), and I specially resent the notion that romance wise it was terrible, since there were good romance shows this year (Mikakukin de Shinkoukei, Inari Konkon, even Gin no Saji part 2 was a lot more romance centered than other shows) , it just so happens they were under the radar for most people, unlike popular trainwrecks like Glasslip or Raíl Wars that it's what 2014 will be remembered for...
Note: I indeed have considered that maybe those shows were not so good but instead it's me that has a weakness for fluffy and cute shows like that, but nevertheless I still stand by muy opinion.

[Ithekro]

Still waiting on the new Space Battleship Yamato 2199 movie that comes out on BD at the end of May.

[Kanon]

I'm very disappointed Mushishi didn't win anything. Lost only by one vote to Madoka in Fantasy. So close yet so far.

Ping Pong not winning anything except Sports (and by only a small margin) is also disappointing. Given its number of nominations, you could see it was well-liked, but it couldn't stand up against popular series.

Everything else is fine by me.

[GreyZone]

2014 certainly loses when it comes to the synopsises of shows. I mostly didn't even give most shows a try that year.

[Last Sinner]

Originally Posted by Kanon

I'm very disappointed Mushishi didn't win anything. Lost only by one vote to Madoka in Fantasy. So close yet so far.

Ginko tied a victory for Best Male Character, so it did get something. But I totally get how you feel. Mushishi Next was an utter breath of fresh air - definitely didn't think it would suddenly get more material done nine years later.

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Yes, I'd be shocked if more than a few voters have seen Kaguyahime. But some of us believe it's silly to pit TV series and movies against each other in the first place - apples and oranges. In a category like "best animation" it's especially ridiculous.

I'm one of those who agree with Enzo about this. I think movies should be allowed to compete only in their own category. Perhaps they should be allowed to compete in the best character groups, though even there I'm unsure. Homura Akemi was one of competitors for best female character in 2011; she didn't need to be reprised here.

BTW, looking at the results for 2011, we had over 132 voters then compared to 74 for 2014. In part that represents the general decline in participation here at AS over the past few years, but I continue to think that many people just don't even know that the awards exist. The moderators have resisted advertising the Awards with the kind of popup message we see for other activities like the banner contests, arguing that the Awards are not "official." After seven years, I think it's time this argument is put to rest.

[Solace]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Sorry, but when I have way too many people I speak to IRL (I'd say 70%) say they refuse to watch anything from 2011 or so because the art style is too outdated and this being the overwhelming majority of a response as to why they won't watch anything that isn't current, I don't buy into that. Art/animation plays a big part of it. I hear that reason so damn much it wears me out.

Fair enough, but that's anecdotal evidence. It's certainly not true for everyone. It's not a common complaint here, for example, unless the animation is blatantly bad.

There's the rest of one's life. Talking with others is not mandatory to having good anime experiences. I enjoyed the medium FAR more once I accepted that fact.

It's not required to talk about anime to enjoy it, no, but many people do enjoy talking about it, which is why forums like this exist. For many people, being a part of the latest thing is exciting and fun.

*shrug* So rewatch value, for the ages value, memories, things that defined moments/decades/eras in anime - they don't mean anything? I know modern life is fast-paced and that there is more content out there. But I don't understand how one could simply forget it all. I really don't. Or maybe that is the major side-effect of being absorbed in the present.

You're taking things way too far here. I never said those things don't mean anything, nor did I say I forgot it all. I also never said my experiences applied to everyone, either.

But there are 50+ shows every single year, and having been a fan of this hobby for over two decades, yes, I do have trouble keeping track of specifics like what aired when. I don't see why that's unusual. I have plenty of shows I'm sentimental about, and I'm sure that's true for a lot of people, but I also watch how others act (on the internet at least), and the vast majority of every community I've seen will quickly move on to the next season, or the next big thing, and leave behind that amazing show in the dust.

Just look at Attack on Titan. The forum was a ghost town within a month. This was a show with a huge amount of hype, tons of memes, a lot of fan interest, and then.....nothing. This pattern is not unique. In the past, this didn't happen as much, but it's far more frequent now. We're not the only site with this behavior, either.

The downside to having more choice than ever is that communities spread thin and grow more niche. Overlap is less common, and dwelling on something great from the past becomes something more reserved for a dedicated few.

And no, this isn't a trashing of the present. There have been some titles in recent times I value highly. I just value a lot of different things along the journey. Focusing on only the present eventually backfires.

It's a journey vs destination argument.

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

The moderators have resisted advertising the Awards with the kind of popup message we see for other activities like the banner contests, arguing that the Awards are not "official." After seven years, I think it's time this argument is put to rest.

We'll be discussing this for next year's contest. Feel free to remind me later on.