Hina’s Picks of the Year:
Best Action - Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi)
The last thing that you want to do is get on Joe’s bad side. She’s truly an angel straight from hell. Whether on foot or piloting her giant mech named Jango, Joe’s dual pistols result in nothing less than total destruction. But what you can do is tap dance to the opening theme. Everybody loosey!
Best Drama - Oh! My Goddess (Ah! Megami Sama) TV series
A more complete version of the manga, Ah! My Goddess the TV series retells the encounter between the Nekomi Tech freshman Morisato Keiichi and the beautiful goddess Belldandy whose relationship has in and of itself become legendary among anime fans. Urd, Skuld, his rich sempai Sayoko Mishima, and his sister Megumi are all back in addition to Skuld’s robot Banpei and the demon Marller/Mara. The opening song is called ‘Open Your Mind’. The series will surely open your hearts.
Most Ecchi Humor - Maburaho
Shikimori Kazuki. Age 17. Although Kazuki happens to be sub par when it comes to using magic, it is revealed that his descendant will have exceptional magical potential. This is no Harry Potter. Three girls Kuriko Kazetsubaki, Rin Kamishiro, and Yuna Miyama are after one thing only - his genes. That spells out S-E-X.
Best Comedy - Midori’s Days (Midori no Hibi)
How would you handle waking up seeing a miniature girl attached where your right hand used to be not to mention naked? Imagine trying to do all the activities you take for granted like cooking, writing, and using the restroom.
Weirdest - Eiken
Hinging on a borderline hentai, Eiken is full of big-breasted women of all shapes and sizes. Poor Densuke who is thrown into the middle of it all.
Best Kiddy Anime - Fullmetal Alchemist
Showing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, Edward Elric is the Fullmetal Alchemist who lost his right arm and left leg due to a transmutation accident. His little brother, Alphonse Elric, too lost his human body. Together they search the world for clues about the renowned Philosopher’s Stone in order to restore themselves to how they once were.
Best Manga - Eyeshield 21
Superior artwork compared to the anime, the mangaka really knows his camera angles. The scenes are simply spectacular. You can just feel the force radiating out of the football players. The character designs are creative from the small yet fast Sena, to the devilish Himura, the fat but considerate Kurita, the monkey-like catcher Monta, and Shin with his unstoppable spear tackle.
Best Shoujo - Full Moon wo Sagashite
Takuto and Meroko, the Shinigami duo known as ‘Negi Ramen,” are cute. I want plushies of them. The anime finally after all this time got licensed by Viz. It is the story of Mitsuki Koyama’s dream to become an idol singer with only a year left to live.
Runner Up: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles
Take your favorite characters from all of CLAMP’s series including Card Captor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, Chobits, and XXXholic, have them travel to parallel universes, and you have Tsubasa Chronicles.
Favorite Voice Actor/Actress - Ishida Akira
He is the god of all male Japanese voice actors second to Takehito Koyasu. His work includes but is not limited to Hiwatari Satoshi - DNAngel, Xellos - Slayers, Chrno - Chrno Crusade, Ed Phoenix - Yugioh Duel Monsters GX, Nagi - Mai-Hime, and Gaara - Naruto.
Most Kawaii Character - Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Best Anime Site - Animeagency.com
Anime Agency + Animesou make an unbeatable team ^_^. Their forums are always active. Register and vote for your favorite anime/manga of the month. The agency features a Sketchbook section where you can submit your own original artwork for review.
Best New Series - Elfen Lied
Mature due to the blood, flying limbs, and naked pink haired women with horns. Nevertheless, it is a perfect blend of romance, mystery, action, and comedy in the character Nyu. For Nana’s sake watch Elfen Lied.
Movie of the Year - Final Fantasy Advent Children
The epitome of Square-Enix at its finest. Full 3D computer animation, remixed game music, and memorable characters to Playstation’s greatest hit of all time.
Sleeper Hits - Yumeria
Namco put their reputation on the line to produce an anime based off the Playstation 2 dating simulation game. If you can bear to stand through the opening song ‘Jikan Aish!teru,’ you’ll see that the protagonist Mikuri Tomokazu increases the girls’ powers by groping them. Mone mone is right.
Must Have - Stellvia of the Universe (Uchuu no Stellvia)
Back when Last Exile aired in Japan, Stellvia was a close contender for the top anime of 2003. Stellvia’s opening ‘Asu he no Brilliant Road’ is up there with Last Exile’s ‘Cloud Age Symphony’ although Stellvia’s artist Angela does come off on a high note. Both series are about strong willed children. In Last Exile they pilot vanships, while in Stellvia they fly Biancas.
A Look to the Future - Bleach
Not Clorox bleach, Bleach is the story of Kurosaki Ichigo, a not so normal high school student, who by unprecedented circumstances receives the powers of a Shinigami. With his sword, he slays hallows in order to help them pass over to the afterlife. This series has the potential to be the next Dragon Ball Z and Naruto.