The Top 10 Best Anime Seasons of All Time

It seems that as the seasons come and go, everyone has a different opinion on the current season of anime. But as soon as one season passes, and the next one comes, hardly anyone goes back to look at the seasons holistically. After all, once a season is over, the entity of the season becomes irrelevant; you can watch any show from any past season. But what seasons really were the good ones? Seasons that had us looking forward to every day of the week. Seasons that made it fun to be an anime blogger. Seasons where you had so many shows to watch but feel like you’re still missing out on something. So I went back and reviewed every season in recent memory and picked my top 10 favorite seasons of all time. Without further ado, here they are:

#10. Fall 2006

Big hits: Code Geass, Death Note
Hidden gems: Red Garden, Bartender
Continuing from last season: Kanon, Welcome to the NHK

Fall of 2006 is every action anime fan’s wet dream, thanks to blockbuster hits Code Geass and Death Note. The two wildly popular titles (which debuted on the same day) was complemented by a second season of Black Lagoon as well as a much darker Red Garden. This season is also when Summer 2006′s Welcome to the NHK gets really good, and I enjoyed the second half of Kanon as well. If this season wasn’t dark and serious enough for you, try out Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori (a big improvement over its first season). Just steer clear of 009-1.

A big reason this season isn’t higher up on the list is that it’s not very deep in other genres. There are no really good comedies or romance shows. All the hype and hooplah was concentrated into Death Note and Code Geass.

#9. Winter 2008

Big hits: Aria the Origination
Enduring classics: Spice and Wolf, Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Continuing from last season: Clannad, Bamboo Blade, Kaiji

Ok, I’ll admit it. This season is only really up here because of Aria the Origination, though Spice and Wolf was a pleasant surprise to anime fans everywhere. This is the only winter season on this list; winters are usually atrocious. The other exception is probably Winter of 2011, which featured Madoka and Wandering Son and barely missed out being on this list. Winter 2008 had a select handful of outstanding shows, including a second season of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Realistically, winter seasons exist to support the many 2-cour shows that start in the fall, and Winter of 2008 did in fact receive Kaiji and Clannad from the previous year. However, the pleasantly sweetSpice and Wolf and the wonderfully sublime Aria the Origination were a ray of sunshine in the typically frigid and bleak winter.

They Are My Noble Masters, Rosario + Vampire and H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~ round out the season. Avoid them all.

#8. Fall 2008

Big hits: Toradora
Enduring classics: Clannad: After Story, Yozakura Quartet, Toaru Majutsu no Index, Kannagi
Hidden gems: One Outs, Michiko e Hatchin

Ahhh, Fall 2008. I remember when I considered this one of the very best anime seasons ever, but now after a few years I am doubting myself. It’s still good enough to be on here, but there are simply too many misfires to justify placing this season higher. Toradora was great and I really loved Clannad: After Story and I don’t even like romance anime. Some people hate Kyoto Animation’s Key adaptations, but I love them. Even taking this into account, I can’t excuse the presence of really poor shows; quantity does not equate to quality. Shikabane Hime: Aka and Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka were huge disappointments. Toaru Majutsu no Index started out great but quickly lost steam. I could have lived if they never made another season of Gundam 00. Chaos;Head was atrocious and Today in Class 5-2 was boring as fuck. Don’t get me started on Ga-Rei Zero. Still, Michiko e Hatchin was pretty good and One Outs is one of the very best sports anime out there. And you can always catch ef – a tale of melodies if Clannad isn’t your thing.

#7. Summer 2009

Big hits: Bakemonogatari
Hidden gems: Needless, Sora no Manimani, GA: Art Design Class
Continuing from last season: Saki, Hayate no Gotoku!!

A solid season headlined with Bakemonogatari and supported by a group of very underrated anime. This season is very much aided by the fact that Saki is on the regional tournament arc during this season, when the show gets really good. Sora no Manimani is a very sweet and often-overlooked romance that’s light on the melodrama. Needless is fucking awesome if people gave it more of a chance, though admittedly the first three episodes are terrible. But this season really is about Shinbou Akuyuki’s Bakemonogatari. This anime was amazing, especially when it first came out and its method of storytelling was still fresh. It was like nothing we have ever seen before, and that itself makes a season really exciting.

The rest of the season is fine. Aoi Hana is a nice love story while CANAAN was a largely forgettable action flick that didn’t come close to its potential. GA: Art Design Class feels like a poor-man’s Sketchbook Full Colors. Spice and Wolf II isn’t nearly as good as its prequel. Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan!!, and Umi Monogatari are fine to skip.

#6. Fall 2004

Big hits: Bleach
Enduring classics: BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, Genshiken, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
Hidden gems: Fantastic Children

The earliest entry in this top 10 list features a few of shows that spawned pretty sizable followings. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha introduced the world to magical girls Nanoha and Fate kicking butt with magic, and is still releasing movies to this date. Shinbou Akiyuki’s other anime that season, Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase, found less commercial success. Speaking of commercial success, Bleach aired its first episode this fall and would continue for almost eight more years. The iconic shounen anime has played a huge role in bringing anime to the west.

BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad and Genshiken really lift this season into the ranks of the very best. I truly feel this was one of the most complete seasons ever; there really is something for everyone. Want magical girl shows? You’re three deep with Gakuen Alice, Nanoha, and Uta~Kata — each one of them unique, solid, and appealing to a different demographic. School Rumble was great fun as a school comedy as well. Hell, even Air aired (haha) this season in case you’re into shitty Key adaptations. Thought I would recommend waiting two more years for Kanon. Make sure you catch Fantastic Children, an underrated but pretty good mystery adventure show.

#5. Spring 2006

Big hits: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, Gintama
Enduring classics: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Aria the Natural, Ouran High School Host Club
Hidden gems: Gundou Musashi, NANA, xxxHOLiC
Continuing from last season: Ergo Proxy

From Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu to Ouran High School Host Club, Aria the Natural to NANA, this season was absolutely loaded with memorable shows. The first season of Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu caused a huge splash in the anime community that season, and it really put Kyoto Animation on the map. Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni might just be the best show Studio DEEN has ever made; at least it’s a huge upgrade from 07th Expansion’s art for the visual novel. Aria the Natural is the second part of my favorite franchise of all time, so you guys know I’m going to be biased here. Greatest slice of life show ever, just passing by don’t mind me.

No season would be complete without moe, and Utawarerumono and Inukami! deliver. Black Lagoon and Tsubasa Chronicle 2 headline this season’s action and adventure shows. Besides the pair of outstanding and unique dramas inxxxHOLiC and NANA, I cannot write about this season without mentioning the legendary Gundou Musashi. ThisGreatest Anime of All Time™ transcends reality and truly lifts this season into legendary status.

#4. Summer 2013

Big hits: Monogatari series: Second Season
Enduring classics: Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!, Gatchaman Crowds, Uchouten Kazoku
Hidden gems: Kiniro Mosaic, Gin no Saji
Continuing from last season: Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S, Shingeki no Kyojin

After the recently-concluded Summer 2013 season passed, it really hit me how good of a season has just passed by. The second Monogatari season kind of goes back over the first season and fleshes all the characters out. It builds on a great show and develops into a really great show. The fan favorite this season, though, is Gatchaman Crowds. Besides the peculiar antagonists and dynamic character interactions among the Gatchaman crew, I found the commentary on social media pretty cool.

Everyone had something to watch this season. For me, it was Kiniro Mosaic. Damn did I love Kinmoza. The characters were just so cute, and they didn’t have to rely on fanservice to make the show entertaining as all hell! Shingeki no Kyojin drew a huge audience and was thoroughly fun to watch. Watamote is probably the best show Silver Link ever made, and Railgun S was mainly what you expected it to be.

#3. Summer 2007

Big hits: Mononoke 
Enduring classics: Baccano, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, School Days
Hidden gems: Doujin Work, Moetan
Continuing from last season: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Lucky Star, Dennou Coil

This summer would have been a great time to be an anime fan. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann enters its second half as Simon and the Dai-Gurren brigade to into space and this show goes off the charts in terms of awesomeness. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Lucky Star, Yamakan’s first attempt to save anime, though he didn’t last this far into the show. This wildly popular situational comedy has cooled off in the second half, but you’re not going to stop watching it if this is your thing. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Lucky Star… could two anime be more different?

These 2-cour shows are supported by an exceptionally good crop of summer anime. Baccano is a classic anime take on film-noir — a unique premise with the style to match. Another season of Higurashi keeps you on the edge of your seat while Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is making you laugh, School Days is crushing your soul, and Nanatsuiro Dropsis giving you diabetes.

Mononoke is a visual masterpiece and arguably among the best anime ever made (though I am more lukewarm about it). However, don’t miss Moetan. It’s a parody magical girl show about a magical girl who teaches otaku English. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at this show.

#2. Summer 2011

Enduring classics: Mawaru Penguindrum, The iDOLM@STER, Usagi Drop, Yuru Yuri
Hidden gems: Ikoku Meiro no Croisee, Natsume Yuujin-Chou San
Continuing from last season: Nichijou, Steins;Gate

It pains me to admit that Mawaru Penguindrum was at the very least an impactful show. It was popular and provocative and even though it is the highest degree of utter shit, it got people talking. At least it was still decently entertaining during the summer season (the first half). A much better show, The iDOLM@STER, was this season’s crown jewel. I was simply blown away by how freaking good this video game adaptation was. Yuru Yuri aired this season too? FFFFFFFF.

As if this season needed any help, the second half of Nichijou and Steins;Gate aired during this time as well. This season was the very beginning of the Anime Power Rankings, and we were blessed with a pretty deep stock of shows. I remember having to catch up to so many shows every week… Usagi Drop, No. 6, Steins;Gate, Nichijou, iDOLM@STER, Ikoku Meiro no Croisee, Penguindrum, Yuru Yuri… I wanted to drop something but I just couldn’t. It was good times.

#1. Spring 2012

Big hits: Fate/zero 2, Hyouka
Enduring classics: Sakamichi no Apollon, Tsuritama, Uchuu Kyoudai
Hidden gems: Sengoku Collection, Natsuiro Kiseki, Shirokuma Cafe, Sankarea
Continuing from last season: Aquarion Evol

This season is absolutely loaded with great anime. I remember Sakamichi no Apollon was the hyped favorite show coming into the season, a union on Yoko Kanno with Tezuka Productions. Though I didn’t really enjoy it, it dominated Anime Power Rankings. Hyouka and Fate/zero were also wildly popular. The second season of Fate/zerowas loaded with intense action, and I can’t really explain why people liked Hyouka. In the midst of all this, Tsuritama was quietly spectacular. The A-1 Pictures anime was fearlessly adventurous and looked absolutely beautiful. To this day, it is one of the best Noitamina anime that ever aired. A-1′s other work was Uchuu Kyoudai (Space Brothers) and I really liked the way A-1 approached the story. Too bad it slows down dramatically after the spring season.

This season is so incredibly deep, it made the second coming of Saki seem like an afterthought. Sankarea and Nazo no Kanojo X were also refreshingly unique and intriguing to watch. Natsuiro Kiseki was one of my favorite shows all year, while Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna, Kuroko no Basuke, and Haiyore! Nyaruko-san were also quite popular. Jormungand was a good action anime in a season low of action shows. AKB0048, Shirokuma Cafe, and the second half of Aquarion Evol round off this stacked season. It was a great time to watch anime.

Oh, and Accel World. But we’re anime hipsters here.