Okay, I didn’t expect that.
Thank you to everyone who voted. 2019 was a more low-key voter turn out than 2018 and that is kind of reflective of so many bloggers who have been getting caught up in real world business. Still with the poll open for one week there were 103 votes and we did end up with a winner in the end even though for the first half of the week we had about half the anime titles in the poll sitting evenly for first place.
Remember the poll included the three best anime from each season, but because Demon Slayer made the top 3 for best of the season twice last year there were only 11 titles in this final poll. Without any further delay let’s see where they all ended up. There are no losers here. All of these anime were chosen as part of the best of their season. However, when going head to head for best of the year, someone had to get the least votes.
11. Dr Stone – 3 Votes
Dr Stone was an anime that won a lot of viewers over in its second cour but I’m guessing that a lot of the same viewers who enjoyed Dr Stone in the season it was airing liked some of the other titles more from the rest of the year. That said, still a great anime from 2019 and one that if you didn’t watch you will hopefully try because it ends up being a lot of fun.
10. Kanata no Astra – 6 Votes
The early votes had Kanata no Astra up with the top of the pack but then that is where it stayed. I really loved this anime and just found watching these kids try to survive in space and get home was a lot of fun. Also, the story finishes very nicely making it a good stand alone watch.
9. Chihayafuru Season 3 – 7 Votes
Okay, I’m still yet to watch anything from this franchise, but given the loyalty of the fanbase I was surprised that this one didn’t climb higher during the voting. Chihayafuru is on my watch list though I doubt I’ll get to season 3 anytime soon.
8 – 6. Mob Psycho 100 Season 2 – 8 Votes
8 – 6. The Promised Neverland – 8 Votes
8 – 6. Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 – 8 Votes
A three way tie between titles that all had a lot of buzz during the year. I didn’t watch Mob Psycho 100 Season 2 having not enjoyed season 1 all that much, but I do know many bloggers who thoroughly enjoyed both seasons one and two. The Promised Neverland was great fun to watch and to speculate about each week. Though having aired so early in the year usually does work against a title in the best of the year polls. Meanwhile Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 made me actually really love the fact that I kept watching the franchise. While the second half of the first season and season 2 felt like they were dragging, season 3, and particularly part 2, was hitting us hard with reveals and character moments and ended up being truly delightful to watch.
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5. Dororo – 9 Votes
This one is streamed on a service I don’t use so alas I’ve still yet to see it even though it is definitely on my watch list. Dororo had a lot of people talking, particularly in its earlier episodes, and I really hope I one day can watch it.
4. Fruits Basket – 11 Votes
Nostalgia may have played a role in this as did the overall desire by so many fans for this franchise to get rebooted. However, unlike some other series reboots that have met with mixed reactions, Fruits Basket 2019 delivered exactly what fans had been wanting and was absolutely gorgeous to watch. While this anime may not be for everyone, I was thrilled with this season and I really can’t wait for more.
3 – 2. Demon Slayer – 14 Votes
3 – 2. Vinland Saga – 14 Votes
Now if you were to ask me going into this poll which anime was going to win I’d have picked one of these two. Vinland Saga I don’t have access to but I have been hearing the hype since this one started. It has a large and vocal fan base and honestly from what I’ve read about the anime, it seems fairly warranted. I really want to watch it. Demon Slayer also created a splash and with its great looking action and memorable characters it definitely won over the shounen audience this year. While I didn’t end up quite as in love with it as some viewers, I can definitely see the appeal of the show and honestly I was surprised that it didn’t win the vote.
1. Given – 15 Votes
And my readers have spoken: Given for anime of the year, 2019.
I was completely surprised by this outcome. More surprised two days before the poll closed to see Given had jumped ahead of Vinland Saga by two votes. While the final flurry of voting brought Demon Slayer and Vinland Saga right up behind it, they couldn’t catch it. If anyone had asked me what I thought the odds were of Given winning this vote, as much as I loved Given, I certainly wouldn’t have made them particularly high odds.
Given was such a sweet BL story about two adorable guys who end up in a band together. The animation isn’t impressive, probably due to budget restrictions, but they’ve made up for it through a phenomenal use of sound and shot composition. Not to mention the two main characters are absolutely adorable.
Here is the official poll results:
And that wraps up 2019. Now our focus can turn to 2020 as we start looking for our next anime of the year.
Thank-you for reading 100 Word Anime.
Join the discussion in the comments.
Karandi James
