Akiba Research Institute's editorial department has taken the liberty of ranking the anime! This is my favorite anime of 2021!

Before we know it, the year 2021 will be over. This year, too, a variety of animated programs have been entertaining our eyes. Last year, in 2020, the number of animated programs decreased drastically due to the Corona disaster that suddenly started, but this year, 2021, is almost back to normal, with the number of TV animated programs returning to almost the same level as before, as well as the release of major works that had been postponed for theater screenings. I think that this was the first year of the "Netflix" era. In addition, the number of original works distributed mainly through "Netflix" has increased, and the quality of these works seems to have improved considerably.

To sum up the anime of 2021, we asked each Akiba Research Institute staff member to name five anime that he or she personally thought were good. Although each of us has different tastes in anime, we believe that all of them are representative of this year's anime. If you missed any of them, please review them on your free time during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Now, let's go to my personal top 5 anime of 2021 by the Akiba Research Institute editorial staff!

Editor-in-Chief K's (male) top 5

No. 1: Shin Evangelion the Movie: || ( spring movie)
This is the final film of the theatrical Shin Evangelion series that no longer needs any explanation. I don't really care about the details of the story (well, not really), but I was impressed by how well director Anno was able to wrap up the story that had been spread out so widely. I am sure I am not the only one who felt that I could finally graduate from Eva after watching this movie.

No. 2: YuruCan△ SEASON 2 (winter anime)
A unique sense of looseness and beautiful scenery. The more sequels are made to this type of work, the less interesting it becomes, but this work was fun even in its second season. In fact, the second season may have been more interesting. The light was shined on the members of the club and each of them had their own drama.

No. 3: Super Cub (Spring Anime)
In a somewhat lyrical atmosphere, the story of a girl's encounter with a Super Cub and her growth is beautifully depicted. The background art was very beautiful, and the atmosphere of Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture was also a highlight. The slightly maniacal mechanical story was also enjoyable. This was a great year for works set in Yamanashi Prefecture, including "Yuru Can△" and this work.

No. 4: Moon, Laika and the Vampire Princess (Autumn)
A good depiction of a republic reminiscent of the former Soviet Union and its space development. And by combining the vampire factor, it was not just a fantasy or a realistic story, but a good love story. Megumi Hayashibara's performance as Irina, the main character, was also outstanding.

No. 5: Kagekishoujo (summer anime)
Recently, there have been a lot of such revue-like works on ・・・・・・, but this work was a very serious one that aimed to be a serious revue group. The story is based on a Hakusensha comic book, so it has a strong storyline. The characters and their relationships were interesting, and the artwork and, of course, the music were excellent.

Director K's (♀) Top 5

No. 1: Mobile Suit Gundam: Senko no Hathaway (spring movie)

The latest Gundam movie. It exceeded my expectations and it was like watching a foreign drama. I love Gundam where the main characters and people surrounding them are only adults.

No. 2: YuruCamp△ SEASON 2 (winter anime)
Beautiful scenery and healing camping are the best. Camping is great, but watching Rin-chan and her family's love for motorcycles makes me want to ride one myself.

No. 3: Kyokushudo Michi (spring anime)
Despite the low-calorie drawings, the fast-paced storyline is very interesting to watch, and the short length of each episode makes it easy to watch when you are tired, which is perfect for today's Generation Z, which likes short videos.

No. 4: Isekai Shokudo 2 (fall anime)
The food is just delicious. The customers are from another world, but it is a good work that combines the unusual with the everyday.

No. 5: Unemployed Tensei: I'll get serious if I go to another world (1st season: winter anime/2nd season: fall anime)
The second season is a bit harder and more serious than the first, but it is very interesting. The minus point is that the main character's previous life is sometimes depicted as naked. I don't like this.

Editor A's (male) top 5

No.1: Shin Evangelion the Movie:|| ( Spring Movie)
I'm glad it's over...that's the only thing I can say about this film. It was entertaining enough as entertainment, and there were also some thought-provoking effects to stimulate our desire to read more deeply, and I am just thankful that we were able to have a positive finale looking forward to the future. I think this film ended an era, including Anno, who is now freely making the tokusatsu movies he loves so much.

No. 2: "G Reconguista III" The Movie "Legacy from Outer Space" (summer movie)
The third "G Reco" movie. This time, the story turns around, including the most controversial scene in the TV series, in which Laraiya's consciousness returns. The way the scene is handled is a tour de force, but more noteworthy is the scene where it is revealed that Berri and Hime-sama are brother and sister.
In the TV series, Berli seems to have accepted the fact that Aida is her sister rather smoothly, but in this film, she is shown rolling on the ground in agony because of the romantic feelings she has harbored, and Noredo also has a new scene in which he expresses his true feelings in a "nasty woman" manner.
It is a very short scene, but I was horrified by the feeling of being gripped by each line of dialogue and each action of the characters. This vividness is exactly what Tomino's anime is all about!

No. 3: Odd Taxi (Spring Anime)
The elements such as anthropomorphic animals and Yoshimoto comedians gave the anime a certain subculture feel, but by the end of the last episode, I realized that I had completely misread the anime.
The performances by the comedians, which seem to move back and forth between "made-up characters" and "real people," bring an indescribable reality to the work.
The final part of the story, where the scattered pieces fit together one after another, is filled with power and momentum that makes it impossible to take one's eyes off the story for even a moment. Without question, this is the No. 1 TV anime of the year.

No. 4: Zombieland Saga Revenge (Spring Anime)
The second season you've been waiting for. The second season, which had to start with its hands all exposed, was a very tough battle against the first season, which, to put it bluntly, was a cunning hit, with a style that kept cutting the joker every time.
In fact, the second season made a complete turnaround from the surprise box style of the first season and delved more deeply into the characters. If you are expecting the "anything-can-happen" atmosphere of the first season, you will be disappointed, but for the fans who have been supporting the show since the first season, it has become a more enjoyable work.
Of course, the excessive love for Saga Prefecture is alive and well. The sincere way in which they tackle the serious aspects of Saga Prefecture, such as the history of the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate and natural disasters, shows that their love for Saga is not only superficial.
The excitement of the final episode, which was reached after overcoming such hardships and tribulations, was extraordinary. The arrangements for immersing oneself in the work were perfect, including the incorporation of a live performance of the real-life Franchouche and a special broadcast format that did not include any commercials. The finale, in which the show successfully got its revenge, was impossible to watch without shedding tears of joy. We look forward to seeing the movie version in the future!

No. 5: Mobile Suit Gundam: Senko no Hathaway (Spring Movie)
Everyone was astonished by the unexpected visualization of this work. The resulting work is another unprecedented Gundam work.
Based on a novel by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it was a difficult work to understand because of its strong writing style and "Tomino's lines" (although I think it is quite easy to read for a novel by Mr. Tomino). I gave a standing ovation to the director, Shukunori Murase, and the animation production staff for rebooting it into a visual work that should be made today.
The film is powerful," "It's hard to watch! Personally, I think it must have been terrifying for the civilians to run around in the darkness of the night while huge objects were fighting each other, and the direction that conveyed this unexplainable fear was a perspective that has not been seen in Gundam to date.
The first Gundam, a "robot anime" with a strong World War II flavor, and the series of works that came under its influence tended to create flashy battle scenes that followed a certain format, such as large-scale battles and the strong appeal of mobile suits. However, this film vividly depicts the horrors of war that exist right next to everyday life in the age of terrorism.
The animation staff's efforts to capture the world of Gundam as a "movie" are evident, and I was also surprised by Mr. Tomino's foresight in preparing the setting more than 30 years ago in anticipation of the coming of the age of terrorism.

Editor H's (male) Top 5

No. 1: Princess Principal Crown Handler (Chapter 1: Winter movie / Chapter 2: Fall movie)
The release of "Crown Handler" was postponed due to Corona, the voice actor for the main character was changed, and many other problems had to be overcome before the release.　Hurry up with the rest! When I saw the movie in the theater, I thought, "Oh, it's already over?

No. 2: Mobile Suit Gundam: Senko no Hathaway (spring movie)
With the addition of realistic expressions not seen in previous series, such as the sense of weight when mobile suits move and the sense of floating when moving through the air, "Senko no Hathaway" offers the cool, mecha-like images that only robot anime can offer, and at a tremendous quality. If you have not seen the movie yet and are planning to watch it at the end of the year, we recommend that you watch it on a large screen with a good sound system. The music for this film was composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, who also composed the music for Gundam UC and NT, and the soundtrack, which is already on sale, is also a great listen.

No. 3: Kagekishoujo (summer anime)
This work depicts girls studying singing and acting at the Benka Opera Music School in order to join the "Benka Opera Troupe," which is made up of only women. However, the scenes in which the girls overcome their pasts and move on are unintentionally heartwarming. The music for this work was composed by Tsuneyoshi Saito, a composer who has worked on the Takarazuka Revue's "Gekijo" (Gekijo), so you can also enjoy the music that goes along with the work. Music Collection" is also a must-see.

No. 4: Super Cub (Spring Anime)
Is it just me, or did watching the main characters, the little bears, solve everyday problems in their Super Cubs give you the impression that you were watching the American TV dramas of yesteryear, "Knight Rider" or "Airwolf"?

No. 5: Girls und Panzer: The Final Chapter, Episode 3 (spring movie)
Girls und Panzer: The Final Chapter" has been released at an approximate annual pace. It is scheduled to be completed in six episodes, but at the current pace, it is likely to take more than three years. ...... The remaining three episodes are expected to be released in rapid succession, but at the "Girls und Panzer: The Final Chapter" live broadcast special program in November, I was able to see a lot of people, including myself, who were not familiar with Galpan. which was broadcasted in November, the information regarding the release date of the fourth episode, which must have been highly anticipated by Galpin's uncles including myself, was unceremoniously not announced. At the end of the year, we will watch the Blu-ray of the third episode, which will be released this month, and hope for the release of the next episode as soon as possible, just as we did with the pre-previews.

Design M (♀)'s Top 5

No. 1: Odd Taxi (spring anime)
I was completely unaware of this anime until a friend recommended it to me, but after watching it, I was surprised to find it to be a serious suspense. I was surprised by the use of comedians and the punchline, which was far from the loose impression I had of the show.

No. 2: Demon Slayer: Infinity Train (TV anime version) (Autumn)
The movie version was re-edited + α, but the quality is still high. By the way, it is a little regrettable that the OP/ED was changed to Aimer for the "Yuukaku" version (although I like Aimer). I still think Kimetsu will be more exciting with LiSA.

No. 3: Mobile Suit Gundam: Senko no Hathaway (spring movie)
The larger sized Gundam moved well without being too sluggish, and Messer's battle in the city was cool. Unlike Ques, Gigi was cute.

No. 4: To the Immortal You (spring anime)
Although the story was a bit dark, the omnibus style kept me interested in watching it. It is hard to read what is going to happen next, so I am very anxious to see the rest of the story.

No. 5: Kagekishoujo (summer anime)
A cheerful and refreshing anime that is typical of shoujo manga. The characters are all nice and you don't feel bad when you watch it. The main character's vivaciousness cheered me up.

Editor U's (♀) Top 5

No. 1: Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis The New Tennis Movie (fall movie)
The Prince of Tennis", a work that has rewritten the various histories of anime in many ways (the number of character songs is enough to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and it is a milestone that laid the foundation for the 2.5D musical adaptation of anime and manga works, which has now become a standard), has come up with "This is the Prince of Tennis". the first 3DCG theatrical animation that has been thrust upon us.
The film is a movie to enjoy without thinking, full of the spirit of surprise by Tsuyoshi Kuhi, the author and executive producer of the original work, including two types of screenings that break the common sense of the movie world, and a special LIVE medley of "Theater☆TeniFes petit! I hope that tired modern people will empty their heads and watch it once.

No.2 " Spider, What is it? (Winter - Spring Anime)
A work that makes you bow down to the acting and singing skills of Aoi Yuuki, who plays the main character, Spider Girl.
While there are many "I'm strong" reincarnation stories out there, I want to root for Spider Girl who crawls up from the bottom and survives.

No. 3: Devote Yourself to the Demon King Iblogia (Autumn)
A short anime based on a BL manga.
The short anime is not dull, as is often the case with 30-minute works, and the monks are able to laugh and enjoy at a good tempo with the sexy restrictions that are unique to the monks' slot. The story is told not by the protagonist of the game, but by the antagonist, who falls in love with the Demon King, rather than the Demon King, which adds a nice touch.

No. 4: Shin Evangelion the Movie: || ( Spring Movie)
As someone who has become an otaku in this day and age, I had to see it.
Even if you have never been exposed to the Evangelion works to the extent that you can talk about them, I think it is a work that put an end to many things, "ending an era," as Editor A said, or "finally graduating," as Editor-in-Chief K said.

No. 5: Kingdom: 3rd series (spring anime)
It has been about 9 years since the first season aired in 2012, and I have continued to follow the series even though I almost fell apart many times along the way, and I have finally made it this far.
I was moved by the scene where the "mountain people" appeared to help Qin in his time of need.
I really wanted to quit watching it many times, but it made me want to watch the growth of the two main characters, Masa and Nobu, and the unification of Qin Shi Huangdi under the rule of the Emperor.

Editor K's (♀) Top 5

No. 1: Furumi-san is a commie. (Autumn anime)
The OP and ED alone are so tasteful that it is almost like watching a movie.
There are no drawings that are out of place, and the everyday story is expressed very beautifully with a touch of crush.
The smallest scene, such as spending summer vacation with friends (......), will make you cry.

No. 2: Tokyo Revengers (spring anime)
The story is well structured, and you are drawn in by the development in which you have no idea who is the mastermind. If you think it is just a yankee story, it is not at all. You can sympathize with the feelings of Budo Hanagaki, who struggles with his own uselessness.

No. 3: Higurashi When They Cry Graduation (summer anime)
The OP and ED are as elaborate as ever.

No. 4: "Demon Slayer" Infinity Train Arc (TV anime version) (Autumn)
The OP/ED by LiSA alone is worth watching. Although many of the public had already seen the movie version, many people noticed anew how into Akira Ishida's Kikanza was, and they were able to watch one scene at a time more slowly than in the movie version.
The past of Purgatory's father, depicted in the first original episode, also met fans' expectations.

No. 5: Invasion of the Sky (winter anime: Netflix original distribution)
Comical elements such as a pantomime in a death game are easily enjoyable.
Yuichiro Umehara's "Sniper Mask" is cool, and both male and female characters are attractive.