Best Anime of 2011: Nominations

[DemonGod]

To start, happy new year to everyone!
And to celebrate this new year, why not make a nice recap contest?
Nominate your top 3 anime that were released during the course of 2011.
Of course since this means there will be some restrictions on who you can nominate I will line up some general rules on this:

1. The anime's FIRST episode should have been released for the first time in 2011.
2. It does not matter if the series is still on-going in 2012.
3. The anime can be of any form, a series, an OVA, a movie. As long as it follows rules #1 and #2.
4. It does not matter if it's a show that has multiple installments (like for example Zero no Tsukaima that has 3 shows up to date and a 4th planned) but you can only nominate the parts that had their FIRST episode aired in 2011.

I think that should clear any confusion on what series you can nominate, so on to the general nomination rules:
-Each member can only make one post. If this rule is ignored any subsequent posts WILL be ignored.
-In each post you must name AT MOST 3 characters/anime/objects that they want to nominate.
-You MUST explain your reasons for nominating a character/show/object.
-If you wish to change your nomination, this must be done by editing your post.
-Do NOT advertise* a character/anime/object.
-The shows with the most nominations will get passed on to the voting round.
-If there is a tie between characters/anime/objects both will be passed on to the voting round.

happy nominating!


RESULTS:
- Bunny Drop
- Steins;Gate
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Ao No Exorcist
- Shakugan No Shana III -Final-
- Fate/Zero

[DemonGod]

Okay, my nominations are:
- Fate/Zero
The show I had been waiting on since the moment i heard it was being made. Starting as a great light novel set in Nasu's world the nasuverse it tells the epic tale of the happenings during the 4th holy grail war. The animation is great, the backgrounds are mouth watering, the dialogue is superb and i was on the edge of my seat both during episodes filled with fighting and action and those that were filled with dialogue. It's a brilliant piece.

- Shakugan no Shana, 3rd season (Final)
Another show I was looking forward to, this show had a huge surprise plot twist at the beginning. putting the end of the second season in a completely different light.
other than that this show finally went back to following the novels, introducing a whole set of completely new characters and powers and totally changing perspective on the organizations that were already in play.

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
A show I didn't plan to watch beforehand. And when i started it i expected some magical girl show.. haven't been this wrong in ages. This show ended up being pretty brutal. I can't say more as that would be a spoiler. But the plot twists and revelations in this one are totally unexpected, the music is divine and once again the animation is pretty great.

[fire_neeno]

I would also like to nominate one of the mentioned Anime's above ^
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
While looking up for some new anime lists - being pretty bored I came across this one. The story plot is about an adorable little girl who lives in a world of monsters - strange creatures actually, but I prefer to give them the term monster (Pretty typical) Since this girl is no ordinary girl - It brings the story plot in a bit of a twist, something you'd expect but still gives a little sass to the storyline.

Bunny Drop
An adorable family based story involving a man - his deseased father and his illegitimate daughter, Six year old Ren.
This story has a wonderful plot - dealing with life in many struggles. It left me with an open mind and a taste for more, yet squealing when I came across parts of the story that left me talking it over to myself about. The music is absolutely beautiful and the animation is soft in a sense but still wonderful to watch.

From up on Poppy Hill
I don't know what attracted me more, the poster or the name of this anime. The story is set in 1963, Yokohama. This story touched my heart and the animation made me want to watch more - the music to the animation was well fitting and beautiful. Siblings against the world, living in the midist of battle, and running from reality. This is one of those heartwarming tales in anime.

[Tankjan]

First, I'd like to say, that limiting nominations to only 3 is a cruelty and as such, should be forbidden =p

And now, my nominations go to:

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - series, that I first rejected [when looking at the winter season's line-up] and then watched in 2 sittings. Bringing mahou shoujo genre to a whole new level, this series will force its way into your mind and soul. From the opening scene it will drag you into a strange, disturbing world in which cute creatures from the space are not that cute and where little girls die to save you.

Nice, Hidamari Sketch-like animation mixed with strange, surrealistic scenes, beautiful music, very good plot.

Usagi Drop - a story about growing up [yep, you can be a child, even if you are 30], taking responsibilty and living an ordinary life. No fireworks, no plot twists, no real drama [except for the one triggering the action], just calming, a bit fuzzy feeling, that will warm you up.

Beautiful, watercolour animation, matching soundtrack and one of the best OPs of the 2011.

Mawaru Penguin Drum - at first, I was watching it as a ridiculous, full of plot's twists story. It was funny, a bit strange and colourful. But then, saddness started to take the series over. It ended as a great, well developed drama about fate, love, destiny and punishment. Everything in the story had its meaning, everything was connected. Bitter-sweet series.

Colours! yes, they matter. Nice music and great first ED song.

[uekipheonix]

Steins Gate

This is one of those very special animes that made me really feel it and got me totally sucked in to its world.
Everything (Story, Character Design, Development, Drama, Music and Theories) of this story is great.
Overall I can clearly put this anime as one of the best anime of not just 2011, but of all times.

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

A really sweet anime full of emotions and drama.
This series does not draag too long (only 11 eps), but it is one of those short n sweet series.
And on top of it all it had a convincing and definite ending to it :)

Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai II
Season 2, which is a continuation of the story.
but it was sweet and humorous as the season 1 :)

[AkaYoru]

Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop)
- One of my favorite animes now. Love the story and the characters. Also liked the way it was drawn, in a kinda childish way or something?

Ben-to
- Liked the story better then expected, except for the last few episodes. It thought it was gonna be another action anime but it has quite an unique story I think. If only those twins didn't show up, I would have liked it even more.

Ao no Exorcist
- I like this anime a lot but I don't really know why. The ending was crappy in my opinion but I still like it a lot.

[SharinganGirl]

Ao no Exorcist
It was the best anime from 2011, i really loved it

Hoshizora e kakaru Hashi
I really loved this one, it was kawaii, all girls loved 1 boy

Usagi Drop
Love the storyline and the characters, it is a good anime

[notfunny]

Usagi Drop
Just delightful. Only regret regarding it is that it is to short.

Working!! 2
Great animation, straightforward comedy.

Steins;Gate
It's brilliant. I could not leave it out of the list.

[Viola-chan]

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2
Usagi Drops (i have no third one)

[Heart Of Darkness]

Shakugan no Shana Final

as Its a lot better then the second one. Also I luv it how they made Yuji evil

Kamisama Dolls

an gr8 anime, but ppl seemed to dislike it though. I like the character also, too bad to wait long for S2

third
Kaitou Kid Ova (Detective Conan) (Detective Conan movie 16)
its still on going though, but totally wicked.