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Best Animes of 2006 (The 10 Best List)

This year the Editors talked to all of us about making top ten lists to end the year, which is nice and all…. EXCEPT one person’s top ten may not be another’s. I.e. everyone has a top ten list.
So in alphabetical order I’m going to give you my recommendations for Best Animes of 2006.
In order of alphabet now, in order… which ironically enough happens to start with the best Anime you are NOT watching if you don’t live in Japan.

Aria the Animated Series
From Aria, the undervalued forgotten shojo manga that ADVManga has given up on comes Aria the Animated Series, the equally undervalued forgotten anime that ADVFilms isn’t touching yet (which came with a second season called Aria the Natural).
Remember to give ADV lots and lots of e-mails this coming year, because Aria the Manga should continue, and Aria the Anime should launch. So for heaven’s sake ADV either run the damn series or stand aside, relinquish your rights to it, and let ANOTHER studio do it! One or the other, ADV, in our lifetime!

Azumanga Daioh
The Anime series that is 26 episodes of fun, exploring the three years of life in the English class of Miss Yukari, is in a thinpack available for one easy purchase. Where can you go wrong with that? Sometimes compared to as the “Seinfeld” of Anime (only without the racist ranting at the comedy club by Sakaki) this has to be on your list for the new year if you haven’t gotten it already.

Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex
Two seasons going on three based on the cult classic movie turned TV series from Shirow Masamune can’t be wrong… the PS2 slash PSP games can be wrong, but not the Anime or the PSP UMD Anime (the game, just the game, is wrong).

Ichigo Mashimaro (Strawberry Marshmallow)
The situation of five young women (11-12 and older) may not amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world, but it’s a damn good show even if it is seemingly a really short series clocking in at only a handful of episodes and 3 DVDs. Recommended.

Kiddy Grade
I really haven’t seen this one but it’s on my to watch list for 2007, and it’s on the recommendations list of more than a few associates I know in the know. So, you know, check it if you can.

Marmalade Boy
In abit I’m going to recommend Ultra Maniac (the latest from the creator of this series), so if I recommend one you should also get recommended the other. And since TOKYOPOP has done you the service of making owning this as easy as buying a three pack of mega episode collections you should have an easy time acquiring this series (and by NOW these packs should be at a lower more affordable price if they knocked the price down).

Read or Die
Basically a “sequel” to the Manga, I have only seen the iceberg tip of it but I like what I’ve seen. If you liked the manga version you’ll go for the Anime version.

Revolutionary Girl Utena
I am only now getting into the full meat and potatoes of the review, yes, but this series is on the top ten of most serious reviewers (and as you see the reviews spin out you’ll see why). One of the major essentials of the industry, Revolutionary Girl Utena is an experience that has to be seen to be believed. Watch for future reviews (yes, yes, I’ll snap down and get to it) to find out why it’s worth your time to check out.

Tactics
A show about the supernatural and dysfunctional “team” of spirit hunters might not sound so christmas-y, but it’s good nevertheless (even if the lead and his demon eating goblin partner at times seem to be so yaoi slash fic material to me).