We’ve had the game awards, but with the transformation of WiiUandMii to Tanuki Bridge, we have also expanded our reach to anime and manga as well – therefore, we have a second set of Awards to give out for 2016. Ahead, we collect the very best from the worlds on anime and manga in the past year.
Just like with Tanuki Bridge’s 2016 Game Awards, each category had nominated titles that were whittled down to a winner through extensive discussion (some if it civil, we swear!). The survivors of this process became our winners!
Local Anime Release of the Year:
Fullmetal Alchemist Ultimate Edition
Without a doubt my favourite anime is Fullmetal Alchemist. It was the series that first properly introduced me into the world of anime and kept me hooked forever since. Until this year it was, however, also the only series that I couldn’t own in the UK but dearly wanted to.
Thankfully, Anime Limited came to the rescue and released the series in a breathtaking ultimate edition that belongs on every fans shelf. Consisting of all fifty-one episodes on blu-ray, stored in a hefty, solid resin replica of the Gate seen throughout the series, coupled with a huge art-book full of artwork from the show, this really is the ultimate edition of Fullmetal Alchemist and anime releases in general this year!
– Demelza Ward
Manga/Light Novel of the Year:
Orange
I read a lot of manga every year but this year the series that captured my heart was Orange. Released in two omnibus editions from Seven Seas, the series tells a heartfelt and realistic story about someone living with grief and depression. Other series have done this idea before and more will in the future, but I’ve never stumbled on one that does so with as much care as Orange does and so I highly recommend that everyone checks the series out.
– Demelza Ward
“Orange” by Ichigo Takano is currently available in English print courtesy of Seven Seas Entertainment and digitally on Crunchyroll.com.
Anime Distributor of the Year:
Anime Limited
Anime Limited really weren’t kidding when they adopted the “All The Anime” moniker; the recent addition of Funimation and Crunchyroll to their list of friends has seriously bolstered their already strong catalogue!
The challenge doesn’t end with just securing a title however; how it’s handled is just as important. This year, Anime Limited have charged forward with more ambition than ever, with ambitious releases such as the phenomenal Fullmetal Alchemist Ultimate Edition, the long-awaited completion of the Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarter and the box office-breaking theatrical release of Your Name!
While other companies run for cover at the first sign of trouble, Anime Limited have to be commended for how they respond when things go wrong. With representatives easily approachable on forums and at conventions, the level of transparency between company and consumer is absolutely unheard of!
– Josh A. Stevens
Best Artistic Direction:
Your Name
Read the Review ⇒
Makoto Shinkai has been renowned in anime circles ever since his talent for breathtaking views and stunning, detailed backgrounds were first introduced to the world with Voices of a Distant Star (2002) – which he animated all by himself! Since then, the size of his productions and staff have ballooned, but his unique style still shines through – and captivates us a little bit more each time.
If I were to sum up Your Name in a word, it would be “beautiful”. Rural Itomori and bustling Tokyo alike are brought to life with their own charms and personalities, courtesy of Shinkai’s incredible attention to detail. The movie is bright and colourful, but it is the movie’s mastery of smaller details such as lighting that really take my breath away; whether it’s the awe-inspiring twilight panoramas or the careful instruction of shadows cast over floorboards! The best way to appreciate all this of course, is on the big screen.
Your Name‘s soundtrack, composed entirely by the J-Rock band RADWIMPS, is equally phenomenal. During every screening of Your Name I have attended, the audience has stayed through the credits not because of an additional scene (there is none), but just to enjoy the song! I don’t even see everyone staying seated with a Marvel movie!
– Josh A. Stevens
“Your Name” was released theatrically in the UK and IRE in November 2016; home video tentatively planned for next year. Funimation will be releasing the movie in the United States in 2017.
Best Storytelling:
A Silent Voice
There was quite a lot of debate among the team for this award. One reason for this, is that Kyoto Animation’s A Silent Voice simply has not seen a wide release yet, but ever since I saw it at the Leeds International Film Festival, it has stuck in my mind.
Adapted from Yoshitoki Ōima’s manga series, A Silent Voice tells the story of a girl who was bullied in elementary school due to her deafness. I was really surprised by how well the movie handled the theme of bullying and incorporated sign language because of our main character, so without a doubt it deserves this award. I encourage everyone to go and see it in cinema’s next year once it gets a wider release.
– Demelza Ward
Screened at select festivals earlier this year, Kyoto Animation’s “A Silent Voice” will be shown as part of The Japan Foundation’s 2017 Touring Film Programme and released theatrically by Anime Limited in the UK & Ireland.
Anime of the Year:
Erased
There has been some debate over whether Erased is better classified as a “mystery” or “drama”, but there is one descriptor no one would object to – “captivating”. Following his mother’s murder, twenty-nine year old Satoru is sent back to his elementary school days on the eve of serial, fatal kidnappings. With an unknown string tying the two events together, Satoru must save his classmates to save his mother.
Erased was broadcast at the beginning of the year, yet few shows have even come close to encapsulating what made the series such an event. The characters were wonderfully written, drawing us in just in time for cliffhangers to deliver a real sense of urgency and spark week-long discussions. Re:ZERO -Starting Life In Another World– is perhaps the only anime this year to come close, but Erased pulled ahead, largely thanks to one, significant factor…
– Josh A. Stevens
Erased is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. Anime Limited will be releasing the series on home video in UK & IRE in 2017. In North America, the series is currently available from Aniplex of America.
Character of the Year:
Kayo Hinazuki (Erased)
When Erased was airing, I found myself fascinated by the audience’s response to Kayo Hinazuki, a classmate of Satoru and a focal point of the story, as the first victim.
When we first laid eyes on Kayo, we saw the last embers of a once bright fire, cruelly throttled by the harsh world around her. Abused and isolated, Kayo’s vulnerably made her the perfect target for the deranged – and our sympathy. Perhaps the sight of a young child in such peril awakened our protective, parental instincts?
When Satoru reached out with friendship, we encouraged her to take his hand. When she laughed, smiled or cried, we replied in kind. And when Funimation accidentally made light of her situation in a tweet, the passionate, protective uproar of fans got it taken down!
Frankly, a part of us didn’t even care about how the series ended, as long as Kayo was safe and happy – that’s all we wanted and is why, she is Tanuki Bridge’s Character of the Year.
– Josh A. Stevens
Do you agree with our choices? Is there any other titles you think should be mentioned? You can let us know in the comments, or on social media!
