With the nominees are out, and the voting period begins this December 5, it would be best if I will tell what I think the titles that will win this year’s OV poll. Take note to readers, this is just one man’s opinion and I would base my forecast with the signs that I saw in the Philippine online anime community.
Terrestrial TV
Platinum Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Soul Eater and Gintama were discussed in the online community as titles that aired in ABS-CBN and that are it. Soul Eater is quite popular but it never left a mark as a titled aired by ABS-CBN but more as a title aired in cable. As for Gintama, the controversy of its improper airing was talked for some time and that’s it. Gundam 00 aired and it left quite a mark especially the choice for Alleluyah Haptism (Which up until now, I am pissed with the wrong choice Lapat-Tinig did).
After its improper end, many fans demand for FMA: B to be back in TV, add the fact that the anime is about to end in Japan when the request flooded. Its return back on TV after last year’s interruption was well received by fans and this title definitely deserves to win the Platinum award.
Gold Anime: D.Gray-Man
Reborn! and Naruto Shippuden were requested by most fans to be back for a new season but the ABS-CBN run was barely discussed online. Most of the Naruto fans discussed the current events that are happening in the manga, if my memory serves me correctly, the council of Kages. As for Reborn!, the ABS-CBN run was discussed for a short while, but it never left quite a mark.
As for Golgo 13 and Casshern Sins, they were never talked about. Only hardcore fans talked about those titles. That leaves DGM. DGM was popular before it aired on TV5 but after the series started to air on TV, the number of DGM fans increased, Allen Walker fangirls (It is all thanks to Jefferson Utanes) increased and the show was demanded by most fans to be back on TV after its run was interrupted for the second time.
Silver Anime: A strong fight between Hajime no Ippo: The New Challenger and My Bride is a Mermaid
The choice for the silver award is difficult. Most titles were barely talked about so it is hard for me to think which title is popular with the community. My choice was based on the popularity of the title in the masses and the amount of art related to the title that I see online.
Bronze Anime: A strong fight between Prince Mackaroo and Maki Baoh
The unofficial Prince Mackaroo Facebook fan page has reached over a thousand fans while our white wonder, after its run last year returned on TV due to the popularity of this show. Plus, who doesn’t love a lazy prince a horse-donkey-thing that likes to s*** a lot?
Teen/Drama Anime: A strong fight between Clannad and Lucky Star
Why no Toradora!? It is because Clannad and Lucky Star are on the list! These titles are highly requested by fans that when Clannad aired this year, fans went wild that they can watch this title legally and another reason for them to go wild is the choices for some characters.
Lucky Star was an unexpected title that aired this year that I myself after seeing it aired on TV decided to immediately write a blog entry about it! Plus, the choices for the main four were positively received by most fans.
Tokusatsu/Live Action: Kamen Rider Hibiki
Since there is no JDrama on the list, Hibiki-san will definitely win this year! He will win people! He will!
Rerun Pick – ABS-CBN/Studio 23: Naruto Shippuden
For a simple reason: ABS-CBN knew how to tease its viewers. With Season 2 reruns, fans assumed that they now have the license for the next season, which is technically season 5 and 6 in Japan.
Rerun Pick – TV5: Special A
Seeing the demand for this show to be back, this title deserves the award. Seriously, in every TV5 anime post that I see back then, a lot of fans repeatedly repeats the same lines to return Special A… and they did! Is it me, or Jeff’s voice charmed a lot of fan girls this year?
Rerun Pick – GMA/QTV: Hayate the Combat Butler
Need to say more?
Channel of the Year: TV5
TV5 had quite a year for anime. Aside from its controversial ending of its ANiMEGA block last June in favor for Asian drama, until its return months later bringing Gundam 00 in its arsenal and later, it ended in favor for old Pacquiao fight reruns till its soft return with Lucky Star and Golgo 13 reruns. Studio 23 is quite a good contender as I mentioned it in my previous post but they never gave us titles that were popular in Japan up until now. If they did a run on Naruto or any popular ABS-CBN title such as Katekyo Hitman Reborn! I think Studio 23 had a fighting chance in winning Channel of the Year.
Cable/Satellite TV
Platinum Anime: K-ON!/K-ON!!
Ignore the bad dubbing and just focus on the subbed version of it! This year is definitely the year of Ho-kago Tea Time and Animax was just on time to bring it in cable shores! Considering how popular the title is right now, this title deserves the top spot!
Gold Anime: Fairy Tail
It is one of the most talked about new anime titles coming from the person responsible for Rave Master. The airing of Code Geass and D.Gray-Man on HEROtv were criticized because if TV5 didn’t air it first, they will not air it on cable. Plus, the Code Geass dubbed was heavily criticized by many fans since it lacks the impact given by the TV5 dub (The HEROtv dub has some good choices for the voices, but the rest… meh).
Silver Anime: Eyeshield 21 – Season 2
Fans waited for a long time to see this series end! Finally, Sena’s American football exploits with the rest of the Devil Bats continues! This title is probably, one of the most awaited titles that fans wish to see end on TV… and it never failed us.
Bronze Anime: Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Considering that, only a few people appreciate the titles found in this category, only Pokemon, basing on the choices that the people will pick in the list.
Teen/Drama Anime: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
This is one of the most talked about anime titles this year. Add the fact that Animax will air it after Japan airs it makes it deserving for the crown!
Tokusatsu/Live Action: Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight
RPM and Max are both great shows but since most people have the notion that RPM is just your average PR show (Unless they really did watch RPM), I guess Dragon Knight will vent the other titles in the list.
Channel of the Year: Animax Philippines
They had a good year. A VERY good year. I think I do not need to explain my reasons why this channel will win this year.
Miscellaneous
Japan’s Newest Title: Ika Musume
Seeing how the squid have invaded most Pinoy Facebook fan pages, I guess she will be the runaway winner for this category.
Japan’s Newest Tokusatsu/Live Action Title: Kamen Rider W
Seeing how epic the show is, OOO has a long way to go.
Philippines’ Master of Epic Fail: Eyeshield 21 – Season 2
Everybody knows that it had a finish run on cable, everybody knows that the series is almost finished, but it was interrupted because of Nick shows replacing the show. Princess who? Only a few people watched that! One Piece? Wait. They had One Piece reruns?!
Philippines’ Most Improved Record: Toradora!
After the Endless Eight incident back then, this title definitely deserves the spot. Ed and Al can wait since the title has not yet finished its Philippine free TV run.
Popularity
Male Anime Dubber of the Year: Fourth Lee (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, TV5)
Hands down.
Female Anime Dubber of the Year: Nica Rojo (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
I love her performance as Ed Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood! I can say that it is on par with the dub of the first series and partly comparable with Romi Park’s performance.
Anime Director of the Year: -
Next please!
Male Anime Character of the Year: Allen Walker
I think I you know why!
Female Anime Character of the Year: Yui Hirasawa or Winry Rockbell or Lenalee Lee (BLACK ROCK SHOOTER!!!)
It’s hard to think which of these two will win this year! But I have hopes that Lucy might at least be part of the top winners.
I’ll skip the next four categories since I never attended any of those conventions nor played those games.
Anime Theme Song of the Year: Period by Chemistry
For a series that talks about alchemy, the grand daddy of Chemistry, I think this song will win asides that it is catchy. I know, Take the Wave is also a good song but it is not as good as Chemistry IMO. About No, Thank You! I had a hard time adjusting with this song.
Japanese MV of the Year: Shunkan Sentimental by SCANDAL
The other videos are good, but Shukan Sentimental is better.
Anime Status for 2010: Good
I won’t say bad nor stable due to the amount of good titles we had this year and the fact that a lot of titles especially titles that aired in Animax that are expected to air after a year aired only a few day after it aired in Japan! Plus, the fact that the Pinoy fandom is quite active compared to the previous years proves that this is indeed a good year for anime.