Lurker > voltch

Final Results:

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End - 214
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - 76

Congratulations to Frieren for winning in its first attempt.
The series is coming off as a bit of an instant classic, topping the MAL charts and finally dethroning Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Incidentally, that one was our inaugural champion.
We've come a long since in the world of anime. I kinda feel that 10 years ago, anime in the west was still something of a niche, it was starting to make inroads but still hadn't quite exploded.
These days its noticeable when even in a UK Waterstones, the section for manga is huge compared to the past.
Bit of a boom period/golden age.

Frieren ticked many boxed, a good fantasy story that ditched the Isekai crutch. It gave you both comfy slow paced episodes that endeared you to the characters.
But it also delivered some great action sequences when it needed to.
You had the absolute hottest act in all of Jpop perform the OP and while some think it didn't fit, it didn't hurt to have their association with the show.

But although it lost big a big margin I do want to give Kaguya its props, its now a longtime entrant that has always done well in these contests because it is a good show.
The TV anime ended on a high with season 3 covering some of the manga's best content. While the manga's last few arcs left wuite a few unsatisfied, the anime we got was brilliant and consistently good.
The author's follow up was also another smash hit, looking forward to the live action Amazon movie.

Now where do we go from here?

I think if DBZ had made the finals it would have had a solid shot at winning, but we'll never know.
In the past we started to build a bunch of series that did well but were kinda just waiting their turn to win like Steins;Gate, Monster, Death Note, A Place Further than the Universe, Haruhi.
We've now sort of built a new class of such shows in Kaguya, Haikyuu!, Madoka and yes even Monogatari (though if it doesn't do well after the upcoming seasons then it has nothing left to produce).

We might see the next winner from such a class, or it could be from a new season like Frieren managed.
But do we even have such a hyped show on the horizon? While I'm excited for Blue Box and Sakamoto Days I don't think they'll get quite the same treatment
Dandadan could start hot, if we go the Madhouse route again then Trillion Game is a very exciting proposition, what's been translated of the manga is great.
Story from the Dr Stone/Eyeshield author and art from the Crying Freeman/Sanctuary illustrator.

Of course its possible we'll just see a repeat winner. I've liked all prior winners so far and while its not my preference it has been a while.
So what did you guys think of this edition on the whole and which new shows will you be checking out afterwards?

I've got on my docket at least 7th Time Loop and The Dangers in my Heart

Final Standings:

01. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
02. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
03. Dragon Ball Z
04. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
05. Monogatari
06. Baccano!
07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

Frieren 10

Frieren 9

Frieren 8

Frieren 7

Frieren 6

Frieren 5

Frieren 4

Frieren 3

Frieren 2

Frieren 1

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

https://animethemes.moe/anime/sousou_no_frieren/OP1-NCBD1080

vs.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

https://animethemes.moe/anime/kaguya_sama_wa_kokurasetai_tensai_tachi_no_renai_zunousen/OP1-NCBD1080

Rules

- You can save 1 series per hour.
- You can save up 12 times in the finals total (You can do a 6/6 split, but not 12/12)
- Finals will last 48 hours
- Please number your save
- Ambiguous saves will not count (whoever updates might not know a series nickname)
- Question mark saves will not count
- No alts/rallying
- Don't delete or edit posts
- Punishments for rule breaking, well it's a fluid situation, everything will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Community Rule will be used.

Eliminated:

Dragon Ball Z

Previous Results:

SMFAS 01: 05th
SMFAS 02: 62nd
SMFAS 04: 37th
SMFAS 05: 88th
SMFAS 06: 89th
SMFAS 07: 34th
SMFAS 08: 54th
SMFAS 09: 04th
SMFAS 10: 05th

Eliminated:

03. Dragon Ball Z
04. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
05. Monogatari
06. Baccano!
07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

Hmm, if Frieren wins that's the 2nd Shogakukan series to win it all and first from WSS
If Kaguya wins it's Shueisha's 3rd, but first to not come from WSJ.

They don't share too many voice actors, but if we go by anime studios, I think a Frieren win puts Madhouse up to 5, which is wild given the apparent turnover of staff there over the years.

Kaguya winning would give A-1 a first win, I think I read somewhere that they don't use quite as many contractors and have more in house animators than most?
So this is the first final for an A-1 show since From the New World.

Though staff matters more than studio on the whole.

Gasperini's achievements with Atalanta have been impressive.

Best it can do is increasing lotto box opening to 100.
I do sometimes question why I don't embrace FGA.

Normally its easy enough to pick who to back in a final, but in this instance I liked all 3 a lot for different reasons.

Hopefully no matter the winner its not a blowout

[ 8 ] Dragon Ball Z [ yankees, arti, xeybozn, 521, socko, WL, duck, mewtwo ]
[ 12 ] Frieren: Beyond Journey's End [ martin, lefty, bane, lea, voltch, granzon, bubu, kappa, koala, xeybozn, roba, VI ]

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Time to find out who our finalists will be.

Rules:

- You can save 1 series per hour.
- Each series needs 13 saves per unique user.
- Ambiguous saves will not count (whoever updates might not know a series nickname)
- Last series unsaved is eliminated.
- No alts/rallying
- Don't delete or edit posts unless you're like giving us all an update
- If you want to update, make sure it's accurate. (There are however no real punishments for mistakes unless someone is being an ass)
- Punishments for rule breaking, well it's a fluid situation, everything will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Community Rule will be used.

Eliminated:

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGxyrO-27dQ&

Another long time highly acclaimed series that never won, it had a decent showing in the finals, but went up against another critical darling.
and just like Monogatari, we'll be seeing new content with the long awaited upcoming movie.
Odd how Shaft just dropped both of these on us this year. Was there some management issues that finally got sorted after clogging everything up?

Previous Results:

SMFAS 01: 14th
SMFAS 02: 25th
SMFAS 03: 52nd
SMFAS 04: 51st
SMFAS 05: 10th
SMFAS 06: Runner Up
SMFAS 07: 06th
SMFAS 08: 25th
SMFAS 09: 19th
SMFAS 10: 18th

Entrants:

Dragon Ball Z
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Eliminated:

04. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
05. Monogatari
06. Baccano!
07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

UK centric

Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNkgDJpcuwU

The Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfODYOp41ww

You're Beautiful - James Blunt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofSnsGkops

Crazy Frog - Axel F

Fuck those never-ending ads

Oh looks like Tuchel might be back.
Wouldn't oppose as there's now a couple of directors between him and the owners.
He's not a bad manager despite what happened this year with Bayern.

Then again it's not even been an hour.

Dbz

I thought Poch was fine as the guy to rebuild.
They could have given him another year.

Bit weird to get rid when there's the market for managers is a bit dry including Mourinho and Allegri.

Wonder if they'll go for McKenna but that just feels like Potter 2.0

[ 8 ] Dragon Ball Z [ 521, arti, mewtwo, war, WL, martin, yankees, bane ]
[ 11 ] Frieren: Beyond Journey's End [ martin, xeybozn, lea, bane, maniac, stan, koala, voltch, ark, duck, VI ]
[ 11 ] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War [ VI, lefty, handsome, ark, duck, inviso, roba, socko, 521, xeybozn, lea ]
[ 9 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ koala, voltch, yankees, karo, gen, lefty, xuxon, stan, roba ]

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

[ 4 ] Dragon Ball Z [ 521, arti, mewtwo, war ]
[ 6 ] Frieren: Beyond Journey's End [ martin, xeybozn, lea, bane, maniac, stan ]
[ 8 ] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War [ VI, lefty, handsome, ark, duck, inviso, roba, socko ]
[ 4 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ koala, voltch, yankees, karo ]

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Rules:

- You can save 1 series per hour.
- Each series needs 12 saves per unique user.
- Ambiguous saves will not count (whoever updates might not know a series nickname)
- Last series unsaved is eliminated.
- No alts/rallying
- Don't delete or edit posts unless you're like giving us all an update
- If you want to update, make sure it's accurate. (There are however no real punishments for mistakes unless someone is being an ass)
- Punishments for rule breaking, well it's a fluid situation, everything will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Community Rule will be used.

Eliminated:

Monogatari

https://animethemes.moe/anime/owarimonogatari/OP4-NCBD1080

I'm not really sure what I can do to get he elusive win, but the upcoming season is p much my last shot for some time.
Regardless, I'm going to enjoy seeing the crew back and everything that comes with.
Best part of the return of Monogatari? Why Monogatari merch of course.
Good Smile might rerun some legendary figures I was too poor to afford back then, they could also produce some new amazing figures.

It's a brilliant and rather unique show, but not particularly easy to get into beyond Bakemonogatari.

Previous Results:

SMFAS 01: 47th
SMFAS 02: 83rd
SMFAS 03: 08th
SMFAS 04: Runner up
SMFAS 05: 03rd
SMFAS 06: 04th
SMFAS 07: 13th
SMFAS 08: 05th
SMFAS 09: 07th
SMFAS 10: 07th

It's come close a few times. I guess if Madoka wins this year, then that'll be another one of those early 10s series to have won.
Well Brotherhood/Monogatari started in 09 but bled into 2010.
and Brotherhood's dub was from 2010.

Entrants:

Dragon Ball Z
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Eliminated:

05. Monogatari
06. Baccano!
07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

unknown_duck posted...

I can get it on my H2 for madoka if you are fine with that.

sure it's likely for just the next round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK8hpxR_r2Y

Yeah there's a lot more to how PE firms operate, but I did like how they tried to explain how the whole asset stripping process worked.

All my trades now flip to Frieren

Oh woops, well LF H1 trade for Frieren then.

ouch

[ 9 ] Dragon Ball Z [ arti, mewtwo, 521, roba, yankees, lefty, duck, pj, gen ]
[ 8 ] Monogatari [ xeybozn, lefty, WL, martin, granzon, socko, voltch, bane ]
[ 7 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ voltch, koala, yankees, karo, gen, suprak, xeybozn ]

Monogatari

[ 6 ] Dragon Ball Z [ arti, mewtwo, 521, roba, yankees, lefty ]
[ 7 ] Frieren: Beyond Journey's End [ martin, bane, lea, janus, ark, xeybozn, 521 ]
[ 10 ] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War [ ark, roba, handsome, socko, inviso, VI, duck, voltch, koala, bane ]
[ 6 ] Monogatari [ xeybozn, lefty, WL, martin, granzon, socko ]
[ 6 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ voltch, koala, yankees, karo, gen, suprak ]

Kaguya

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Rules:

- You can save 1 series per hour.
- Each series needs 11 saves per unique user.
- Ambiguous saves will not count (whoever updates might not know a series nickname)
- Last series unsaved is eliminated.
- No alts/rallying
- Don't delete or edit posts unless you're like giving us all an update
- If you want to update, make sure it's accurate. (There are however no real punishments for mistakes unless someone is being an ass)
- Punishments for rule breaking, well it's a fluid situation, everything will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Community Rule will be used.

Eliminated:

Baccano!

https://animethemes.moe/anime/baccano/OP1-NCBD1080

Is Baccano!, Ryogo Narita's magnum opus?
We've seen other works of his get adapted, with either bigger budgets, or way more content
But from my understanding, Baccano's the work of his with the greatest scope.
Have to wonder if he was influenced by Robert Altman's Nashville/Shortcuts or even PTA's Magnolia.

Previous Results:

SMFAS 01: 11th
SMFAS 02: 07th
SMFAS 03: Champion
SMFAS 04: 08th
SMFAS 05: 12th
SMFAS 06: 11th
SMFAS 07: 07th
SMFAS 08: 13th
SMFAS 09: 06th
SMFAS 10: 06th

Probably the series with the best chance of a repeat win.

Entrants:

Dragon Ball Z
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Monogatari
Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Eliminated:

06. Baccano!
07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

Aight 6th

Some progress I suppose.

That works

Trading for hour 2 for Monogatari

[ 8 ] Baccano! [ koala, abacus, voltch, lea, martin, xeybozn, yankees, WL ]
[ 7 ] Dragon Ball Z [ junk, 521, pj, yankees, war, mewtwo, bane ]
[ 8 ] Monogatari [ xeybozn, stan, WL, kappa, lefty, duck, voltch, koala ]
[ 8 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ voltch, yankees, martin, stan, xuxon, karo, lefty, roba ]

Monogatari

[ 3 ] Baccano! [ koala, abacus, voltch ]
[ 4 ] Dragon Ball Z [ junk, 521, pj, yankees ]
[ 7 ] Frieren: Beyond Journey's End [ martin, lefty, bane, maniac, lea, roba, ark ]
[ 8 ] Kaguya-sama: Love Is War [ duck, inviso, VI, roba, handsome, ark, xeybozn, koala ]
[ 6 ] Monogatari [ xeybozn, stan, WL, kappa, lefty, duck ]
[ 4 ] Puella Magi Madoka Magica [ voltch, yankees, martin, stan ]

Baccano!

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Rules:

- You can save 1 series per hour.
- Each series needs 10 saves per unique user.
- Ambiguous saves will not count (whoever updates might not know a series nickname)
- Last series unsaved is eliminated.
- No alts/rallying
- Don't delete or edit posts unless you're like giving us all an update
- If you want to update, make sure it's accurate. (There are however no real punishments for mistakes unless someone is being an ass)
- Punishments for rule breaking, well it's a fluid situation, everything will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
- Community Rule will be used.

Eliminated:

Haikyuu!!

https://animethemes.moe/anime/haikyuu_to_the_top/ED1

Well of course I'd like Honeyworks.

After finally binging through the anime, I thought this was maybe the best WSJ sports anime since SlamDunk, though I do have Hikaru no Go at a very similar level.
If only the Eyeshield 21 anime wasn't botched so badly, the manga was terrific but we never got anything near in the anime.

As I haven't checked out the manga's ending, how much content is there after the upcoming movie?
It feels like they're in pretty deep based on the initial goals set.

Previous Results:

SMFAS 05: 57th
SMFAS 06: 44th
SMFAS 07: 26th
SMFAS 08: 06th
SMFAS 09: 14th
SMFAS 10: 13th

I like seeing progressively perform better as the series continues.

Entrants:

Baccano!
Dragon Ball Z
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Monogatari
Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Eliminated:

07. Haikyuu!!
08. Beastars
09. 7th Time Loop
10. Mushishi
11. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
13. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
14. Detective Conan
15. Steins;Gate
16. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
17. The Apothecary Diaries
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
19. Monster
20. Kaiji
21. The Dangers in my Heart
22. Odd Taxi
23. Tokyo Pig
24. Yu Yu Hakusho
25. Dragon Ball
26. Dark Gathering
27. A Place Further Than the Universe
28. A Certain Scientific Railgun
29. Xenosaga: The Animation
30. Dennou Coil
31. Mob Psycho 100
32. Aggretsuko
33. Sonic X
34. Cowboy Bebop
35. Yona of the Dawn
36. Dr. Stone
37. Oshi no Ko
38. Spy x Family
39. Delicious in Dungeon
40. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
41. Bocchi the Rock
42. Fate/Zero
43. Psycho-Pass
44. Zombie Land Saga
45. Slayers
46. Made in Abyss
47. Lupin III
48. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
49. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
50. One Piece

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4a2eQUgpc

I am excited.

So DBZ is now the sole WSJ rep