My Top 5 Anime of 2016

Hello!
I'm going to try to make this list without any spoilers for these titles. These are also my personal opinions on various anime titles that I have watched in the past year and I would love to hear your feedback on them!
Here we go!

5. Assassination Classroom
Now this one actually came out in 2015, but I watched the dubbed version which I believe came out at the beginning of 2016.
I thought this was creative for that "slice of life school anime" genre because it completely turns it on its head and becomes an action and comedy and a bit of drama all in one. Koro-Sensei is a really lovable character despite all of the students wanting to kill him. His individualized approach to students is awe-inspiring, though nearly impossible for any real teacher of a class that size.

I didn't really enjoy the Kaede spin where she turned into this complete other character for an episode or two and then pretty much reverts back to how she was. They tried to make her more rounded like Nagisa, but she just wasn't developed enough, in my opinion.
I loved Karma and Irina as just the two bitchiest/snarkiest characters that really pull the humor in this show together.

4. Seraph of the End
This also came out in 2015, but I did not learn about it/see it till Spring 2016.
WOW DOES THIS PLAY WITH YOUR EMOTIONS! I am always down for vampire stories and you throw in a post-apocalyptic setting? On top of that you have demon weaponry and other strange creatures like the Four Horsement of John? OH MY GOD! This was one that I binge watched and was so upset when it was over. Yes, it has a very solid ending, but it still makes you wonder what's next? The relationship between Yuichiro and Mikaela is just so special and sweet despite growing up in two very different atmospheres. Nik is firmly against this but my coworkers and I agree Yuichiro x Mikaela OTP!

3.Yuri on Ice!
Speaking of OTPs... Yuri and Victor!! AHH!!! As someone who only watches the winter Olympics for the figure skating, this was right up my ally. The animation was beautiful, the music as really well designed, and the relationships between the characters LITERALLY HAD ME ROLLING ON THE FLOOR.
I really appreciated this approach to subtle yaoi titles because it does not sexualize the relationship between Yuri and Victor and it doesn't ostracize it or make it feel unnatural. Everyone is committed and consenting! HOW EXCITING.
I can't help but love JJ's character as well since he is so over the top, it seriously made me laugh every time he came on screen.
I won't spoil anything but for anyone who has seen Yuri on Ice!, The party scene. I don't think I need to say anything other than: Incredible.

Re:Zero
Okay, wow. This was a popular one this year. I began to watch it after Reina Scully on YouTube talked about it and I was not disappointed. Subaru is an extremely stubborn character who will not stop until he gets the outcome he wants. The whole story line with Betelguese and the Cult was just twisted and hard to follow at first but then it just hits hard! Then there's the whole underlying evil of Satella which is just crazy. And then there's the plot for who becomes the next ruler! (If it's not Emilia, my vote goes to Anastasia Hoshin) Nik is a strong Subaru x Rem fan but I'm OP Subaru x Emilia all the way.

Magical Girl Raising Project
This was one that I am extremely surprised not a lot of people were talking about. If you liked Puella Magi Madoka Magica, THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR NEW FAVORITE. I'll say beyond the general mood of the show, magical girls, and a non-human character you want to smother, MGRP is completely different than PMMM. This is about essentially a contest between magical girls to become a better magical girl or you DIE. This turns into a war-zone pretty fast with everybody going after everyone, it's crazy! The relationship between Sister Nana and Winterprison was so pure, same with the relationship between Snow White and La Pucelle, and Top Speed and Ripple! Top Speed was definitely my favorite and her ending absolutely crushed me.
I absolutely loved the animation in this show. I was also a big fan of the voice acting (16 girls that don't go "Kyah!!! <3" every time they get injured was great).
At this point, I don't know if they'll do another season. It could honestly stay the way it is and maybe just do an OVA like PMMM did.
This was the show of 2016 that probably affected me the most. After episode 2, I was logging onto Crunchyroll every week to watch the new episode.


So that's my Top 5 Anime of 2016! I genuinely enjoyed all of these shows and cannot wait to see what 2017 holds!