Summer 2015 Anime Awards

As per tradition, it’s time for me to share my awards for the most recent season of anime – in this case, Summer 2015. I managed to pick up a couple of other shows towards the end of the season. Anyways, the shows I watched are as follows:

• Bikini Warriors
• Chaos Dragon
• Dragon Ball Super
• Fairy Tail Series 2
• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz!
• Gatchaman Crowds insight
• GATE
• Go! Princess PreCure
• Himouto! Umaru-chan
• Million Doll
• Miss Monochrome: The Animation 2
• Ninja Slayer From Animation
• Non Non Biyori Repeat
• One Piece
• SCHOOL-LIVE!
• Seiyu’s Life!
• Symphogear GX
• Wakaba*Girl
• Wakakozake

Before we get into the Awards, be wary of spoilers for the shows listed above. With that out of the way, let’s get down to business.

Best Opening Theme
“Exterminate” by Nana Mizuki
The opening theme for Symphogear GX is easily my favourite for this season. Just the way it starts with Nana Mizuki singing before the instruments kick in always gets me psyched for the upcoming action I’m about to witness. The opening itself is action-packed as it shows the Symphogear wielders take on Noise and the Autoscorers.
Runners-up: “Insight” by WHITE ASH (Gatchaman Crowds insight); “BACK IN BLACK” by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES (Ninja Slayer From Animation)

Best Plot
Gatchaman Crowds insight
It’s clear that Gatchaman Crowds excels when it comes to plot, as both of its seasons make for some incredibly compelling viewing. insight offers an interesting take on just going along with the atmosphere and how that can be a negative thing.
Runners-up: Symphogear GX; GATE

Best Protagonist
Hibiki Tachibana
The main character in Symphogear GX. Though she would prefer to avoid fighting, Hibiki will not hesitate to help those in need. She will even extend her hand to an enemy if they need help. However, she will fight if necessary – even if she does need encouragement from her friends.
Runners-up: Hajime Ichinose (Gatchaman Crowds insight); Umaru Doma (Himouto! Umaru-chan)

Best Antagonist
Carol Malus Dienhelm
From Symphogear GX, an alchemist who wants revenge on the world after her father was burned at the stake. She has a group of dolls called Autoscorers do her bidding for her, but she is also perfectly capable of combat – using all four classical elements.
Runners-up: Mard Geer (Fairy Tail Series 2); Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece)

Best Cast of Characters
Symphogear GX
A group of girls who are able to fight by singing songs? Yes, please! Also, the other members of SONG and their enemies make for an interesting group of characters.
Runners-up: SCHOOL-LIVE!; Gatchaman Crowds insight

Cutest Character
Renge Miyauchi
The star of Non Non Biyori Repeat, and still the best character. Whenever Renge’s present, you can always count on her to just be awesome.
Runners-up: Umaru Doma (Himouto! Umaru-chan; Elfnein (Symphogear GX)

Most Badass Character
Tsubasa Kazanari
Really, any Symphogear wielder qualifies for this one. I’ve already given an award to Hibiki, so I guess Tsubasa gets this one. Not that the others are lacking, mind you.
Runners-up: Wendy Marvell (Fairy Tail Series 2); Rory Mercury (GATE)

Best Couple
Hibiki Tachibana & Miku Kohinata
From watching all three seasons of Symphogear, it’s clear that Hibiki would be a completely different person if Miku wasn’t there for her. Miku loves Hibiki and will always help her through difficult situations. She’s also the one who was able to convince Hibiki to talk to her estranged father.
Runners-up: Kirika Akatsuki & Shirabe Tsukuyomi (Symphogear GX); Haruka Haruno & Minami Kaido (Go! Princess PreCure)

Best Battle
Symphogear Wielders vs. Carol
This refers to the second battle against Carol, the one that takes place at the end of Symphogear GX. Carol’s plan to use the Chateau de Tiffauges has been stopped, but she’s still determined to destroy the world. Hibiki, Tsubasa, Chris, Maria, Kirika and Shirabe activate their EX Drives, but Carol has plenty of Alca-Noise to back her up.
Runners-up: Wendy vs. Ezel (Fairy Tail Series 2); Goku vs. Beerus (Dragon Ball Super)

Best Soundtrack
Symphogear GX
Music is a key part of Symphogear, and the songs the Symphogear wielders sing as they fight are really good. Each character has their own specific genre, and there are also duets which leads to a great varied soundtrack.
Runners-up: Gatchaman Crowds insight; Seiyu’s Life!

Best Finale
Symphogear GX
Symphogear GX certainly has an epic climax, followed by what may possibly be a brief period of peace. What makes it even better is the soundtrack – Symphogear is all about the music, after all.
Runners-up: Hajime’s sacrifice (Gatchaman Crowds insight); Battle against the Eighth Class Card (Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz!)

Best Ending Theme
“Rebirth Day” by Ayahi Takagi
Naturally, the series with a strong focus on music has the best opening and ending themes. The tune itself is quite an epic song, sung by the seiyu for Chris Yukine.
Runners-up: “60 Oku no Tsubasa” by ANGRY FROG REBIRTH (Gatchaman Crowds insight
); “Anata no Omimi ni Plug In!” by Earphones (Seiyu’s Life!)

Best Anime
Symphogear GX
There has been some really compelling watches this season, but ultimately Symphogear retains its place as one of my all-time favourites. The action, the soundtrack, the character interactions… I love it all.
Runners-up: SCHOOL-LIVE!; Gatchaman Crowds insight

This has been a particularly strong season in my opinion. From Symphogear living up to my expectations to the brilliant surprise of SCHOOL-LIVE!, there’s been some particularly enjoyable shows. Of course, Gatchaman Crowds insight definitely deserves recognition, too. Summer has been my favourite season of anime in 2015, it will be interesting to see how autumn compares.