Summer 2020 Anime Awards

The end of the summer season of anime has arrived, and it was a bit of quieter one. As such, there might not be all that much going on with this post. Regardless, I still want to look back at the season and celebrate the things about it I enjoyed most. This format is a pretty good way for me to do just that.
Here’s the list of shows I watched this season:

• A Certain Scientific Railgun T
• BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
• Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater
• The God of High School
• Healin’ Good ♡ PreCure
• Lapis Re:LiGHTs
• One Piece
• UMAYON

A really small list for this season, with potential spoilers for any show listed above. All right, let’s dive in.
Best Opening Theme
“dual existence” by fripSide

A Certain Scientific Railgun always seems to get pretty solid opening themes, and the second opening theme of the third season is no exception.
Runners-up: “Contradiction (feat. Tyler Carter)” by KSUKE (The God of High School); “Hajimatteiku Takamatteiku” by Sambomaster (BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS)

Best Plot
Dream Ranker Arc
This arc of A Certain Scientific Railgun T begins with Indian poker, cards that allow people to pick up new skills in their sleep. It goes on to ponder the existence of the soul, and has quite the climax, too.
Runners-up: Magical school for idols (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Martial arts tournament (The God of High School)

Best Protagonist
Tiara
Tiara is a bright and friendly lass, who has that idol power to draw others to her. She may have been frail when she was younger, but that never deterred her.
Runners-up: Hina Tsurugi (Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater); Mikoto Misaka (A Certain Scientific Railgun T)

Best Antagonist
DoppelgangerRyouko Kuriba’s doppelganger is not necessarily evil, perhaps more a victim of circumstance. Whatever the case may be, she does oppose Misaka. Still, an antagonist who has a valid reason for doing what they do is arguably better than one who is evil just because.
Runners-up: Deepa (BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS); Jegal Taek (The God of High School)

Best Female Character
Asumi FuurinThe newest addition to the cast of Healin’ Good ♡ PreCure, who I’ll admit I wasn’t entirely sure about at first. However, Asumi has definitely grown on me a lot more since her debut. She is a wonderful addition to PreCure.
Runners-up: Lavie (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Yuki Kuroiwa (Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater)
Best Male Character
Jin MoriThe God of High School‘s Jin Mori may tick the boxes of your typical shonen main character (not too bright, loves eating and obsessed with fighting), but he’s entertaining to watch.
Runners-up: Han Daewi (The God of High School); Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Best Cast of Characters
The Breakwater Club
Joining these girls once a week to watch them try out different types of fishing was a lot of fun. They’re even fun to watch when they aren’t fishing.
Runners-up: LiGHTs and other groups (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Railgun, her allies and enemies (A Certain Scientific Railgun T)

Cutest Character
Hina TsurugiHina Tsurugi from Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater is cute. That’s all I have to say on the matter.
Runners-up: Maryberry (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Champe (Lapis Re:LiGHTs)

Most Badass Character
Mikoto MisakaI know I’ve got an anime full of martial artists to choose from, but none of them really pulled off anything on the scale that Railgun did. Mikoto really shows her abilities as a level 5 esper, dealing with everything that the Doppelganger throws at her.
Runners-up: Jin Mori (The God of High School); Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)

Best Couple
Hina Tsurugi & Natsumi HodakaI have to admit at first I wasn’t really expecting much development between Hina and Natsumi, but then Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater had them getting closer and closer. That was certainly a very nice surprise.
Runners-up: Tiara & Rosetta (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Ashley & Lavie (Lapis Re:LiGHTs)

Best Battle
Roronoa Zoro vs. Hitokiri KamazoThe animation in this fight from One Piece was something special. Zoro may have been down a sword at the time, but he had a method for upgrading his blade count from two to three. This happened towards the beginning of this season, but man, you don’t easily forget some top quality animation.
Runners-up: Frenda vs. Rakko (A Certain Scientific Railgun T); Jin Mori vs. Jegal Taek (The God of High School)

Best Soundtrack
Lapis Re:LiGHTS

Lots of great songs in Lapis Re:LiGHTs, but I’d guess you’d expect that from a show that is part idol anime. I’ve picked out Konohana no Otome’s performance as an example.

Best Finale
Conclusion of Dream Ranker ArcWhat a way to wrap up the Dream Ranker Arc in A Certain Scientific Railgun. There’s a reason that Mikoto is the third ranked Level 5 esper in Academy City, and this arc gives us a fairly rare opportunity to see just her going all out. There is another episode after the scene in the screenshot above, but that’s simply to bring things to a neat conclusion.
Runners-up: LiGHTs return (Lapis Re:LiGHTs); Taking down Jegal Taek (The God of High School)

Best Ending Theme
“Maybe I” by Seven Billion Dots

The thirteenth ending theme of BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS is so good. The chibi versions of Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki dancing to the music are pretty cute, too.
Runners-up: “Aoarashi no Ato de” by Sanjou no Hana (A Certain Scientific Railgun T); “WIN” by CIX (The God of High School)

Best Anime
A Certain Scientific Railgun TBoth the Daihasei Festival and Dream Ranker arcs of A Certain Scientific Railgun T were a delight to watch, though I suppose the focus here should be specifically on the latter. A Certain Scientific Railgun is excellent.
Runners-up: Lapis Re:LiGHTs; Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater

Huh, guess that turned out all right in the end. I may have not watched as much as I normally do, but there was still plenty to enjoy. Things look like they’ll be getting busier next season, though, so that’s something to look forward to.