The 2011 UK Anime Network Awards

Written by A. H. on 19 Dec 2011

In that case, moving swiftly on let's great straight down to business and what you're here for - the 2011 UK Anime Network Awards presentations, upon which our staff have deliberated and debated over recent weeks to pick out our favourite releases from this year in numerous categories.  Just like last year, our awards will culminate in the announcement of our 2011 Reader's Choice award, which is the year's best anime release be it streaming or physical that's been chosen by you, our all-important readers.  Do our picks align with your own?  Read on to find out, and don't forget to leave us your opinions in the comments section at the bottom of this article.

Best streaming anime

STEINS;GATE

Honourable mentions:
- Tiger & Bunny
- Usagi Drop
- Squid Girl (Season 2)

With Anime on Demand debuting in the UK this year, Crunchyroll pushing as hard as ever to bring the latest shows to us via simulcasts and FUNimation in North America tying the knot with NicoNico, it's been another exciting year in the race to bring streaming anime to viewers.

Thankfully, it's also been an exciting year in terms of series to watch - Anime on Demand's opening gambit was the terrific Tiger & Bunny (which we'll be looking forward to seeing released in physical form in 2012), the noitaminA programming block offered the UK some prime streaming fare with the likes of Usagi Drop and Wandering Son, and comedy sequels to the likes of Squid Girl tickled our funny bone with impressive regularity.

There can only be one winner however, and quite frankly it comes via a series that's in a league of its own, with Anime on Demand bringing us a visual novel adaptation with a difference.  Never mind your usual romantic comedy harem antics beloved of the genre (although it manages to squeeze such conventions into its plot to some degree), this series treads a different path filled with mystery, conspiracy and a microwave that enables the ability to travel through time to a limited degree.

The series is, of course, Steins;Gate, and it's one of the most tremendously intelligent and cleverly scripted anime shows that we've enjoyed in a long time.  Over the course of its twenty-four episodes it'll shock you, amaze you, make you laugh, endear you to its characters and have you shaking your head in despair muttering "why didn't I see that coming?"  The only real travesty is that it hasn't been announced for a physical release in the UK yet - surely it's only a matter of time before this brilliant series comes to our shores in that form?