The supposed apocalyptic year of 2012 has gone by, and it would never be complete yet without listing the top happenings of the year. A lot of anime series has graced our screens and we are here to show our Top 12 Anime of 2012.

12. Kids on the Slope

Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, together with the jazz themes composed by Yoko Kanno, this show turned out to be a great bromance anime. Kids on the Slope is a chaotic school drama which is touching from the beginning until the end. The generation of kids were influenced and moved by music, particularly jazz. It’s like every word the characters needed to say were put across through the music. And it’s hard not to follow the love triangle that developed in the story.

11. Natsuyuki Rendezvous

This is one of the lovable series of 2012. Although there may just be light-hearted stuff, the series could have been more than 11 episodes long. It tells about a middle aged widow falling in love again, but with the ghost husband weakening his wife’s chances of moving on. The fantasy elements and comedy made the show likable for most people who had time watching it. Not your entire needed dose of anime for afternoons, but it is good enough to watch every once in a while.

10. Sankarea

With the range of zombie games today, you could not blame Chihiro Furuya, the high school student who developed an addiction to anything zombie. This goes far, even wishing to make out with a zombie girl. He eventually encounters a real zombie, through Rea Sanka, a girl who died and returned as a zombie due to the potion she drank previously. But don’t get your hopes up as the story doesn’t go further into zombieland despite the theme it has.

9. Tsuritama

This anime has an interesting mix in it: giant water dragons, secret agents, aliens, cute boys and fishing. If you are looking for a crazy and comical series, then you shouldn’t miss it. There is some serious stuff in there too, but the comedy surely stands out. Being an almost always happy fishing series, you can sit back on Sundays and watch this all day.

8. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

It is probably one of the best manga adaptations. It is one of those strange anime but you can’t take your eyes off. In a nutshell, you can say that the series was a complete joke, and yet you may find yourself de-stressing by watching it. The characters, plot and the entire show are absolutely bizarre – which is the reason you’ll find it funnier than you should.

7. Thermae Romae

Don’t let the less than appealing animation fool you; the series is actually good, in a funny way. It tells about a bath architect who got to contemporary Japan. It is a combination of sweet, short, surreal comedy all woven into a short series. You will find yourself hooked in no time, but sadly, the series only ran six episodes.

6. Space Brothers

If you are looking for heartwarming stuff, Space Brothers has successfully captured the story of two brothers with hope and empathy despite the cynical people that would tend to undermine your dreams. The show is both hilarious and interesting that you’d be glued to your seat as you follow the story. You will find yourself laughing, crying and be amazed with this show.

5. Shirokuma Café

This is one series that doesn’t need a lot of explanation why a lot of people like it. It’s a hilarious show about animals living their lives, being in the café. It is a material you can repeat watching for the funny factors.

4. Btooom!

Not for the faint of heart, this series features a charming game of wits between people attempting to shut in one another inside the jungle using bombs. However, the same grounds sometimes end up with sickening fetishistic results. It contains some themes of sexual violence, thus branding this anime as a more advanced one for some.

3. Another/Anaza

This thriller anime keeps you guessing what is going to happen next. While only a few anime are able to do that, Anaza is certainly able to accomplish its mysterious plots with perfection. The problems do not only exist in the place, but the protagonists have yet to battle their inner selves too. This is a special combination of psychological horror and supernatural phenomenon carefully shown in an amazing animation series.

2. Hyouka

It may be one confusing anime, but it certainly won the hearts of many. This is one of those anime that is hard to explain why you came to like it. Some of the elements may be common, but there is something to more than just having the perky leading girl or the sarcastic boy. This series is marvelously animated showcasing the stories about friendship, natural talent, setting your limits, and finding mystery.

1. Sword Art Online

The concept of kids stuck in a virtual reality is not totally new, but Sword Art Online (SAO) became the favorite of many people in no time. The creativity and love in the series is what makes it generally interesting. If you have particular experience with MMOs, then you won’t have a hard time relating to the characters in real life. This series is unquestionably mesmerizing to watch.

Did you find your favorites on the list?