There have been a lot of seasonal anime that have come and gone through the past decade. Some will never be forgotten by some, others may wish to forget about the...less savory ones (or, if you’re part of a special group of writers here, you relish in those less savory ones!). However one might remember a given season of anime, it begs the question “Which season was the best?” or “What was the best year in anime this past decade?”


I have spent the last few drives home from the gym pondering about this myself, and decided it would be fun to try to gather some statistics to gain some insight. Using MyAnimeList (MAL), I have gathered seasonal anime statistics, starting with Winter 2010. I thought it would be fun to do this too since I do not know a ton about anime before a certain year, so seeing titles and their ratings/popularity would be very informative. It is my hope that, while individuals do not care for MAL ratings much, this guide may of use for discussions among anime fans and/or individuals attempting to write up about different years of anime this decade as well as serve as a great tool in discussions!

Here are ground rules before we dive into the statistics:

There will be an “Quality Anime Rating” (QAR) awarding shows falling into the score of 7.0-7.99 with 1 point, 8.0-8.99 will be awarded 2 points, and 9.0+ will get 3 points. I chose QAR because I believe that a season should have “good, great, amazing” accounted for rather than just “good and great” shows. Also, if I were to go off of average scores for a season with the same point range, there runs the risk of having skewed scores (perhaps one season has 2 “7.0-7.99" shows and the same amount of “8.0-8.9" as another season that might have had significantly more “7.0-7.99" scores...an average score would not display that the season had more quality shows than the competition)

Statistics will be provided for each season and year’s total number of shows in each category (ex: “Winter 2010 has x shows that were 8.0-8.99, the most of 2010!” or “2010 had a whopping x amount of shows with a score of 8.0-8.99, the most of the decade!). This is to cover up some holes that a system like QAR might miss. Additionally, this will allow for some entertaining statistics at the very end!

While this is a gathering of scores provided by fan votes, the scores themselves will not be given any preferential treatment. Even if a show lands on 7.98, it will not be rounded up to 8.0. Similarly, just because I may personally not like an anime on the list, I will not voice this opinion. This is a by the numbers listing. I will leave it to the commentators to discuss where they agree/disagree with statistics.

Anime from 8.0-8.99 and 9.0+ will be listed in that given season’s findings. Those landing in 7.00-7.99 will not be listed one by one. There are far more in the latter’s category than the the former.

For the sake of having the information available, I will list the five most popular anime for each season along with their respective “member count” according to MAL’s presented statistics. Each year will be given the top five, and these “member counts” will be compared across years.

OVA/ONA/Movie/Specials will only be counted if they are both LEGALLY available for streaming AND of 12-13 episode length . This is my lengthiest rule, but with the landscape of how anime accessibility is changing (and has changed through the years), it needed to be covered. It is difficult to assess OVAs or ONAs based off their classification alone, so I made sure to ask around to see what was considered a show and what was a film. It becomes wildly difficult to sort through hundreds of OVAs and decide if they are considered their own shows entirely or if they were films or just supplemental episodes. Indeed, some of these projects often get argued on what they are, so I will attempt to sort through the listings as best as I can. As it stands now, the shows that are from popular, LEGAL streaming options (such as Amazon Prime and Netflix) will make the list in the later years. I have tried my best to ask around for the earlier years to ensure I keep it as fair as possible. Just be aware if this list diverges a bit, this is likely the area it does. After sorting every season, most legal streaming shows came up under “TV” classification anyway. If your favorite show isn’t listed, keep in mind I did count full 12-13 episode series that were legally available for ONA/OVAs, however most of them were below the 8.0 rating to be named.

. This is my lengthiest rule, but with the landscape of how anime accessibility is changing (and has changed through the years), it needed to be covered. It is difficult to assess OVAs or ONAs based off their classification alone, so I made sure to ask around to see what was considered a show and what was a film. It becomes wildly difficult to sort through hundreds of OVAs and decide if they are considered their own shows entirely or if they were films or just supplemental episodes. Indeed, some of these projects often get argued on what they are, so I will attempt to sort through the listings as best as I can. As it stands now, the shows that are from popular, streaming options (such as Amazon Prime and Netflix) will make the list in the later years. I have tried my best to ask around for the earlier years to ensure I keep it as fair as possible. Just be aware if this list diverges a bit, this is likely the area it does. After sorting every season, most legal streaming shows came up under “TV” classification anyway. If your favorite show isn’t listed, keep in mind I did count full 12-13 episode series that were legally available for ONA/OVAs, however most of them were below the 8.0 rating to be named. Continuing anime (more than 12-13 episodes) will be assigned to their first season they are aired. A series that takes a few seasons off before pushing out a new project will not be penalized for this since the project is considered new. It will only be shows spanning consecutive seasons that will fall into this rule.

I will be using as many English titles for shows as possible...please don’t be mad at me.


If you have a specific season you are interested in, feel free to just search for the season (“Season 201x”). If you want to leap ahead to the very end with round-up stats, just search for “Awards & Discussion”.


With all of that said, let’s begin!


2010

Winter 2010

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 3 shows- Katanagatari (8.40), Nodame Cantabile: Finale (8.31), Durarara!! (8.25)


7.0-7.99: 10 shows

QAR: 16 points

Top Five Most Popular: Durarara!! (885,604), Baka & Test - Summon the Beasts (448,807), Katanagatari (349,208), The Qwaser of Stigmata (223,954), Omamori Himari (175,742)


Spring 2010

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- The Tatami Galaxy (8.62), Rainbow (8.55), Major 6th Season (8.38), Angel Beats! (8.25), Class President is a Maid! (8.16), K-On!! (8.15), Big Windup! 2 (8.10)


7.0-7.99: 11 shows

QAR: 25 points

Top Five Most Popular: Angel Beats! (1,223,360), Class President is a Maid! (639,755), K-On!! (388,904), Kiss x Sis (348,744), Demon King Daimao (326,054)


Summer 2010

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: None

7.0-7.99: 14 shows

QAR: 14 points

Top Five Most Popular: Highschool of the Dead (885,034), Shiki (386,019), Kuroshitsuji II (348,181), Seitokai Yakuindomo (330,964), Amagami SS (237,079)


Fall 2010

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 2 shows- Bakuman. (8.29), Princess Jellyfish (8.18)

7.0-7.99: 18 shows

QAR: 22 points

Top Five Most Popular: OreImo (481,312), The World God Only Knows (425,402), Bakuman. (399,922), A Certain Magical Index II (293,613), Yosuga no Sora (284,482)


Highest QAR Season: Spring 2010

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Spring 2010

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Fall 2010

Top Five Most Popular of 2010: Angel Beats! (1,223,360), Durarara!! (885,604), Highschool of the Dead (885,034), Class President is a Maid! (639,755), OreImo (481,312)

Spring 2010 has proven to be the best overall season, as well as the one with the most shows in the 8.0-8.99 score! I noticed that that season in particular has an abnormal amount of titles with exclamation points in their titles, too. The Summer had quite a few “good” rating shows, but nothing hit the 8.0 range. It also currently has the lowest QAR out of anything so far- we will see if it continues.



2011

Winter 2011

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 3 shows- Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica (8.42), Gosick (8.16), Kimi ni Todoke: From Me To You 2 (8.09)


7.0-7.99: 10 shows

QAR: 16 points

Top Five Most Popular: Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica (766,905), Is This a Zombie? (448,865) IS: Infinite Stratos (405,677), Beelzebub (368,832), Gosick (361,574)


Spring 2011

9.0+: 2 shows- Steins;Gate (9.12), Gintama Season 2 (9.04)

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (8.50), Nichijou (8.50), SKET Dance (8.30), Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen (8.26), Hyougemono (8.03), The World God Only Knows II (8.02), Tiger & Bunny (8.01)


7.0-7.99: 15 shows

QAR: 35 points

Top Five Most Popular: Steins;Gate (1,299,731), Blue Exorcist (1,062,479), Anohana (829,957), Deadman Wonderland (754,058), Nichijou (484,936)


Summer 2011

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 4 shows- Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 3 (8.62), Usagi Drop (8.48), Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan - Demon Capital (8.07), Penguindrum (8.01)


7.0-7.99: 11 shows

QAR: 19 points

Top Five Most Popular: Usagi Drop (324,895), Mayo Chiki! (317,462), Baka & Test – Summon the Beasts 2 (270,461), No. 6 (258,758), Yuru Yuri (237,807)


Fall 2011

9.0+: 1 show- Hunter x Hunter (2011) (9.11)

8.0-8.99: 4 shows- Bakuman. 2nd Season (8.44), Fate/Zero (8.40), Chihayafuru (8.27), Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2 (8.15)


7.0-7.99: 15 shows



QAR: 26 points

Top Five Most Popular: Mirai Nikki/The Future Diary (1,183,675), Hunter x Hunter (2011) (1,016,482), Fate/Zero (826,835), Guilty Crown (768,032), Haganai: I don’t have many friends (523,582)


Highest QAR Season: Spring 2011

Most 9.0+ Season: Spring 2011

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Spring 2011

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: TIE- Spring/Fall 2011

Top Five Most Popular of 2011: Steins;Gate (1,299,731), Mirai Nikki/The Future Diary (1,183,675), Blue Exorcist (1,062,479), Hunter x Hunter (2011) (1,016,482), anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (829,957)

What a year for anime! This year saw a whopping three titles with over a 9.0 rating as well as being plenty crowded for “good” scores on a consistent basis. With such a busy field for popular anime, it must be surprising to some that Fate/Zero was edged out by anohana on the popularity votes, but by just looking at the kind of shows this year had, coming in right off the podium is an accomplishment in and of itself! It is wild to consider just how many people considered themselves fans of the Fall 2011 shows as well- definitely has to be the most popular season so far.



2012

Winter 2012

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 3 shows- Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 4 (8.69), Daily Lives of High School Boys (8.32), Nisemonogatari (8.20)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 22 points

Top Five Most Popular: Another (935,282), High School DxD (736,200), Daily Lives of High School Boys (462,759), Nisemonogatari (447,500), Inu X Boku Secret Service (332,183)


Spring 2012

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- Fate/Zero 2nd Season (8.62), Space Brothers (8.49), Kids on the Slope (8.40), Kuroko no Basket (8.30), Hyouka (8.15), You and Me 2 (8.04), Shirokuma Cafe (8.00)


7.0-7.99: 18 shows

QAR: 32 points

Top Five Most Popular: Hyouka (670,848), Fate/Zero 2nd Season (620,168), Kuroko no Basket (601,461), Accel World (508,443), Sankarea (372,082)


Summer 2012

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 1 show- Kingdom (8.11)

7.0-7.99: 19 shows

QAR: 21 points

Top Five Most Popular: Sword Art Online (1,621,372), Kokoro Connect (489,088), So, I Can’t Play H! (279,066), Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero (263,342), Campione! (246,933)


Fall 2012

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 11 shows- Gintama: Enchousen (8.98), Bakuman. 3rd Season (8.62), Psycho-Pass (8.42), From the New World (8.42), JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (8.32), The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (8.28), Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (8.17), Initial D Fifth Stage (8.14), Kamisama Kiss (8.11), Blast of Tempest (8.07), Nekomonogatari: Kuro (8.02)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 38 points

Top Five Most Popular: Psycho-Pass (934,427), Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (701,702), The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (692,689), Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (587,391), My Little Monster (582,282)


Highest QAR Season: Fall 2012

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Fall 2012

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Summer 2012

Top Five Most Popular of 2012: Sword Art Online (1,621,372), Another (935,282), Psycho-Pass (934,427), High School DxD (736,200), Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (701,702)

This year had solid numbers with consistency across the year. We had some very popular titles (as the top five shows) make their debut, however there were way too many well known shows to list that also made their way into the “good” scores. What this year lacked in slam dunk scores, it made up for in quantity of memorable titles statistically.



2013

Winter 2013

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 1 show- Chihayafuru 2 (8.44)

7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 18 points

Top Five Most Popular: Problem children are coming from another world, aren’t they? (379,214), Haganai: I don’t have many friends NEXT (347,049), Oreshura (293,279), Maoyu ~ Archenemy & Hero (285,726), Love Live! School Idol Project (284,902)


Spring 2013

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 3 shows- Attack on Titan (8.47), A Certain Scientific Railgun S (8.10), My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (8.10)


7.0-7.99: 18 shows

QAR: 24 points

Top Five Most Popular: Attack on Titan (1,717,551), The Devil is a Part-Timer! (793,346), My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (668,506), Date A Live (545,878), The “Hentai” Prince and the Stony Cat. (314,937)


Summer 2013

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 4 shows- Monogatari Series: Second Season (8.76), Kingdom 2nd Season (8.40), The World God Only Knows: Goddesses (8.16), Silver Spoon (8.14)


7.0-7.99: 23 shows

QAR: 31 points

Top Five Most Popular: Danganronpa: The Animation (515,059), High School DxD New (501,883), Free! (426,188), WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Unpopular! (424,688), Blood Lad (418,564)


Fall 2013

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 9 shows- Hajime no Ippo: Rising (8.62), Kuroko no Basket 2nd Season (8.42), Magi: The Kingdom of Magic (8.38), Little Busters!: Refrain (8.29), A Lull in the Sea (8.19), Ace of Diamond (8.18), Kill la Kill (8.16), Yowamushi Pedal (8.07), Log Horizon (8.06)


7.0-7.99: 17 shows

QAR: 35 points

Top Five Most Popular: Kill la Kill (960,647), Log Horizon (683,699), Beyond the Boundary (644,132), Golden Time (500,041), Magi: The Kingdom of Magic (478,869)


Highest QAR Season: Fall 2013

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Fall 2013

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Summer 2013

Top Five Most Popular of 2013: Attack on Titan (1,717,551), Kill la Kill (960,647), The Devil is a Part-Timer! (793,346), My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (668,506), Log Horizon (683,699)

2013 looks like it started off pretty cold for fans but as the seasons went on, there were some very high QAR seasons as well as high member counts for titles.



2014

Winter 2014

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 2 shows- Silver Spoon 2nd Season (8.32), Noragami (8.11)

7.0-7.99: 19 shows

QAR: 23 points

Top Five Most Popular: Noragami (1,099,111), Nisekoi (638,675), Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!: Heart Throb (378,443), D-Frag! (262,743), Engaged to the Unidentified (236,005)


Spring 2014

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- MUSHI-SHI -Next Passage-(8.73), Haikyuu!! (8.62), Ping Pong the Animation (8.62), No Game No Life (8.35), Initial D Final Stage (8.27), JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (8.24)


7.0-7.99: 23 shows

QAR: 35 points

Top Five Most Popular: No Game No Life (1,260,416), Haikyuu!! (657,609), Black Bullet (568,762), The Irregular at Magic High School (557,074), Fairy Tail (2014) (525,759)


Summer 2014

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Barakamon (8.44), Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus (8.27), Space☆Dandy 2nd Season (8.25), Terror in Resonance (8.17), Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun (8.09), Hanamonogatari ♥(8.05)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 28 points

Top Five Most Popular: Tokyo Ghoul (1,313,645), Sword Art Online II (1,053,725), Akame ga Kill! (993,637), Terror in Resonance (631,467), Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun (511,003)


Fall 2014

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 9 shows- Your Lie in April (8.84), Mushishi Zoku Shou 2nd Season (8.77), Parasyte -the maxim- (8.48), Shirobako (8.40), Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (8.29), The Seven Deadly Sins (8.17), Tsukimonogatari (8.17), Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road (8.16), Yona of the Dawn (8.14)


7.0-7.99: 26 shows

QAR: 44 points

Top Five Most Popular: Your Lie in April (968,431), The Seven Deadly Sins (915,526), Parasyte -the maxim- (876,562), Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (541,616), Trinity Seven (448,798)


Highest QAR Season: Fall 2014

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Fall 2014

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Fall 2014

Top Five Most Popular of Year: Tokyo Ghoul (1,313,645), No Game No Life (1,260,416), Noragami (1,099,111), Sword Art Online II (1,053,725), Akame ga Kill! (993,637)

The Fall season here blitzed its way to the very top of QAR with an impressive slate of 8.0 range shows. On top of such a successful finale to the year, this year also has one of the busiest and close races for the top five popular shows.



2015

Winter 2015

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt (8.56), Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season (8.47), Kamisama Kiss Season 2 (8.24), Death Parade (8.22), Assassination Classroom (8.19), Durarara!!x2 Shou (8.08)


7.0-7.99: 10 shows

QAR: 22 points

Top Five Most Popular: Tokyo Ghoul √A (880,687), Death Parade (843,069), Assassination Classroom (802,693), Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season (373,427), The Testament of Sister New Devil (355,897...lowest rating on all of the Top 5 for any season w/ 6.99 rating)


Spring 2015

9.0+: Gintama Season 4 (9.05)

8.0-8.99: 8 shows- Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma (8.47), Ace of Diamond: Second Season (8.38), Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season (8.37), My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! (8.28), Baby Steps 2nd Season (8.13), My Love Story!! (8.03), Sound! Euphonium (8.02), Plastic Memories (8.00)


7.0-7.99: 17 shows

QAR: 37 points

Top Five Most Popular: Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma (819,570), Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (766,831), Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign (639,140), Blood Blockade Battlefront (478,505), My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! (468,676)


Summer 2015

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 5 shows- Non Non Biyori Repeat (8.21), Working!!! (8.10), Durarara!!x2 Ten (8.07), Overlord (8.06), Junjou Romantica 3 (8.00)


7.0-7.99: 23 shows

QAR: 33 points

Top Five Most Popular: Overlord (722,352), Charlotte (715,807), Prison School (502,993), GATE (473,529), SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist (412,982)


Fall 2015

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- Haikyuu!! Second Season (8.83), One Punch Man (8.69), Owarimonogatari (8.45), Noragami Aragoto (8.34), Mr. Osomatsu (8.10), Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (8.03), Yuru Yuri 3rd Season (8.01)


7.0-7.99: 18 shows

QAR: 32 points

Top Five Most Popular: One Punch Man (1,432,747), Noragami Aragoto (734,212), Haikyuu!! Second Season (470,053), Chivalry of a Failed Knight (455,338), Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya (393,041)


Highest QAR Season: Spring 2015

Most 9.0+ Season: Spring 2015

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Spring 2015

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Summer 2015

Top Five Most Popular of 2015: One Punch Man (1,432,747), Tokyo Ghoul √A (880,687), Death Parade (843,069), Assassination Classroom (802,693), Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (766,831)

The Spring season took command for 2015! There was a trend with the later year seasons being the most impressive, however the Spring had a lot of help from some big names.



2016

Winter 2016

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Assassination Classroom 2nd Season (8.60), Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (8.59), ERASED (8.49), KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (8.18), Durarara!!x2 Ketsu (8.16), Snow White with the Red Hair 2 (8.09)


7.0-7.99: 11 shows

QAR: 23 points

Top Five Most Popular: ERASED (932,055), KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (843,270), Assassination Classroom 2nd Season (562,350), Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions (435,495), Ajin (349,759)


Spring 2016

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 5 shows-JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable (8.61), My Hero Academia (8.36), Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (8.34), Magi: Adventure of Sinbad (8.05), Ushio & Tora (8.02)


7.0-7.99: 27 shows

QAR: 37 points

Top Five Most Popular: My Hero Academia (1,185,527), Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (993,470), Bungou Stray Dogs (493,494), Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (472,782), Kiznaiver (407,288)


Summer 2016

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 4 shows- Mob Psycho 100 (8.51), The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (8.51), Food Wars! The Second Plate (8.39), ReLIFE (8.11)


7.0-7.99: 21 shows

QAR: 29 points

Top Five Most Popular: Mob Psycho 100 (778,938), Food Wars! The Second Plate (547,739), ReLIFE (523,176), Orange (372,336), 91 Days (334,259)


Fall 2016

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 8 shows- Haikyu!! 3rd Season (8.94), Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 5 (8.61), March comes in like a lion (8.44), Sound! Euphonium 2 (8.30), Bungou Stray Dogs 2nd Season (8.27), Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd Season (8.27), Yuri!!! on Ice (8.08), Drifters (8.01)


7.0-7.99: 20 shows

QAR: 36 points

Top Five Most Popular: Haikyu!! 3rd Season (379,691), Yuri!!! on Ice (373,787), Drifters (316,403), Bungou Stray Dogs 2nd Season (302,510), March comes in like a lion (296,830)


Highest QAR Season: Spring 2016

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: Fall 2016

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Spring 2016

Top Five Most Popular of 2016: My Hero Academia (1,185,527), Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (993,470), ERASED (932,055), KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (843,270), Mob Psycho 100 (778,938)

This was the tightest race yet- Spring had 37 points and Fall had 36! I triple checked both counts even to be sure, but having two phenomenal seasons duking it out only speaks to how impressive of a year this was.



2017

Winter 2017

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Gintama Season 5 (8.95), Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu 2nd Season (8.78), KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 2 (8.35), Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (8.13), Saga of Tanya the Evil (8.10), Little Witch Academia (TV) (8.04)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 28 points

Top Five Most Popular: KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 2 (638,370), Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (519,386), Saga of Tanya the Evil (407,432), Masamune-kun’s Revenge (390,864), Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (364,528)


Spring 2017

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 5 shows- Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 6 (8.69), My Hero Academia Season 2 (8.61), Attack on Titan 2nd Season (8.42), Tsukigakirei (8.28), The Eccentric Family 2 (8.20)


7.0-7.99: 19 shows

QAR: 29 points

Top Five Most Popular: My Hero Academia Season 2 (988,118), Attack on Titan 2nd Season (952,093), Eromanga-sensei (359,718), Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor (339,720), Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (329,059)


Summer 2017

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 3 shows- Owarimonogatari 2nd Season (8.93), Made in Abyss (8.83), Welcome to the Ballroom (8.28)


7.0-7.99: 17 shows

QAR: 23 points

Top Five Most Popular: Made in Abyss (561,294), Kakegurui (451,345), Tsuredure Children (332,913), Classroom of the Elite (332,729), Gamers! (323,188)


Fall 2017

9.0+: March Comes In Like A Lion 2nd Season (9.02)

8.0-8.99:6 shows- Gintama.: Slip Arc (8.52), Land of the Lustrous (8.44), Food Wars! The Third Plate (8.38), The Ancient Magus’ Bride (8.18), Girls Last Tour (8.18), Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond (8.00)


7.0-7.99: 20 shows

QAR: 35 points

Top Five Most Popular: The Ancient Magus’ Bride (466,771), Black Clover (438,208), Food Wars! The Third Plate (411,832), Blend S (291,765), Inuyashiki: Last Hero (288,045)


Highest QAR Season: Fall 2017

Most 9.0+ Season: Fall 2017

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: TIE- Winter & Fall 2017

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Fall 2017

Top Five Most Popular of 2017: My Hero Academia Season 2 (988,118), Attack on Titan 2nd Season (952,093), KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 2 (638,370), Made in Abyss (561,294), Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (519,386)

This is a year where sequels ran the table, with a few inspired shows joining them towards the top. It also brought us a rare tie with the “great” score between the Winter and Fall seasons!



2018

Winter 2018

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc (8.75), A Place Further Than The Universe (8.63), Violet Evergarden (8.62), The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 2 (8.57), Laid-Back Camp (8.32), The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments (8.20)


7.0-7.99: 23 shows

QAR: 35 points

Top Five Most Popular: Violet Evergarden (612,678), Darling in the FranXX (561,457), The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments (452,907), Overlord II (431,123), Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (235,707...lowest score on top 5 popular with 6.77)


Spring 2018

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- My Hero Academia 3rd Season (8.57), Steins;Gate 0 (8.54), Food Wars! The Third Plate: Totsuki Train Arc (8.32), Hinamatsuri (8.29), Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (8.04), Megalo Box (8.01), Lupin III: Part 5 (8.00)


7.0-7.99: 22 shows

QAR: 36 points

Top Five Most Popular: My Hero Academia 3rd Season (747,490), Tokyo Ghoul:re (419,452), Steins;Gate 0 (409,220), Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (297,171), Food Wars! The Third Plate: Totsuki Train Arc (294,381)


Summer 2018

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 7 shows- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc 2 (8.77), Attack on Titan 3rd Season (8.49), Grand Blue (8.40), Banana Fish (8.32), Asobi Asobase: Workshop Of Fun (8.22), Overlord III (8.10), High Score Girl (8.04)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 30 points

Top Five Most Popular: Attack on Titan 3rd Season (580,996), Overlord III (336,398), How Not to Summon a Demon Lord (267,842), Cells at Work! (251,057), Grand Blue (226,026)


Fall 2018

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99:6 shows- JoJo`s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind (8.74), Run with the Wind (8.49), Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl-Senapi (8.44), Golden Kamuy 2nd Season (8.16), That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (8.16), Bloom Into You (8.01)


7.0-7.99: 19 shows

QAR: 31 points

Top Five Most Popular: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl-Senpai (457,015), Goblin Slayer (434,092), That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (422,002), Sword Art Online: Alicization (372,489), Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season (239,690...breaks record with a 6.45 rating to be the lowest in a top five)


Highest QAR Season: Spring 2018

Most 9.0+ Season: None

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: TIE- Spring & Summer 2018

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Winter 2019

Top Five Most Popular of 2018: My Hero Academia 3rd Season (747,490), Violet Evergarden (612,678), Attack on Titan 3rd Season (580,996), Darling in the FranXX (561,457), Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl-Senpai (457,015)

This is a really solid year in that there is a ton of consistency in both QAR and “great” shows season-to-season. It was rather comical to see Tokyo Ghoul:re fight with Death March for the worst rated show in the top five for a given season in popularity. For a season with so many high notes, it is notable that there are two (three if you want to include the other season of Tokyo Ghoul:re) poorly ranked popular shows.



2019

Winter 2019

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 5 shows-Mob Psycho 100 II (8.90), The Promised Neverland (8.69), Kaguya-sama: Love is War (8.42), Dororo (8.24), The Rising of the Shield Hero (8.11)


7.0-7.99: 14 shows

QAR: 24 points

Top Five Most Popular: The Rising of the Shield Hero (492,637), The Promised Neverland (462,332), Mob Psycho 100 II (418,904), Kaguya-sama: Love is War (386,188), Dororo (369,652)


Spring 2019

9.0+: Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 (9.08)

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Demon Slayer (8.94), Fruits Basket (2019) (8.33), Ace of Diamond Act II (8.24), Bungou Stray Dogs 3rd Season (8.17), Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet (8.10), Carole & Tuesday (8.07)


7.0-7.99: 9 shows

QAR: 24 points

Top Five Most Popular: One Punch Man Season 2 (585,447), Demon Slayer (513,382), Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 (414,563), Wise Man’s Grandchild (188,346), Fruits Basket (2019) (178,683)


Summer 2019

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- Vinland Saga (8.57), Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV (8.46), Skilled Teaser Takagi-san 2nd Season (8.35), Dr. Stone (8.28), Astra Lost in Space (8.26), Given (8.23)


7.0-7.99: 10 shows

QAR: 22 points

Top Five Most Popular: Dr. Stone (371,913), Fire Force (282,572), Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? II (262,794), Vinland Saga (251,155), Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest (179,827)


Fall 2019 (Note: This is the most recent season, so the numbers are most subject to change here)

9.0+: None

8.0-8.99: 6 shows- My Hero Academia 4th Season (8.26), Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life Season 2 (8.13), High Score Girl II (8.10), Beastars (8.09- This show has been confirmed to begin streaming on Netflix early 2020 so I included it), Chihayafuru 3 (8.05), Food Wars! The Fourth Plate (8.03)


7.0-7.99: 16 shows

QAR: 28 points

Top Five Most Popular: My Hero Academia 4th Season (331,969), Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld (161,026), The Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath of the Gods (144,723), Food Wars! The Fourth Plate (135,743), Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious (117,239)


Highest QAR Season: Fall 2019

Most 9.0+ Season: Spring 2019

Most 8.0-8.99 Season: TIE- Spring & Summer & Fall 2019

Most 7.0-7.99 Season: Fall 2019

Top Five Most Popular of 2019: One Punch Man Season 2 (585,447), Demon Slayer (513,382), The Rising of the Shield Hero (492,637), The Promised Neverland (462,332), Mob Psycho 100 II (418,904)

Despite not popping out with any amazing statistics here, the year stayed rather consistent. Our “great” results being a three-way tie are very indicative of this. Time will tell if those who are “catching up” on a year of anime will shift the ratings, but the numbers seem to suggest this is the picture we will see for the year. This year also saw a bout between two previous years’ most popular series with One Punch Man winning out (snapping the three year streak of My Hero Academia)


Awards & Discussion

So, after a long journey across a decade worth of seasonal anime, I found myself very grateful that I decided to use a system like the QAR. If we played based off of season-to-season average MAL scores, outliers would have simply wrecked these results. I am well aware of the flaws using a source like MAL brings and will take my lumps there, but the data is still informative. Below I have sorted several different categories for the sake of having the knowledge and to encourage further discussion about the decade of anime. Did your favorite anime season fall where you thought it would? What were your favorites from the particular years? Let’s discuss!


The average yearly QAR was 111.8

was The average seasonal QAR was 27.95

was Winter anime averaged a QAR score of 22.7 points , 4.1 shows in the “8.00-8.99" range , and 14.5 shows in the “7.00-7.99" range

averaged a of , in the , and in the Spring anime averaged a QAR score of 31.4 points , 6.1 shows in the “8.00-8.99" range , and 17.9 shows in the “7.00-7.99" range

averaged a of , in the , and in the Summer anime averaged a QAR score of 25 points , 4 shows in the “8.00-8.99" range , and 17.9 shows in the “7.00-7.99" range

averaged a of , in the , and in the Fall anime averaged a QAR score of 32.7 points, 6.8 shows in the “8.00-8.99" range, and 17 shows in the “7.00-7.99" range




Overall QAR (by Year)

2018 (132 points) 2014 (130 points) 2016 (125 points) 2015 (124 points) 2017 (115 points) 2012 (113 points) 2013 (108 points) 2019 (98 points) 2011 (96 points) 2010 (77 points)

Top Five Seasonal QAR

1. Fall 2014 (44 points)

2. Fall 2012 (38 points)

3. TIE- Spring 2015 & Spring 2016 (37 points)

5. TIE- Fall 2016 & Spring 2018 (36 points)

Lowest Five Seasonal QAR

These are the only seasons to score below the 20 point range

1. Summer 2010 (14 points)

2. TIE- Winter 2010 & Winter 2011 (16 points)

4. Winter 2013 (18 points)

5. Summer 2011 (19 points)

All 9.0+ Shows, Sorted by MAL Rating

Compared to most categories, it would be difficult to list out the “most 9.0+ shows in a season” since Spring 2011 brought us both Steins;Gate (9.12) and Gintama Season 2 (9.04) while several seasons tied for having one show. Rather than show a four-way tie, I decided to just list the shows themselves in MAL score order along with the season they came from.

Steins;Gate (9.12) - Spring 2011 Hunter x Hunter (2011) (9.11) - Fall 2011 Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 (9.08) - Spring 2019 Gintama Season 4 (9.05) - Spring 2015 Gintama Season 2 (9.04) - Spring 2011 March Comes In Like A Lion 2nd Season (9.02) - Fall 2017

Top Five Highest Amounts of “8.00-8.99" Shows in a Season

1. Fall 2012 (11 shows)

2. TIE- Fall 2013 & Fall 2014 (9 shows)

4. TIE- Spring 2015 & Fall 2016 (8 shows)

Top Five Highest Amounts of “7.00-7.99" Shows in a Season

1. Spring 2016 (27 shows)

2. Fall 2014 (26 shows)

3. TIE- Summer 2013 & Spring 2014 & Summer 2015 & Winter 2018 (23 shows)

“The One Million Club”- Most Popular Shows w/ 1,000,000+ MAL Members

Attack on Titan (1,717,551)- Spring 2013 Sword Art Online (1,621,372)- Summer 2012 One Punch Man (1,432,747)- Fall 2015 Tokyo Ghoul (1,313,645)- Summer 2014 No Game No Life (1,260,416)- Spring 2014 Steins;Gate (1,299,731)- Spring 2011 Angel Beats! (1,223,360) - Spring 2010 My Hero Academia (1,185,527)- Spring 2016 Mirai Nikki/The Future Diary (1,183,675)- Fall 2011 Noragami (1,099,111)- Winter 2014 Blue Exorcist (1,062,479) - Spring 2011 Sword Art Online II (1,053,725)- Summer 2014 Hunter x Hunter (2011) (1,016,482)- Fall 2011

So there you have it! If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I made sure to cover as many details as possible with the data gathered. It is my hopes that if you have discussions with friends or write articles about anime this decade, my research here will be able to be of some use. If you do, all I ask is that you give me a quick shout-out on whatever medium you are using. My Twitter is @DilKokoro and you can also link to my Kinja page. Feel free to ask me questions or if you would like me to clarify on any details.


This might sound sappy, but I want to dedicate this research to two very important things in my life. First, my close family from AniTAY- thank you for your support through some of the worst years of my life as I grew and climbed up. Second, I just want to dedicate a part of this to my best friend I’ve ever had, my Golden Retriever, Cooper. Cooper passed away this month after blessing me with 13 long years of unconditional love. I don’t think I ever deserved the amount of support that he gave me, and there will never be another dog like him. Life has been a bit harder without him waiting for me at the door after my runs.

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